300 - 600 - 900 split downshfitng floating gears

If a trainee did this in my truck, and tried to downshift on a mountain grade. Not only would I fire them on the spot. I would kick that ### out of the truck so fast their ####### head would spin. Keep in mind not everybody on this board tells the truth, and who ever posted that is full of crap to their eyeballs.

Here is the thing, YES it can be done, and very easily. But, you first have to understand how to shift a #### truck before even thinking about doing so. Just because you went to school, and they taught you to shift gears doesn't mean you understand what your doing. Eventually shifting will become second nature to you, and you'll kick your own butt for even asking this question.

Do yourself a favor, downshift before you get to the downgrade. I can guarantee you the first time you feel what 6% of grade, and gravity does with 80K worth of rolling truck will get your butt hole puckering, and the last thing you will ever want to do is think about a downshift. Ignore how fast the other trucks go, you need to be in a lower gear while you learn. Speed kills, and #### happens in a hurry on a downgrade. Never ever shift on a downgrade unless its your very last resort.

 

The rule is slow down at the top and keep it that way till you get to the bottom. No shifting till you reach the bottom. Easy rule.
Another rule is if it sounds or smells like bs it is.

 

Especially if it has a bunch of fancy numbers like some pencil pusher driving a desk made it up.

 

Get in the proper gear to hold you at safe speed before you need it. Do not mess around w/trying to downshift after beginning your decent. Things happen fast. In a few seconds you can be too fast to even get in the gear you were in. Then you are along for the ride. And you better hope there is runaway ramp. Slow and safe will keep you alive. And never plan on your speed w/Jakes. They can and have failed many times. Most really steep hills are not that long. You are not going to make enough time for that few miles to risk your life or others you might take out with you. Slow down and enjoy the view. Lot of people will never see it.

 

1st rule of thumb that will save you a lot of stress or worry is:
DON"T believe everything you hear... especially if it concerns why a trainee/newbie got fired.
When a newbie gets fired, it is always through no fault of their own... it is either the schools fault for poor training, the companies fault for unreseasonable demands and misunderstanding or the trainers fault for a multitude of reasons... oh, and then there is always the dreaded not received or sent qualcom message.

Second, re-read the above posts by Kansas, Orange One and Big Duker.

Third. Remember it takes time and lot's of it to become an experienced driver, so don't be in too big a hury, let the skills and exprience come. Those newbies who get in to big a hurry usually don't get the experience, they get fired... or worse.

 

Should we listen to noobies ????? They seem to give more advice than anyone else !!!!!

 

You should listen to everyone. Can always learn something. Trick is to know who and what to keep and what to #### can. Same old rule. If it or they sound too good to be true they aren't.

 

I believe noobies do have a lot to offer. I wasn't implying that one shouldn't listen to them... My point was really more about that most people noobies and experienced do not take accountability for the reasons they were terminated.
The OP had stated that he had heard a trainee got fired for not knowing how to do a highly skilled shifting maneuver going down hill. So he was worried because he also did not know how to.

I feel it is a lost opportunity if an experienced driver just dismisses another driver becaus they are new the industry.

 

Down shifting down a grade a grade is ridiculous. Be in the gear that will enable the truck to travel around 35mph if you're loaded. If the grade is a little steeper then drop to 25mph. Match the gear for the road speed and RPM. Know your gears and what speed they go at. You can even skip gears on flat ground when you know this. I can't believe some school is teaching this BS and it goes to show you that some schools don't know their ### from a hole in the ground.

 

I thought you wasn't supposed to set hot brakes?