I am possibly the worlds worst double clutcher!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RookieTrucker7, Apr 15, 2014.

  1. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

    1,773
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    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    I am possibly the worlds worst double clutcher!


    I am not sure of the unnecessary stress that you are inducing but i suppose that you could be just like the other new "drivers" and eat,sleep,breathe,and espouse the virtues of an automatic.hook up with the one that constantly posts of the great attributes and the fuel mileage derived from those auto tranny trucks.

    * i must add that another older driver did enlighten me regarding the newest types autos but that is another topic.you are stressing out over your inability to shift a manual which i suspect is why the one newbie pumps the autos up so much.he/she can not shift a manual.

    you will be alright there driver.give it time. you are among the hundreds of thousands in number that didn't start out shifting smoothly. I,on the other hand,did but then things in general are just like that for me.Exceptional,unusually so, is the word I hear quite often when I am referenced-
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2014
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  3. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Oh geeze, someone get a life raft! It's way too deep in here for hip boots!:biggrin_25522:
     
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  4. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    It is socially impolite and durn right rude to leave an audience wanting to hear the end of the sentence! Let me help ya there driver.... "by myself, about myself, each morning afternoon and evening, as I talk to the mirror!"

    There ya go...all fixed up right and proper!

    Now back to shifting and grinding of gears....oh wait, there were plenty of gear grinding just a little earlier!:biggrin_25525:
     
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  5. thedrifter

    thedrifter Medium Load Member

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    May 23, 2010
    portland or.
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    If you use a three count it makes it easy........ 1 clutch in stick to nuteral 2 clutch out 3 clutch in stick to next gear 4 out if you want to do a 4count that is how I taught my ex wife
     
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  6. Xcis

    Xcis Medium Load Member

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    Jul 9, 2008
    Bridgeport, Pa
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    Double clutching is usually the single biggest problem that newbies will encounter. Before you start, move the seat further away from the steering wheel.
    You want a position that forces you to really stretch inorder to floor the clutch. Remember, the only time you depress the clutch to the floor is when the truck is stopped and completely motionless. Take a couple of deep breaths and relax.
    .
    .At 1300 rpm, start your shift by depressing the clutch HALFWAY and shifting to neutral. Let the clutch all the way out and say the word "Delaware".
    .Now depress the clutch HALFWAY and shift to the next gear up. Let the clutch all the way out.
    .
    .Did you grind gears? If you ground the gears, what were the rpms when the gears ground?
    .If the rpms were below 1000 rpm, use a shorter word like "Utah".
    .If the rpms were much higher than 1000 rpms, use a longer word like "Oklahoma".
    .Do not change the speed that you shift; change the length of your pause. Once you get the correct length of your pause, it works in low or high range.
    .
    .Once you get basic shifting down pat, you can make a minor change at what rpm you start your shifts for better fuel economy.
    .You start to burn fuel like crazy at 1500 rpm and above.
    .In the low range start your shifts at 1100 to 1200 rpms for increased fuel economy.
    .In the high range start your shifts below 1500 rpm for increase fuel economy.
     
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  7. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
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    wow that was technical and if you concern yourself w/fuel mileage,you'll take longer to ease into the precision shifting stage. if you are not being laden with fuel mileage bonuses,don't worry about getting better mpg's at this point in your career. just my opinion.

    Hey OP,just shift when you feel like it and your shifting saga shall seemingly sail smoothly stalling substandard shifts sans spastic spats so to speak.
     
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  8. RookieTrucker7

    RookieTrucker7 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 11, 2014
    Alabama
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    Well folks........ It took a few days, but I have got double clutching down now!!!! I feel SOOOOOO much better! I can upshift and downshift through the gears with ease now. it just took getting to go out with the right instructor. He single-handedly restored my hope of being able to drive a truck. I would also like to thank everyone for their advice. It really helped. The two other classmates in the truck even said it was unbelievable how much better I was today. It just seemed to all click today. I feel pretty good about things today. One week of class left. Passed my straight line backing final yesterday, and worked on alley dock today, and did pretty good. Going to study up on my pre trip inspection this weekend and get ready for that final next week. I'll keep you updated if you like. Again, Thanks for all the help guys!
     
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  9. 48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    Could be anywhere
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    For me, it was backing. Seems all at once, all the concepts I had been tutored on fell into place.

    Longest 13 years of my life.....
     
  10. RookieTrucker7

    RookieTrucker7 Bobtail Member

    26
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    Apr 11, 2014
    Alabama
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    This pre-trip for the State test is crazy. I think I've got it down.........as long as i remember to say "splashguard" instead of "mud flap". lol.
    One of the Seniors tested this week lost points for that. He also said "My belt has 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deflection, it is not cracked or frayed". He missed it. The correct answer is "My belt has 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deflection, it is not cracked, frayed, or glazed". Talk about picky! lol.
     
  11. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Yeah...he had to watch a Swift rookie making all the mistakes to show him what he had been doing wrong........waiting to get backed into a parking spot at a Peelot!:yes2557:
     
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