Gear Recovery

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Hip Hugger, Jul 12, 2014.

  1. Hip Hugger

    Hip Hugger Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jun 23, 2014
    Anytown, US
    0
    Hey folks

    Got a question about gear recovery speeds. I will be starting my second week of CDL school next week, yesterday our instructor gave us some homework to do. In the homework is a couple of pages of nothing but 'road speeds', our instructions are to fill in what gear we need to shift into if we miss a shift. Below is the recovery speeds that our instructor gave us as well as some advice from a friend. The only thing that I am not clear with, say for instance I missed a shift running between 35 and 40 mph, what would be the right gear to shift into? I kind of like the advice that my buddy gave me, it seems a lot easier to remember that way.

    Instructor
    4th= 8mph
    5th= 10mph
    6th= 15mph
    7th= 20mph
    8th= 25mph
    9th= 35mph
    10th= 45mph

    This is my buddies advice;

    1+0 (10mph)= 5th gear
    1+5 (15mph)= 6th gear
    2+5 (25mph)= 7th gear
    3+5 (35mph)= 8th gear
    4+5 (45mph)= 9th gear
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Skydivedavec

    Skydivedavec Medium Load Member

    640
    536
    Sep 12, 2013
    Mid-Atlantic
    0
    Your buddy has it right, as this is the way I was taught in school. It works every time but honestly, I never use it. And I bet you won't either once you are in your truck. You'll likely go by the sound of the engine and your perceived road speed. . When you've missed, it's really not a time to do even the simplest of math equations lol!
     
    Pmracing Thanks this.
  4. Hip Hugger

    Hip Hugger Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jun 23, 2014
    Anytown, US
    0
    I kind of figured I would never use this outside of school, just like double clutching. But if a gear was missed running between 35 and 40 mph, would you go into 8th or 9th? I am guessing 8th
     
  5. HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

    4,098
    4,865
    Sep 23, 2012
    0
    Well if you miss a shift between 35 and 40 the gear you'd choose would be:

    35mph-- 3+5=8th gear
    36mph-- 3+6=9th gear
    37mph-- 3+7=10th gear
    38mph-- 3+8=11th gear
    39mph-- 3+9=12th gear
    40mph-- 4+0=4th gear

    According to your buddy......
     
  6. Skydivedavec

    Skydivedavec Medium Load Member

    640
    536
    Sep 12, 2013
    Mid-Atlantic
    0
    Omg. That's it, I'm outta' here.
     
    rank and okiedokie Thank this.
  7. AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

    708
    552
    May 25, 2014
    Orion Arm
    0
    Does that little chart thing work?
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2014
  8. SemperFiServices

    SemperFiServices Medium Load Member

    379
    233
    Jan 29, 2013
    Indianapolis, IN
    0
    LMFAO!!! I can't even use what I learned in school on a 10 speed- because as an O/O I drive a 9 speed, everything is different- 8= 4th, 15= 5th, 25= 6th, 32=7th, 45=8th, 57-62= 9th
     
  9. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

    10,818
    12,622
    Mar 14, 2010
    california norte
    0
    Those are general guidelines. But it all so depends on differential ratios too. Generally if you missed your upshift, the advice I was always given is to go back the gear you came out of . The best way to learn is to just rack up tens of thousands of miles.
     
  10. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
    18,734
    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
    0
    24(5+2) - pi= gear :)

    Just pay attention to your speedometer in relation to your gears while it's going good. Eventually the visual of movement and what you are doing will give you a good idea of gear selection.

    Example: I take turns in 3,4,5 depending on how fast I take them. Then relate that to your road speed when you are lost. Hmmmm, I'm going a little faster than a quick turn so let me try 6th. Don't panic and go crazy on your rpm bumps.

    If you missed a shift you know what gear you were trying to go into. But you have lost road speed so attempt to go back in the gear you just left.

    This stuff takes practice. You won't look at any chart and learn it overnight.

    When all else fails, grind 'em! :)
     
    Skydivedavec Thanks this.
  11. BobcatVolvo

    BobcatVolvo Light Load Member

    171
    132
    Feb 23, 2014
    Western Ohio
    0
    You're right, but this is one of those things, like Algebra and cursive that you will never use in the real world. You'll miss gears, but you won't know the right recovery gear until you hear it.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.