Bob Rosadini Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said: The vast majority of people have no idea how to drive a stick in a light duty vehicle, do you actually think they'll learn for a HD one? That is my point. And if they do learn, they will go and spend a lot of money at a driving school-and their chances of getting hired driving a class 7 or 8 will depend on just how hot the economy is- or they will be willing to work for very low wages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselford Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 To Bob Rosadini your comments on people not able to drive manual transmissions is very accurate! I use to work for BorgWarner, Warner Gear Division and sold transfer cases and manual Transmissions.. We use to sell T18/T19 creeper 4 speeds to Ford for light duty and medium duty trucks and the T5 for the Mustang GT. it seemed that in light truck, our T18 was used to supplement F150/250 volumes when ford could not produce enough automatic transmissions. I think New Process Gear NP435 trans was also used for that purpose too. Over the years from 1980 to about 1998, manual volumes continued to decrease to a point that the cost of making them was more than the customer was willing to pay. newer automatics came out that reduced the fuel economy advantage for manuals too. in 1981, Clark Equipment who made the mid range five speed manuals, moved their production to Brazil from Rockingham NC and within two years, Eaton Corporation bought the Clark facility and mid range manual business from Clark Equipment in a business consolidation. The last holdout of manual transmission production was New Venture Gear in Syracuse NY. when this division of DaimlerChrysler was sold to Magna, the NVG 4500 rights were sold to Tremec in Mexico and to my knowledge, no one makes manuals in the US except for Eaton road ranger multi speed units. Manual were allot of fun while they lasted! edselford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schpark Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 I am proud to say that I ensured all of my children learned how to drive a manual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearheadGrrrl Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 There's still the issue of fragility- Both the Volvo/Mack and Daimler automated manuals are easily damaged by even short tows unless the driveshaft or axles are pulled. If a trucks broke down blocking traffic in a snowstorm, the police will want it towed immediately instead of waiting for driveshafts or axles to be pulled, assuming the tow truck driver even knows that's needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 On 5/6/2026 at 10:20 AM, Schpark said: I am proud to say that I ensured all of my children learned how to drive a manual. Of my first 12 vehicles, only two had slushboxes. My last four have all had slushboxes, and it still aggravates me that I can’t get a manual transmission in a modern half-ton. At least my tractors still have gearboxes… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 5 hours ago, SoonerLS said: ....At least my tractors still have gearboxes… For now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselford Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Even tractors in the 25 to 55 hp range are heading to hydrostatic drive systems with 2 to three ranges. Had at Massey Ferguson with a 4by4 manual, giving 16 distinct gears. It did everything well and had a forward/reverse shuttle. I don’t think they still make it! edselford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 On 5/9/2026 at 9:58 AM, edselford said: Even tractors in the 25 to 55 hp range are heading to hydrostatic drive systems with 2 to three ranges. Had at Massey Ferguson with a 4by4 manual, giving 16 distinct gears. It did everything well and had a forward/reverse shuttle. I don’t think they still make it! edselford For sure on the 25-55 HP range. I've had 3 JD's in those HP ranges-all hydro. My 4720-now 4066 -is rated at 58HP. Primary use involves loader work-either with bucket or grapple to handle brush or logs. Do you loose some HP? I'm sure but IMO bullet proof. When working my way through school I worked for a contractor-we had a Ford tractor that was unique -manual trans with an aftermarket driving front axle-Elanco. this was back in the days when 4WD loader/back hoes did not exist except for the Bucyrus Erie Dynahoe-which were BIG machines. Needless to say this Ford was "all gears" including the shuttle stick- complete stop before direction change. I believe the big Deere compacts with the "Power Reverser" trans require use of clutch to change gears but the reverser does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselford Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 Ya, today’s trend seem