Shifting killed me on my road test {FAIL}

Well 17 year god of the roadways a 671 and the 653 have alot less power than the newer engines they also rev higher, they are a 2 stroke not a 4 stoke, and have the novel tendency to sometimes want to start running in reverse when over rev'ed because of the mechanical injection system. Makes a world of difference especially to a new driver. But then what do I know I only have twice the driving years that you do, and most likely have driven more kinds of equipment, with more kinds of loads over more kinds of terrain than you will ever experience.

 

Use your ears not your eyes, That guy was right keep eyes on the road your new everyone goes thru it , It will take you months to be good at it, Just don't high RPM than shift you will have a problem different trucks use a different RPM ask your trainer what it is and use that formula, It takes time, You will get it

 

training trucks are sometimes need of new clutches - another consideration in managing the learning experience

 

I remember on one truck I was in, I noticed it didn't like going in 5th at any speed, the trainer said, oh that gear is mashed up from people jamming it in, just avoid that gear lol. I guess maintenance on training trucks is secondary.

 

Shifting can be the death of your career if you can't get it right. Eventually I think anyone can learn the backing but shifting is on a whole different level. Also, if you don't know what you're doing and you're coming down a narrow off ramp at 20 miles over the speed limit, it could be lights out for you Driver. I effed up my shifting so many times that I eventually gave up and went with an all automatic LTL company. Don't let anyone fool you, practice doesn't always necessarily make perfect. Some things, some people just can't get. Still though, if you feel like you weren't given enough time to learn, request more and try again. If after two or three tries you still don't get it, start looking for an automatic fleet...

 

taking off in a higher gear burns up the clutch faster. the higher the gear the longer it takes you to engage the clutch fully.

 

Man, I am ridiculously uncoordinated. Learning to shift has been more difficult for me than it is to most, but I'm starting to get it. It's just a matter of coordination; if I can get it, so can virtually any one.

 

You're right, sort of. I believe that anyone who can walk a semi-straight line, and has the stregth to depress a clutch (strength equal to that of lifting 10 to 20 pounds) can probably learn how to shift and double clutch. The question, though, is whether or not that person will be given the opportunity to learn at their own pace. The average "trucking school" (see: mill) gives you about two or three hours behind the wheel (actual time where you yourself drive) and an hour or two backing. This is hardly enough time for most average learners to pick up the skill, let alone the guys who learn at a slower pace. If you test at the DMV, chances are you will fail and have to re take the course (sometimes thrice or more). If you have a third party tester, your chances improve slightly, but you still need to have a basic knowledge and grasp. Fast forward to company training; You're paired with a "trainer" who more often than not wants to run you like a co and forgets you're still a student. Stall out a couple times... and just like that...you're kicked off the truck and sitting at a greyhound station. This happens a couple more times, with a couple more trainers (and a couple more lonely rides home on the hound), and evenutally you quit. You've been conditioned by circumstance to believe you're unable to shift (or back), but in all reality, you probably just needed more time, which you weren't afforded, to learn.