Road test with different transmission than im used to

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by HeatherAnn, Apr 22, 2020.

  1. HeatherAnn

    HeatherAnn Bobtail Member

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    Ive been driving a 10 speed for a year, i drive all the trucks at my company...internationals, freightliners, macks...i have no problem hopping in any of them and floating all gears, no grinding, no stalling....yesterday i took a road test for a milk truck company that im looking to haul part time for....it was an 18 speed transmission...i was so lost, i put it in high range and threw it into where 6th gear would normally be in a 10 speed not realizing it wasnt a high hear....i was also in a beautiful long nose pete...never driven anything like it...im not gonna lie i grinded about 5 times...but i did successfully pull off some tricky turns and backing and my downshifting was perfect for some reason...i told the boss that i have never even seen an 18 speed driven before and i had no idea how to use the thumb shifter (told him before the test)....do you think my mistakes when shifting will fail me? Or will the fact that i backed perfectly and took the tricky turns with no problem eill save my ###? My pride is hurt more than anything. After the test he said if his insurance will take me with only 1 year class A he'll give me a call back and get me set up to train with someone and learn the truck better....not sure if he was just trying to save what was left of my pride though.
     
    Coffey Thanks this.
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  3. Zues

    Zues Bobtail Member

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    You should be fine every truck is different plus Did not lie
     
  4. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    hard to say, the company will even use you much, since so many milk farms are dumping milk right now.

    he may just tell you to not shift into higher gears?

    i dunno, i never drove one myself, only a 15 speed, and frankly, i never needed to use the extra gearings.
     
    Rideandrepair and HeatherAnn Thank this.
  5. HeatherAnn

    HeatherAnn Bobtail Member

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    Thank you. I have a full time job hauling dairy so if he doesnt need to use me for a while im fine with it. I just want to get some tank experience and see what else is out there in the world of trucking. My companies going automatic trucks with all the fancy bells and whistles and inward facing cams...id just like to get some experience doing something else in case i get the ####s of the new trucks and cams.
     
    rachi and buddyd157 Thank this.
  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    so you pull reefers?

    daily deliveries to stores?
     
  7. HeatherAnn

    HeatherAnn Bobtail Member

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    Yes i haul a 45 foot reefer trailer with a lift gate. Dock stops, mini markets, colleges, bowling alleys....you name it.
     
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  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    18's are easy. If you're empty, just shift it like a 9 speed. Don't really need to us LO gear (far left, rear position) very often at all. I'd honestly just shift thru the 4 main gears on the low and high side and just split the top gear until you get used to the pattern. Once you're comfortable, start messing around with the splitter a bit.
     
    alds, shawnhhllc, x1Heavy and 3 others Thank this.
  9. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    basically sounds like "food service". that job can be long living, meaning forever.

    someday, if you really wanna earn LOTS more money, try an LTL company for daily P&D work. you will make 2-3-4 times what you are earning now.
     
    Wargames Thanks this.
  10. HeatherAnn

    HeatherAnn Bobtail Member

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    Thats what the boss said also. Hoping hes understanding and knows that i sucked at shifting caus the gear pattern is a bit different.
     
  11. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Yeah it seems the 18 is a bit rare down in the US.
     
    HeatherAnn Thanks this.
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