Automatic Trucks, How Do You Like Them?

When I first got my automatic, I didn't care for it very much, but then I got into my first traffic jam with it. It started growing on me real fast at that point. Now that I'm used to it, I like it a lot.

I have an automatic now. Haven't had any heavy traffic yet. But your comment reminded me of the traffic through Waco, Texas, on the I-35. I think that would have been much smoother with an automatic. With a manual, I was shifting up and down to keep the speed of the traffic.

I haven't quite mastered driving trucks yet and am really beginning to get annoyed with myself whenever I grind a gear. Some days I drive like I have been doing this for ten years. Other days it's like I just started yesterday. I am curious as to how those of you that drive automatics like them. It seems like automatics would cut down on a lot of stress, especially when going through bumper to bumper traffic. Worrying about rpms, speed, how far to push on the clutch, and how heavy the load is really takes away from concentration on the road for me. The changing shifting points, and the dreaded climbing up hills is so frustrating.

Swift seems to be moving to an "all" automatic fleet as they purchase new trucks. I started driving one back in July. I must admit at first I was not a fan, perhaps my ego got in the way, not sure. Since I am a dedicated driver on the Walmart account, I spend a good bit of my time in heavy traffic, so it did not take me very long to change my tune. Although it took some getting used to it (what to do with my left foot, etc.), I am of the same thought as several other posts, I would not go back. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shifting, but at the end of a long day I seem to be far less fatigued with tlhe automatic.

I'll be coming to Swift in a couple of weeks. Do you know if they are training in automatics ? I ask, cuz I am taking my test in an automatic. Thanks

I haven't quite mastered driving trucks yet and am really beginning to get annoyed with myself whenever I grind a gear. Some days I drive like I have been doing this for ten years. Other days it's like I just started yesterday. I am curious as to how those of you that drive automatics like them. It seems like automatics would cut down on a lot of stress, especially when going through bumper to bumper traffic. Worrying about rpms, speed, how far to push on the clutch, and how heavy the load is really takes away from concentration on the road for me. The changing shifting points, and the dreaded climbing up hills is so frustrating.

Swift seems to be moving to an "all" automatic fleet as they purchase new trucks. I started driving one back in July. I must admit at first I was not a fan, perhaps my ego got in the way, not sure. Since I am a dedicated driver on the Walmart account, I spend a good bit of my time in heavy traffic, so it did not take me very long to change my tune. Although it took some getting used to it (what to do with my left foot, etc.), I am of the same thought as several other posts, I would not go back. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shifting, but at the end of a long day I seem to be far less fatigued with tlhe automatic.

I'll be coming to Swift in a couple of weeks. Do you know if they are training in automatics ? I ask, cuz I am taking my test in an automatic. Thanks

I can't say for sure about swift, but I know Werner still trains in manual even though they are transitioning to a mostly automatic fleet. This way if you do end up getting assigned a manual, they know you can drive it. I imagine other companies take a similar approach.

I just started driving an automatic this week. It's a love/hate relationship right now. Love it when I am in heavy traffic, not to sure during other times. The jury is still out on this right now.

One big thing I don't like about it is when you are trying to slide your 5th wheel, it sucks. Had a very difficult time with that earlier this week. Finally got it, but boy was it a chore. You can't bump the clutch to jerk the truck to move a stuck 5th wheel. It seems on the new truck I am driving (new to me), it had never been moved, so did not want to budge.

Ernie

I'll be coming to Swift in a couple of weeks. Do you know if they are training in automatics ? I ask, cuz I am taking my test in an automatic. Thanks

I thought it was required all cdl testing be done with a manual. I should have researched more before I started, haha. I am glad I learned to drive a manual though.

I just started driving an automatic this week. It's a love/hate relationship right now. Love it when I am in heavy traffic, not to sure during other times. The jury is still out on this right now.

One big thing I don't like about it is when you are trying to slide your 5th wheel, it sucks. Had a very difficult time with that earlier this week. Finally got it, but boy was it a chore. You can't bump the clutch to jerk the truck to move a stuck 5th wheel. It seems on the new truck I am driving (new to me), it had never been moved, so did not want to budge.

Ernie

Glad your back riding this horse Ernie. From what I am hearing you will be happy to have that automatic. Do you automatic veterans, have you driven them in winter yet?That seems like the time when having a manual is beneficial. My last post was all messed up. Tried to take part of previous post and use it but ended up stealing it. Hey Errol, is there a tutorial on here that shows how to quote portions of what someone posted with out quoting the entire post. I think I confused myself.

One big thing I don't like about it is when you are trying to slide your 5th wheel, it sucks. Had a very difficult time with that earlier this week. Finally got it, but boy was it a chore. You can't bump the clutch to jerk the truck to move a stuck 5th wheel

Interesting. Now when I had an automatic it was technically an auto-shift. Same standard transmission and it had a clutch, but a computerized shifting mechanism did the shifting. So if you came to a stop you had to use the clutch. That type would have been an advantage in that situation for you. You must have one of the newer true automatics without a clutch, eh?

It seems on the new truck I am driving (new to me), it had never been moved, so did not want to budge.

Those can be brutal to move. Were you able to get most of the weight off of it using the trailer legs? Did the pins all release ok from it?

There's a gigantic difference between well-greased, freshly moved steel and rusty, dry, crusty steel. A mini sledge hammer was the minimum I needed sometimes to get trailer pins or 5th wheel pins to move. You just have to bash on it a bunch of times. Steel doesn't really listen to reason or care to cooperate. It's pretty much a brute force thing.

Manuel wonders:

I'll be coming to Swift in a couple of weeks. Do you know if they are training in automatics ? I ask, cuz I am taking my test in an automatic. Thanks

Manuel, I am at the Memphis terminal , next door to the Swift Academy every day. The tractors on the Academy range are older, and are manual. Not to worry, you'll get the chance learn shifting before the road test.

It seems Swift is pushing people to Memphis or Utah. Where are you headed for?

I just started driving an automatic this week. It's a love/hate relationship right now. Love it when I am in heavy traffic, not to sure during other times. The jury is still out on this right now.

One big thing I don't like about it is when you are trying to slide your 5th wheel, it sucks. Had a very difficult time with that earlier this week. Finally got it, but boy was it a chore. You can't bump the clutch to jerk the truck to move a stuck 5th wheel. It seems on the new truck I am driving (new to me), it had never been moved, so did not want to budge.

Ernie

I had this happen once where it would just not move so I got back out from under the trailer after adjusting the landing gear so the trailer would only drop about 1/2" and unlocked the 5th wheel and then backed under it again and used the truck and trailer as the hammer to get it moving. Yep, dropped the air and backed it under the trailer with the dogs unlocked. Gotta take it easy but a 20k pound hammer VS a 40k plus pound hammer works better than your mini sledge for a stuck 5th wheel. You have to make sure that the dogs are unlocked entirely first and do not rush it or you could damage the 5th wheel.