Do you need to double clutch?

So you've taken every drivers test for every company and every states DMV? I personally watched more than one person fail their roadtest because they couldn't double clutch correctly. I float, but I can drive "correctly" as well.

 

You do have to assuming you use the clutch. In your car the tranny and engine are synchronized. If you shift from say 3rd to 4th but wait a couple seconds in between it will still go in, if you did the same in a truck you'd create a mismatch and you'd be locked out of gear. Once you learn your trucks timing and when it likes to be shifted you just float and most trucks are close enough that you can hop from one to another. The other issue with not understanding how to double clutch is correcting a mismatch when it happens. If you were to pull your shifter into neutral and coast (which you should never do) and then try to just push the clutch in and go back to gear, AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! You would need to rev the truck back up to the correct rpm to match road speed again WITHOUT the clutch depressed, THEN clutch and go into gear, in a car that's not needed. You'll have a ton of people tell you that you don't need to double clutch (which you don't) but you DO need to understand how to do it for when that stuff happens unless you want to bring your truck to a possible complete stop to get back into gear.

 

From what I've seen those who float also follow too closely, its like another aspect of cutting corners, especially when they put it like that, well I know how to drive correctly, and you should too, but why bother trying, when we can get away with not listening to mechanics or believe what is printed in the owners manual, oh and we don't need air in the tires either... its no wonder automatics and automation are dumbing the rest down for us.

 

I float. I leave plenty of room. I can double all day, my first post was a joke. Every mech i have asked says done right floating is the same as doubling. Least thats what ive heard. Hate autos, but then again i guess its more about prefrance than anything...

 

For my part, until they remove the clutch, I'm using it, and by comparison automatics are about a train wreck to control without one.

 

I got in the habit of double clutching because starting out at Schneider I had to do check rides a couple times a year and I figured it was easier to keep in the habit rather than trying to remember to change it up. You will get good at whatever method you use regularly. My dad has been driving 40 odd years, floats and is a bit rough at double clutching (he can do it, just not smoothly). I've been driving over 10 years, double clutch just fine and am very rough at floating.

 

Sides doubleing a super 10 sucks!

 

Here's the rub though ^^^^^^^ Most of us do exactly like that. Before retiring , I used the clutch on almost every shift , was capable of floating , but still chose to double clutch. Each one , when done right is fine. The driver must recognize and apply the method to use according to several things , ( not in order of importance )

1. Driver needs to be proficient in the method chosen.
2. Type of weather.
3. Type of terrain.
4. Type of load / cargo
5. Weight of load
6. Grade......steep , gradual , flat.
7. Last but not least , the drivers own preference.
Like I said , done correctly no damage from either one , done wrong , in a touchy spot / off road / really heavy etc , each can and will cause extremely expensive damage. As far as which is " better " no question about it being debateable.