I'm struggling with shifting, currently with a trainer.

Wait a minute, the ************ trainer, said what?

You are on your 3rd day and he is trying to get you to fail?

First my training was "here kid, you drive it" so I went to the best school, and this is why I hate these schools. The trainer doesn't give a crap, he knows how to drive a truck, but you don't.

SO here is my advice, learn how to do one thing at a time. Tackle it in stages, first learn how to properly use the clutch when taking off and using the clutch break <<< when to use it. Then move to shifting, always go through every gear up and down. Double clutching is really easy, it is just steps up to another gear.

But don't quit, once you get the hang of it, get yourself a good car with a manual trans like say a 1930 model A ford and enjoy double clutching.

 

I don’t think these trainers now know how… yes they’ve got a cdl… maybe, but most schools want a degree.. I’ve been called by a guy that teaches and asked questions, one was “How do you go down a mountain?” I thought he was joking so I said I stop at the top and cry alot while eating a gallon of ice cream… maybe he’s not teaching the students that….

Now y’all have me wondering if he was serious.

 

Tell him to go to the top of a mountain and watch the flip flop wearers and do exactly like they do.and to bring something to eat. Way to fast and with out using the Jake’s. If he makes it to the bottom he can cook or heat up whatever food he she it brought on the brakes.

 

Couple of things, make sure thge engine brake is off, it will screwup a drivers shifting. Second you should just barely push on the clutch pedal, when your moving apply a little pressure to the shifter toward nuetral, slightly touch the clutch, it will slide right out of gear with a gentlt pressure still toward toh nexte gear release and reapply . The rpm difference should be 400 to 500 rpms. Dont over think it take your time. I never stop in nuetral, I slide it to nuetral when I stopping, and drop it basck into gear as I stop, then clutch as I stop. We all shift a little different. Shifting with or without the clutch is the same rhythm and timing.

Don't quit, if you need to switch to a automatic there not bad to drive at all, and most company's are switching to them anyway. At Heartland I drive a manual, but If I want a new truck I would have to switch to an auto, So it may happen, nothing wrong the auto's work very well I just have some many years driving and am old and set in my ways.

 

Loose and smooth my friend you’re overthinking it which means you’re being tense and you’re probably pushing that clutch down too far. You need to just relax it will hit you. It’s a rhythm thing. Before you know, it’ll be completely second nature. And if you’re just going to CDL school when you get out, there’s like a 95% chance you’re probably gonna be driving an automatic, anyhow.

 

The best advice I got for shifting is to adjust your seat as far back and as high as you can. Then if necessary move only close enough that you can get the clutch to the floor if you really stretch to reach. Ideally you can just get it half way without thinking hard about stretching for it.

Make sure you can still press the brake hard enough to stop. The throttle should be close enough that at worst you may have to rotate your ankle a little more than usual.

It’s not the most comfortable position but while you are learning it should help so you can think more about everything other than the clutch. Save sitting on the floor and being cool for your third year.

 

Just because switching to an automated might sound easier doesn't mean it's the correct choice, and three days isn't enough time to judge whether or not someone will be able to learn. It sounds to me like you have an instructor who is unable to or unwilling to help you understand the process.

It won't take long before it becomes second nature.

 

If the Federal Government outlays manuals, every member of Congress that voted for such nonsense should be unelected.

 

You usually recommend Schneider:
Romy Schneider & Michel Piccoli "La chanson d'Hélène"

 

Don’t forget the manual timing advance hand lever. Put all that torque from the 60 hp 4cyl to the ground. Lol