First Truck for a Tractorman

Bird · Jul 30, 2001

alot of times less money, I'd go for at least a 3/4 ton pickup

Glennmac did say he wanted a used one, and twice I've bought used 3/4 ton trucks when all I needed was a half ton, but found I could buy the 3/4 ton cheaper.

As for the automatics, they keep coming up with new and "better" ones, so who knows what the future holds. There are automatic transmissions on the market right now that can handle the torque just fine. The biggest problem is still that the manual transmissions get better fuel economy for the big rigs. One of my brothers is an over the road driver and his company recently bought several new tractors with an entirely different kind of automatic transmission that the manufacturer told them would do as well on fuel mileage as the manuals - and so far that has not been the case. Now the manufacturer is telling them it'll improve when the trucks get about 80,000 miles on them./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Now I certainly don't know, but that seems like a rather long break-in period to me./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

cowboydoc · Jul 30, 2001

Bird,
For gas engines you're right the autos can handle the torque ok. The problem is the diesels. Ford and Dodge can't keep an automatic in their trucks because of the torque that they put out. Chevy put the heavy duty Allison in theirs and Ford is coming out with another new one for next that is supposed to handle it as well. Guess we'll see.

glennmac · Jul 30, 2001

Two of the reasons this fellow had for preferring manual had to do with driving hills. Automatics "hunt" too much on the up and down hills; and the manual gears provide "braking" when going down long hills.

You fellows in Texas and Iowa may have seen hills on tv or in magazines.

Bird · Jul 30, 2001

Yeah, Richard, I know about the problems Dodge had. What I meant was that there are transmissions built that can handle the torque of the big 18-wheelers' diesel engines, and big motorhome diesel engines. I don't know why the pickup trucks haven't found the right one, unless of course, the only transmissions that are strong enough are too big and heavy./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

cowboydoc · Jul 30, 2001

I'm an Idaho boy Glenn so I know all about hills, rather mountains and I will take a manual anyday for many of the reasons just mentioned. Now with that said however, as Bird has pointed out, the autos are getting more sophisticated. The new Allison on the Chevy actually downshifts for you going down hills. If it works like they say it does that would be a transmission worth having!!! They are also supposed to be able to handle up to 650 lbs. of torque which would make it a reliable transmission behind the diesel. I'm a little skeptical because the last Ford auto tranny was supposed to handle the torque of the diesel too and they're already scrapping it for another complete redesign after only three years. If Chevy gets this right with the Allison Ford and Dodge are going to be playing some serious catchup. I know I digress but that's my application for a truck. For a gas engine it would hold up for a long time.

As far as hills go you don't know what it's like to go down a real mountain until you've lost your brakes. They burn up fast if you get going too fast down some of those grades in the west and then try and stop. Brakes burn up and you are on your own son! Learned the hardway that you start out slow and keep going slow down a mountain. That's where I'm talking about especially that there will be a monumental difference between a half ton and three quarter ton. Not only are they designed to pull more they're also designed to stop more which is really what's important! Remember when the new Ford came out and it showed it pulling that huge ship? Well sure it can pull it but do you really want to drive out onto into traffic with it?

Edited by cowboydoc on 07/30/01 08:06 PM (server time).

Bird · Jul 30, 2001

Glennmac, I can certainly understand his preference for the manual when driving hills, and would even agree with him, unless you have something like the '89 dually I had with the Gear Vendors, which I could use like a 6-speed manual.

And You fellows in Texas and Iowa may have seen hills on tv or in magazines.

You may recall that Cowboydoc is from Idaho, and did you know that Texas has taller mountains than anything east of the Mississippi River? The first time I entered Idaho (on I-84 from Oregon), I stopped at a tourist information/rest area for a map and a very nice young lady there asked where we were going. I told her anywhere that it was cooler and she said, "Well, if you weren't pulling that big trailer, I'd suggest highway 21 up into the Sawtooth area." Naturally, I asked if it was a bad road (no, just steep hills), or if there was a lot of traffic that a slow trailer would interfere with (no), so that's where we went. If she'd only known what a nice, pleasant, easy drive that was./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Lots of misconceptions about trailer towing.

Bird

glennmac · Jul 30, 2001

Highest point in Texas is Guadalupe Peak at 8749 ft. So you are right. But it aint like that where you are, Bird.

Texas is so big; it is indeed a land of contrasts. As you drive in from New Mexico, I remember it being like a giant series of steps you descend--down all those plateaus. Then it becomes rolling hills until right at Austin, after which it all flattens out.

I wonder if your claim would have still held true without the Gadsten Purchase. Who's our historical geography expert.

Bird · Jul 30, 2001

That's a pretty fair description, Glennmac. Then I guess you know what the highest peak east of the Mississippi is, too. I spent the night up there one moonless night; I believe it was the darkest night I've ever seen outdoors.

Bird

cowboydoc · Jul 30, 2001

Bird,
Sorry I misunderstood your post. Yes you are absolutely right!!!! Motorhomes and trucks have got the autos to handle the torque no problem at all! There have been numerous discussions over why they don't go the similiar route with pickups. Cost has usually been the main factor but good gravy a couple thousand for a transmission that would last would go over like hot butter on pancakes for the crowd I know. It really is sad that the first attempt after 25 years of a heavy duty auto in a diesel is now with the Chevy.

glennmac · Jul 30, 2001

Bird, without looking it up, I'm not sure. Mt. Washington in NH is certainly the highest in the Northeast. I'm guessing there might be something higher in the Smokies, partially because I'm not sure there's any place to stay on top of Mt. Washington unless you're tenting. Tell me.