Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Double Clutch or Floating??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by GasHauler, Sep 25, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 25, 2009 #1
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

    6,257
    4,365
    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
    0
    There's no doubt that you should know the transmission and the truck inside and out. After awhile you'll know exactly what gear to be in at any given time. However, I believe you should first learn how to double clutch before you move on to any selective shifting.

    Any instructor IMO is doing you injustice if he or she doesn't take the time to teach you how to double clutch. Here's why. When you get into the truck for a road test you don't know that truck that well. As a instructor I would want to hear from the driver that you are going to double clutch because you do not know the truck well enough to float the gears.
     
    GasHauler, Sep 25, 2009
    GasHauler, Sep 25, 2009
    #1
    GoBlue487, Darkschneidr, jtrnr1951 and 1 other person Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Sep 25, 2009 #2
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

    6,237
    4,291
    Jun 29, 2009
    Dueling Banjoville
    0
    I haven't double clutched in so long... I think I forgot how. I was taught how to do double clutching. It was required on the DOT road test. Never was taught how to float the gears, learned that all on my own & ground a lot of gears in the process. Hell, I still grind them periodically.
     
    REDD, Sep 25, 2009
    REDD, Sep 25, 2009
    #2
  4. Sep 25, 2009 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,666
    12,189
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Can't figure out what all the hoopla is about double clutching. Even someone with limited intelligence should be able to think it through easily enough. You're shifting from one gear to another and you will clutch it twice, instead of once. But, I admit, I learned to drive in a Model 'A' and we had to double clutch it. (Model 'A' Ford, circa 1930, for you youngsters)
     
    Allow Me., Sep 25, 2009
    Allow Me., Sep 25, 2009
    #3
  5. Sep 25, 2009 #4
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

    6,257
    4,365
    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
    0
    Well one of the problem that I see is one school didn't even bother to teach the students how to double clutch since it took extra time. But you're right, there should be no problem in the process. But I like to see gear selection and skipping , at least the knowhow. I'd also like to see progressive shifting and an explanation on why it's done. Floating does not make a truck driver. But it seems that some of the new drivers think if they can float they will impress a skilled driver. What impresses me is when they know how to do it all and what is best for the truck.
     
    GasHauler, Sep 25, 2009
    GasHauler, Sep 25, 2009
    #4
  7. Sep 25, 2009 #5
    Freebird135

    Freebird135 Road Train Member

    1,527
    906
    May 7, 2009
    In the air conditioning
    0
    when i took my CDL test you had to double clutch

    i drive about 30 different tractors a day ranging from 30 years old to just a few years old, straight 10s, super 10s and 8 speeds, volvos internationals and freightliners and they all feel different

    i grind a gear every once in a while because these trucks all drive and shift so much different but i still float the gears
     
    Freebird135, Sep 25, 2009
    Freebird135, Sep 25, 2009
    #5
  8. Sep 25, 2009 #6
    Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

    1,430
    912
    Feb 5, 2009
    Tacoma, WA
    0
    alright, I'll bite. What is "progressive shifting"?
     
    Palazon, Sep 25, 2009
    Palazon, Sep 25, 2009
    #6
  9. Sep 25, 2009 #7
    Darkschneidr

    Darkschneidr Light Load Member

    296
    77
    Jan 31, 2009
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    Shifting at the least RPM needed to accelerate in the following gear, burning less fuel in most cases.
     
    Darkschneidr, Sep 25, 2009
    Darkschneidr, Sep 25, 2009
    #7
  10. Sep 25, 2009 #8
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    Alabama requires that you double during test.


    I can step into a truck with 100k or more on it, and tell you immediately whether the person double clutched or not.

    Multiply that tiny scratch 10 fold among 2-20 drivers, and you have rounded edges and a sloppy box....perfect for double clutching.

    Personally I prefer a 3-5 inch throw, rather than the 7-10 found on a worn transmission.
     
    dancnoone, Sep 25, 2009
    dancnoone, Sep 25, 2009
    #8
  11. Sep 26, 2009 #9
    TheRumRunner

    TheRumRunner Light Load Member

    223
    49
    Sep 6, 2009
    Louisville, KY
    0
    apparently werner requires double clutching and i was told they have a "cheater box" (?) installed..
     
    TheRumRunner, Sep 26, 2009
    TheRumRunner, Sep 26, 2009
    #9
  12. Sep 26, 2009 #10
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

    4,349
    2,430
    May 28, 2009
    The Who's Your State
    0
    I was told by an old timer when I started driving not to rush yourself when shifting. I think that is a key. He also told me that learn to be smooth and precise when double clutching and you'll be smooth and precise when you start floating and freeshifting without the clutch. Well he was right. I double clutched for a long time till I was really smooth and comfortable before I started not using the clutch and it paid off. When I decided I no longer wanted to use the clutch it was a smooth easy transition.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Sep 26, 2009
    outerspacehillbilly, Sep 26, 2009
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2