Do you float gears or double clutch?

When I took my test many moons ago... I do remember them telling I need to that you can use the clutch .. Im like huh? I have to start and stop with it so Im sure I no how to use it.. He said no I mean for shifting I said but your not supposed to use it for shifting... He I know that but its the law of testing he the said I just need to see it one time... Then you can shift the truck the way they are meant to be shifted...

To be honest I have never heard of peeps use the clutch to shift on a semi.. If not for this thread I would of thought if someone told me that like the guy Im training to take my place that he was a morron and If I would have seen him drive the truck that way I would have stoped him right away and said get out until you learn how to drive a truck..

 

My opinion, it is generally better to double clutch. That said, I do float certain gears because it is like a slam dunk. I have the 13 speed FYI. OK, the 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th in the 'downstairs' I call it are floaters. 2nd to 3rd generally are double clutchers because it is a long ways over there to get in without scratching most times.

In the upstairs, 5th Hi to 6th Lo and 7th Hi to 8 Lo are my floaters with 6th Hi to 7th Lo my typical double clutcher, but sometimes I float that combination as well.

You can float 'em going down in gears too. This is a little more advanced technique, but not much.

For you drivers just learning floating, try floating only in the highest gears first as they are more forgiving. Once you master 7 to 8 upshifting , try floating 5 to 6 for a while before you ever try 6 to 7 (this is for your typical 9 speed configuration Lo through 8 . Once you feel you got that, try floating the downstairs 3 to 4 and 1 to 2 before you ever try 2 to 3.

Once you have mastered floating in the upshift pattern now you can practice downshift floating, again use the higher gears and teach yourself and ask many questions from long time truckers out here.

It is important to have mastered double clutching too because sometimes little 'surprises' pop up like you're in the middle of floating and their is a little dip in the road, or a bump or just have a slippery foot, and miss the gear, need to be able to recover and get it in gear right away using the clutch.

 

Great advice method I guess there are some pretty good drivers over there at knight

 

Double Clutchin

 

Unlike with double clutching where you completely remove your foot from the gas floating you just ease up enough to lower the rpms it'll pop out and go right in the right gear

 

Save a clutch,float the gears.

 

1-5 gear +parking lot speed. 1st gear is usually only needed when loaded and on an incline. You can usually just start off in 2nd even under a load. Depending on your truck you can even use 3rd to start in some instances. Whenever you are about to come to a complete stop just a split second before your tires stop moving push your clutch in and at the same time drop into first. A lot of times when you stop the gears aren't in sync and you have to let up on the clutch a few times then push all the way to the floor for the clutch brake to get it to go in. Do what I said and it avoids this.

gears 4-5 are your gears you use to take corners, slow corner use 4, faster corner use 5.

your 6th gear is the gear you want to be coming out of a turn usually in the 20-30 mph range.

your 7th gear is 30-40

your 8th gear is 40-50 or so.

your 9th gear is 50+ and also the gear you use cruising through a town with a low speed limit. This is also your gear you use to really ride up the rpm's if you are catching up to speed on the interstate.

your 10th gear is 55,60mph until your governor kicks in and shuts down the truck! 10th gear is your overdrive.

Whether you are floating or double clutching you always want to run through your gears as fast as possible. What I mean by that is the quicker you bang through the gears and the less you run up your rpm's the more fuel you will save. So shift quick but not too quick that you are bogging. Run your rpm's up just enough to bang the next gear. If you try not to run up your rpm's so much you guys will find its easier to shift.

Just a side note, they don't tell you this in school, when bobtailing, especially if the roads are wet or weather is bad be careful when downshifting. Be careful in general when bobtailing. Those trucks are not designed for bobtailing. They are specifically designed to work best when pulling a trailer and under a load! Bobtailing can be very dangerous and is why most companies don't let you do it! Ever hear of bobtail insurance? That is why. So be careful guys if you ever find yourself having to bobtail.

Oh yeah, and I forgot a gear. Georgia Overdrive! Don't use it!

 

Excellent info chompi.Double clutchers take notes,lol.

 

I prefer using the clutch but my owner keeps ######## about it so I float when I can. Now I'm paranoid 'bout it due to the syncronization comments so have no clue! I feel the system was designed for clutch usage. Wish an engineer would comment...

 

If you shift properly, it makes little difference.

I put over 600,000 miles on a truck, double clutching, and that clutch was still like new.

ymmv