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First time on road trouble shifting 3to 4

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by moparcas360, Aug 25, 2011.

Page 3 of 3
  1. Aug 29, 2011 #21
    Mud Dog

    Mud Dog Tattooed & Insane - Forum Sparkler

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    Dec 8, 2009
    Devil's Land, kentucky
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    When you have your own truck it will get easier. You'll know your gears and clutch it needed what gear is best for what. The hardest thing is getting used to a slip seat every day/wk is a learning experience just like day 1 cause no truck is the same. My last job every wk new truck and the 1st couple days I was having to learn the truck then just when I'd get good time off then new truck. As for floating, 1st time I went through the gears smooth I threw a party!:biggrin_25523:
     
    Mud Dog, Aug 29, 2011
    Mud Dog, Aug 29, 2011
    #21
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  3. Aug 29, 2011 #22
    d o g

    d o g Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sep 20, 2010
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    Personally, I believe in starting out a truck in the lowest gear I've got. I might skip the low hole when empty, but I wouldn't ever dream of starting from a stop in third gear. But, as long as you're in school, you need to do what they want you to do.

    However, it seems to me that if they are having trouble with students accidentally shifting into reverse, the best place to fix that problem is while they're in school - with plenty of practice doing it right. What they're having you guys do is just avoiding the problem, not actually correcting it through plenty of practice.
     
    d o g, Aug 29, 2011
    d o g, Aug 29, 2011
    #22
    mtnMoma Thanks this.
  4. Aug 29, 2011 #23
    gcpumpkin

    gcpumpkin Bobtail Member

    10
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    Aug 29, 2011
    Renton, Washington
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    Don't go out of the yellow zone (1300) on the tac while in low range, get it in gear 300 rpm's lower than where you took it out. I have gone from 3rd to 4th without any fuel but you HAVE to get the double clutch done to do it. So it's clutch off the start, clutch neutral, let clutch up, clutch 4th. Think Adam's family song. You will probably never start out in 1st unless you are stuck. Remember revving with the clutch in does nothing.
     
    gcpumpkin, Aug 29, 2011
    gcpumpkin, Aug 29, 2011
    #23
  5. Aug 29, 2011 #24
    Edmund

    Edmund Light Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2011
    Atlanta Georgia
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    On a strait 10 speed you should be able to short shift it at 1300 RPM's....no problem easly.....
     
    Edmund, Aug 29, 2011
    Edmund, Aug 29, 2011
    #24
  7. Aug 29, 2011 #25
    Greg20d

    Greg20d Light Load Member

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    Aug 21, 2011
    stockton,Ca.
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    do you use a 10 or 8 speed?
    and we started in 3rd with no load in school
     
    Greg20d, Aug 29, 2011
    Greg20d, Aug 29, 2011
    #25
  8. Aug 30, 2011 #26
    THBatMan8

    THBatMan8 Road Train Member

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    Wherever I park
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    Yes, because students aren't familiar with the transmission; and will accidentally select reverse instead of 2nd (Roadmaster uses 10-speed Volvo's).
     
    THBatMan8, Aug 30, 2011
    THBatMan8, Aug 30, 2011
    #26
  9. Aug 30, 2011 #27
    THBatMan8

    THBatMan8 Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2011
    Wherever I park
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    If you're empty or lightly loaded, there isn't a need to cycle through every gear, especially with newer trucks that are optimized for progressive shifting. Progressive shifting saves engine/transmission wear and fuel burn. I regularly start rolling in 3rd, sometimes 4th depending on the terrain. You don't need to rev-up the newer trucks to 1500RPM either before you upshift. You can up-shift at any RPM you want provided the crankshaft (engine) speed matches the road speed. Heck, I don't even bother looking at the tachometer anymore...... Useless gauge.
     
    THBatMan8, Aug 30, 2011
    THBatMan8, Aug 30, 2011
    #27
  10. Aug 31, 2011 #28
    moparcas360

    moparcas360 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 15, 2010
    Fraser,MI
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    I can now upshift from 3rd to 4th and sometimes to 5th then turn right. I give truckers credit its alot to think about out there on the road. The key is watch your speed exspecially when downshifting. The intructor said that two speeds to remember in city driving 20mph and 30 mph. If your going to fast u cant downshift unless u select the right gear. When crusing about 40 in 8th and need to slow down apply brake if needed to get to 30 then clutch neutral rev clutch then shift to 7th then slow to 20mph then downshift to 6th. Its an aquired rythem. Its very stressful the first couple times out but now its getting easier. Always remember to allow yourself the time and space in order to do this. One very important factor when driving a semi is DO NOT RUSH OR PANIC!!
     
    moparcas360, Aug 31, 2011
    moparcas360, Aug 31, 2011
    #28
  11. Aug 31, 2011 #29
    Sensei2006

    Sensei2006 Light Load Member

    73
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    Mar 5, 2011
    Effingham IL
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    One thing that helped me : higher RPM's is never the answer.

    My truck's "official" shift point is between 1100 and 1200 RPM in the low gears. I usually click along between 1000 and 1100.

    Same thing for high gears. 1300 is the official shift point, I run it between 1100 and 1200.

    Small difference in RPM, big difference in shifting ease!
     
    Sensei2006, Aug 31, 2011
    Sensei2006, Aug 31, 2011
    #29
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