Double Clutching Vs. Floating a Gear

It's all about feel and each truck is different. I let off about half way at 1400 rpm and I can get mine out of gear with one finger soon as it slides out completely off catch the next gear around 1100ish or so and get right back on it. It takes practice and feel. If you have to force it at all you're not doing it right. It should slide out and slide in.

 

Seriously guys? Clutch is there for take off and reverse. Any more than that you are wearing out hard parts oh and wearing out YOUR LEG!
I even time stop lights and idle in traffic in low to minimize clutch use. Seems like I see a driver or two everyday about pop a wheelie coming off a stop its hilarious.

 

Oh I see 379exhd because you have had a few bad experiances with a handful of mechanics that means the rust of them must be know nothing con artists is that right? Its like me saying ALL drivers are foul mouthed, uneducated, and lazy. I would never say this because I know its not true. Sure there are a few drivers that give the rest of commercial license holders a bad reputation and that is unfortunate and nothing can really be done about it. I have a lot of friends that drive and I used to myself. And yes I had a few run ins with a few shops and there employees when I was running the highway I think we all have. Keep your #### negative opinions to yourself.

 

It's not going to be easy to describe in text, but I'll take a swat at it. I run doubles grossing out at 143K, so I'll use being loaded for an example.

When you are pulling against a gear and the drive-line is loaded up against the torque of the engine, and you have come to the top of your power band and want to upshift, you will release the accelerator.

There's a split second when the drive-line unloads, and that's when you come out of gear into neutral. Remember the 2 finger rule, it's the best way to practice.

Now your RPM drops ( this is learned by feel and all trucks are slightly different ) and there is a split second when the transmission and RPM synchronize, and that's when you ease it into the next gear. You wait until you feel the shifter drop into position and make sure that the shift is complete. You can kind of get halfway in there, but you'll know by feel if you did. You are still in "no load", but once you feel the shifter drop into position, then you gently apply torque.

There should be no slamming, jamming or snapping the pedal to the floor. You will get quicker and more precise with every shift. And yes, there are times you will miss a shift - what gets me sometimes is when the engine fan kicks in mid shift and throws my timing off. Be patient and practice. Good luck.

 

That was pretty good Smooth Shifter, your handle suits you.

 

Well put Smooth Shifter. and that boys and girls is how its done!

 

Do schools and at orientations require you to use the clutch? I haven't gone to school for " A" yet but one of the Volvos (straight truck) that I have driven for my present company is a 10 speed and I always float the gears nice and smooth except of course in first or reverse.

 

hard to take anything you say serious. You have taken a Navy SEAL name and claimed to be a Navy SEAL. You are not Mr. Fink

 

Actually, it's your hip. My Dad had his left hip replaced. Upon looking at the X-rays, the doctor commented "you were a trucker eh?". Apparently, he had seen the same hip joint wear pattern on other long time double clutch drivers. Mind you, Dad hauled logs on the west coast and was double clutching all day long. Not at all the same as a highway driver.

 

Nice description. The only clarification I would add is that, when you "release the accelerator" only release it half way so the Jake doesn't come on. You CAN, just shut the Jake switch off but, if your shifting properly, you don't need to. BTW, smoothshifter, thank you for using "RPM" rather than "RPM's". I find it mind boggling how many people don't seem to understand what "RPM" stands for.