Shifting

By george I got it!!!

I was taught how to float and the company seems to prefer that we float.

I float the 13spd I do use the clutch when it seems to be stuck to release the tension on the trans.

I will clutch in downshifts sometimes when I want to slow faster.

I caught on to it about the second day driving now I just have to learn to not steer left while I am checking to make sure it is clear to merge.


I had a witch on a chicken coop I was driving and my trainer was not looking at the bypass scale signs so he told me to pull in and I did the coop witch was wanting me to go fast across the scales but I was told never go fast across them because they will get mad because I went slow so she had me park and made me show reg,ins etc.

I told my trainer next time pay attention or belive me on the signs.

 

double post sorry

 

Float only unless stuck

 

I float most of the time, even though SNI trains and prefers you don't. When I originaly learned to drive a truck I was taught by an old man from the don't touch the clutch unless you stop, and only then if your not on a downgrade large enough to get the truck rolling and float it in school of driving. On upgrades or with heavy loads i engage the jake before i shift in order to drop the engine rpm faster for a fast shift. I am glad SNI taught me to double clutch however. It comes in handy when I forget to turn on the jake when needing a quick shift, or when i get distracted by something in the middle of a shift and miss it. As long as you aren't forcing the shifts I cant tell as it hurts anything. Whether floating or clutching i believe the secret is to only use your hand to guide the shifter, no effort necessary, if it takes effort then your rpm's need adjusted to sync the tranny. If everything is right she'll pretty much shift herself after you genlty nudge it the right direction.

 

I float only. Never double clutched in my life. I don't even know how. I told the officer on my road test before we even started that I can't double clutch so go ahead and mark me off for that. He laughed and said it was ok. No one ever taught me how.

 

I float the gears, unless I am having trouble getting it into the next gear (happens every so often). In that case I will double clutch.

 

When I learned to drive years ago I was taught to float up and down, when I went back to school had to double clutch because a lot of the big training carriers run students through the basic course to get their CDL before they go to the company school and the carriers like Stevens will pull the logs off the truck computer and write you up if you aren't double clutching.

 

only time i touch the clutch is whgen i am below 6th gear while downshifting when i am stopped, and starting, other then thAT, IM MORE WORRIED BOUT MY KNEE WEARING OUT THEN THE TRANNY, MY COMPANY WILL BUY A NEW TRANNY

 

so am i to start truck driving school in hastings ne for werner. Enough said right?....I grew up around trucks so I wanna follow family tradition. However I am a little worried bout the whole shifting thing and if I will be able to do it. Any tips on how to go about it? I would probably need the book "shifting for dummies" if that makes it more clear on how little I know.

 

The only real difference in a big truck and car is the time it takes to get the vehicle moving.

In a car - you let out on the clutch as you give it gas and gooooo..

In a truck - let the clutch out til it starts moving, then let it out quickly without dumping it...you don't even have to give it any throttle, but a little is good.

The throttle - in a car, more is better and in a truck, less is better...lots of torque...

Timing - in a car, shift at high RPMS and in a truck, shift inbetween 17-1900 and let it fall to about 14-15 and it should fall into gear. All trucks are different and as you get more comfortable, you will just shift by the sound of the engine.

Shifting - with your hand on the stick, start to push it out of the gear you are in and then let off the throttle, the shifter will fall into neutral - quickly (without jamming it) push the shifter in front of the next gear. You may feel a little grinding and then if you timing is right - it will fall into the next gear. AT this POINT, don't push the throttle to hard - ease into it.

Take your time, it is simple really! Just have to get use to giving the truck time to work. You'll learn when to shift, hard hard to push on the shifter coming out of and going into gears, and how much throttle to keep the truck moving.

You will grind the heck out of them for a while - it's normal. Do NOT hold the clutch too long - biggest rookie mistake!

Have fun, relax, and you'll be comfortable in no time. You HAVE to practice this, it's a FEEL thing... Reading up on it is good, but know this - you have to do it in order to understand it.

I hope this helps some because I just barely touched the subject... I don't want to make it seem too difficult because once you are doing it, you'll see why.

Take it easy!