Truck Fleets With Automatics Transmissions
Topic 3921 | Page 2
What fleet or fleets has primarily or all automatic transmissions? Just finished driving school and have no desire to drive a stick.
So to answer the question, so far we have:
Trans Am
US Express
National Carriers
Maverick Transportation
Car Com family
Raiders Express
Averitt Express
Anyone else have knowledge of companies with Auto transmissions?
Swift is moving to an automatic fleet, not sure of the current percentages of manual vs. automatic. I haven't driven a stick since July. Took a while to get used to it...different. Should be a real trick in the snow.
Although you may not want to drive a stick, I think (my opinion) it's important to learn and master that as a skill. It will provide you greater opportunities once you have a year or two of experience.
What I'm wondering if swift is doing automatic next year, will that effect the people that will be coming it of their training? Will they only learn how to drive an automatic which will put a restriction in their license, it would be a smart move on swift if they did that, cause it would be kind of put a limit on who they could go to for work after swift. Hoping they don't do that tho!!
What fleet or fleets has primarily or all automatic transmissions? Just finished driving school and have no desire to drive a stick.
So to answer the question, so far we have:
Trans Am
US Express
National Carriers
Maverick Transportation
Car Com family
Raiders Express
Averitt Express
Anyone else have knowledge of companies with Auto transmissions?
Swift is moving to an automatic fleet, not sure of the current percentages of manual vs. automatic. I haven't driven a stick since July. Took a while to get used to it...different. Should be a real trick in the snow.
Although you may not want to drive a stick, I think (my opinion) it's important to learn and master that as a skill. It will provide you greater opportunities once you have a year or two of experience.
What I'm wondering if swift is doing automatic next year, will that effect the people that will be coming it of their training? Will they only learn how to drive an automatic which will put a restriction in their license, it would be a smart move on swift if they did that, cause it would be kind of put a limit on who they could go to for work after swift. Hoping they don't do that tho!!
As far a I know they are still using manual transmissions for training. If you are considering Swift, I would pose that specific question to your recruiter and try to make sure they are giving you a factual answer.
Werner is also moving towards a mostly automatic fleet.
I just heard on SiriusXM Roaddog Trucking, that some states (such as Ohio) are now beginning to put restrictions on the actual license of a CDL holder if they can only drive an automatic.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
May Trucking:
" Don't forget we will also be offering automatic transmission tractors as an option for new drivers in 2015."
Celadon has autos and more are coming in. I can only comment on the Kenworth 680 with mx 13 and automatic. Love the truck and the Paccar engine combination. If Im not in a hurry,Ill leave it in drive,and putt along. I mainly use manual mode, which some makes,dont let you run very long.My 10 speed is great,coming down most grades,shift at 80 mph to 9th gear,truck will purr at 65 mph and 1500 rpm.Really steep grades requires 8th gear,and 1700 rpm. Ive got the truck mastered after a few months,and would never go back,to a manual. I love the truck.
I just heard on SiriusXM Roaddog Trucking, that some states (such as Ohio) are now beginning to put restrictions on the actual license of a CDL holder if they can only drive an automatic.
Iowa is the same way. If you took your road test in an automatic, you will only be allowed to drive an automatic.
Dave
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Some of Decker's Flatbed trucks are automatic. They usually went to the VETERAN (long time Decker) drivers.
Dave
I just heard on SiriusXM Roaddog Trucking, that some states (such as Ohio) are now beginning to put restrictions on the actual license of a CDL holder if they can only drive an automatic.
Think AZ is like that too
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Automatic Transmissions Choosing A Trucking Company Tips For Shifting
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Swift is moving to an automatic fleet, not sure of the current percentages of manual vs. automatic. I haven't driven a stick since July. Took a while to get used to it...different. Should be a real trick in the snow.
Although you may not want to drive a stick, I think (my opinion) it's important to learn and master that as a skill. It will provide you greater opportunities once you have a year or two of experience.