First time driving a big rig today

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ineedajob, Dec 20, 2014.

  1. ineedajob

    ineedajob Light Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2014
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    Boy that down shifting is a pita. Up shifting I picked up instantly. No problem at all with that then down shifting the lower gears not real bad only took a few tries. Then we started getting up to some real speed hitting the high gears and down shifting from that doing the double clutch and working that splitter had me all kinds of muffed up. I have a new respect for you guys.
     
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  3. Pinqui

    Pinqui Light Load Member

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    Dec 5, 2014
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    Keep practicing. Soon you'll be going down a grade not even remembering that you dropped to seven but you did without even thinking about it.
     
    ineedajob Thanks this.
  4. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    That's how it works, practice practice practice and it'll feel like second nature.
     
    ineedajob Thanks this.
  5. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I still remember. Took me a long time to downshift well. It's a feeling. I have Ezpass for the tolls and still had to stop dead and start all over again after rolling up to the toll booth in 10th gear!!! lol
     
    ineedajob Thanks this.
  6. rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    Yep. Soon you'll be doing it without the clutch using your pinky
     
    ineedajob Thanks this.
  7. n3ss

    n3ss Heavy Load Member

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    Just need to spend some time on 95 during rush hour, that's how i got good at downshifting.
     
    frank_the_tank and ineedajob Thank this.
  8. ineedajob

    ineedajob Light Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2014
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    I'm sure I'll come around eventually but I couldn't help thinking to myself if I can't do this empty in a parking lot how the hell am I going to do this with 80,000 lbs in traffic lol
     
  9. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Really no difference loaded or empty.

    How about learning how to parallel park. Why the heck would I need to know how to do that!!!! One day I pulled into a rest area and parallel parked. I sat back and said WTF did I just do!!
     
  10. ineedajob

    ineedajob Light Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2014
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    Haha its the little successes in life that matter the most
     
    Big Don and Wade68 Thank this.
  11. RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    Sound like me my first time driving. Good on the up shift need work on the down shift. Just listen to the engine, check the Rpms. Let the Rpms drop, or give a slight brake to drop them a bit lower and then shift down. With time you'll be floating and down shifting with out the clutch. I still double clutch down but I'd say I do that about 30% of the time. Just about floating for everything.
     
    Vilhiem Thanks this.
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