Do you double clutch?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by YukonTrucker, Dec 11, 2007.

Do you double clutch?

  1. *

    Yes

    27.8%
  2. *

    No

    72.7%
  1. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Jan 17, 2008
    Wherever and Whenever...
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    I "learned" how to float (Tach shift) purely by accident. I was driving a bobtail equipment truck and had my hand on the shifting knob. One slip and into neutral it went, very easily I might add. I figured Hell, if it fell out of gear that easy, it just has to go into gear too. A little trial and error I rarely ever use the clutch. Even when I stop, I find a lower gear to float and creep.

    When I was in the Teamsters Driving school, an instructor told me that (No offense ladies) driving a truck is a lot like making love. When it's ready to go in, it's ready. You can't force it in:biggrin_25517:

    He taught me how to shift with only two fingers and told me to treat my truck like it was a Lady: Don't man-handle it.:biggrin_25525:
     
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  3. MommaKay

    MommaKay Light Load Member

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    Sep 21, 2007
    Green Bay, WI
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    Eaton-Fuller specifically states that floating is NOT allowed with their transmissions, and that it will cause all manner of injuries to the gears. In reality, it's only the *missed* shifts that will cause damage to the transmission -- but with floating, there's no clutch plate to absorb the shock. If you don't miss the shift, and float smoothly, there is no reason to believe that it is hard on the transmission.

    That said, I mostly double-clutch and rarely float. I'm used to doing it that way, so I don't have to think about it.
     
  4. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

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    Possum Booger, Alabama
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    When you can shift it with two fingers on top of the shift knob, You're doing it right.
     
  5. LadyTrucker99

    LadyTrucker99 Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 15, 2008
    Lexington, NC
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    Floating the gear dont hurt it--most company's dont like to see students out of school doin that but you will learn its much easier on the legs. A lot of the trainers will flunk you for floatin on their road test so normally if i am testin i will double clutch--otherwise i dont!
     
  6. driver4015

    driver4015 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2008
    Bend ,Oregon
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    I use the clutch on the low side or in town, other than that I float the high side and out on the road, the boss says he dosn't have an opnion as long as the truck dosn't get tore up.
     
  7. Slam-Bang

    Slam-Bang Bobtail Member

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    Feb 7, 2007
    S.F BayArea
    0
    I float all gears/skip gears with help from the jake when empty
    can also float it into reverse.
     
  8. Nuthinspecial

    Nuthinspecial Bobtail Member

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    Nov 19, 2006
    Salem, Or
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    I don't remember how to double clutch.:biggrin_2559:
     
  9. tuckerndfw

    tuckerndfw Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2008
    Dallas, TX
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    I learned to drive floating gears (back before anyone ever heard of a CDL) .

    I'm not sure I even know how to double clutch. Seems rather pointless. Floating is far better than clutching (if you don't make those irritating grinding sounds when you float).

    And, I've taken many company "driving tests" and have never had anyone complain about me floating gears.
     
  10. Kilroy

    Kilroy Light Load Member

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    Mar 18, 2008
    usa
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    :biggrin_2556:Ok this going to sound really dumb . But what is floating ? If I understand it you just pop out of gear and then slip it into the next gear .
     
  11. Muleskinner

    Muleskinner <strong>"Shining Beacon of Chickenlights"</strong>

    LOL...I'm kinda like you.The only time I ever double clutched was a 5x4 and the like so I didn't block traffic when I missed the hole.
     
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