Why do trucking schools not teach this to new drivers?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Reaper'sTrucking, Oct 26, 2020.

  1. Reaper'sTrucking

    Reaper'sTrucking Light Load Member

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    Been driving semi for about a year now and was thinking back to trucking school and how they teach double clutching. It never really struck in my mind till i started hauling grain and fruit out here in washington.

    On some of the steep hills out here in the country the hills can be 14% to 18% and a lot of the time i have to do a hill start on these steep hills and the only way to get through the gears is to shift at 1000rpm in low range and slip it into the next gear within half a second.

    I was thinking back to cdl school and there is no way in hell you would be able to double clutch those shifts cause within a second you've lost all your speed. Why do cdl school not teach this situation and does the guide book recommend people to double clutch on a steep hill when you take off from a stop?

    The only way i think its possible is to float it. So if a cdl school were to teach this and it hypothetically was on a test then how would they want you to shift? Cause according to what they preach, floating is prohibited even in real life situations lmao
     
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  3. slow pok

    slow pok Light Load Member

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    Because cal testers require it. Any one can float
     
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  4. Reaper'sTrucking

    Reaper'sTrucking Light Load Member

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    But im asking why do they not teach people how to shift when taking off from a stop on a steep hill that's over a 14% grade
     
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  5. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    That's the way I was trained to shift at 1,000 RPMs or less. Because you don't have match the gears and you can basically slip the gears and nobody will know if your being tested. It also makes for smooth shifts in low rang. I don't remember but I think they said on hills from a stop shift at like 1,200 RPMs. I was told the 1,000 RPMs or less for regular traffic lights and stuff.
     
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  6. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    2 cylinder jake switch will bring the revs down nice & quick. That way you can rope it out some & not have to lug ever gear down there around 1k rpm when trying to gain road speed on steep grades..
     
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  7. Reaper'sTrucking

    Reaper'sTrucking Light Load Member

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    But would they have people try to double clutch that? 14% to 18% is pretty steep, there's times i've almost rolled trucks on those hills, i dont think there would be anyway to double clutch out of 1st gear loaded on that steep of a hill, i've tried it and by the time i went to put the clutch in the 2nd time the truck was already at a stop about to roll back, tried it at 1000 rpm, tried it at 1500rpm and tried it at 2000rpm. I think since the book says to double clutch all shifts i think they would deduct 5 points for not double clutching even though there would be no way to. I lost 5 points on my test for lane encrochment because i had to swing out to the other lane on the roads i was turning on to make the turns since they dont let you make those tea cup turns anymore
     
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  8. Reaper'sTrucking

    Reaper'sTrucking Light Load Member

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    I know, im wondering if cdl schools taught people how to take off on steep hills like that would they want people to attempt double clutching the impossible and risk rolling back or tell them theyre just gonna lose points for having to float it.
     
  9. Milr72

    Milr72 Medium Load Member

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    Most schools teach you enough to get your CDL. You get your experience on the job and adapt your skills to whatever is needed to do the job.
     
  10. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ...i dont even know how to double clutch ...my combination vehicle cdl i got first with pick up truck and hydraulic brakes trailer , 6 months later i showed up to retest and have my air brakes endorsement and examiner was cool enough not to care about double clutch but overall how i handled the truck .
    What surprised me most - most of the examiners dont have CDL ! I was chatting with the guy during my test and asked him whats gonna happen if someone will be stressed and not be able to shift or something - call the towing was the answer
     
  11. FozzyNOK

    FozzyNOK Road Train Member

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    It still amazes me that everyone wants to bust on the schools.. but the carriers and their "trainers" get a free pass. Schools have ONE job, they are not there to teach someone how to drive in every situation on the planet.. they can't! They have a short period of time and the first thing they have to do is break these people of their idiotic car habits and re-teach them how to pass a road test that most of them could no longer pass in a CAR. They have to teach them how to have basic control over a 70' long articulating vehicle that most have never set foot in. They then turn the drivers who can drive a truck in a relative straight line, have some idea how to safely make turns and have a VERY basic grasp on backing. They then turn these people over to a fleet... with "Trainers"/ Most of who have NOT been evaluated on their skills... at the most "trainers" these days have simply survived a short period of time without tearing things up and or is a dispatchers pet who has been convinced that the only way they can make any money is to have a free driver on the truck.
     
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