Is Trucking Going Towards All Automatics?

Is trucking going toward all automatics?

Automatic are starting to become more and more common. However manuals are still a long ways away from being phased out. If you're worried about getting stuck in one I wouldn't worry much about it.

The percentage of automatics is steadily increasing and will continue to, but old ways and habits die hard, even when there is no rational justification for continuing them. Manual transmission should go the way of the crank start. If holding a phone to my ear for ten seconds is 'distracted driving', what is having to shift a couple hundred times in a day ? No matter how good you are at it, it requires some attention, and for those not so proficient, it requires A LOT of attention.

I've always been a big fan of manual transmissions in cars. I've never driven an automatic in a truck. I know a modern automatic outperforms sticks in cars, but I don't know how good the truck autos are.

The automatics are getting better in regards to reliability and do take some getting used to but they're great in regards to fuel economy. The biggest determining factor will be repair time and parts availability since the most recent versions are still relatively new. If a particular model starts having issues like the Dodge transmissions and transfer cases have over the years, fleets will be hard pressed to keep them. I don't see manuals disappearing anytime soon.

When the massive fleets like Swift switch to autos you know there is a big money reason behind it. Think out it in simple math math, say that they get only half a mile better per gallon then the average driver in an standard (its really more but still) when you have 20,000 trucks all getting half a mile better per gallon it save the company MILLIONS in fuel

Even hauling loads at gross i NEVER get below 7.2 mpg out west regardless of weight in the plains i get 8 or better.

In the end the decision to switch to automatics or not will indeed be purely based on money for the large fleets. If they can move freight more efficiently with automatics the larger fleets will make the change. But there will always be plenty of standards out there simply as a matter of personal preference. If you look around you'll see trucks all around you with flat noses or big motors simply because that's what the owner wants. It's not the most efficient choice, but sometimes they simply don't care enough to worry about it.

Im new,but I love the autos. currently driving a 15 kenworth 680,and running through heavy traffic is terrific, although I leave it in manual,as pulling small grades requires 9th gear.at 65mph,I can downshift to 9th,and pull small grades at 1500 rpm,rpm range for 6,7,8 gear pulling hills is 1700rpm.love not having a clutch.

I just got my new truck, its a 2016......T680 Kenworth.....and its an automatic. Yes the fuel consumption is allot better........but truth be known, I prefer my old stick shift. I'm getting used to backing it in to docks and under trailers now and also the slow start even when bobtailing......but for me it takes some of the fun out of driving....just saying.

Mick