You ever feel like you are the worst driver on the road...

Figure it out or figure out you may be in a job you're not cut out for. Do one or the other.

 

Give yourself some slack. you will get better and more comfortable as time goes on. Remember....every driver you see out there all had they're first day and year as well.

 

The speed signs are a guide. Look at the road and learn your trucks capabilities. The road tells you how fast you can go.

 

Different loads drive differently. High center of gravity loads changes all the rules. A load of batteries, 45,000lbs about 36" above the floor and your truck will handle like a Porsche. (won't stop as well, though)

About the gear changing. Start watching your tachmeter for shift points. Start listening to your engine sounds. The gears in the drivetrain do not change, they're a constant, predictable resource for you. 500rpm up or downshift, 400, 300, what ever it is memorize the shift points and I guarantee those problems will go bye bye. You'll need that skill to be a good driver, so just work on it. I'm not saying it's easy, or how long it will be, but keep after it, you'll be glad you did.

Also, don't worry about going slow around corners or cruising slow in the right lane. Like an experienced driver says, you can go slow for a long time, but you can only go too fast once.

As for feeling like the worst driver? Don't worry about that. It's not a comparison - you're the only one behind the wheel. Take it easy, enjoy the ride. Best!

 

There are million mile drivers that still do this, lol. I think it's because they don't Care to do any better.

If it bothers you then it will change just give it time and try not to stress about it. Some of these flyers you see aren't allowing enough leeway to compensate for something unexpected to happen and one day it will bite them in the butt. There is a difference between how fast it's possible to take a corner and how fast you can take a corner and be able to take the corner sharper to avoid something or be able to slow down or stop for an accident or whatever else that Murphy says can happen.

My shifting improved most when I stopped thinking about it, like my subconscious knew how to do it better.

 

I dispute the infamous 'only go too fast once' assertion. Everybody has done it, most of us more than once, but we got away with it

 

I have been driving maybe 6 months and tanker at that. As said the speed limits signs are only for max speed at perfect conditions and for cars not trucks. I may go 5 mph over the limit on straight roads that I can see far ahead on but corners I slow down for 5 mph or more the posted speed for. When getting off the thru way and it has a corner it is 10 to 15 below the sign posted. I do not want to end up being on the nightly news and a number in the record books. Besides if they don’t like it behind me let them pass me, I will not be rushed. I am NOT an axx hat either blocking traffic behind me or going way too slow.

As for shifting I still have times I look & sound like a rookie. I get pissed at myself and it gets worst. I even have a route that if I go one way has a lot of traffic lights & hills. I go that way so I can “be one with the truck” and see what it likes for shifting because once on the thru way in hi gear you don’t need to shift. I know what my issue is and I am trying hard to break myself of it. Only more time will fix it.
Dave ----

 

I never feel like the worst driver. However, I am always thinking I am the best!!

 

If you're always in the same truck, could be a tranny problem, or truck might be equipped with a clutch brake, and if you push the clutch pedal in too far, the clutch break will activate, and it will be very difficult to shift. Check to see if the truck has a clutch brake.
If you drive a different truck daily, and still have shifting problems, then you might need some more training / help. Good luck