Shifting Concerns

"You forgot the spurs.. there has to be spurs!"--(This public service message was provided by Hard 8 BBQ, Stephenville Texas).

 

Let me get this straight, you're saying heavy duty truck transmissions do not need to be double-clutched or RPM-matched from the engine to the drivetrain to shift, just like manual-shift cars don't need to be since they are synchronized?

If so, I'm really missing something in every truck I've driven to date....

 

A lot of "drivers" think that cars are the ones that are unsynchronized and that trucks are synchronized, and thats why you have to rev match them. I dont know why they think that makes sense. There was a kid attending my truck dirving school who thought that, and also insisted that on your pre trip inspection test you had to say "dot c3 reflector tape".............

 

Swing and a miss.

I never once said ANY of what you have typed above, not even close.
Here's a link to Eaton.com, just a list of Service Bulletins that include the word Synchronizer. The word Synchronizer is listed in those links at least 12 separate times. http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/TruckEurope/TruckEurope/Literature/ServiceBulletinsTransmission/index.htm

Maybe some of you geniuses could write (even better) give a CALL to Eaton and tell them NONE of their transmissions include synchronizers, cause that's what some trucker thinks on the internet. Give it a shot You'll make their STuPid is as STuPid does list of the year...

Here's a hint. If you go back and actually read the first post regarding synchronized vs. non-synchronized trans, you quickly see into what context my comment was stated. But, then again, a couple of you guys have failed to get the joke already. Maybe its just best for you to leave it alone. My sides are beginning to split from laughing so hard at some of you chuckle heads.

PTI definitely includes conspicuity tape, and if you'll flip your log book over to your daily inspection there will be a check box with conspicuity tape there as well. You are OOS with out it.

Directly from the State of Ks Dept. of Revenue:

Driver's License Information
Commercial Handbook

Check that all external lights and reflective
equipment are clean and functional. Light and
reflector checks include:​

-

Clearance lights (red on rear, amber​

elsewhere).

​

​

- ​

Headlights (high and low beams).

- ​

Taillights.

- ​

Backing lights.

- ​

Turn signals.

- ​

Four-way flashers.

- ​

Brake lights.

- ​

Red reflectors (on rear) and amber​

reflectors (elsewhere).

​

​

- ​

Reflector tape condition​

And a link to back up my statement. http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/cdlsec11.pdf​

I am starting to feel like im picking on you now, lord help me, but this is almost fun. Oh, and its actually C2 Reflective tape That's printed right on the tape itself, if ya care to look ​

 

Nice link... too bad none of the PDFs that page links too are on the server anymore...

BTW, this link does work, and explains a bit more about transmissions.... perhaps you should try reading more about what the actual definitition of synchronized vs. unsynchronized is before you start pissing all over everyone else?

 

Naw just on you

 

....You have to be able to demonstrate to DOT that you can downshift. Our instructors told us that DOT would want to see two downshifts to demonstrate that. That seems to be the minimum that DOT wants to see...as I passed the driving test in Iowa (YMMV) doing at least 2 downshifts during each time I had to stop for a light, or exit off the freway. They do not test you on using the jake brake.

Now, in the real world, where I am a tanker yanker, my boss, who owns a dozen tanker trucks, told me to start slowing down a mile before my exit off the freeway, and to use the jake brake as much as possible when stopping to avoid excessive wear on the brakes. Plus the jake is smoother to slow you down and reduces the amount of surge from the tanker and doesn't yank the truck forward when there is a small surge, but you can still feel the surge....she bumps you and you feel her, even using the jake.

When the engine runs down on rpms and is no longer braking very hard, I down shift....the amount of downshifts I do is based on the distance I have until I have to stop or be at a reduced speed on a freeway exit....it varies from 1 mile to a few hundred feet. So I use the brakes when I don't have enough distance to use the jake...light a green light turning yellow/red before I get to the interesection, I will judge whether I can stop with the brakes or go through the light.

There are lots of variables when driving, so I can't describe every possible situation, but know this, my boss prefers the jake be used as much as possible, which is what I do. As he has a lot of experience driving and maintaining a small fleet of trucks, and I only have 8,000 miles experience.

 

The DOT didnt give me a road test, ever.

 

Interesting...did you have to do a skills test for backing, etc. ? Did the DOT have a very large driving range where they could observe you upshifting and downshifting?

I did not know you could get a Class A license without a road test....how long ago did you get your license?

 

these threads are getting kinda long...you guys could start a new one if your question is a little different.