Downshifting, how can I learn how to do it?

OK well, I did better at least.

The first small Nebraskian town I drove through was a dumpster fire. It was one of those deals where you have to make like 7 turns to stay on the highway.

But those laid back Nebraskians didn't seem to care I clogged up their streets like a plastic toilet.

Once out on the highway there wasn't a soul for miles, so that gave me ample opportunity to grind my transmission into submission.

Next town, much better. Still jerks and grinding and such, but I didn't stall.

Its frustrating, not to mention embarrassing. I just got all excited, jumped in the truck and took off to play cool flatbedder.

 

I got it downshifting pretty easily in the higher gears. Right at about 6th or 7th it's still stubborn.

I'm not muscling the shifter, I'm keeping it gentle. But that grind and that jerk during an awkward shift, that's not gonna hurt the truck, is it?

 

I did 3 years with FFE! Their plasma is a team deal. Eventually decided I wanted my own truck.

Despite my difficulties, flatbed is fun so far. I drove all the way to the consignee and there's a big, wide open lot for me to park in. No parking woes.

I'll probably do this for a good while if I can keep out of trouble. There's more to worry about. More stuff DOT can jump on you for.

That load is only like 35k or something like that. But I also forgot to ask how to scale those spread axles before I left. Lol

 

You just ask to move over and it happens. You have to still do their orientation and 3 days of securement training.

Not quite as easy as moving between Crete and Shaffer, but not bad.

 

Better today! I worked on "feathering it" and it will slide in. Staying calm makes a big difference too. Who woulda thunk?

It helps that I'm sitting in the truck by myself and there's no one watching.

The lower gears are harder to downshift than the higher. But I can get it down to like 6th or 7th gear and the truck will go as slow as I want. Then I can just stop and reset it.

Its coming along nicely. I'm glad I have the chance to learn before all the shifters are gone.

My truck is older, maybe a 2016. My guess is it won't be in circulation for too much longer. Then who knows.

This fleet only has a "handful" of autos. So maybe I'll be in shifters for a while.