Is the Manual Dead? | Why I Paid £8,000 Just to Shift My Own Gears

In this episode of "Just Another TRUCKING Podcast," hosts Tom and David dive deep into the greasy reality of the trucking world. It’s a bit of a smaller crew today as Jammer is currently in the doghouse with the "Mrs." and Chloe is MIA.Tom kicks things off by sharing his wild week working as a groundsman for a major company (rhymes with "Nespresso"). After months of sitting in a van watching TikToks , he finally got back behind the wheel of a 32-tonne DAF dump truck. From stalling on 20% gradients to nearly blowing out his knee on a stiff manual clutch , Tom breaks down why the era of manual transmissions might finally be over.Inside This Episode:The Art of "Floating" Gears: David explains the mechanics of shifting without a clutch and the secret "clutch brake" most drivers don't even know exists.Trucking Tech: We talk about Volvo’s i-Shift, paddle shifting for semis , and why adaptive cruise control is actually terrifying when it starts coasting in neutral.The 24-Hour Asteroid Scenario: A lighthearted debate turns dark as the guys discuss what they’d do with only 24 hours left to live (featuring some very questionable "bucket list" items).Life, Longevity, and Legos: David reveals he is essentially the dad from The Lego Movie (yes, he glues them) , while Tom battles the realization that turning 40 means everything starts clicking.AI vs. Big Energy: How Tom used AI to take on British Gas in a legal dispute over triple-billing.Whether you’re a gearhead who loves a non-synchronized 18-speed or just here for the banter about "Black Tar Heroin" jokes (don't do drugs, kids!), this episode has it all.Follow us for more trucking stories and tech talk!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy