Please please I need help in CDL school

fngmoto · Apr 21, 2022

Kyle G. said: ↑

I was always under the impression that you had to double clutch for the road test, but I could be wrong (maybe the company school I went to just didn’t want people floating gears in their trucks lol).
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In South Carolina you have to double clutch and hit all gears, no skipping gears.

TripleSix · Apr 21, 2022

fngmoto said: ↑

I think I understand what hes saying. One of the instructors in the school im going to does this. He speaks to us in terms that experienced drivers would know but not a noob. He does a piss poor job of dumbing it down for the beginner.
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DesperateCDLstudent said: ↑

I also feel like everyone expects me to be better than I am by now since it’s a small class size.
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The best way to learn French is to go and stay where French is the most common language. Your instructor is speaking to you in a way to insure that you don’t sound like a dumbarse in orientation. Or put gasoline in your fuel tanks. OP speaks of something else entirely.

Dennixx · Apr 21, 2022

Is your instructor explaining how a clutch works?
The transfer of power thru the clutch plates.

Or what a friction zone is..
The area of pedal travel between no engagement and full engagement when you will transfer some power to get started but clutch is still slipping.

Don't know if this will help since most only "get it" while physically operating a vehicle.

Clutch control - Wikipedia

DesperateCDLstudent · Apr 21, 2022

TripleSix said: ↑

You mentioned this twice in the same thread. Who is THEY and why are they LOOKING to you for mastery of something that’s new to you?

My instincts tell me that you have this competition with someone who you feel has less talent than you for driving. Please tell me I am wrong, because that sort of mindset in school is stupid. Focus on you. That should remove a lot of the stress.
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Instructor was somewhat agitated day 1 and 2 about my rough take offs and some stalls. Got better day 3 after watching a video about raising the clutch to same height as brake on YouTube.

DesperateCDLstudent · Apr 21, 2022

Brandt said: ↑

A little trick about shifting and the way I was trained works really good.

You can start out in first gear, the trick is you shift gears at 1,000 RPMs or less. The reason for this is because you don't have to match the gears at 1,000 RPM, you won't get the cab rocking back and forth. You also don't need 500HP to get rolling. You don't even have to be good at shifting gears. At 1,000 RPMs it will basically slide into gear from 1,2,3,4. You are basically getting the truck rolling just enough to slide it into next gear. You still use clutch so it looks like you double clutching but the trick or truth is, it would slide into gear anyway at that low RPM.

So at a stop light you will shift at 1,000 RPMs and just going thru a traffic light you will shift like 5 times. That's how fast you will be going through the low gears.

When you are getting ready to flip the rang select into high range. That's when you bring engine up to 1,600 RPMs and shift gears. Their is generally a 400 RPM difference between gear. So at 1,200 RPMs it will go into gear as the RPMs drop from 1,600 to 1,200

In low range you shift at 1,000 RPM and in high range you shift at 1,600 and 1,200 RPM
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I will give this a try. Really good breakdown.

DesperateCDLstudent · Apr 21, 2022

Rideandrepair said: ↑

1- yes you can. 2- Let the clutch out slowly, till you feel it grabbing or starting to engage, at that point you’ll feel it fighting against the brake. Let it out slowly, while letting up on the brake. You’ll feel the Truck starting to pull away, as the clutch engages, knowing where it engages is important. You need to get a feel for the clutch, where it engages at. It’s a bit tricky on a hill start. You’ll get a feel for it. Holding the brake, till the clutch engages and it’s no longer needed. Never hit the accelerator till the clutch pedal is fully released, and Trucks rolling. Using the accelerator wears a clutch out. Big No No, might even fail a Driving Test for that. I can’t believe they’re teaching you that. Need to start in 2nd if needed. Rule is- highest gear possible without needing to use the accelerator to keep it from stalling out. 3- The shift right and up, is probably the easiest to grind. Works best for Me to wind the RPMs up good, and make the shift fast. When I’m loaded heavy, I usually don’t. Loaded heavy, if not done just right, I can grind it easy. I shift it slower, and usually have to raise the RPMs up some to make the shift from neutral into the gear. This avoids grinding or biting off a gear. In other words, you can always bring the RPMs up a bit if needed. 4- Thats a tough one to explain. Helps to watch it done while standing outside. Watching the steers, fifth wheel, and trailer wheels. Setting up the rear of the trailer, then following it around, getting in front of it. I’d rather start at a 120, if there’s enough room. Makes it easier having wiggle room both ways. Starting at a 90, can be harder if there’s not enough room to pull up. You’ll have to practice that one. You’ll get it. 5- Disregard anything I said doesn’t make sense. Hands on Learning is the best way. You’ll get a feel for it, sounds like your already doing good after only 3 days.
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That yes you can likely solved a big chunk of my issues. Thank you.

fngmoto · Apr 21, 2022

TripleSix said: ↑

The best way to learn French is to go and stay where French is the most common language. Your instructor is speaking to you in a way to insure that you don’t sound like a dumbarse in orientation. Or put gasoline in your fuel tanks. OP speaks of something else entirely.
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Go to France without knowing how to speak a little French, you'll go no where fast. Learn the basics of the language and you'll have a better time. Same goes for this, you cant or shouldn't expect a person without any experience to know what you're talking about without going over the basics first. Got to build a foundation first.

TripleSix · Apr 21, 2022

fngmoto said: ↑

Go to France without knowing how to speak a little French, you'll go no where fast. Learn the basics of the language and you'll have a better time. Same goes for this, you cant or shouldn't expect a person without any experience to know what you're talking about without going over the basics first. Got to build a foundation first.
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In other words, you are doing the touristy thing in school. Sounds fulfilling!

TripleSix · Apr 21, 2022

DesperateCDLstudent said: ↑

Instructor was somewhat agitated day 1 and 2 about my rough take offs and some stalls. Got better day 3 after watching a video about raising the clutch to same height as brake on YouTube.
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Kudos for not opting for the restricted license

Boondock · Apr 21, 2022

Just take it easy, pay attention and be patient. You don't become Bruce Lee after one karate class..ya know..

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