Con Way Truckload

Scoot .. you sure about those numbers?

35 mph in 6th? ... I'm in 8th at 35 .. 3 + 5 method. For 40 in 6th I'd 2500 rpm and blowin a motor. Standard 10 speed? for 40 mph I'm usually in 9th.

Just wonderin' ..

Steve

 

Oops, sorry man - We are using 9 speeds in our road training. Didn't realize you were using a 10 speed.... instead of 5th and 6th, maybe 7th and 8th for your application. Of course that is also going to depend on your load, slope of the road, surrounding traffic, and road conditions (but I am sure you already knew that).

Either way, apply the gears to the concept. Approach the light while you can still apply torque to get you through the light when you are close enough to make it without causing problems. And if you don't think it is going to stay green, bring her down 1 gear and use the engine to slow down. It's really the same thing, just different gear numbers.

Sorry for the confusion!

 

Thanks Scooter! I am reading everything I can before I head out to school. Also, watched some videos on youtube about shifting and RPMs. RPMs seem to be very critical while operating a Tractor Trailor. I drive a standard Toyota Tacoma pickup but I dont have a RPM gauge. Ive driven it so long I know what gear I should be in for certain speeds and by the sound of the engine. But from what I have learned from what I read is that 1100-1500 is the range for gears in Tractor Trailors. Thanks for all the great info everyone and keep it up chevy. It will come to you I am sure.

 

I think today is the day I've been waiting for.I left school thinking about what could I've done better and honestly,the only think was stop letting off that #### truck so fast!She tends to want to jump from time to time when I do that.If I approached a light and it stayed red,that meant I had time to get her to ground zero.If it turned green,I hit the brake a little and downshifted one gear and kept trucking.Turns were good.It got to the point where the instructor was going to sleep because he wasn't rocking so much.Appreciate you guys rooting for me.Hopefully I'll see you in Joplin.

 

hey there Chevy -

Well good deal! Sounds like you got it! Good for you.

 

That is awesome! Seems like things are coming along pretty well since the instructor is falling asleep. How many days have you been at the school now? Have you done a lot of backing?

 

This is week 3 for me.We did back last week and besides alley docking,I'm prety good at it.This is my last day on the road and tomorrow is pre-trip and air brake testing all day.Then next week I have a date with the dmv.Time goes by fast when you're having fun.Hope I'm ready

 

Good luck and keep us posted

 

That is awesome you are having fun with it all. Keep us updated on your progress.

 

under 5 mph 3rd
10-15 mph 4th
15-20 5th
20-25 5high
25-30 6th
30-35 6 high
35-40 7th
40-45 7 high
45-50 8th

when you are rolling and need to find a new gear, just check the speedo, select proper gear, put it in neutral, bring your rpms back up to at least 1300 in most cases, and put her in gear. shifting is an art that takes time to perfect. when you are with the same vehicle for weeks on end, you will figure out how she works.