Automatic VS Manual Transmission

[Johnp33]

I worked for a transport company for a while and they could give you the cost of every truck per ton mile and every part on that truck per ton mile.
We had a group of 6V92's with 740 Alison's, a lot of other trucks with standards, these were the Pick-up and delivery units. The operating costs of the Alison equipped units was quit a bit lower than the manuals and they could get into a difficult spot a lot easier. The trucks with the automatics were in a lot less acidents, the safety officer said it was because the trucks with the automatics did not have the one extra thing to do, and could just watch and drive.
I was there for 3.5 years and I reset one valve body that was never set properly, that was the only time I had the pan off. or any work on them.
I have a duramax and the Alison is great I live in the mountains and very rarely use any brakes, even when towing, I just down shift. If I would have bought the Dodge I would have bought the standard, not their automatic.

 

[tcartwri]

From a fleet owners point of view, the auto can be driven by less qualified drivers, all you have to do to go is step on the loud pedal.

This is plainly evident in the quality of the transport drivers we see today. It really is shocking how poorly some of them drive.

 

[JDgreen227]

You almost never use the clutch in a heavy truck, so they last a lot longer than you would think. A good driver would never need a clutch replaced over the lifetime of the truck.

"Good drivers" were hard to find in our delivery operation, many were temps or short termers who didn't give a bleep about taking care of equipment. We did a lot of in-town, door to door delivery work day long and day after day. (office supplies and paper and stationary items) and many of drivers were too lazy to shift so they would leave the transmission in third gear and ride the clutch on top of that.

 

[tcartwri]

"Good drivers" were hard to find in our delivery operation, many were temps or short termers who didn't give a bleep about taking care of equipment. We did a lot of in-town, door to door delivery work day long and day after day. (office supplies and paper and stationary items) and many of drivers were too lazy to shift so they would leave the transmission in third gear and ride the clutch on top of that.

I hear ya. I wasn't meaning to sound critical of your post btw.

 

[powerpace]

From a fleet owners point of view, the auto can be driven by less qualified drivers, all you have to do to go is step on the loud pedal. As mentioned, there is less lugging and less driveline stress. Autos can be better at starting out on hills and for backing, if the gearing is right.

But a manual is golden once rolling and especially in the mountains. They are more efficient and never hunt for gears. So you can back off the throttle and not have it upshift, then downshift when you step on it a bit. You can hold back and pull, and hold back and pull, without the trans over thinking and over responding.

In my Dodge Cummins with an auto, I installed a mystery switch that manually locks the torque converter. I can hold it in 2nd, 3rd or 4th where it cannot shift. This "simulates" (somewhat) a stick in the mountains and works reasonably well. The tranny becomes more efficient and the engine is directly connected to the ground.

I live in a hilly area of Oregon. Years ago it was common to see a truck pulling a trailer pulled off to the side of the road. Starting over after missing a gear and getting themselves in trouble.

 

[sld]

I love automatics most when on boat ramps. Heavy boat and steep ramp I will use 4 low. But even an easy ramp with a manual is more of a headache.

Years ago, as a teenager my buddy had a brand new Dodge 1/2 ton with the slant six and 3sp manual. I backed the trailer down and he got the boat on and hooked the strap and gave me the thumbs up. Well...I was still in reverse (1st and reverse were side by side), revved it up and let out the clutch. I was able to stop it when the water was even with the top of the tailgate. Put it in first and pulled out. This truck had less than 1k miles on it!

Needless to say I usually put the boat on the trailer after that.

 

[strum456]

Allison automatic transmissions seem to get rave reviews. What sets them apart from the others?

It seems that there are plenty of advantages to automatic transmissions when the driver is incompitent, lazy or careless. I am having a hard time understanding other advantages.

I am planning to swap the engine and trans in my 1977 ford pickup. My first choice would be a cummis with a 6 speed. Automatics are a lot easier to find. Should I comprimize? In all my years of driving and towing, I can not think of a single time that I wished I had an automatic. Well, there was the time I plulled my left LCL skiing, but none other than that. Have autimatics improved so much that manufacturers see no need for manual transmissions any more? Or is the recent shift (pun intended) toward automatics just due to consumer demand rather than technological improvement?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I guess its personal preference. I grew up on the farm, had motor cycles, driven semi's, ect but would not own a manual anything other then my tractor. I don't see the benefits. Yes, I have owned a few but these new 5,6,7,8 speed autos with manual shift modes are the best thing going.

Chris

 

[frischtr]

I owned an automatic car once. I was pissed off every time I drove it. Sold it soon after I got it. Every other vehicle my wife or I have ever owned was/is a stick and I don't plan on changing any time soon. I just prefer a manual.:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I owned an automatic car once. I was pissed off every time I drove it. Sold it soon after I got it. Every other vehicle my wife or I have ever owned was/is a stick and I don't plan on changing any time soon. I just prefer a manual.:thumbsup:

Good luck finding them. Not many are even offered with a manual anymore such as most trucks.

Chris