Truck Driving Jobs

dle · #1 03-25-2008, 08:19 PM

For those that have gone to or from an automatic transmission truck.

I have heard many stories on how going to an automatic makes you lazy about checking the trailer on the turns.

I've also heard that it tends to turn drivers into "big car" drivers.

For those that have gone through this what has been your experience?

Oh once you have driven one have for a while (year or more) have you had problems going to a non-auto?

ICS · #2 03-25-2008, 08:31 PM

I was always against using an auto, until a buddy of mine made the point (he drives and auto for trans Am) that turning is easier. the truck shifts during the turn when a standard truck can't. also likes it for city driving. I am not saying i would trade mine in for one. but them points do make sense to me. the only problem he had was in the snow as far as rocking out of a hole, makes it a lot more difficult. I don't see the point in the issue you mentioned about turning. if a person is not checking the trailer during a turn with and auto don't know why he would be doing with a standard. just don't see how that would effect being aware of your truck. I think we are going to see alot of the autos around more and more.

BigDiesel · #3 03-25-2008, 09:06 PM

I own a 2006 Pete 387 with the Ultrashift ( no clutch pedal ) and I love it. I also own a Century with a 13 speed and when I drive that from time to time, and it's like riding a bike, you never forget how to grind gears.

Jumbo · #4 03-25-2008, 11:00 PM

I just had my road test for the company I am going to and it only took about 10 minutes to realize that this was a whole lot better as far as city driving. You could concentrate on your turn and not worry about shifting.

Kranky · #5 03-25-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

the truck shifts during the turn when a standard truck can't

I downshift quite frequently while cornering.

chuck3507 · #6 03-26-2008, 12:28 AM

I don't notice any difference in how the truck pulls or operates. The only thing I don't like is shifting in tighter turns because I pull a smooth bore tank and it kinda makes it rock a little. All in all though I like it. It does make me kind of lazy though.

dieselgrl · #7 03-30-2008, 04:51 PM

I myself don't like the autoshift trucks after driving a few as a local driver - but that's just my personal preference. One of my best friends swears by them.

What I can tell you, is that many a company who's gone to an automatic has seen a drastic reduction in accidents related to shifter distraction. When we miss a gear, be it a new driver or seasoned veteran, we are almost pre-programmed to look at the darn shifter. We steer to what we look at, and that causes cutting early (or driving like a car), which causes off-tracking accidents (a leading cause of rollovers).

So I guess you could say, someone who doesn't get a manual transmission into the correct gear BEFORE getting into a turn drives more like a car than the automatic driver because the guy in the auto can focus all his attention on the trailer.

heavyhaulerss · #8 03-30-2008, 05:29 PM

i do know my suprt 10 eaton trans will not shift if i am in a turn especially if i'm on a hill while makeing the turn. i looked at the eaton websight & it said to be in the gear you want before the turn & not shift during the turn.

Malaki86 · #9 03-30-2008, 09:41 PM

When my company switched my truck on me this January from an autoshift into a straight 10 the only problem I have had was that I had to remember to shift gears. I'd come up on a upgrade with the cruise set and couldn't figure out why the truck was lugging so bad. Pretty much the same (opposite) when I'd roll up to a red light.

Other than that, like it was said - shifting manually becomes second nature to you. You won't forget.

Kranky · #10 03-30-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavyhaulerss

i do know my suprt 10 eaton trans will not shift if i am in a turn especially if i'm on a hill while makeing the turn. i looked at the eaton websight & it said to be in the gear you want before the turn & not shift during the turn.

Your truck has issues.

Engine mount problems or cab mount problems allowing the engine/trans, or cab to move around during an uphill turn and bind up the shifter against the opening in the floorboard where the shifter enters the cab.

Other than the usual driving instructor recommendation to never shift while in a turn, there is no reason for that transmission to be "unshiftable" while cornering.