Trainer says don't pay attention to 18 speed shift pattern #'s

I learned to drive in older trucks... One of them was a straight 5 with a 2 speed rear... So I refer to the ends of the "H" pattern as "holes"... And in an 18 speed each has a high and a low... Example: gear #18 is the high side of hole 9, gear #9 is the low side of hole 5.... Gear #1 is the low side of hole 1, almost never used.

It dont matter what you call it, as long as you are in the correct one. Hell I couldnt tell you what gear to be in for any given speed... I just shift to the one that is right. AKA, I dont think about gear numbers or speeds or weight... I just shift.

 

Sorry about that... The tank surge got ahead of me on that one... LOL

 

I’ve driven an 18 speed for years and I call the numbers a mix between a ten speed and an 8 speed in my mind.. If you asked me to tell you what gear I’m in I couldn’t tell you lol, but it works for me no problem. The side shifter to me is low and high not a number..
Shifting becomes second nature without any numbers at a certain point… don’t worry about it
Most of the drivers I’ve talked to about it are the same way… Everyone has their own number system and don’t go by the actually pattern
Low is low though nobody calls low 1..

He shouldn’t have to tell you what gear to be in anyways. Figure it out. You have 18 of them more then one will work at a given speed.

And Not shifting in turns is kinda just asking to get t-boned or be in someone’s way. When you get better you’ll realize it’s a dumb rule they teach.

 

Don’t shift while crossing railroad tracks is probably better advice - unless BNSF is seconds away.

 

Like everyone else says, who cares what number you use just drive it. I have a high school kid that’s rode with me some and thinks he might want to get into trucking he used to ask me what gear I was in but has given up because I usually have a blank look and then say I don’t know. I don’t really feel like numbering gears works unless your driving something less than a 10 speed.
Unless someone is forcing you to not shift at intersections and the like I would definitely do it. I thought at one time you were talking about heavy haul so you’re likely using low gears to get moving.
One thing to watch with 3and 4 axle trailers is they can slow you down pretty fast in a tight turn especially if your heavy. Not really a problem but can make it hard to shift.

 

I think the only reason I sort of have my fears numbered 1-18 is my truck used to be an autoshit and it had a gear display in the dash 1-18. But yeah unless I'm in the high hole if you asked me what gear I'm in I'd have a blank stare too. Up shifting I hit every hole, so just progress up. Downshifting I often skip a hole and don't really hit any gears once on the low side. Just slide it in the gear I want to get rolling again.

 

I don’t think in terms of gear numbers, more gearshift position.

 

The quickest way to operating how you want is to do things his way and prove you are ready to be solo. I've got almost 30 years experience and I almost never knew the number of the gear I was using. Even First gear may be 2nd since 1 could be a granny gear, used only rarely.

The riding with a trainer is often considered the most difficult time in trucking. You have no control over anything. The job is stressful on a good day, and sleeping can be almost impossible.

If you REALLY think this issue is a deal breaker, ask for another trainer. Be prepared to sit in a hotel until they can find one. I would just get through training with this trainer.

 

I rarely split every gear on the top side of my 13 spd. I go through all the positions starting on 1 ( not low) then only split the top 2 gears. Anymore splitting than that makes me nervous. Seems to be too hard on the driveline. Really no need for what I do. I count gears the same way as you’re instructor. Often contemplate taking the shift pattern/ instruction sticker off completely. I’m a sucker for factory stickers, and all original looks. All I know is it’s 13 forward and 1 reverse. Or is it 12 forward 1 low and 1 reverse? That’s why I don’t go by the sticker. Lol. Far as I’m concerned Low is 1st. I start out in 2nd unless real heavy on a hill when 1st or Low is needed. Lately I’ve been stalling it out, Lol. I could probably use some training myself. Don’t argue with the instructor. Never ends well. Lol. Shift by ear and feel, no time to study shift pattern diagrams anyway. Good Luck.

 

Part of the problem is that eaton doesnt even call the numbers on an 18 past 8 (or a 13 or a 9)