Double-clutching vs. powershifting

Since we're offering opinions.......

I have "Tach-Shifted" (Power-Shift) longer than I have double-clutched.
My secret in not destroying the tranny is Listening and Touch.
Also, I do not manhandle the shifter rather, I use two fingers to shift.

Shifting is like doing the "Deed"...when it's ready to go in...it should slip right in....

 

Powershift it. I atleast can float from one gear to the next so smooth you never even know it shifted. most times.

 

I float 'em. Always have. Always will. I shift much smoother that way than by double-clutching.

 

Thanks guys!

Fred

 

at school the first time we went out the instructor had us powershifting and after that he wanted us double clutching i askrd him about it and he said he just wanted us to get use to gear location first time around also had a gearmaster in it thats a good tool to have when you are learning

 

Driving my truck you'd best be double clutching. I hear both sides all the day long if you don't want to clutch get an automatic. There is a clutch in a truck for a reason and it isn't for decoration or stupid questions.

 

Never heard this referred to as "power shifting before." It has always been called "floating gears." It may be a regional distinction or term but I believe they are the same thing.

The OEM's advocate using the clutch to minimize wear on the teeth inside the transmission. The clutch disk and pressure plate are designed to be a "wear" item and a much cheaper job to replace a clutch assembly than an entire transmission rebuild.

That being said, I do believe every driver should "KNOW" how to float gears and understand how to do it correctly. This means matching road speed with the proper gear AND the proper RPM's for the truck you are driving.

In the past I have had the clutch fail in a company truck on a couple of different occassions. Fortunately I was able to continue driving the truck through floating the gears, rolling stops, and good timing at lights. I was able to drive the truck back to the company terminal and have the truck repaired without having to call for a tow truck.

Oh by the way when you do float the gears without using the clutch you should NOT hear any grinding. If you do hear grinding that means you are doing damage to the inner workings of the transmission.

 

You should double clutch first then float later if you choose. The problem with floating gears by an inexperienced driver is that once in awhile he'll bang a gear. That's not grinding or rubbing a gear, it's a loud bang and usually it doesn't go into the gear. When this happens there's always some type of damage. Maybe it won't show up then but down the road a gear will weaken and come apart. So untill you know how to match the road speed with the truck stay with the clutch and then when you know how it works then go ahead. Just remember that not using the clutch does not make you a good driver, taking care of the equipment and letting the truck work for you does.

 

i have rebuilt these transmissions for 27 yrs. if you can float with out grinding, it is much easier on the gears. a clutch is for starting and stopping. in other country's big trucks have transmissions that are synicronised(sp) those trans must be used with a clutch, not our's!

 

Sounds like you have a certain dislike for those of us that float. I guarantee you that, when I float, there is zero damage or excess wear to the transmission. Floating does not equal automatic and the reason for the clutch, in my mind, is stopping and starting. You'll wear out your clutch faster than I'll wear out mine.