New Student driver Argh@##

Your not suppose to shift and turn at the same time. I do, but I am multi talented~ Hang in there. It takes time.

 

True, I agree...take your time...do not get frustrated. You will get used to it after a while, trust us. Shoot, I remember the first time I drove a truck down the freeway in Pittsburgh, PA, I was driving 15mph and instructor was screaming at me! LOL. He said MOVE! I said this dude is big, fast enough! LOL. over 12 years later I would have scared the poop out of him at over 100mph...like I said, you'll get there. Remember, you ARE the king of the road now! LOL.

 

This is the part of driving that comes in time.

Just relax and take your time and don't forget to check your mirrors.

 

yes I will give you the best piece of advice out there.

you decelerate through a intersection, don't try to make the light.
if you treat each light as if you were going to have to stop for it, you will have it maid.

as you are coming up on a light and no ones at the cross streets chances are it won't change.

but if there are cars at the cross streets then the light will change.

as you come to a light let up on the accelerator , if you get to about 1000 rpm's then down shift a gear. if it has not got under 1000 rpm's by the time you get to the intersection then give it fuel going under the light.

and if you need to turn right at the intersection you should be in 3-4 gear ( you need to get there before hand for a smooth turn) if you can stop then stop and click it in to 3rd and go around the corner, that way you don't have to worry about shifting and you can concentrate on turning. once you are around that corner and your tractor is in the lane get on that fuel and get another gear cancel the signal and get some more gears.

 

As you approach an intersection, look for cars stopped at the side streets, that will tell you if the light might change. Take your foot off the gas and just coast up to the point of no return..after that, press the gas and get moving again. Don't do a hard brake unless you have to....don't want to suck people into the ICC bumper. I locked up the trailer a couple of times when I stopped at a light that turned red when I should have just gone through. Need to draw the line.

Depends on the turns as far as speed. With my truck, I can take 90degree right turns in 5th gear. I don't zip around the turn, but at 5th, it still has enough torque to get through easily and still get back to speed. Either way, get in gear before the turn. I got harped on because I would make a turn and then get on the gas before the tandems clearned the corner.

Think of it this way...you arent a truck driver, but a trailer driver. Your purpose is to move that trailer around (whether driving for a trainer or OTR). every thing you do, think of the trailer. Ie....clearing the curb is fine when taking a turn with the truck, but make sure the trailer clears too...stay in the other lane until those tandems just clear the peak of the curb....then turn tight back into the right lane.

As far as buttonhook rights....you need to plan way back. About 20 feet before the curb at least...start turning towards the corner opposite and across the intersection. Then when your shoulder passes the curb, turn hard right and you should make it. Of course, each intersection is different....you might need to take both lanes...etc. However, treat each turn as a button hook until you get to it and find that you dont need to.

 

whered you go to school at wiseone?


also to the student: dont worry about it. 6 months ago i was where you are now. road trips and skills and pretrips and so on. driving downt he road for an hour at a time trying to get everything perfect for cdl day wondering hwo the hell am i gonna do this for real.

now im in the back of mt assigned international with fancy gizmos like lighted keyboard, laptop, mini fridge and other fun stuff that 6 months ago woulda said i wish i could afford. now im doin this job like i was born to do it. been told i drive this thing like ive been doin it my whole life. i make mroe money now thatn i ever did. and lovin every minute of it. so dont worry just keep doin what your doin and you will get thru it just fine

 

Well yeah depending on the turn and the street / intersection. A buttonhook will have you turn towards the opposite corner and towards oncoming traffic. However, if you do it right and plan ahead correctly, you should be able to find / wait for a gap in the traffic where you can take the turn without interrupting much trafic.