Lots of old school "truck enthusiast" type guys will refuse to give up their 13 and 18 speeds, but the majority of steering wheel holders could care less. I've driven a handful of different trucks with different transmissions. In local traffic, especially in an unfamiliar area, it is nice to focus on your directions and where your trailer is. But on the highway, I'd take a manual all day, especially in an area with hills. My first cruise through the West Virginia mountains with a heavy shotgun coil was white knuckle driving in an automated 10 speed that likes to upshift regardless of what you want it to do. Damn thing refused to hold a gear. I did however drive an automated 13 speed and that truck was a lot faster and smoother to shift and held gears the way it was supposed to.
All this said, more than 90% of new trucks are automated transmissions and companies like them because they are more fuel efficient and they aren't replacing clutches and gearboxes all the time because rookies aren't grinding gears and riding the clutch in them.