Road test on a 10 speed manual transmission - very rusty

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rolldice25, Dec 7, 2022.

  1. rolldice25

    rolldice25 Bobtail Member

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    I am hoping to get a job with a company that uses manual trucks. I haven't driven a manual since my DMV test early this year. Furthermore, the truck I learned on was a 7 speed. Is there anything I should do to prepare for the road test?

    The truck I learned on was pretty janky. Non synchronized Clutch, etc. How hard is it to shift in a halfway decent manual semi truck?
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Easy as pie.......
     
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  4. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    no syncros is what a truck tranny is.
     
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  5. North Pole Nightmare

    North Pole Nightmare Medium Load Member

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    Going from 5th to 6th gear gets me sometimes if I'm used to driving something else.
     
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  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    By the second day you will be about 90% squared away. I didn't know ANY semi-trucks had synchronized transmissions. Just drive and shift as slowly as you need to. You will probably miss a shift and have more trouble downshifting than upshifting. That applies to veterans and newbies. Just remember to only use as much clutch as necessary to slip into/out of gear. You don't press the clutch to the floor except when stopped. EVERY newbie presses the clutch TOO DEEP and that often activates the clutch brake which causes RPMs to drop quickly which makes getting into gear much harder and you will grind. Try pressing the clutch no more than 1/3 of the of the way down once you are moving at all. Don't psych yourself into unnecessary anxiety. Do the best you can and you will rapidly improve.
     
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  7. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Use to drive a 1981 Cabover Freightliner with a 7 speed many years ago, didn’t care for it. Been better with a 1241D Spicer setting behind the 7….
     
  8. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    CF line haul truck?
     
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  9. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    No Sir, it was one of Pops trucks at Machinery Hauling in Kenova WV. Heck of a nice paint job just a lousy drive train with the 7 and a Formula 300.

    Last I seen of it, it was in 3 pieces, being winched out from below Sandstone mountain in WV. Driver said he rode it to the bottom, pretty sure he was stretching it….
     
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  10. MAMservices

    MAMservices Light Load Member

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    Don’t think they had but three gauges in them either.
     
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  11. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Reminds of those 9 spds in a COE.
     
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