Jack,
I just responded to your other post on this forum before I read this one. Auto shifts are pretty scarce on 1999 and older model Class 8s.
You can find them occasionally on 2,000 and later models but the price is considerably higher.
It's really pretty easy to learn to drive a 10 speed, especially since you will never use the first three gears.
You can easily start off in 4th gear when towing your travel trailer. When bobtail, you can start off in 5th, no problem. Therefore, you are always driving a 5 or 6 speed transmission.
Dwonshifting is not necessary. If I am going 60
MPH for example, and have to slow up for a stop sign, I slip it into neutral and slow up. The truck brakes are so big you don't need the transmission or Jake brake to help slow the truck and trailer.
I try to slow down enough to time the light, then I simply shift into the appropriate gear for the speed IM coasting. Even at stop signs you can creep forward slowly in 5th gear and then start off without coming to a dead stop while towing. If you have to stop completely, you just push the clutch to the floor, this activates the clutch brake, then shift into 4th and away you go.
If you are coasting at 15 MPH, you can slip the transmission into 7th gear without even using the clutch, at 1,000 RPMs. At 20 MPH, you can shift into 8th gear at 1,000 RPMs. At 30 MPH it's 9th gear at 1,000 RPMs. At 40 MPH it's 10th gear at 1,000 RPMs. (This applies to my Volvos with the gear rations they have, other trucks differ if the ratios are different.)
You can use the above technique as a base line for shifting, just nudge the RPMs up to 1,000. Using this method you never "get lost."
I had never driven a 10 speed when I bought my first Volvo. You pick it pretty quickly.
Additional information is my response to your other post.
You can e-mail me with any questions or comments:
onezman@hotmail.com
Larry