Lack of training

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by Canadianhauler21, Aug 14, 2019.

  1. Canadianhauler21

    Canadianhauler21 Heavy Load Member

    797
    1,492
    May 15, 2017
    0
    Started doing LTL work around the GTA recently and joined up with a family friend owner/operator. I drove automatic with challenger and the other carrier I was with. This owner operator has a 1998 Kenworth 10 speed and a 2003 Kenworth 13 speed. We switch back and forth throughout the week.

    Now I haven't driven manual in a couple of years, I was never really good at it. I got back into it last week and doing fairly well, biggest problem is forgetting to put the splitter down after getting off the highway.

    Literally 5 days of training and they want me to go off by myself. There are tri-quad axle trailers. I don't feel ready but they told me I'll learn more on my own.

    Should I ask for more training or take the loss and go solo and hope for the best?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

    726
    1,165
    Jul 28, 2019
    0
    If you are not comfortable safety wise to go solo, I would tell them. Better to be upfront and honest instead of llater trying to explain why you tore something up or caused an accident BC of lack of training.
     
    Canadianhauler21 Thanks this.
  4. upnorthwpg

    upnorthwpg Road Train Member

    1,616
    2,271
    Sep 23, 2011
    0
    Is it the shifting your having issues with?
     
    x1Heavy and Canadianhauler21 Thank this.
  5. Canadianhauler21

    Canadianhauler21 Heavy Load Member

    797
    1,492
    May 15, 2017
    0
    Just shifting, I'm good on all other things. Specifically down shifting.
     
    x1Heavy Thanks this.
  6. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,098
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    Either that or are you nervous about the trailer? Tri axle container chassis or something else?

    I don't see a problem anywhere in the OP's describing except forgetting the splitter for high range when it's time to get up there on speed.
     
    Canadianhauler21 Thanks this.
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,098
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    If you are level at 65 mph in top gear at whatever RPM it would be around 1500 or so Not quite redlining but close. And hit a hill or mountain upgrade. Floor her and wait until the RPM's fall towards about 1200.

    At 1200 rpm clutch in a LITTLE BIT never all the way, she should pop right out of the gear. While in nuetral floor your fuel pedal and get the RPM's up to around 1600 your next gear down should be there waiting for you.

    Don't dawdle or waste time. Do not force it scratching at you. You down shift at one RPM, you up shift at a higher RPM, usually 400 rpm difference depending on the truck.

    You will also learn that shifting happens the same way every single time. Nothing changes except the situation you and your truck may be in.
     
  8. Snoopycda

    Snoopycda Medium Load Member

    349
    682
    Jan 22, 2016
    Edmonton Ab.
    0
    "biggest problem is forgetting to put the splitter down after getting off the highway."
    Sounds like you are not downshifting until you are at least into low range. Train yourself to do that at all times.
     
    Canadianhauler21 and x1Heavy Thank this.
  9. canadian

    canadian Light Load Member

    130
    98
    Jan 8, 2010
    Surrey, British Columbia
    0
    If you're trying to upshift or downshift be aware that your entry point into the next gear will move on you the longer you linger in neutral. That loss in momentum is an equation between the road grade you're on, the weight of your vehicle, and how many burgers you had for lunch. You may be better off skipping a gear if the loss in momentum happens too quickly such as in situations where you're climbing a hill in a 13 or 18 speed. Just let the RPM drop to 1000 on newer trucks or 1200 on older trucks and go down a full gear instead of splitting the gears.

    Also gears are a ratio not a linear amount of RPM. The gap between gears at lower RPM is smaller than at higher RPM. It's alot easier to shift between gears when the gap is smaller. At 1000 RPM your gap might be only 250RPM.

    If you're winding up the engine on every shift your shifts are going to take longer which means you're lingering in neutral far too long which means you're losing momentum which means you may miss the shift. Don't be that guy. Take the job and make sure you double-clutch on every shift until you are comfortable with the shifting and practice progressive shifting. Try to memorize all the shift entry points for each gear at a given RPM and road speed (momentum) so if you miss a shift you know which gear will get you the best RPM for your situation given the momentum and energy you are currently kinetic with.
     
    Canadianhauler21 and Cabinover101 Thank this.
  10. upnorthwpg

    upnorthwpg Road Train Member

    1,616
    2,271
    Sep 23, 2011
    0
    I would also suggest you grab the tractor, and go bobtail through your city in the evening. Just drive, and shift. No trailer.
     
    Canadianhauler21 Thanks this.
  11. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

    5,134
    17,210
    Oct 29, 2007
    Northern Ontario
    0
    If the only concern is shifting just go for it. Doing LTL around the GTA you'll have it down in no time.

    LTL around the GTA, I think I'd go crazy! ;)
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.