 |
Re: [RC] Stick vs. Automatic - Linda ParrishCan't speak for the stick this time (though this is what we both prefer), but we were driving a GMC 1-ton dually Duramax pulling a 31' LQ and a Ford F-250 Powerstroke pulling a 20' LQ (both trucks have automatic transmissions) from Texas to Reno (thanks Gulf Coast 4-Star for showing these trailers at the convention and giving us a chance to attend it!). As long as we were on 5% grades or less, we could tap the brakes and both transmissions would hold the rigs. Once we hit the 6% or better, neither transmission would hold and we would have to use brakes. None of the hills were bad enough on this trip that either of us thought we should put the trucks in lower gears, so I don't know what they would have done under those circumstances. Just our .04 worth. Linda and Bo ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 4:37 PM If I lived out West and drove a diesel, I'd sure have a "Jake brake." It's not a matter of automatic vs. manual - once the engine is being driven by gravity - it doesn't care what is behind it.Oh, no argument about that--but the point is, no need to wear out your brakes as long as the truck IS staying steady on the speed where you put it with your manual tranny. I suspect this situation would be even worse with an automatic, though. ============================================================ Common sense should also be a part of the decision making process. If you see someone who doesn't have any, hand them your tool box. ~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
|