Learning shifting on a truck - any advice?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RDirr07, Jul 18, 2012.

  1. sixthgear11

    sixthgear11 Light Load Member

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    Why make statements that you havent got the experience to make? I know drivers who, for some unknown reason, double clutch religiously.... clutch needs replacing every 300K miles or so.... I always float... i've got 450K on my current clutch, and still have a LOT of adjustment.... 933K miles on the truck, never a problem out of the transmission, and still pulls just as strong as it did when I bought it.
     
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  3. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    You are really going to suck badly at it and you will hate it but in a few months of doing it every day you will finally get the hang of it and then start to enjoy it. Just expect for you to suck and to be the worst driver and have everyone get frustrated at you (if you have ride alongs) and it wont be so bad if you prepared for that to happen. Luckily my first vehicle I learned to drive in was a stick so I knew tricks that they didn't even teach in school like how to give it a little fuel before letting off the clutch so there is no jerking at all. The teacher would say how my shifting was so smooth like an automatic.
     
  4. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

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    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
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    you're right, i don't have that experience to make that call but my teacher who has 36 years experience told me other wise. you're employer, will also tell you otherwise. You may be an o/o but floating is just plain lazy.
     
  5. NewbieRick

    NewbieRick Light Load Member

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    Jul 15, 2012
    Pacific, mo
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    Im a student.. But i float my gears in my 4-wheeler.. 94' eagle talon (no syncros) with 230k. Ive put 50k on it myself and still hvnt changed my clutch, and i can still #### an get.. So i will ventur to say that a fuller tranny will thank you in the end, if you float her..
     
  6. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

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    Downriver, MI
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    i float too sometimes in my s-10 but its a beater and i dont care. but it has a synchronized tranny
     
  7. lonelyswmtrucker

    lonelyswmtrucker Medium Load Member

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    Sep 14, 2011
    down the bayou
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    well since u think it's just plain lazy not to double clutch; maybe when U wear one out by double clutching U should pay for it to be replaced!!!!!

    just goes to show what these d a m n schools & so called trainers are teaching these days
     
  8. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

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    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
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    Do you listen to yourself? You must be an o/o because you're worried about every little penny. How is this for rationale: my employer tells me don't float. my clutch wears out. who's replacing? My employer. Plain and simple. If i value my job, i'm going to do what they tell me to do since im not a l/o or an o/o, its their truck their rules.
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  9. david123abc

    david123abc Heavy Load Member

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    Augusta, GA
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    There is really no difference in transmission wear from using the clutch or not provided you shift properly.

    The difference comes from when you don't shift well. Shifting poorly when floating is going to cause more wear to the teeth than when you use the clutch because the engine is keeping everything spinning.

    That's what I've been led to believe anyway.
     
  10. sixthgear11

    sixthgear11 Light Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2011
    myrtle beach, sc
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    Insulting members is Unacceptable on the forum.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2012
  11. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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