Shifting

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by notarps4me, Mar 11, 2007.

Drivers do you

  1. *

    float?

    65 vote(s)
    43.6%
  2. *

    double clutch?

    16 vote(s)
    10.7%
  3. *

    or both?

    65 vote(s)
    43.6%
  4. *

    have an auto tranny?

    6 vote(s)
    4.0%
  1. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    12,908
    12,210
    Sep 17, 2006
    WY
    0




    That works well when loaded heavy. It makes the shift a little smoother.
     
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  3. rch10007

    rch10007 Medium Load Member

    560
    860
    May 26, 2007
    Madison, AL
    0
    I do both accordingly. Wait until your clutch goes out and you have to keep moving. If you do have to stop, you'll have to jam into the lowest gear (which shouldn't stall the motor) or kill the motor and place it in low and then start her back up.
     
  4. Hill-a-billy

    Hill-a-billy Light Load Member

    187
    2
    Jun 3, 2007
    South Carolina
    0
    I had a clutch linkage break loose just before a scale house in Louisiana. The pedal just went straight to the floor, and stayed there. I managed to float through the scale house and make it to a truck stop with the help of a few kind drivers. I even managed to park the truck before I stopped.:biggrin_25523:
     
  5. BigPappa

    BigPappa Light Load Member

    105
    6
    Jan 29, 2007
    Keller, TX
    0
    If you do it right, floating the gears is less wear on the clutch and improves fuel economy. This is what i was taught. depending on the tranny, you can have the truck at a complete stop and still shove the tranny in low gear w/o clutch and it will start to move. I had a volvo that wouldn't do it.
     
  6. Sad_Panda

    Sad_Panda Road Train Member

    1,056
    312
    Dec 2, 2006
    0
    Float. Up and down the full range. I used to do it in my '72 Chevy PU back in the day, even though it wasn't a crashbox (My F250 doesn't like to float) I picked up floating a big truck transmission pretty quickly, I used to run a 6 speed dogbox in a racing class years ago, and floated that box (and used left foot braking too!)

    No, I don't use my left foot for braking in a big truck.
     
  7. Wolfgang_KW

    Wolfgang_KW Bobtail Member

    27
    0
    Apr 18, 2007
    New Orleans,Louisiana
    0
    It depends... But normally float up and down when i'm just cruising along with my 18 fuller. I also find my self floating my 85 Celica
     
  8. kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

    485
    102
    Nov 28, 2006
    Some where USA
    0
    I've allways floated. The clutch is for stoping and starting only. On the very rare ocassion that it wil stick coming out i will bump the clutch and float it back in. If you practice at it long enough it becomes secound nature.
     
  9. Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

    594
    29
    Jun 11, 2006
    Texas
    0
    I generally float the gears, other than the times on a steep up or down grade where it is easier to bump the clutch to release it from the current gear.
     
  10. Truckin Juggalo

    Truckin Juggalo Medium Load Member

    606
    125
    Aug 5, 2006
    Madisonville, TN
    0
    back in the days (lol) when i had a 10 speed, i used to do both i floated Up and double clutched down, i practiced floating down but it takes lots of practice to get it right, but yeah i did both
     
  11. xxcruzxx

    xxcruzxx Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Feb 14, 2007
    0
    I Double Float. I do both depending on the circumstances and to play games to keep mind busy from being tired. Sometimes up/down float. Sometimes up/down double. Sometimes single clutch out, float in. Whatever, keeps me from being bored.
     
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