First Day At TTCC

Third Day

Well I pulled my first trailer today and the ride was definitely a lot smoother than the previous couple of days. Shifting up in gears was no problem, except I forgot to double clutch a couple of times such as turning at a intersection and trying to concentrate on the path the trailer was on then remembering I had to shift as well. Downshifting was not too bad as long as I went from gear to gear but when the truck slowed down too quickly and I had to figure out what gear I was in was the issue. Checking mirrors I need to remember to do a lot more often so I am going to have to make it a habit around each corner no matter the size of it.

 

Fourth Day

Well my shifting has definitely improved over the last four days and had very few problems today regarding that area. Head was definitely on a swivel today as I was checking mirrors constantly to ensure that the trailer stayed in the proper lane at all times. Right now I think the big areas are going to be judgement in terms of when to slow down for an exit or a corner and the proper speed at such. An other obvious problem seems to be at intersections and when doing a left turn to figure out how deep I need to go into the intersection before I begin to make my turn in order to keep the trailer from running over the people in the next lane. I am happy on the progress I have made over the last four days and am looking forward to next week

 

Fifth Day

Another morning spent driving. Different instructor for the third time which is fine as they all have their own quirks in regards to a variety of tasks so with the combination should make sure all of my bases are covered. Cornering is still an issue all though it is coming along slowly, pretty much need to figure out the perfect speed and remembering that the trailer is fifty three feet long.

Practices backing up today with the trailer and that is going to take some work as everything is backwards to what a car would do. Three more driving days this week than all of next week is spent in class

 

Sixth Day

Everything is slowly coming together. Today as was yesterday was spent trying to tie everything together. Right now it is making the right decision at the right time in terms of when to shift while in traffic, when is the right time to begin downshifting before a corner and how to read traffic in terms of movement. Practice, practice and more practice and all of the pieces will fall into the right place.

 

The first day I was in the truck the instructor asked if I had ever driven standard and when I said yes he quickly replied forget everything that you know.

I am in class all of this week than back to the truck next week