toward convenience for the person operating the machine. Also, eliminating down time caused by operator errors to help the party paying for the equipment ! Everyone seemed to go full speed ahead on EV’s without thinking about one main reason for having a vehicle, freedom of going anywhere you want, any time you want! Pure EV’s have a very negative affect on the above! The fallback position of Hybrids just may be a pretty good place to be for the next ten to 20 years even on Super Duty trucks. edselford 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 23 hours ago, edselford said: EV’s without thinking about one main reason for having a vehicle, freedom of going anywhere you want, any time you want! Pure EV’s have a very negative affect on the above! Not really, you just have to know how to plan accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 5 minutes ago, fordmantpw said: Not really, you just have to know how to plan accordingly. Agreed...apparently, someone has never run out of gas and it shows....lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 10 minutes ago, twintornados said: Agreed...apparently, someone has never run out of gas and it shows....lol LOL! We travel quite a bit with our fifth wheel (25k miles in the past 7 years). It takes quite a bit of planning for fuel as there are a lot of stations we just won't fit in. I view traveling with a BEV as the same thing. You just have to plan your stops. The biggest thing with diesel is I can carry extra fuel with me (I normally carry 10 gallons of diesel with me) in the event I run out. I've never had to use it, though I did come close once after driving about 30 miles with the "0 miles to empty" warning on the dash! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 This is not good news for the Ford F-650. U-Haul is one of the last major fleets that buy a lot of F-650's, and up to this point I thought U-Haul was a very safe customer for Ford as they were about the only gasoline class 6 truck on the market and were very competitive from a pricing standpoint. Now it would seem that U-Haul is willing to pay a hefty premium for this new gasoline powered Peterbilt. I wonder what is causing U-Haul to switch, did Peterbilt make them a great offer? Is U-Haul dissatisfied with the F-650? Does U-Haul know something? https://www.theautopian.com/u-haul-will-now-rent-you-a-43-foot-peterbilt-truck-and-it-comes-with-the-first-ever-cummins-gasoline-engine/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 5 hours ago, 7Mary3 said: Now it would seem that U-Haul is willing to pay a hefty premium for this new gasoline powered Peterbilt. I wonder what is causing U-Haul to switch, did Peterbilt make them a great offer? Is U-Haul dissatisfied with the F-650? Does U-Haul know something? My guess would be that Peterbilt is taking a loss to try and knock Ford out of Class 6-7....GM is out thanks to International selling the plant that built their mediums even though International will continue with a medium with their own bespoke cab (MV series) so I would bet that if Peterbilt can pull this off, Hino will be next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Ford F-650, 750 Heavy Trucks Heading To Mexico The Ford F-650 and F-750 models are returning to Mexico to meet growing demand for heavier-duty trucks, and will arrive packing the 7.3L V8 Godzilla engine underhood, rated to produce 335 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque, which includes an LP gas prep package as well. It's mated to the six-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, and both are quite capable, as one might imagine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 (edited) Hopefully offering the 650/750 in Mexico will make up for lost U-Haul sales. I remember when Dodge used to own medium duty in Mexico. Word is GM is taking a page from Ford's playbook and will reintroduce 'in house' built medium duty trucks in a couple of years. Edited May 21 by 7Mary3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpsychology Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 18 hours ago, 7Mary3 said: Hopefully offering the 650/750 in Mexico will make up for lost U-Haul sales. I remember when Dodge used to own medium duty in Mexico. Word is GM is taking a page from Ford's playbook and will reintroduce 'in house' built medium duty trucks in a couple of years. With GM discontinuing medium-heavy, might Penske Rental go to Ford for their 6-7s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 (edited) 1 hour ago, Motorpsychology said: With GM discontinuing medium-heavy, might Penske Rental go to Ford for their 6-7s? It is typically lowest price wins which is what probably happened with U-Haul and their yearly order...lets hope Ford doesn't take that one laying down and puts up a fight for the sale. Looks