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-   -   Companies Who Use Auto Shifts (https://www.classadrivers.com/forum/new-truck-drivers-get-help-here/32757-companies-who-use-auto-shifts.html)

ramrod 03-04-2008 01:06 PM
Companies Who Use Auto Shifts
 
Would appreciate any help adding to this list of autoshift companies:

US Xpress
P.A.M. and subs
Maverick
Trans Am
Interstate
PTL

Others please......

Malaki86 03-04-2008 01:32 PM
If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.

ramrod 03-04-2008 01:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malaki86
If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.
Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...

Ridge Runner 03-04-2008 02:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramrod
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malaki86
If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.
Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...
I also suffer(ed) from gout. Are you on a preventive? It is VERY easy to comtrol. ( And cheap too ) . It is caused from high uric acid levels. I use to suffer from flair-ups a few times a year like you do. After getting on meds. ( $7.00/month ) with NO side-effects. I have not had a flair-up in over 11 years. Also do you know and understand what can trigger a flair-up? Knowing this also helped me avoid the attacks.

Ridge

ramrod 03-04-2008 09:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

I also suffer(ed) from gout. Are you on a preventive? It is VERY easy to comtrol. ( And cheap too ) . It is caused from high uric acid levels. I use to suffer from flair-ups a few times a year like you do. After getting on meds. ( $7.00/month ) with NO side-effects. I have not had a flair-up in over 11 years. Also do you know and understand what can trigger a flair-up? Knowing this also helped me avoid the attacks.

Ridge
Which med do you take? Haven't tried one to prevent.

Yes, I know what triggers an attack. All of my favorite foods and beverages. :D
Would likely not have many of those if on the road, plus I would be drinking more water too.......

headborg 03-04-2008 10:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramrod
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malaki86
If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.
Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...

but, you only use the clutch when coming to a complete stop anyway right?
otherwise, all you need to do is float all the gears and skip many of the others.... and if you're driving a super 10 or 13 or 18 speed-- you need the clutch even less.

ramrod 03-04-2008 11:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by headborg
but, you only use the clutch when coming to a complete stop anyway right?
otherwise, all you need to do is float all the gears and skip many of the others.... and if you're driving a super 10 or 13 or 18 speed-- you need the clutch even less.
Have heard of floating. Have not driven a big rig yet, so I'm not quite sure how that works.

Been giving lots of thought the past couple of months of trying trucking.
Been in construction for 25 years. Gets worse every year lately. Time for a change and trucking seems to be the only career one can into at my age (55)......

GMAN 03-04-2008 11:35 PM
Floating the gears means that you shift by matching the rpms rather than using the clutch. When done properly, you should not scrape the gears.

Malaki86 03-05-2008 02:09 AM
Also, not all auto's are clutchless. So, you may end up with a truck that is an auto, but you still have to use a clutch pedal.

GMAN 03-05-2008 10:57 AM
I spoke with a driver from Big G Express in Shelbyville, TN the other day. They now have fully automatic Volvo's. It is a good company with about 300 trucks. I believe that they require 1 year experience, but if you are interested you can always call them.

ramrod 03-05-2008 12:07 PM
Have learned some things from your replies, guys. Thanks..........

Bumper 03-05-2008 02:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAN
When done properly, you should not scrape the gears.

Show off..... :)

Kranky 03-06-2008 02:12 AM
Shifting without using the clutch.

Mack T2130 13 speed.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...Picture094.jpg

03-06-2008 02:40 AM
What is a clutch heck my dad who trained me hit me if I even tried to use the dang thing at all. Try driving a 73 International with a 5X4 you are busy enough without worrying about that 3rd petal.

silvan 03-08-2008 04:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAN
I spoke with a driver from Big G Express in Shelbyville, TN the other day. They now have fully automatic Volvo's.
Their fully automatic Volvos have brain damaged computers in the transmissions. I've run into a lot of these guys struggling to get rolling again after the computer in the transmission screws up.

Syncrosonix 03-08-2008 04:59 AM
swift has some auto-shift volvos. i've seen them here & there. i don't know if they're full blown auto-shift or with a clutch pedal. i don't really socialize with the fellow drivers all that much. i go off of what i physically see.

glasman2 03-08-2008 08:07 PM
Take Interstate off your list, they don't hire new drivers anymore.

Bumper 03-08-2008 10:18 PM
For a guy that swore he would never buy another one, I sure see alot of new Swift Freightliners and a few new style Internationals too.

Darin Younce 03-09-2008 11:31 AM
I think you might take flatbed trucking off your list as well . Lots of labor , climbing up on top of loads, tarping. Accordng to you , your Gout flares up 21 to 40 days every year . ( 3 to 4 times/ 7-10 days ) . That is quite a lot . Also not sure of the severity of pain concerning gout but climbing in and out of the truck may pose problems as well. Perhaps you can try
some meds and get it under control . good luck. :)

ramrod 03-09-2008 12:51 PM
Thanks for the tips, guys. Very helpful.......


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