float or double clutch

We are being taught double clutch and don't skip gears, it's what's expected on a dot road test. We have also been told once we are on our own we are free to shift however we please.

 

This is how I shift a 13, even though Im empty, bobtailing, I ALWAYS start of in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, High range 5th low, 6th low, 7th low,7th high 8th low, 8th high. Once you get to high gears you can tell where the torque is at and you will know what gear to be in. maybe that is why my clutches last close to 10 years, I never start of in 2nd, 3rd,empty. it just wears the clutch more.

 

Floating is the only way to go...my knees agree lol

You're taught to double clutch but once you get CDL but after that I guess it's up to your company.

 

lol, on our road training they always have us pull out our 10s in 3rd

 

We generally started out in 3rd as well. I start out in 2nd in my work truck...in rare situations I'll start out in 3rd.

 

I don't have a problem double-clutching on the newer trucks. I just upshift normally and I double down when slowing, unless the situation calls for a single down... or if I want to single down to double down in a more familiar pattern. These new trucks have clutches that are much better on the knees!

 

when I did my dot test for cdl last fall in Oklahoma:
they wanted you to double clutch.
you must not skip gears.
you may not change gears in an intersection (up or down), trailer must be clear of intersection before shifting.
your trailer must be fully in the lane before turn off turn signal when changing lanes.
you may not turn on or off the turn signal while changing gears (is considered not having hand on the wheel. one hand on the steering wheel at all times, even tho turn signal you don't actually let go of the wheel. whatever, lol)
return you hand back to the steering wheel after everything, turn signal, changing gears, whatever. even if you accelerating and going to be up-shifting quickly, return hand to wheel after each gear.
the school told us is more of a safety thing for the tester people, like the no changing gears in intersection, cause if you mess up, could stall the truck, then you a road hazard and possibly get the passenger side bashed in, thus harming the tester, lol.
good luck.
I'd check in your state for sure, call a local training place, or ask dot themselves what the specifics are.

now that I'm solo, I rarely clutch, almost always float. when I do clutch, it's only to come out of gear, float into the next gear, up or down. shift when I need to, regardless of intersection or curve in the road.
you learn what is comfortable for you, and best way for you to drive. be willing to learn from others, how they do it, some of their tricks might work for you, others might not. "take what you want and leave the rest" once you get cdl and job I've heard some companies want things done a certain way, but your orientation and trainer will explain all that when you get there.

 

Float baby, after you get your CDL.

 

IMHO--I would check with whoever is training you and find out what is expected where you will be tested--and do what they want--the idea here is to PASS the test and get your license--then shift however you are comfortable--as long as you are being kind to your equipment~~~~~