How many gears does a racing truck have?

There’s no single standard for racing trucks. In practice, NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series uses four forward gears, European Truck Racing Championship trucks typically use a 12-speed setup, and other series generally fall somewhere in a six-to-twelve-gear range depending on rules and equipment.

Typical gear counts in major racing series

The following overview highlights the gear configurations you’re most likely to encounter in prominent racing truck series.

• NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: four forward gears in a manual transmission.


• European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC): a 12-speed semi-automatic or automated manual transmission.


• Other professional truck races (regional/national series): commonly range from six to twelve gears, depending on the chassis rules and engine characteristics.

Gear choices in these series reflect balancing torque delivery, acceleration, top speed, and the ability to keep the engine in its optimal RPM range across diverse tracks. In some series, electronic control systems influence how shifts are executed, even when the number of gears is fixed.

Why the number of gears varies

The count of gears is shaped by engine torque curves, track layouts (short ovals vs. long straights), drivetrain packaging, and regulatory limits. More gears can improve the ability to stay in the engine’s power band and optimize acceleration, but they add weight and complexity; fewer gears simplify shifting and reduce weight but may limit rpm optimization.

Regional and class variations

Beyond these benchmarks, regional and class rules yield additional gearbox configurations. The notes below illustrate the diversity seen around the world.

1. European Truck Racing Championship relies on a 12-speed semi-automatic transmission to balance high-speed performance with torque management on varied circuits.


2. National and regional events may permit 6–8-speed setups on older or less-modified trucks, while teams with newer specifications may push toward higher counts within allowed limits.


3. Automated manual transmissions (AMTs) with paddle or lever shifts are common in many modern racing trucks, influencing the driving feel and shift cadence even when the total gear count remains the same.

Ultimately, gearbox choices are driven by series regulations, engine characteristics, and track design. Season-to-season rule changes can shift the dominant gear count in a given series or event.

Summary

Racing trucks do not share a universal gear count. In practice, you’ll see four forward gears in the NASCAR Truck Series and about twelve in the European Truck Racing Championship, with other series typically ranging from six to twelve gears depending on rules, engine specs, and track demands. The gear count is a function of competition format and technology, not a fixed standard across all racing trucks.

What is the top speed of a racing truck?

160 km/h
Maximum race speed is restricted to 160 km/h (100 mph) for safety reasons, and a minimum weight limit is 5500 kg. Races start from a rolling start, and commonly races last from 8 to 12 laps.

What does the gear 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mean?

Now Let's Move on to the Numbers!
So, what do they mean? 1 & 2: These two gears are typically lower and used when driving at a slower speed. 3 & 4: These two gears are typically higher gears used when driving at a faster speed. 5: This gear is also high but is mainly used for highway driving.

How many gears does a truck have?

A truck can have a wide range of gears, but heavy-duty trucks typically have between 10 and 18 forward gears, with 18-speed manual transmissions being common. The exact number of gears depends on the truck's size, function, and whether it has a manual or automatic transmission, though manual transmissions often have more gears. 
Common gear configurations

• Heavy-duty manual transmissions: Often have 10, 13, 15, or 18 forward gears. This allows the driver to select the optimal gear for power and efficiency, especially when carrying heavy loads. 
• Modern automatic transmissions: Are becoming more common and typically have fewer gears, such as 12 or 14 forward gears, to efficiently manage power and torque. 
• Smaller trucks: May have a simpler setup, similar to a car, with fewer gears, like 5 or 6 forward gears. 

Why trucks have so many gears

• Optimal engine speed: More gears allow the engine to stay in its most efficient RPM range, which is crucial for fuel economy and reducing wear and tear. 
• Power and torque: The large number of gear ratios provides the mechanical advantage needed to start and maneuver with heavy loads. 
• Maneuverability: The low-end gears provide the slow, controlled speed necessary for delicate maneuvers. 

What truck has 10 gears?

Trucks that feature a 10-speed automatic transmission include certain models from Ford, such as the F-150 and Super Duty trucks, and General Motors (GM), like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 and HD models. GM also offers a 10-speed transmission in some of its heavy-duty trucks, such as the Silverado HD. These transmissions are also available in other vehicles, including the Toyota Tundra.
 
This video discusses the new 10-speed Allison transmission in the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD: 59sGetty's GarageYouTube · Mar 24, 2024
Ford

• Ford F-150: The 10-speed automatic is standard on many of its current models. 
• Ford Super Duty: Some models come equipped with the 10-speed transmission. 
• Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator: These models also use the 10-speed transmission. 

General Motors (GM) 

• Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 
• Chevrolet Silverado HD: Some heavy-duty trucks come with a 10-speed Allison-branded transmission. 
• GMC Sierra 1500: Uses the 10-speed automatic. 
• GMC Sierra HD: Also includes a 10-speed Allison-branded transmission. 
• Yukon/Tahoe RST: The 10-speed transmission is available in some GM SUVs as well. 

Toyota

• Toyota Tundra: Available with the 10-speed automatic transmission. 

This video discusses the Ford and GM 10 speed transmission: 57sFlying WrenchesYouTube · Oct 29, 2024
Other

• Various other vehicles: The 10-speed automatic is also found in other vehicles, such as the Mustang and Camaro ZL1, and can be a popular swap for other trucks. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the 10 speed transmission in Ford trucks: 1:30flyingwrenchesautoTikTok · Nov 24, 2024