New driver having trouble

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Slip 78, Apr 24, 2015.

  1. Slip 78

    Slip 78 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 24, 2015
    Shorewood il
    0
    Hello everyone, I am a new driver and just started a job driving dump trucks. I have been all over the internet trying to find help with this question and cant seem to find it. I am having trouble starting on a hill/incline when stopped and usually loaded. The problem i am having is i start to give the truck fuel and let off clutch and the truck starts bouncing really bad, kinda freaks me out. I am not sure what i am doing wrong. Am i not giving enough fuel or releasing clutch to quickly. I try to give fuel and release clutch as smoothly as possible but i am still having issues. Any help would be great. I am driving a 1996 volvo with a ten speed. The truck has been a training truck for the most part with this company. Thanks for advice
     
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  3. gnaunited

    gnaunited Light Load Member

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    Jun 7, 2013
    Denver, CO
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    The clutch could be destroyed, especially if it was the training truck. You shouldn't really need to give it fuel when taking off, if you do then a 10 speed is the wrong transmission
     
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  4. Slip 78

    Slip 78 Bobtail Member

    2
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    Apr 24, 2015
    Shorewood il
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    This always happens when i am on a uphill grade such as a red light on a hill, or at the dump when i have to stop on the hill to wait for trucks to come down the hill. If i push the clutch back in the jumping and bouncing stops.
     
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  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    I feel for ya'. Just know that all trucks have their own "personalities". A dump truck (which means you're loaded heavy) with a 10 speed is not a good match. Should be a 13 speed at least. What you need to do is work with what you've got and you'll get thru it. Kinda' rough at first being a new driver.
     
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  6. Derailed

    Derailed Road Train Member

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    Dec 10, 2008
    Upstate NY
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    This is a common issue and not just one with newer drivers. About all you can do is practice. You probably have been but if not you need to be in low gear. With your foot still on the brake holding the truck from rolling backwards ease out on the clutch just until you feel the RPMs start to drop and than release the brakes and continue letting out the clutch and give it a little juice if needed. Most times you don't have to unless your on a really steep hill. The longer you let the clutch slip the more bounce you'll get. Give it time, we've all been there.
     
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  7. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
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    Sounds like you're riding the clutch and the foot pedal at the same time..When you're stopped then you start to go,give it gas slowly and ease up on the clutch.What gear are you normally in from starting a hill?
     
  8. A21CAV

    A21CAV Road Train Member

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    Oct 4, 2011
    Laredo, TX
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    I think this might be the answer assuming the clutch isn't fried . Also , with your foot on the brakes , let out the clutch until you see the hood torque down then gradually release the brakes . Accelerate when the clutch pedal is fully released . If you can , find an easier hill to practice on . You should be able to start off from any hill without clutch shudder .
     
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  9. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Nov 18, 2008
    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Try keeping your left heel on the floorboard, using the natural pivot of your ankle to release the clutch. Remember, you don't need to put that clutch all the way to the floor. If it is adjusted correctly, it should only have a few inches of "stroke" to be disengaged.
     
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  10. 315wheelbase

    315wheelbase Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2014
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    Hope you are using your lowest gear..if you truck has a brake hand valve you can use it to hold you and release it just as you let the clutch out,,remember do not add fuel until the clutch is fully engaged..keep you cool and keep trying,,
     
  11. ColoradoGreen

    ColoradoGreen Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 1, 2010
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    You're slipping the clutch. Heavy truck clutches are not designed to slip, they typically have ceramic facing or some other material that grabs a lot harder than a car clutch does. Stop feeding it fuel while letting out the clutch.

    keep your foot on the brake as you begin to let out on the clutch. You'll find a spot where you begin to feel the clutch "grab". The truck will torwue up a bit as you do this, the cab or front may feel like it's getting ready to pick up. This is when you take your other foot off the brakes.

    Do not feed the throttle until you've completely let out on the clutch and are rolling.

    if the lowest hole on the 10-spd isn't low enough to get you rolling you're geared too high for the weight you're pulling. I doubt you are though. I've started 124,000lbs on 6% with 3.55s and a 13-spd. I imagine you're at most 60,000lbs if you're running a tandem, 80-90,000 if you're pulling a dump trailer. At those weights even 3.36s with a 10-spd can start going uphill without much issue.

    stop slipping the clutch, that's where the shaking and rattling is coming from. Practice finding that spot where the clutch begins to grab in the yard a few times.

    check the clutch for adjustment, too. Floor the clutch and see if the clutch brake is engaging properly (and ONLY floor the clutch while stopped, going clear to the floor while moving will destroy the clutch brake). Then, with the truck out of gear check for the proper free-play on the clutch pedal. You should have about 1.5-inches of free-play on the clutch pedal (distance the pedal moves with no resistance). If you're out of adjustment, get it adjusted, as a badly adjusted clutch can contribute to wheel hop and shaking as well.
     
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