Float or Clutch

groundpounder......thats a nice rig....long haul legends is what i call them pete 379 exhd's ....the c-15 cat 550 hp is the best engine you can have from my experience.It Outdoes the cummins and detroit diesel motors especially with the hills.

 

Sorry...I do both. It depends on the load I have on the drive line when I make the shift.

 

LOL.....I need that hood out front of me !!

 

The old timer that taught me how to drive, told me the clutch is good for only two things, taking off and stopping, other wise leave the #### thing along.

 

yep, my grandfather said the same but he made me push it in when starting the motor also..

 

The first thing my trainer taught me, was to float, before we left the terminal. Now that he is an owner op, I wonder if he still does this. I floated on my road test too, and didn't have any problems passing. This was for Swift, in Memphis.

 

Starting is the only time I use it Never been able to get the truck stopped with it I have to use the brakes to stop it. Never downshift to stop waste of fuel knock it out of gear let engine idle use brakes come to stop depress clutch engage and go. and no it dont cause more wear on MY brakes I'll teach that in another segment

 

I guess I should have posted that I push it in before coming to a stop while still in gear so as not to stall....

too each his own..

 

Coasting (with the truck out of gear) is illegal in most states. For example:

Texas:

Illinois:

Kentucky:

Tennessee:

For that reason, you WILL fail ANY road test you take if you "just throw it in neutral and use the air brakes".


Not to mention, by downshifting as you slow, you are ALWAYS in gear so that if the light changes, you are ready to go...no "hunting" for a gear before you can start to accelerate.

 

All the above laws you posted are for "down grades", not level ground according
to what you posted.

I would take that to mean when you are coming down a hill or mountain. I for one
would not coast down a hill or mountain with the tranny if neutral, unless I had a
death wish.

Now coming up to a light on level ground most of the time I knock it in neutral
and just slow myself, if the light changes to green I know what gear I need and
just bump the accelerator and gently put it in the right gear.