Do you adjust driving techniques when loaded heavy or empty?

you wouldn't , it is for bringing the rpm down to upshift , for example , when running in the mountains I am not talking about the mountain passes on the interstate I am talking about mountain roads with switchbacks, the steer tire is on one edge of the road and the opposite trailer tire is barely on the road and you are pulling 7-8% 80,000 load and you need the next gear, jake shifting.

 

does driving an automatic count as floating? lol

 

i would say driving an automatic doesnt even count as driving...but i wont open that can of worms..LOL....

 

Driving a big truck when fully loaded is actually easier than when you are running empty. These big trucks are actually designed to run and handle better under a load. It can actually be dangerous when running empty or even worse when you are bobtailing!

 

Most definitely. Stopping takes longer generally especially when slick (and stopping on slick roads when bobtailing can be like trying to stop on ice). And of course wind is another factor alot of the time.

 

The simple answer is, yes, you adjust your driving. You should always be adjusting your driving to whatever the conditions call for.

As regards shifting, it depends. If I'm loaded heavy and getting going on a hill I'll double clutch (and by heavy, I'm talking 100,000+ lbs.). I'm I'm 80,000 or less it's generally floating gears.

 

I find more difference in driving/shifting when the roads change from flat to mountainous.

But now that I am exclusively running in and out of rail yards in Chicago, that never happens. (Flatlanders) The biggest incline we have is an overpass... Hehehehe

Mikeeee

 

I float the gears most of the time on the exceptions of: Starting off, stopping and backing up and congestive traffic. you have to use the clutch in these 4 cases. Now concerning "Double Clutching" that is the right and correct method but floating the gears is all so much eaiser on your leg. Myself, going up a hill, i float, i don't use a clutch to up shift or down shift, you don't have to as long as you keep your RPM's right. If your just starting out, by all means use the clutch until you get it down, then try floating.