need good advice

They'll teach you in school to come out at 1000 rpm's and bump to 1600 to drop a gear. That'll help you get the hang of it but when you get experienced you'll go more by sound.

I try to keep it closer together and come out around 1200 with a light bump to 1600. You are easier on the engine that way. 1600 also has more slowing power than 1500 without over working the engine. If you want to drop below 1000, you can continue braking down to 700, bump to 1500-1600 and drop two gears.

A 13 speed the gears are closer together, so go lighter on the bumps.

I would get down the double clutching before you progress to floating the gears. Remember it's a three step motion. Out of gear, bump, in gear.

 

You'll get use to gear versus road speed. It seems like a lot now but with more practice you'll know what gear to grab without much thinking.
To learn, start noticing the speed of each gear when you are upshifting instead of just the tach.

If you know you corner easy turns normally in 4th, then judge that road speed in comparison. I'm going a little bit faster, hmmm, I might need 6th. It'll come to you. It just takes practice.

One common mistake new drivers make is they over rev the engine when downshifting. Be light on the throttle and give it a simple bump and you'll see yourself catching gears easier.

Don't get distracted by braking. It all works together. Take it in steps. Brake to drop rpms, gear out, bump, gear in, let the engine work as you brake some more, gear out, bump, gear in....

Approaching red lights from a distance you don't even need to brake. Go into coasting and downshifting mode as you have more time.

When you improve, then you can introduce the engine brake into the mix. If you get into a hard braking situation, for now concentrate on braking. An experienced driver can possibly grab a gear and brake instantaneously. A new driver might miss the gear, panic and find them self braking harder than planned.

It's much easier for a new driver to double clutch downshifting. Floating right off the bat takes a little more experience. The trainer is forgetting his early days and trying to pass on what he knows now. Eventually you'll get there. But I find it easier for a new driver to start from scratch and go through the training process than just make them learn the final product.

 

Ignore the chart and do it by feel.

When I was learning I tried to use the tach to judge my shifts and the only thing it did for me was take my concentration away from the sound and feel of shifting.

 

Like I just posted on another thread to a newbie, if you feel you aren't being trained properly or just plain not getting along with your trainer, then speak up! Call the safety department and let them know what is going on and that you feel you just aren't being trained.

THIS IS YOUR CAREER!!!! Don't sell yourself short because of some idiot trainer! If you don't know what you are doing out there or don't learn properly then you aren't going to make any money and on top of that could put yourself and others in danger.

Speak up!!! Trucking companies realize that they some crappy trainers and that not all people mesh or get along. It isn't uncommon for students to switch trainers so don't think it is a big deal.

Good luck!

 

Dont Think FEEEELLLLLLLLLLL. Practice, Practice, Practice. You`ll get it. And a few years from now, you wont even remember that trainer. I can not remember mine, Oh, wait, I trained myself. Just keep practicing.

 

Go easy on yourself! You are a brand new driver! It will come in time. The more you relax though the better you will do. Once you get out on your own you can start floating gears and it will be even easier on you.

I think out of all the fears, concerns and worries, even the fact that this is a very dangerous career in all aspects, the thing newbies worry about the absolute most is shifting and backing! There is a good percentage of newbies that will actually choose a certain company because they drive all automatics, that's how worried they are about it!

Good luck!

You do get a spanking for saying "gas pedal" though!