like International has that "contract" right now.... Edited May 22 by twintornados Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 Penske buys diesel class 6, U-Haul does not. Ford had a good customer in U-Haul, since GM dropped the gasoline TopKick/Kodiak Ford had U-Haul's class 6 sales all to themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 This is a ltlle distressing: https://fordauthority.com/2026/05/ford-dealer-declares-bankruptcy-after-expansion-efforts-stall-out/ A Ford Pro Elite dealer is supposed to be a license to print money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpsychology Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 4 minutes ago, 7Mary3 said: This is a ltlle distressing: https://fordauthority.com/2026/05/ford-dealer-declares-bankruptcy-after-expansion-efforts-stall-out/ A Ford Pro Elite dealer is supposed to be a license to print money. I gathered from the article that he was spending faster than he was bringing it in, in other areas of his business. He owes FMCC for delinquent payments on floorpan, and e-commerce parts business that hasn't gone well. I have to wonder if selling the store wasn't his end game all along. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 I know Ford puts Pro Elite dealers through the wringer, but they all seem to be doing well, at least around me. Maybe you are right, the owner wanted to sell out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted May 23 Author Share Posted May 23 (edited) On 5/21/2026 at 1:17 AM, 7Mary3 said: This is not good news for the Ford F-650. U-Haul is one of the last major fleets that buy a lot of F-650's, and up to this point I thought U-Haul was a very safe customer for Ford as they were about the only gasoline class 6 truck on the market and were very competitive from a pricing standpoint. Now it would seem that U-Haul is willing to pay a hefty premium for this new gasoline powered Peterbilt. I wonder what is causing U-Haul to switch, did Peterbilt make them a great offer? Is U-Haul dissatisfied with the F-650? Does U-Haul know something? https://www.theautopian.com/u-haul-will-now-rent-you-a-43-foot-peterbilt-truck-and-it-comes-with-the-first-ever-cummins-gasoline-engine/ Yeah 7M3, you beat me to the punch. I just saw this a few days ago. So now it's time for Ford to get back at the big boys. It's very easy for a class 8 mfr. to downsize and invade the class 6 & 7 medium duty market. It might be a little harder for Ford to enter/invade the class 8 market but they can do it if they try hard enough. Ford is selling mediums without even trying! Imagine if they tried harder in the medium segment!!! You're absolutely right that they're trying to knock Ford out of mediums. Freightliner did something similar with the CT DOT. I'm seeing a ton of tandem axle dumps which Ford doesn't make. Ford needs to get into class 8 vocational and single- and tandem-axle tractors like Bob R -- and I -- have been saying forever! Forget the sleeper cabs for now. Two rails, some crossmembers, an engine, tranny and axles can't be too much for Ford to come up with, can it? The U-Haul F650 is a huge enough vehicle. I don't think the average homeowner/driver wants to drive anything bigger just so they can tell their friends, "Hey I'm driving a Peterbilt!"! Your question, "Does U-Haul know something?" is very interesting. Did Ford tell them they're getting out? Big mistake if they are. I know of lots of tree and landscaping companies using F250 to F750 in their fleets because of brand and dealer familiarity. I dare Ford to drop mediums. If they do, they can kiss a ton of loyalty in class 1 thru 5 goodbye! On another note: Ford and GM could be supplying military vehicles/weapons. https://share.google/ftErI29HDoIr3leTD And: https://share.google/bLTlRdNhb5fA2ldJX : Edited May 23 by Joe771476 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted May 23 Share Posted May 23 (edited) The way I see it, the 6.7L Cummins gasser has one thing the Ford gasser doesn't...a gear driven air compressor, that might just be the one and only stand out option for a class 6/7 gasser that Ford does not offer. Will it be enough to make a difference in sales? @Bob Rosadini has been beating that drum for years and I defer to his knowledge in the area. ADD ON: The PB gasser for U-Haul has juice brakes - so wondering if the related Cummins Octane has the compressor deleted. Edited May 23 by twintornados Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe771476 Posted May 23 Author Share Posted May 23 Maybe this is why. Is Peterbilt/Kenworth experiencing the same downturn as International and Freightliner in class 8? https://share.google/5h9jf7QDXGkO6ATeY https://share.google/w7vGe96G2nMUSTrFO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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