10-speed Vs. Everything Else

I am currently considering moving to a new company (Hurricane Express) and as far as I can tell they use exclusively 18-speed transmissions. I trained on a 10-speed and have driven nothing but that and automatics since getting my CDL. Wanted to know if there's a steep learning curve in making the switch and if there are any tips or tricks I should know.

Are they doing heavy haul? I can think of no reason to need an 18 speed for any other reason. I have a 13 speed Eaton-Fuller in my own truck.

Are they doing heavy haul?

Nope. As far as I know they just do reefer. Might have some dry van too but no heavy haul.

Lots of good videos on YouTube regarding shifting just about any transmission types from the 1930’s up to the present.

It is easier to drive a 13 or 18 than a 10 in my opinion. Don’t overthink it. Best way I can put it. It’s like driving a 4 speed with a couple buttons, I have an 18 and yes its overkill, but it works well. For reefer work a 13 would be great.

An 18 speed for reefer doesn't make any sense. I'm not sure I'd want to be learning a new transmission in a setting where I'm paying the maintenance bill.

Unless they changed recently hurricane is a lease purchase company.

This wouldnt be an ideal situation for you at all in my opinion. Huge learning curve since you haven't touched a 10 speed in how long? And it was only for a few week's I'm guessing? So you never really got the chance to get proficient with it. Ive driven all 3. But since I had 10 speed shifting down prior tooall i had to really do was get used to the gear pattern. The splitter is just a switch that goes front or back and shifts itself as long as the rpms are correct. I had it down a few hours into the drive. You can actually shift a 13 like a 10. 18 is the same except you can split the lower gears. And also when i think of a company with 18 speed trucks i think of long nose Petes and KW's. What kind of trucks do they run? Owner might not feel comfortable putting a driver with very minimal shifting into one of his trucks.

What is it about this company in particular?

Look the company up, they are all lease purchase. They are LEASING / LEASE PURCHASE Pete 579 Ultralofts with Cummins X15 engine and 18 spd Eaton Fuller Transmisions

I see their trucks on 70 a lot they are all pimped out with crazy graphics and chrome real nice looking setups I would consider going OTR to drive one, but since they are all leases I'll stick with my current setup.

Huge learning curve since you haven't touched a 10 speed in how long? And it was only for a few week's I'm guessing? So you never really got the chance to get proficient with it.

On the contrary, I drove a 10-speed for a little over four years. I've only been in an automatic for 6 months.

Several people have pointed out that Hurricane is a lease only company. They are not, they have several company divisions (not very large, but they are there). I was looking into both sides of it. Yes I know that leasing is generally terrible and is to be avoided but I still tend to do the research anyway, even if only to demonstrate to myself and my family WHY it should be avoided.