is downshifting required?

In response to your 'skipping gears' question... I do it all the time if there's enough space. If I'm empty, I often do it going up the early gears too (the higher gears are spaced out a little much for skipping though).

No DMV tester is going to fail you for starting to slow down as soon as you see a light change 3/4 miles up the road... by the time you roll up on it, you've only had to drop a couple of gears then off you go again passing all the four-wheelers that zipped by you a minute ago and had to stop for the light... HEHEHEEE....

 

This is correct,, yet also, you cannot lug-out the truck

 

If you're driving in New Jersey, you're probably the ONLY one that knows how to drive.

 

What's that saying about you can go down a mountain to slow numerous times but too fast only once....

The point is to be safe and in control of your rig. Slowing down is just that....slow. It's not like a car...you can't just fly up to the stop and stop. Gear down to slow down. It's not a process that happens quickly....gotta get used to that.

 

it is like GAlanFink says and if any "examiner" fails you it will be for getting nervous & ^not^ "down-shifting" ... what I do - lacking any reason to do otherwise - is skip 2-3 gears at once as you pretty much have to take your foot off pedal which unloads the rack to have it on the brake thence getting a few gears down at once leaves greater time on braking with pedal ~ you have to get used to it and that is what the training is for - what I said is for Eaton-Fuller but there is another kind with two-levers and a 4-speed splitter that is the original reason why crossing RR tracks totally in gear at all times was first made into law - I do not even know what they are called but could only have been designed in the Krasnosk suburb of Moscau

 

I wouldn't be skipping gears until you get the single gear downshifting down. It shouldn't take you more than a second to drop a gear. Sorry to say if you think it takes too long, then you really don't have it down. You're a student, ask your instructor to work with you on it or ask them to show you. Figure it out now or you"ll get the big" see you next week" on your road test. Also, anywhere you want to work will involve a roadtest with them as well.

 

Everything east of Philly is New York City in my book.

 

I couldnt say what is required for the test but on the road I would say yes, down shifting using the motor will save your brakes, tires and even your legs. not to mention by down shifting you are in control of your truck by being in the right gear to pull off if you dont have to come to a complete stop... it is useful to know how in my opnion...

 

downshifting is like riding a bike...once u figure it out its much easier than walking....same with downshifting and breaking

 

"An out of gear truck is an out of control truck". I was told this over 20 yrs ago by my trainer and it is one of the things I have never forgotten.