Community Forums

Dan Wong · 08-20-2014, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demoon

OP wants us to chime in on possible motorhomes with stick shifts. I suspect he knows what is presumed to be the reason for the move to automatics. I would guess, that the answer to his question would be that except for custom built, or renovated buses, (yes, you can find older ones with sticks), the only off the lot rigs would be the old Toyota based units, and perhaps something built in/for foreign use.

You read me absolutely correct !! that is exactly the reason I wanted some MH owner to chime in.

my primary interest was a stick shift in a motorhome. Motorhome is rarely driven in-town traffic. I drove 3-5k miles a year, maybe 10 - 15 was in town miles.

You are also correct; only stick shift available was older Toyota Motorhome.

One thing really bothers me with AT on a motorhome is; most tow guys never disconnect the drive-line. (hasn't happen on my MH ...yet, knock on wood). Several years ago, I had my Service van towed; they ruined my transmission (45 miles on freeway). By the time I got my van running, tow people denied all responsibility ("Ve tow lotsa car tis' way, vee never hav'a any problem").

Sthwindrider · 08-21-2014, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

Dan Wong
"Standard transmissions" are still available from most auto makers.
However, most drivers today NEED automatics because it is difficult to shift while texting, setting up a GPS, putting on eye-shadow, eating/drinking and GIVING SOMEONE "THE FINGER".

Mel
'96 Safari

Haha! I was going to post the same thing. The average driver these days are to lazy to pay attention to what they are doing, why would they bother learning the finer nuances of driving.

Also automatics work better with all the nanny systems the manufacturers are forcing on these days.

HD4Mark · 08-21-2014, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Wong

One thing really bothers me with AT on a motorhome is; most tow guys never disconnect the drive-line.

Any decent tow service should know this but they all are not decent. Talking to the guy that owns the diesel shop/big rig tow we use for service he said "while towing this MH after I disconnected the drive shaft..." His shop knows what to do. I guess we all need to insist they disconnect the drive train or get someone else.

About a stick in the MH. I like driving a stick but honestly think I would rather have the Allison 6 speed in ours. The toad is the only standard (other than my Harley) that I get to drive but alas I caved into DW and the new toad is coming with an auto

jenandjon · 08-21-2014, 06:00 AM

It would take a lot of engineering to make a diesel pusher a manual. Seeing how the driver and trans are 30 something feet apart. We were shopping for a new farm truck to pull trailers with. The only newer diesel pickup we could find with a stick is a dodge cummins.

demoon · 08-21-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

It would take a lot of engineering to make a diesel pusher a manual. Seeing how the driver and trans are 30 something feet apart. We were shopping for a new farm truck to pull trailers with. The only newer diesel pickup we could find with a stick is a dodge cummins.

The engineering has been around for many years. Most commercial buses were diesel pushers with a stick. Actually there are still some in use today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHuvJmdw29I

NorthernDriv · 08-21-2014, 11:33 AM

RV auto is faster shifting and easier on the driveline. Clutch replacement is a huge expense. I learned on a 5 and 4 tranny, I don't miss them at all!

HD4Mark · 08-22-2014, 06:36 AM

Kind of off topic but how may of you drove a "3 in the tree" three speed on the column standard? I had a company truck for a few years with one that they replaced with a three on the floor with overdrive! What an improvement

Aguyfromcalg · 08-22-2014, 07:50 AM

I drove my friends old ford fairlane that had a three in a tree.
My dad had a job once driving a dump truck. It had a 5 speed main tranny coupled to a 4 speed auxiliary tranny.

doc · 08-22-2014, 09:37 AM

There were several of us ole country boys (back in the 60's) that got an invitation from the federal government to come over to Atlanta for a free medical exam and a chance for a free trip to Asia.
Of course we accepted and were picked up at a local bus stop by a Grey Hound bus heading there. The bus was a pusher and the transmission was a manual. I can recall that driver letting the engine wind completely up before shifting and even on the small hills in N Georgia he was down shifting. I think the engine was a Detroit but I was a little worried at the time. I do recall the driver's right hand in almost constant motion for what seemed like all day.
I cannot imagine the shift setup that changed that thing out

Dr4Film · 08-22-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

Dan Wong
"Standard transmissions" are still available from most auto makers.
However, most drivers today NEED automatics because it is difficult to shift while texting, setting up a GPS, putting on eye-shadow, eating/drinking and GIVING SOMEONE "THE FINGER".

Mel
'96 Safari

Dr4Film ----- Richard

mel s · 08-22-2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

Kind of off topic but how may of you drove a "3 in the tree" three speed on the column standard? I had a company truck for a few years with one that they replaced with a three on the floor with overdrive! What an improvement

HD4Mark
My 1st car, (a '47), had a "3 on the floor", then I had 3-4 with "3 on the column", (1 of those had overdrive), since then all of my many "standards", (some 3 speed some 4, some 5), where on the floor, (as were/are all of my automatics).
Mel
'96 Safari

Dan Wong · 08-22-2014, 07:19 PM

Since we are going off the topic...

How many of you remember; Rev up the engine, pop the clutch, big cloud of white smoke on the rear-view mirror, lay ten feet of rubber? (actually slip and side ten to fortty feet).

I can't prove this, but I think the girls pee on the passenger seat.

hehe

doc · 08-22-2014, 07:41 PM

I recall thinking I was smoking some tires as the engine was revving and I was barely moving. UNTIL I smelled the clutch burning

boy genius who ran recaps cause he could not afford new tires. duh!!

Gary RVRoamer · 08-23-2014, 08:39 AM

An embarrassing moment I'll never forget: Back in the day I bought a new Dodge Charger RT, 440 cubes of smoking power equipped with soft, grippy, Firestone Wide Oval tires. First chance I got on an empty road, I stopped, then stomped down on the go-peddle, heard the engine roar and smelled rubber burning! But I didn't move an inch. Those grippy tires stayed glued to the pavement and the wheels spun in the tire, breaking the bead and leaving me stranded with two flat tires. Had to get towed to a tire shop to remount both rears. I learned to go a bit easier after that, but there still wasn't much of anything faster on the road.