Failed road test... 18 speed wtf?

With an empty trailer a 13 or 18 can be driven like a 9 speed. In fact when I took my drive test to get my CDL again the DMV guy encouraged me to drive it like a 9, although I split gears anyway.

If the company has an 18 speed, they have it for a reason. Being able to split low range is really helpful or necessary for hauling heavy and especially for powering up steep grades and through deep mud. If the company does that kind of work, then it's surprising they would hire a new driver.

My company often does "drive away", which means we provide drivers for customers that don't have enough drivers available to move trucks. A typical job will be driving a variety of tractor trailers to move a fracking operation to a new pad: generators, flatbeds, tankers, sand chiefs, etc.

Fracking operations are filthy dirty and driving off paved highways beat the #### out of the trucks. It isn't uncommon to get into a truck with an inch of dried fracking mud covering the floor.

When getting into a truck I look for the location of the Jake brake controls, the power divider and differential locks, and what kind of transmission it has. Frequently the lease roads have shaken the cap off the top of the shifter, so that visual clue is gone.

With no idea what kind of transmission it is I then look to see if it has a splitter under the thumb. If yes, then it's either a 13 or 18. Try moving the splitter in low range, if it won't budge then it's an 18.

If there is no splitter it's either a 9 or 10. The only way to figure that out is to try to get into 6th as if it's a 10. If it grinds or the transmission drops out, then it's a 9. Drive accordingly.

One more thing to add. Off road trucks have much higher shift points. Your typical school and mega carrier drills into you that you need to shift at 1500 rpm's and catch the new gear at 1100 rpm. Off road trucks are specced to shift at about 2000 rpm and catch the next gear at around 1500 rpm. That's to be able to stay on top of the power curve. If it's governed at 65 then in top gear it cruises at around 1850 rpm's.

 

Most companies hand over a tractor to play with for a short time. I generally have no problem asking use of the shop goat or similar truck for a hour just to break the rust off in the transmission if it is not a common one. Either way I will have it settled before a test by the state because I usually will be driving that truck TO the test site. Get that rust scraped off before we get into that DMV and start the process of testing.

Regarding road tests given by companies if the tester has any experience at all, there is nothing you can do that will bother him. However failing to follow his instructions will fail the road test and you might get sent home. We had a driver showboat with FFE ramming his trailer back at like 50 mph. He was put on the bus within the hour and gone. Not acceptable.

I suspect there is more going on against you, maybe something in the way of personality or social issue. But most generally people and companies who own a truck tractor with a uncommon transmission like a 18 speed will take you for a ride so you can get a fast lesson and break the rust before you really go to the State for the test.

Lepton posted something useful. Someone can hand me a dirt truck (And have..) with nothing anywhere inside the cab due to age late 50's or mid 60's meaning the shift tree plate is worn to nothing and half the gauges don't work etc. You make do. It is not like today's truckers who are handed 2010 and newer tractors that really don't have much on them anymore. Unlike them good old days where you had 60 gauges and two banks of switches controlling a bunch of stuff on that dash.

 

I'd have no problem saying what I said to your face. Once you realize how many people you meet out here that are former top-secret-super-commando-special-forces, you'll better understand my skepticism about a guy claiming to be a Marine yet was unable to adapt to a relatively minor hiccup and overcome the obstacle in his path.

...and I learned on a straight 10 speed. Never have had any issues jumping into a 9, 10, super 10, 13, or 18. Never received any training on any of them...just "Here's the key to truck # whatever...run this load to wherever." First time I saw a 13 or 18 was on a road test for a logging company...again, no problem. In this industry, you're going to have a lot of things tossed your way and it's up to you to get the job done.

 

No disrespect intended Ok? But 10 speed ,18 speed ,30 speed. 45 speed transmission has nothing to do with stalling on takeoff. Has to do with gear selection and coming off the clutch. Thanks for your service to our country

 

Hey man , if you run into this problem again and your testing with a bobtail or empty trailer, just shift like you normally would with a 10 speed. Don't even touch the side flipper. I drive an 18 speed (I had to learn it alone my first day driving in the oil patch in ND).
I think you will do just fine learning a 13/18 speed when you don't have an overly critical trainer/tester standing over you.
Good look to ya brother.

 

I have been in the same truck for over half a million miles and feel like a rookie everytime i get my clutch adjusted. They didn't give you a fair chance. That's all. Two identical trucks can be completely different. Usually within a hour you have it sorted out. I wouldn't beat yourself up. It almost sounds like they had several applicants to choose from and you know the rest. If you stay in the industry long enough you will get a another chance. Once you drive a 9,13, or 18 it will be the only trans you will want.

 

Jeez you're kind of my hero. Born to drive. Just imagine! You're very special.

 

I'm not sure if you're being facetious but, to be fair, some are born with a natural talent and/or developed the skills very early in life, to drive truck.

I grew up on ranches and farms and later a family business. I've been driving farm tractors and combines and various types of truck/trailer combinations since I was about 8 years old. My dad wa not good at backing a trailer. I can remember him having me back the boat down the ramp when I was about 12 years old.