Starting in 3rd

No need to start in first gear unless really heavy or on a hill.
Depends on the truck,load and transmission.

I usually start off in 4th on flat ground unless i'm really heavy.

 

3rd when empty. 1st or 2nd when loaded.

 

No idea if it actually hurts the tranny, as I always drive company trucks. However I usually start in 4th if my trailer is under 10k. I rarely, if ever use 2nd unless I have a heavy load that needs it (obviously). Having said that, I drive local and my state is super duper flat so I don't have to worry about hills at all.

Everyone I know uses 4th when empty. Like I said though, not sure at all if it hurts the tranny in any way.

 

As long as you are not slipping the clutch or the cab is bouncing up and down I doubt it will hurt a thing.
Every truck is different. I have driven a few that needed a second or third gear start.

 

i always start in 3rd gear. unless as stated stupid heavy or on a steep upgrade were i had to stop

 

I'm so leery of burning up the clutch I start in LO even when bobtail

 

Sarcasm?


I usually start in 1st or 2nd when loaded (depending on weight) and I'll start in 2nd when mt. But I haul reefers so they are a tad heavier than a dry box. You can start the truck in whatever gear you want just keep in mind the longer you have to ease that clutch out the more you are burning it up.

I am usually conservative with the gear I start out in but like Scottie I don't feel like dropping some hard earned money on a clutch any sooner than neccessary. I don't go as far as starting in LO though (still unsure if that was sarcasm or not).

 

For all these years, I have started off in 2nd gear, loaded or empty. On a hill, 1st, very heavy loads, 1st.

When bob-tailing, maybe 3rd, maybe 4th, but most times, 3rd. Whenever I'd have an automated shift? Drive, Whether it be loaded, empty, or bob-tailing

 

Start in the highest gear you can. 3rd is OK in most trucks empty. If you have to slip the clutch to move you're too high, If you can let out the clutch and the truck moves with light pressure on the pedal you're OK.