Do you adjust driving techniques when loaded heavy or empty?

The only time I use the clutch is to start out, or at a stop sign or light. Float them all, only one exception; I work a lot of construction jobs, in and out of, some of these jobs are high up in the mountains. If I need the extra gear for some reason when loaded on a steep grade I will do a jake shift float, but rarely, rarely do I double clutch. When doing a jake shift float only use 2 cyl on the selector, sometimes on a real steep grade I will use a 4cyl selection pretty rare though, I have done it long enough now that I can even catch a full jake float if I am really on top of my game that day but that is so fast if you doubt you can do it you won't be able to, you have to know for a fact you can and really have it together that day, not much of a reason to use a full jake though, just stay in that gear to the top.

 

Well you can still floot at a higher rpm ...you just wait a sec after you pull your shifter into neutral then shirt into the higher gear....its all about timing

 

you should get accustomed to lower rpm's then, you're really not accomplishing much when your out of the torque range, except wasting fuel..lol

 

I do the same as Sharpshooter; I only use the clutch when starting from a dead stop- rest of the time I float. I have a 1985 Freightshaker FLC120 with a big cam 400 Cummins & 13 speed & primarily haul bulk materials or equipment on a RGN. This truck seems to eat clutch brakes (something I can't quit figure out) so I stay off it has much as possible.

 

Believe it or not my mpg is better then what the company wants.. go figure..

 

shifting is not the only thing diff. your truck will handle a whole lot diff when empty. the suspension is designed for a loaded truck.

 

Always float. Going through a town I try to time the lights so I never stop, I say try cause it seldome worke but is a good way to keep 4 wheelers from cutting in at the stop light.

 

It drops the rpm faster so you can shift faster.

Ethan

 

always float...honestly i havent double clutched for over 20 years....