BTW several different trucks I have driven had a button on the shifter for the clutch brake.

One of the teachers had never seen one, the other had owned one.

And no! We didn't mix oil into the fuel for the Detroit 8V-71.

Two of our range trucks are Detroit 8V-92's. They are the last of the 2 strokers before Detroit went 4 cycle. They are supercharged like the 8V-71's. But there is a difference! They have a turbo blowing into the blower. They are probably 465HP. There is another version out there that had twin turbos blowing into the supercharger after passing through an intercooler. 8V-92TTA's They were rated at 800+HP! Only time I saw some of those was in a boat. There was 2!

"History" Now thats fact

When I'm in my own truck, then I know I'm official and I'll change my title. Until then, I'm still out with a trainer and still learning enough that I'm still a student.

I bet it's going to be a huge learning curve for you going from those old trucks to todays new trucks. I've never driven the old trucks, but the Peterbuilt 13 speed I'm driving now seems pretty easy to drive. 1st thru 4th all shift at 1000 rpms, then the high range all shifts around 1300. If I go to 1500 it doesn't shift as smooth. Watching my rpms is something I've had to work on. I just gotta remember about that dang splitter switch!

And where might you be training? Who's name is on the truck? Swift? Fred's?

Well, just beating the bushes. Called USA Truck, and Roehl. I got a no from both.

Well update on the fun.

Been doing straight line backing. The state requires you to back up 100ft inside a 12ft wide space. We are doing 400ft inside a 10ft space.

We are also doing some backing where we change lanes. We have a 100ft area to do this in. The state gives you 140ft do do a lesser manuver.

Some of the guys got to do their shifting on the Pete with the 10 speed. I get to do mine tomorrow some time. No telling what the teacher is going to poke fun of me as I am the only one in my class that has ever driven.

I figure someone will hire me. One of the last class had gotten a 29mph over the limit back in January. He got 2 offers.

hope this helps
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Hey Rug.. Good job on the backing. At the school I went to, it was about the same, had the straight line back, I guess about 100 ft long our lanes were 12 ft wide. They were set up in a dirt lot with huge potholes that would kick the trailer off to one side. Some would say that this would be a poor quality school with poor grounds, but as I see it, if I can get the trailer straight down those lanes, I should be able to get a trailer straight on a smooth lot or dock. I was right. I have no problems backing straight as an arrow now, it's the angle backing that gets me in trouble. I've been working at it and get it better. The one thing to remember is it doen't have to be perfect, just safe. Meaning, it doesn't matter how many times you have to pull up, as long as you don't hit anything backing up.

I'm training with TMC right now. It's going pretty good, get along well with the trainer. But it's funny that he loses all credibility when he tries to show me how to do a 45* angle back and doesn't do any better than I can do, if not worse. I just laugh to myself and say, "Ok, I get it."

I got to do my double clutching yesterday. Teacher really knows his stuff! Already he has caught me on some bad habits.

It is a "no-no" to shift in a turn. I did a couple gear recoveries wrong. I didn't grind the gears.......I clutched and revved forgot to clutch again. It did go in smooth. It will take some practice and getting used to the tranny.

I did get to drive on the road VS puttin around the driving range. I think they figured I wouldn't crash! Just bobtailing. Trailers next week!