automatic vs standard transmissions for hauling

[Laney Humphrey <laneyh@mbay.net>]

Paula - I'm not an expert by any means but here's my 2 cts. worth:
When I bought my first truck/trailer I bought automatic because all the
articles I read said to even though I've always driven a stick shift car.
I live in coastal central California where we are amuck in gluey mud at the
moment.  Today I hauled my horse on a 2 miles dirt driveway to my trainer's
and blessed my 4 wheel drive and cursed my automatic the whole way.  Going
in (up) wasn't too bad but coming out (down) was nastier because, even in
2nd gear, the blankety-blank automatic kept accelerating the truck which
means that I had to keep the brakes on and risk locking and sliding.  I've
also had a scary experience or two just driving (fortunately not while
hauling!) in city and stop-and-go freeway traffic when I needed to stop
quickly and the constant fuel supply kept the engine going forward against
the brakes.  I guess I just like the increased control you get with stick.
It is more work and some people aren't good shifters.
Cheers, Laney
>X-From_: ridecamp@endurance.net Thu Jan 15 00:21:46 1998
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>Resent-Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 07:19:09 -0800 (PST)
>From: "The Vervaet's" <VervaetP@deruyter.K12.NY.US>
>To: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Subject: automatic vs standard transmissions for hauling
>Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 10:40:27 -0500
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>VervaetP@deruyter.K12.NY.US
>I'm looking for opinions (and probably will get a few) regarding pros and
>cons of automatic transmissions vs standard when hauling a horse trailer. 
>We have a 3 horse/slant load/extra long gooseneck trailer (all aluminum). 
>We're "discussing" our next truck and have somewhat opposing opinions, so
>tell us yours!
>Paula
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