Best gearbox for manual sequential shifting

[Malaman]

I use a Xbox One controller and because of that I've always used real automatic. But I decided to add an ounce of realism/challenge to the game and lately I've been playing around with sequential transmission.

I tried the 18 speed but it feels like I have to click 100 times to go from full stop to cruising speed. Then I tried the 10 speed but it feels like it's not meant to go above 55 mph. The 13 speed seems a good balance between both but still feels like it lacks in the top speed department.

I was wondering what gearbox other players are using for their sequential transmission.

Another thing that I'm trying to get used to is keep track of what gear I'm in without having to constantly check the dashboard because when I jump into the classic trucks without a digital dashboard that might be a BIG challenge.

[synthohol]

I understand you, 18 gears are somewhat awkward in the beginning, which is why I used 13 gears initially, too. However, after a short while you get used to it. Most important is that you don't need all 18 gears for most applications, I suggest following:

No cargo: 5 -> 7 -> 11 -> 15 -> 17 -> 18
Cargo < 30,000 lbs: 5 -> 7 -> 9 -> 11 ->13 -> 15 -> 17 -> 18
Cargo > 30,000 lbs: 3 -> 5 -> 7 -> 9 -> 11 ->13 -> 15 -> 16 -> 17 -> 18
Heavy cargo: 3 -> 5 -> 7 -> 9 -> 11 ->13 -> 14-> 15 -> 16 -> 17 (-> 18)

Shift up around 1,400 rpm until you reach 11th gear, then at 1,500 rpm, then 1,600 rpm when hauling any normal cargo. Keep rpm around 1,500 when hauling heavy cargo, don't surpass 1,700 rpm. Shift down around 1,000 rpm in an inverted pattern. Even gears are often used for final cruising speed, for example as soon as I reached my final speed of 35 mph I'd shift from 15 to 16. 18th gear is supposed to be used as cruise gear above 55 mph, although I find myself often to stay in 17th when hauling heavy cargo. Slight increases are buffered more easily this way and reaching 55 mph, not to say anything above, takes a while anyways. 1st and 2nd gear are only used when starting to drive on increases or when using very heavy cargo introduced by mods like the 170,000 lb CAT truck.

To make shifting more comfortable I mapped shift up to B and shift down to X so I can tap quicker and don't have to take my index off throttle (RT) or brake (LT). LB is used for cruise control and RB for cruise control return.

[Malaman]

Great tips right there. I'll give the 18 speed a go again. Thanks!

[blueshift1980]

With most transmission more than 8 gears, I usually stick with the even gears for most loads. When going up steep hills or pulling very heavy cargo I'll use even and odd.

[bettestrucking]

Skipping gears is how we do it in real life my truck had a 13 speed and I’d start in 2nd and got to 4th then high range and rarely ever split except when extremely heavy or the hill was slowing me down. I feel the game is a little off at times with the rpm range as my truck was shifted between 1600-1800 rpm anything higher and your just moving pistons around. I use a game pad type controller and it can be a pain and am considering getting a wheel and shifter.

[TeriTeriQc]

I'm gonna go ahead and guess i'm a weirdo about this but usually, my transmission depends on what HP i got (99% of the time i use either a 12+1 or a 13 speed with a 500Hp engine,as i like it that way)

[blueshift1980]

With some trucks I use the 6/7 speed units, they're great for cruising but don't give you quite as much control as a 12 or 18 speed over your RPM.

Yeah most people say a wheel and shifter makes it better, just looking for a good price on a G29 or G27 in good condition. People seem quite divided between the quality of Thrustmaster and Logitech.

Edit: currently use a DS4, works like a charm

[Malaman]

I'm definitely getting a wheel + shifter at some point, I just can't afford it right now. So I have to stick with a controller which is still better than the kb/m that I used when I first started playing ETS2.

[synthohol]

Glad I could help. Keep in mind that this isn't the only one and true shifting pattern, it is rather one which makes a fine mixture of acceleration, maintaining speed, and mileage possible in my experience.

Originally posted by QCAnubis3:

I'm gonna go ahead and guess i'm a weirdo about this but usually, my transmission depends on what HP i got (99% of the time i use either a 12+1 or a 13 speed with a 500Hp engine,as i like it that way)

Of course choosing the right engine for the job is important, too. I prefer using engines with a torque of 1,850 lbf*ft (which are, by the way, in the ball park of 500 bhp in game) because they provide a balanced acceleration while hauling yet they aren't as hard to control as the ones with 2,050 lbf*ft when driving without cargo.