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Failed road test... 18 speed wtf?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017.

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  1. Apr 5, 2017 #1
    FLguy777

    FLguy777 Bobtail Member

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    So I got my CDL from the Marine corps when I drove for them. {When I got out the state of FL transfers over if you drove for the military to the CDL. } Than I went to a trucking school as if I didn't have it (the CDL) to learn how to shift and work with the tractor trailer. Our school showed us the 10-speed, and how to back up and turn, as most schools do. I got done with that and started to look for jobs... I got a hit, was a dream job! Happy to high hell. Every thing was going just fine till the road test... I get in and to my horror it was a 18 speed.

    Long story short , I stalled out at a stop sign and he said , ok let me drive. And he drove us back.
    Im not a pro, im just as good as any one else who just got out of a school house, I didnt go over my lane, crash or hit a curb, or run a light , I was just having probs with 18 speed and stalled out, if it was a 10 I would of been fine.

    When I signed up to the job I asked if they use 10 or auto, they said they used 10 speed... When I asked when I got in the truck about why is this a 18 speed, he said "if you can drive a 10 speed , you can do a 18 speed."...( I guess what he meant when I asked when I signed up, was most of the company's trucks was 10 speed, some 18 some 13. But why not just say that?)

    The ####ty part, is he said he would give me one more shot the next day, so I drove 1hour to my school house , and watched old videos for 4 hours on how to use the 18-speed. drove home, spent all night looking up tips and rpm tips, trying to translate it over to if it was a 10 speed. And the morning I was about to drive over to re take my test he called and said "ya we are going to need some one who knows how to drive a 18 speed , sorry ". And that was it...

    I guess this is more of a vent. But what did I do wrong? Am I a F up? should I of known how to do a 18 speed and was over thinking it? and what should I do now? First time this ever happened to me, very bummed out =(
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2017
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
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  3. Apr 5, 2017 #2
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Pretend it's an eight speed.
    The gear I call 1st is actually called LL, or bull low. It's the one all the way to the left and below reverse. Basically forget about it. When you go into high range on a ten speed this is where sixth gear would be, but it is not used at all in high range on a 13 or 18 speed.
    So you start out in the next gear, which would be up beside reverse, labelled as first on the charts. Then just accelerate through the first section of the H pattern , flip up into high range, go to the top left of the H pattern and carry on to the top. In your final gear, then you can use the splitter and get into 18th.
    If you stalled out at a stop sign you where in too high of a gear. Don't be afraid to use the lowest gears. That's what they are there for. Lots of people say they never use 1st, but I always do if I'm loaded. It's just easier on the equipment. If you are trying to take off and the front end is bouncing up and down, then use a lower gear.
     
    uncleal13, Apr 5, 2017
    uncleal13, Apr 5, 2017
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  4. Apr 5, 2017 #3
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I can't guess why, but you can drive a 13 or 18 just like a 9 speed, just leave the red or grey button set at low(back). Once you get used to the splitter, you most likely will prefer it, and I would prefer a 18.

    I learned on that setup, the straight 9 speed, or 8 speed plus low, the 10 speed is just a bit different.
     
    25(2)+2, Apr 5, 2017
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  5. Apr 5, 2017 #4
    mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

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    With the OP bring so new, I can see his point. That was a crappy thing to do to a newb.
     
    mitrucker, Apr 5, 2017
    mitrucker, Apr 5, 2017
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  7. Apr 5, 2017 #5
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Sorry man. It would have been helpful to know ahead of time so you could have gone over a few tips and cheats in your mind.
     
    STexan, Apr 5, 2017
    STexan, Apr 5, 2017
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  8. Apr 5, 2017 #6
    tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    That sucks, I drive a 10 speed manual and would fail in a 13 or 18 too.

    8 years ago I drove a 13 speed for maybe 1,500 miles, I googled for tips beforehand and did pretty good.
    But right now, I'd be lost.

    Never drove an 8 or 9 speed either, so that was an odd tip
     
    tucker, Apr 5, 2017
    tucker, Apr 5, 2017
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  9. Apr 5, 2017 #7
    FLguy777

    FLguy777 Bobtail Member

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    Ya I wish. If they told me I would of been looking up stuff about it, but I literally found out I was going to be tested on a 18 speed as I got in the truck for the road test....
     
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
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  10. Apr 5, 2017 #8
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    We have 10 speeds now, the company owned trucks purchased new were 13 and 18 speed, and switching back and forth was sometimes just what you didn't need.

    Biggest change is having that gear you don't use, or when switching to a 10 speed, not skipping 6th gear. The pattern is about the same, the feel and timing are just off.

    Fwiw, if they were that fussy, it's probably saving some frustration from not having to deal with each other.
     
    25(2)+2, Apr 5, 2017
    25(2)+2, Apr 5, 2017
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  11. Apr 5, 2017 #9
    FLguy777

    FLguy777 Bobtail Member

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    that is true. When I look for a job now im going to stress hard on asking if its auto, or 10-speed and nothing else lol
     
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
    FLguy777, Apr 5, 2017
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  12. Apr 5, 2017 #10
    racemaxx24

    racemaxx24 Heavy Load Member

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    Majority of companies who actually still order sticks will have 10 speeds anyways, unless it's a small operation who orders trucks beyond fleet truck spec. They certainly done you dirty throwing you in an 18 after just getting out of school using only 10s. 9/13/18s are easier to drive IMO but the splitter on 13/18s isn't something I'd wanna be learning to use on a road test lol. I miss having a 13 every day..
     
    racemaxx24, Apr 5, 2017
    racemaxx24, Apr 5, 2017
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