Getting it down pat

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lookingtotruck, Sep 3, 2007.

  1. lookingtotruck

    lookingtotruck Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2007
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    Ok I have been out of school for almost two months and have just over 40 hours in the seat. I can get the truck here and there for the most part but my down shifting fast enough to get myself into the righ gear to turn and backing are weak points plus I dont float gears I still use double clutching is this make me a poor driver or normal for the amount of time I have under my belt?
     
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  3. Burky

    Burky Road Train Member

    It improves with time. or at least it should improve with time. For shifting, take the time to think about what you are doing each time, actually watch the rpm's as needed until it becomes second nature to you and you do it without thinking about it.

    For backing, it's just a matter of developing that calibrated eye that tells you the right spot to start the turn and how to warp the trailer into spot. As long as you aren;t hitting anything, there are no penalties in the real world for pulling ahead and making another try.

    Just keep working at it, and it improves. 40 hours is only about half a work week, so it's not an excessively long period of time.
     
  4. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    You are still lacking in experience. 40 hours over 2 months ??? 5 hours a week?

    Downshifting fast enough? Maybe the problem is you're not slowing down enough.
     
  5. Burky

    Burky Road Train Member

    Don't feel bad. Richard Nixon saw "Deep Throat" four times before he got it down Pat.....


    I couldn't help it, ancient joke alert!!!!
     
  6. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    Burky -- to the time-out corner, please. :biggrin_2559:

    (That's hysterical! LOL)


    [​IMG]
     
  7. Cybergal

    Cybergal Road Train Member

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    Oct 20, 2008
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    Iam wondering how you know this bit of information.....lol
     
  8. ChromeDome

    ChromeDome Road Train Member

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    Jun 10, 2007
    Lakeland, FL
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    40 hours is not much time. I personally skip gears allot while downshifting, but this comes with time as well and is a bad habbit I picked up running local for so many years.

    As they said though, pay attention to the RPM and speed. Once you dont have to think about it anymore you will on occasion find yourself skipping gears, floating gears ect.
     
    localtrucker Thanks this.
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