lllloooovvvveeee mine. It's great having one less thing to think about when you are watching both the nose of your truck and the rear of your trailer at the same time during a turn. Ah, it's just easier all the way around!
I'm a new driver. Just finished school with 10 speed tranmissions. My employer has autoshifts. I've spent the last 4 weeks over the road. I have to say, I love 'em.
Now, I'm no spring chicken (50). I have no macho image I'm trying to preserve. I just find it so much easier to concentrate on the other things I need to watch without the added task of shifting.
I've read other posts where drivers have said they would never want to drive an autoshift. Then they get to a point where they have to for one reason or another. They come back and say they were wrong. They love them too.
I think its just the next evolution of trucks. How many drivers with a manual transmission would like to go back to the days with a 5/4 double stick? Reaching through the steering wheel with your left arm to shift both sticks?
Quote: How many drivers with a manual transmission would like to go back to the days with a 5/4 double stick? Reaching through the steering wheel with your left arm to shift both sticks?
IN 5 years I could see maybe 40% of the trucks running auto's and maybe in 10 years that number jumping to about 60%. IMHO truck drivers will be flying cargo sleds before the entire industry is auto shift.