Double clutch or Float. You decide.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Trucker_Matt, Jul 19, 2012.

Do you float, double clutch, or single clutch?

  1. *

    Float em baby!

    64 vote(s)
    84.2%
  2. *

    Double clutch all the way

    10 vote(s)
    13.2%
  3. *

    Single clutch

    4 vote(s)
    5.3%
  1. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

    148
    17
    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
    0
    Someone was telling me it's better to float than to double clutch. 95% of others tell me never to float. Let's hear some opinions with experience behind those opinions to back it up!
     
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  3. CertifiedSweetie

    CertifiedSweetie Road Train Member

    1,489
    1,634
    Nov 18, 2008
    Pittsburgh,Pa
    0
    I double clutch because that's they only way I was taught. The company I drive for and my previous company told drivers not to float for some reason I can't remember but I don't know how to do it anyway. A friend that's going to show me the next time I see him said something about double clutching wearing out the clutch.
     
  4. lonelyswmtrucker

    lonelyswmtrucker Medium Load Member

    612
    248
    Sep 14, 2011
    down the bayou
    0
    floating is simply just shifting without touch the clutch.
     
  5. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

    148
    17
    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
    0
    yeah thats what some guy was saying but the cost of a clutch vs the cost of a transmission has to be pretty #### significant for every member of management in this industry to say otherwise. Now, the o/o's are probably the ones who say float em, because of obvious reasons.
     
  6. redimpss5

    redimpss5 Light Load Member

    119
    27
    May 5, 2012
    Hayward Ca.
    0
    Where the heck did you come up with those numbers? 95% of trainers and or check ride approvers will tell you never to double, always float! You have to think about the people telling you about this. back in the 80's, double was the way to go. But companies like Eaton Fuller have 1 million mile warrenty on the products the build (as long as you use synthetic oils) and they expect floating. That's how they invented a semi-auto trans. With the price of a clutch replace, what do you think might be better?
     
  7. lonelyswmtrucker

    lonelyswmtrucker Medium Load Member

    612
    248
    Sep 14, 2011
    down the bayou
    0
    first of all what would u know about the price of a clutch vs a tranny? people in management are going to tell u to double clutch for numerous of stupid reasons going by what some idiot who has never driven nor turned a wrench on a truck, in a white shirt with a tie will tell them. this is where u gotta read between the lines & decide what is bs & what should be done; kinda like common sense
     
  8. bender

    bender Road Train Member

    2,105
    1,347
    Jul 20, 2010
    Don't Kid Yourself
    0
    If you learned to ride a bike when you were a kid then you can also easily learn to float gears. Once you start doing it you'll be saying to yourself, Gawd this is so simple, now I can't believe I did all that clutching BS for so long! And now all the kids in the neighborhood won't make fun of me anymore! Lose the training wheels! All that unnecessary clutching wears out your left hip, knee and ankle joints. Floating causes no harm to the transmission and saves wear on the clutch too. Give it a try, it's easy!
     
  9. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

    148
    17
    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
    0
    I got my numbers from other truckers I have talked to. Outside of this forum. You all have valid points, but I replaced the clutch in my personal vehicle and it was roughly 400$. Seeing as how new transmissions are over $2,000 it is easy for one to assume its similar to that for big rigs, except X amount higher. It's funny you say that about the 80's though redimpss bc the majority of the people i asked were truckers from way back when. Times truly are changing it seems. Lonely, once again if my employer tells me to do something, and i dont want to get on their ##### list, im going to do it. It's their responsiblity for maintaining their trucks and if they tell me not to float, and the clutch wears out, whose fault exactly is it? not mine.. im just driving by their standards. Maybe if i was an o/o and didnt want to pay out of pocket for a clutch, and had a 1mil mile warranty on my tranny, your dang right im going to learn to float. Lets not turn this thread into a crap fest, i just want to know what people do/prefer. Thats all.
     
    kwray Thanks this.
  10. Trucker_Matt

    Trucker_Matt Light Load Member

    148
    17
    Jul 14, 2012
    Downriver, MI
    0
    im sure its the same principle as floating in my s-10. its about learning precisely when to do as to not grind the gears. maybe ill try it out when im in my own rig.
     
  11. bender

    bender Road Train Member

    2,105
    1,347
    Jul 20, 2010
    Don't Kid Yourself
    0
    You shouldn't float the gears in an S-10. It's a syncronized transmission and you will wear out and even break the syncronizers. A heavy duty trans is not equipped with syncronizers so there is a difference.
     
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