Floating Gears

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Kannonball, Sep 14, 2015.

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  1. Kannonball

    Kannonball Bobtail Member

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    I'm a rookie driver having trouble learning to float gears. In Truck Driver Training I was taught to double clutch. In training now with first driving job and the company and trainer require being able to float gears. Grinding gears is killing me and bothering my trainer. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
     
    Kannonball, Sep 14, 2015
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  2. TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

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    It is the same in every truck..listen to it up shifting and down shifting, nobody is perfect at it and still grinds gears. I will come
     
    TROOPER to TRUCKER, Sep 14, 2015
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I personally think one should learn how to do it the right way before one learns how to do it the wrong way, which you apparently have.

    Since you've learned to double clutch floating will come fairly easy with practice. Knowing your truck's powerband helps to establish your shift points.

    One thing I would caution you on that there are times when you will still need to use the clutch in the course of normal driving, such as taking off obviously, and shifting on a hill where the weight of the truck will act on the driveline and you will have to push the clutch in just to get it out of gear.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 14, 2015
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  4. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Not necessarily. Trucks and heavy equipment are like women. Every one is different because they all have their own quirks and gripes.

    No offense, ladies. :)
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 14, 2015
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  5. Patronas01

    Patronas01 Light Load Member

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    Well I thought that is why you have a trainer. To teach you.
    Ask him to teach you how to float.
    No matter what people will tell you in here, you are going to learn only if you have someone to show you in a Truck. Up sifting should be easier to learn then down sifting but after few months with practice you should be fine.
    If you have a good trainer it should be easy. Good luck.
     
    Patronas01, Sep 14, 2015
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  6. Milkman719

    Milkman719 Medium Load Member

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    I work a company that has slip seating (we are only out for 1-2 nights) I like the truck I'm in now (Pete) but it sucks when backing up because it surges because its a automatic
     
    Milkman719, Sep 14, 2015
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  7. street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    Its easier to learn when your running light, there is a natrural fall out point for each gear. As your speeding up you can let off the gas a bit and give the stick a push and it should fall out of gear clean. A little gas and a LIGHT touch for the next gear. Takes practice. And everything affects it. Load weight, enginge fan, jake, hills.... all will change the behaviour of the truck
     
    street beater, Sep 14, 2015
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  8. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    turn the Jakes off when you're going up through the gears. they tend to knock your rpms down before you can complete the shift
     
    RoadRooster, Sep 14, 2015
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  9. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    If you can DC you can float. It's the same truck right, so the RPM split is the same.
     
    okiedokie, Sep 14, 2015
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  10. street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    One more thing. Do NOT focus on rpms. They will kill you. Work more with knowing your gear to road speed, you can move rpms up or down faster than road speed. If your doing say 30 in 5th and you go for the change, get nutrual but cant find the right rpm for 6, after about 4 or 5 seconds your going to slow, but you can keep your rpms right..... but it still aint gonna want to go. Just go back to 5 and try again. (Your speed/gear ratio may vary) :)
     
    street beater, Sep 14, 2015
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