Does Knight Transportation Use Automatic Transmissions?

Hey Guys and Gals:

The subject line is the question; Does Knight Transportation use automatic transmissions?

It seems to be the wave of the future.

I'm curious about that because the more I look at Knight, the better they look.

Thanks in advance.

Bad Bob

Unsure about Knight, but CRST does.

This 2016 Cascadia has < 10k miles. It down/up shift jumps 2-3 gears at a time, utilizes jakes for normal brake application as well.

Nothing against them, just not a fan.. Especially in the rain.

Knight has both manual and Automated Manual transmissions in their fleet. Most of the newer trucks that they are purchasing have the Automated manual transmissions.

These new transmissions that you refer to as "automatic" are still manual gear boxes but instead of the driver changing the gears the computer does it. I drive a Volvo with their proprietary "I Shift" automated transmission, and it works like a champ. You can also set it into the manual mode so that you control when it shifts whether up or down.

Knight has both manual and Automated Manual transmissions in their fleet. Most of the newer trucks that they are purchasing have the Automated manual transmissions.

These new transmissions that you refer to as "automatic" are still manual gear boxes but instead of the driver changing the gears the computer does it. I drive a Volvo with their proprietary "I Shift" automated transmission, and it works like a champ. You can also set it into the manual mode so that you control when it shifts whether up or down.

IIRC: Paddle shifters. At least for non-semi-trucks.

Computer controlled shifting (no clutch). Person controlled shifts (with a paddle).

Thanks Guys.

I really appreciate the information.

Trucking Truth forum is the GREATEST!!!

Bad Bob

Starting this year (2016) Prime is ordering their trucks with Automatic's, Dispatch said the only way to get a manual is to lease purchase the truck.

Ken C.

Sorry to distract from the thread's purpose, but does that mean that Prime is training on auto's? I'd rather not have that restriction when I train next week.

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Sorry to distract from the thread's purpose, but does that mean that Prime is training on auto's? I'd rather not have that restriction when I train next week.

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I don't know for sure but a lot of companies that have autos still do cdl training on manuals for the sheer purposes on making sure you're not restricted to autos. One might think it would work out better for the company to get you that restriction because that limits companies you can go to BUT what happens if the company goes back to manual... now they have to retrain you to drive manual and get you re tested or term you and pay unemployment cause it's not your fault, they trained you in auto, got you tested in auto, got auto restriction on license... so if they term you because you can't drive manual that's their fault. sooo it's overall more beneficial to the company to train and test in manual... some companies do test in autos though.

Ironically enough, every Averitt trained driver I saw at the DOT testing location in Louisville, trained and tested in an automatic day cab , so it is very dependent on company as well as location.

I don't think you have to worry about the "future" of manual or auto transmissions.

Companies calculate they save money with auto transmissions, mainly in fuel economy. That's the reason for the move.

Sure, getting an unrestricted license is better than an "automatic only" license but probably in a few years nearly every company will be using automatics. The manual transmission trucks will still be here until they get retired themselves.