Downshifting and turning with 80k pounds

1.) 2nd or 3rd. Every Truck will be a bit different.

 

1) My truck will pull away in 3rd with no trouble on fairly flat ground, 2nd gear if i need to go up a hill, 4th if im going down and can let it roll out.

The speed you should be turning at is entirely dependant on how sharp the ramp or turn is and what you are hauling. I won't take a 90 degree turn any faster than 6th gear and will drop to 5th if im heavy or the load is top heavy like them big paper rolls. If in doubt, slow down.

 

Depending on the grade...2nd is right. If you are on a grade uphill, you might need to go to 1st, just to get rolling, then a quick shift to 2nd and on up.

You wouldn't/shouldn't be in 10 taking the ramp...slow and gear down to start the ramp...if clear at the bottom of the ramp, brake approaching the turn, begin the turn about 18-22 mph...at the apex of the turn, drop to 6 and continue...if 6 isn't enough for the pull, drop another to 5 and continue.

Forward "speed" seems to be a real big issue with you. This is a big rig, heavy by weight, and often top heavy...no turn is approached at any speed greater than the turn will safely allow. In city driving...40 mph to make a right turn is crazy! Drop gears slowing to a safe manageable speed (15-20) which will put you in about 6 or even 5 going through the turn.

Clutch coast the beginning of any "city turn", drop a gear (or two) to allow you to "power through" the turn...centrifugal force is what either sends you bumping into the window or keeps you square in your seat.

In a big rig...you are never in a hurry...and you can never make up for "lost time"! Remember...the turtle beat the hare in the race!

 

I'm going to assume we're talking a 10-speed:
1. If it's a level road, I start in 2nd. If I'm on an incline where I think 2nd would be too much, I'll drop down to 1st.
2. Depending on how tight the turn will be will determine how fast I can take it. If it's one of those where the right lane curves and there's a yield sign, 4th or 5th gear at most. If it's one that will require a complete stop, then 2nd or 3rd after coming to a complete stop.
3. Depends on what the street I'm turning on to looks like, but again, no shame in taking a turn too slow. Probably 2nd or 3rd gear once I approach the intersection.

There is no need to make turns in high gear, especially on city streets where you should be watching for hazards such as cars, light poles, sign posts and people.

 

Well weight depends on what gear. When I'm empty I start in 5-6 loaded max 2 halfway 3rd. Depends on driver and truck. Also take a right or left truck at 40mph u will more then likly be on ur side. Why u think so many ramp roll overs. Drivers wanna take it fast by time they notice its to late

 

it's probally best that u take everything slower then some of the seasoned guys and gals learn the basics shift from 1st and work ur way up even empty just to get the feel for things the truck will thank u and as u progress u will learn what u can get away with this is how my first company and it was the owner who trained me if i would of took off at a light in 2nd on a 18 spd with a 100k gross when i first started out my boss probally would killed me litterally. i have since then seen what could happen to the driveline doing such things.

if ur hitting the off ramp at 55 when the speed LIMIT is 55 knowing u have to turn chances are it's probally to late and rolled in the ditch. know what exit u will be getting off at and start slowing down well before empty or loaded ( i have seen many exits that look normal from a distance end up being hairpins or a stack of 4 wheelers on the other end of the ramp.

again slow down and give urself plenty of margin for error most of the time it's not u that u have to worry about it's other people being morons that u have to worry.

one other thing to me gear selections means nothing for driving meaning every truck is different and every company sets there trucks a different way me telling u that u should shift this hill in 5th means nothing because i have an 18spd un neautured truck and chances are u have a 10spd with its sack cut off so my range will vary greatly with ur range

 

coasting makes u lose control of ur truck even for a split second u should never coast. sitting at a light is one thing save the clutch but coasting in a city intersection with a newbe behind the wheel that is still learning how to drive the truck making a turn. what happens when he comes through the intersections and there is a 4 wheeler that pulled 1/2 a car length past the white line which atleast in my case always happens. not trying to argue just trying to remind were dealing with a newbe that is all

 

I'm not saying you should follow my advice by any means, but I do coast a lot.
When I'm taking an exit ramp, I'll apply my brakes until I get to about 40mph then I will apply the clutch and coast to the end and then when I stop, I'll put it in 2nd gear.

When coming to a light that has turned red, I'll brake until the point where the gear I'm in is too high for the speed, then I'll hit the clutch and coast to a stop. Probably 150 feet is the max I ever need to coast. If the light turns green, I'll just put it in the appropriate gear for the speed I'm going, and be on my way.

I never understood the "the truck is not under control when you're in neutral". I've never NOT been in control of my truck. The only time I ever coast is when I'm slowing down, and I don't need to be in gear for that, I need the brake, not the accelerator. And if I need to switch lanes, ok, well I have a steering wheel for that. But if I'm going to switch lanes, I'll likely put it in gear anyways. Just a habit.

So if I'm missing a big point to all of this, someone please tell me.

 

like u said though u never really need to coast more then 150 thats understandable but making a turn for a rookie id say thats stretching itwhen i make a turn now this is just me here i down shift to the right gear and power through the turn comming to a stop i'll down shift ever gear especially if im load really it just cuts down on unnecessary brake wear