shifting uphill from a stop with heavy load

If your trying to double clutch it, that could be a hard hill to overcome. I would definitely try to start in 2nd instead of 1st and just feather the clutch on take off. That couple extra mph from 1600+ rpm on 2nd will help in that situation. MAKE SURE to not let go of the brake until you have the clutch out enough to at least keep the truck from rolling back .... that 40k trailer with no breaks can smash the car behind you REAL fast if you accidentally slip from the brakes.

As others said, push the rpm way high and shift as fast as you can. Might have to just jam/slam the gears until your more comfortable with it. When I was OTR, I remember one time taking a highway I wasn't supposed to (was pretty much used exclusively by log trucks) to shortcut to an interstate. Was about 45 miles long and took me 3.5 to 4 hours due to multiple 8-9% grades along with my 35k load. There were a few hills I had to climb at like 4-5mph because I couldn't get to the next gear .... sometimes this is just part of the monster.


Glad I don't have to worry about grades anymore now that I'm doing local work in Florida .... I do NOT miss them =)

 

Best post of the thread!

 

Hi BD, excellent post, "trucker's can't agree on anything", ain't it the truth. As far as shifting with the jake on, it can be done, I drove a Mack 6 speed, and every shift was with the jake on, but with a 6 speed, that extra second you save , made a difference, but it was tricky, and I don't recommend it ( especially for new driver's) as well.

 

You guys are making a science to driving a truck. Again, do you guys break out your laptops and and create spreadsheets or something. Amateurs I swear. See, nothing profane about this

 

Certainly nothing helpful about it either. The OP asked a legitimate question. What IS your problem?

 

That's the ticket. Rev too high and you won't be able to shift til the r's come down any way.

Sometimes I catch the red light at the bottom of the hill at 58E at Cane Creek Blvd in Danville VA. I usually have 45K on the trailer and it really jerks my chain when I gotta stop there.

2nd gear, ease it up, double clutch into 3 and maybe catch 4 by the top. You gotta be patient