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Shifting during Turns..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RedTheTrucker, Jul 10, 2015.

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  1. Jul 10, 2015 #1
    RedTheTrucker

    RedTheTrucker Light Load Member

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    Another day in cdl school out driving with a real cool instructor me and 3 other students we started at port but but eased our way into busy city driving bad news is i suck balls at turning but good news is i finally learned how to downshift and upshift on point sometimes i forget to put the selector down when doubling down 7 > 5, 6 > 4 but not really worried about that

    There's two major things im noticing im bad at is loading the clutch right before i take off when the light turns green and upshifting during the turn its like i gotta do so much during the turn i get overwhelmed or something

    But any pointers on loading the clutch the proper way and then shifting during the turn thanks all ears
     
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 10, 2015
    RedTheTrucker, Jul 10, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 10, 2015 #2
    HorseShoe

    HorseShoe Road Train Member

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    Don't worry about it, just overwhelmed right now.

    Soon you'll be able to blind side back with 1 hand holding the phone to your ear, another holding your hot dog from the pilot, and your knee steering
     
    HorseShoe, Jul 10, 2015
    HorseShoe, Jul 10, 2015
    #2
    Keithdabarber, j76ny, BrenYoda883 and 7 others Thank this.
  4. Jul 10, 2015 #3
    just_the

    just_the Light Load Member

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    yeah don't sweat it, we've all been there, with experience comes mastery. for now take turns slowly, which means don't worry about shifting and speeding up/down so much as not hitting stuff...
     
    just_the, Jul 10, 2015
    just_the, Jul 10, 2015
    #3
    BrenYoda883 and Vilhiem Thank this.
  5. Jul 10, 2015 #4
    street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    Ugghhh... pilot dogs.... just hearing it im reaching for the maylox
     
    street beater, Jul 10, 2015
    street beater, Jul 10, 2015
    #4
    HorseShoe and Vilhiem Thank this.
  7. Jul 10, 2015 #5
    Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    Newer trucks have a clutch brake when you press it all the way to the floor, since you're likely in a trainer truck you don't have one or its busted. Pretty common actually.

    Best bet is to press it to the floor and hold it. GENTLY press the shifter into the gear you want to be in. It should make a barely audible grind. At some point it will just slip into gear. But don't sit there and press the shifter into gear as hard as you can. You'll tear her up fast.

    Couple things to remember, the clutch is a funky device. It can take you off just as slow and smoothe as you please or as quick as you can get that rig to moving.

    Think of it like foreplay. Just take the release of the pedal slowly and pay attention to how the truck feels. You'll feel the engine catch on the clutch at some point. That's when you're good to go for starting off. Even when heavy these trucks don't require the accelerator to be pressed to hold on a hill.

    This would be a good time to ask a family member to borrow their old beater manual car... The transmissions are just finicky enough to teach the finer points of clutch control.

    Unfortunately I can't offer much better advice... I was taught by feel and sound. Finding the right onomatopoeia for each sound and word for each feeling...well...I'm no author, but even the best author would have trouble I suspect.

    Oh. There is one tidbit I can add... It is by feel and sound. If you've gotta think about it, then you're thinking too much. :p

    And as someone else said...get your shifting down first. Once you've got that then you can shift in the turns. ...there is little worse than stalling out or missing a gear while in the middle of an intersection. Not that...you know...it was a friend I swear! :biggrin_2551::biggrin_25524:
     
    Vilhiem, Jul 10, 2015
    Vilhiem, Jul 10, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 10, 2015 #6
    G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    pfffttt...rookies....

    I can trim my toe nails while doing all of that, and for good measure, I can also play the drums...
     
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    #6
    Dye Guardian Thanks this.
  9. Jul 10, 2015 #7
    HorseShoe

    HorseShoe Road Train Member

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    What kind of fingerless gloves do you wear driver?
     
    HorseShoe, Jul 10, 2015
    HorseShoe, Jul 10, 2015
    #7
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  10. Jul 10, 2015 #8
    G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    #8
    powerhousescott, marineman227, CasanovaCruiser and 2 others Thank this.
  11. Jul 10, 2015 #9
    street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    And when he feels lonely, he wears it on the other hand...... :)
     
    street beater, Jul 10, 2015
    street beater, Jul 10, 2015
    #9
  12. Jul 10, 2015 #10
    G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    no, when I feel lonely AND sexy, I wear these....

    [​IMG]
     
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    G.Anthony, Jul 10, 2015
    #10
    BostonTanker, Vilhiem, HorseShoe and 1 other person Thank this.
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