When I said the CH Automatic was a good truck, I didn't say that I like automatics. In fact I prefer a 13 speed (which we don't have) over a 10 or a 9 speed. The good features on the CH automatics are 1.) two speed engine brake-the 2nd speed actually slows the truck down-not like the Volvo automatics that have one speed useless engine exhaust brakes. 2.) the Eaton Fuller automatics in the CH still has a clutch to stop and start the truck-enabling you to creep-up to the dock-instead of bouncing off of the dock with the clutch-less automatics.
Regarding the reason for the single-axles in Linehaul is because the Company policy about what kind of power is needed was formulated before they started with the Kaptive-Rail 53 footers in Line Haul. Empty
K99 is 16,720 lbs, empty K98 is 16,500 and empty K97 (mfg. by Wabash) is 16,032 lbs.
Without the rail trailers, it was rare that we were overweight on the drive-axle in a 48 or even 53 foot dry van. Now, it's a regular occurance. The extra axle on the tandem tractor and the higher registered weight costs them quite a bit over the useful life of the unit. In the Eastern terminals, they always have the availability to switch trucks as needed, not so in the West. Hopefully they will realize this fact and switch to all
screws for those meets and turns that are happening now, to alleviate the problem.
I hope they will anyway,:horse: