Shifting Concerns

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by snowbird_89, Jun 8, 2010.

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  1. snowbird_89

    snowbird_89 Road Train Member

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    OK, I was checking out this job today and I did a road test with one of the mechanics. I was shifting without the clutch from like 2nd to 5th gear but then when I tried to do it from 6th, I grind and that's when he notice that i was shifting without the clutch. He told me to shift without clutch. So I did it and I was able to do it for like two gears but then I had a hard time.

    He's says shifting without the clutch is bad. But what I don't understand is that I was able to float some gears with ease and double clutch with ease but then had a hard time.

    What could I be doing wrong? Is it really much easier to shift without the clutch? How should I shift? If only all trucks were automatics today. :biggrin_25523:
     
    snowbird_89, Jun 8, 2010
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  2. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You will see that truck transmissions are sometimes a little finicky. No 2 are alike. You may need to clutch in 7th gear, for instance, or, clutch to get out of a certain gear.
     
    Allow Me., Jun 9, 2010
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    ironhand Thanks this.
  3. snowbird_89

    snowbird_89 Road Train Member

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    I have a more hard time downshifting versus up shifting.
     
    snowbird_89, Jun 9, 2010
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  4. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    easier to go through lower gears. What you may be running into is the float requirements for the highend gears will need you to tach out more. My first few thousand miles of driving "Dick Shaw" taught me that Freightliners need to have 400 rpm drop and it will slip into gear.
     
    lovesthedrive, Jun 9, 2010
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  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I've stated this so many times on this forum.....forget about downshifting, until you get some experience and lots of it. When I was an instructor, the first question out of every students mouth was "How do I downshift"? I said, "Why do you need to downshift"? After 15 minutes of behind the wheel training, and a couple right turns, where they downshifted just prior to the turn, I mention to them they just downshifted! They weren't even aware they did it. I don't know why everyone thinks they need to downshift from 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3 coming to a stop. The DMV only requires 1 or 2 downshifts for the roadtest.
     
    Allow Me., Jun 9, 2010
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  6. localtrucker

    localtrucker Light Load Member

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    just wondering if someone could make a video on downshifting without using the clutch and explain what they are doing for drivers that want to know how to, or if you know of any videos that explain it....thanks
     
    localtrucker, Jun 10, 2010
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  7. Freebird135

    Freebird135 Road Train Member

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    honestly every truck is different...if you have trouble downshifting without the clutch then use the clutch...i still use it to downshift sometimes
     
    Freebird135, Jun 10, 2010
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  8. steveluc3

    steveluc3 Bobtail Member

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    If you google shifting i.e. double clutching, down shifting etc, you will find lots of videos on the subject. Also, you will also be able to view videos on backing tips anf lots of other things related to trucking.
     
    steveluc3, Jun 10, 2010
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    KittyKat501 Thanks this.
  9. Baritone

    Baritone Road Train Member

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    Thanks for posting this - I have had that same issue. It was taught to me to downshift when coming to a stop by my trainer. 10 through 6 are no issue....just having to go from 6 to 4 always gets me.
     
    Baritone, Jun 10, 2010
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  10. Torque2Haul

    Torque2Haul Light Load Member

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    I'm in truck driver's training at a private school. We just started to practice downshifting last week with 8-speed and 10-speed trannys. I've been having trouble transitioning from the quick double-clutching for up-shifting gears to the clutch-rev-clutch process for downshifting - my left leg wants to clutch too soon (during the rev) which prevents it from going into the lower gear. :smt119
     
    Torque2Haul, Jun 13, 2010
    #10
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