For 7 years I didn't know how to double clutch. I learned that in 2009 when I re-entered trucking. Everything from 13 speed Fullers, 6 speed Spicers, and a Mack 7 speed. There was a '68 Ford twin stick that I played with a little. Didn't use the clutch. 200HP Cat V-8 in it.
A guy a rode with beat the hell out of his truck. I had 50K miles over his truck, and he had the clutch almost wore out. Too much clutch and revved it up over 1800 before every shift. Mine still shifts like the day I got it. I usually use mix of double clutch on the lower gears, then float in the higher gears. Clutch out and in neutral while at a stop also helps reduce wear on the clutch.
My school taught me to float the gears. I have my swift orientation on the 20th of February and I'm nervous cause I have never double clutched. I'm thinking about going back to my school and telling them I need to learn how to double clutch.
When I went through orientation, a year ago, I asked before my road test, double or float. I was told, if can float, then float. If screw up floating, then double clutch. I floated the whole road test.
I talked to my school instructor today and I'll be going back a day or so before orientation to run over double clutching.
I prefer double clutching myself, as thats what ive been taught, but I do float when skip shifting down, not sure why, just something i do
Some guy revved the engine above 1,800 rpm when he shifted? Wow, his fuel economy must have been lousy. . The last article that I read in Truckers News magazine recommended that you start your shift in the low range at 1,100 or 1,200 rpm. In the high range start your shift below 1,500 rpm. It seems that you start to burn fuel at a much faster rate starting at 1,500 rpm. . Just a thought to consider in case anyone missed that article.
