Do you float gears or double clutch?

Float!! It is easy otr, but in town, a bit tougher, but still Float!

 

I usually float, but it's not always feasible to do when you take a truck off-road. I suppose it's not an issue so much for road drivers, but for a sitework driver, someone who often runs logging trails, etc., it's important that you still be able to double clutch.

 

My school teaches double clutching for the dol test but even they say that after you start driving you rarely do it.

 

I find it easy to float in traffic. Talking a lot of NYC driving here. I just try to match my speed to flow of traffic. It's hard, but works half of the time.

For example, if traffic is moving along with me in 3rd gear, and I'm MT, I just clutch in before I bog the engine and come to a stop.
If I'm loaded I'll try to float it into first before coming to a complete stop.

This works on my truck. I was driving a Freightliner in training for the most part and I had a MUCH harder time shifting that truck than I do the '99 International I drive now.

I worry about grinding but the thing is that I've noticed, I grind probably almost if not AS much dbl clutching as I do when I float. I rarely grind going up. Coming down it's a bit harder. Dbl clutching does seem to work better coming down. BUT if you don't have your RPM's matched to your speed you'll still grind.

 

I double clutch it. That's the way I learned it and never bothered changing.

 

I'm too old to double clutch- my knee wouldn't take it. I only use the clutch when I have to- like if I get caught overrunning a gear, starting, stopping or if I'm in an unknown truck I will clutch until I'm comfortable.
Everyone should know how to double clutch just as you should know how to shift a 10, 15 or 18 speed tranny.

 

"Mommy will I grow up to be like daddy"

A little humor here with your truck picture.

 

I mostly float. I use the clutch when I want to avoid using the throttle to get out of a gear, though. Whichever method reduces the need to throttle up for the conditions.

 

I'm a double clutchin' rookie that would like to hear some more people explain how to float on this thread. Especially a 10 speed. I'm definitely going to give it a go, and just want to read more on how-to beforehand. Thanks!

 

The theory is simple. In a regular manual-shift automobile, there is a synchronizer. The job of the sync is to automatically match your road speed to your transmission speed. Big rigs do not have a sync.

To get from a lower gear to a higher (speeding up) the higher the gear, the "slower" the transmission speed, which is why you need more RPMs at slower gears to go as fast as a higher gear.

Floating works so well, because you can start in first gear, and as you release the throttle, pop it out of gear, give it a moment and pop it into the next gear. You can also pull the shifter toward your gear to feel the tickle of the gear (but don't force it and grind) so you can get to know when your truck is ready based on your road speed, RPMs and current gear selected.

Look me up. Youtube.com/drsmaggs I have a 9-speed floating video. Works the same for a 10 speed, just different gear positions.

As you practice, you will learn at a quick glance of your Speedometer and Tachometer, what gear you want. I'm at the point where I've noticed that I don't look at my gauges at all.

Knowing how to use your clutch is always going to be good. I often use my clutch to get out of gear, instead of throttling up.

I mix and match when I choose to clutch, or not to clutch.

I hope this is making sense!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IhGWflKNqE&list=UUgfLPwmWGBGELfpsx91_GLA&index=3&feature=plcp