Steering wheel posture

Best of luck to you.

 

I grew up and was taught with having my hands wrapped around the steering wheel with thumbs on top for relaxed (normal) driving. When I'm backing I palm the steering wheel at the 11 O'clock position, but this will vary as to a person's comfort.

 

Short answer, NO. However it still is possible. Try to avoid as much as you can locking your thumb inside a steering wheel. I know of several drivers that have missing or misshapen thumbs from blowouts.

 

May (or may not) break. At the very least if the wheel gets jerked it will hurt like heck. Why let that happen when it's so easy not to.

Also, if you get offended so easily, never go inside a truck stop.....

 

I have a wooden steering wheel. I normally drive with my left hand on the spoke at the 9 o clock position. Had the right steer blow at 85 mph as I was passing a picnic area. The truck jerked right,the right side dropped, i tugged left, downshifted, came to a halt on the shoulder, threw her in reverse and backed down the on ramp into the picnic area. Maybe in the old days with Armstrong steering, but today’s trucks, no.

“So, why would he tell me this, Six?”

I dunno. You have trainers that tell their students to run with both hands on the wheel, 3 and 9 and whatnot...I think that’s a mistake. Run what’s comfortable to you.

Took one of those driver simulators, and they put me on an icy road. I did my usual left hand grip and apparently the lady doing the test didn’t like it. She blew the right steer. The truck lurched right, I turned it back left. You could feel the lady controlling the thing trying to drive me off the road, it didn’t work. Even so, she reprimanded me for driving with 1 hand. So, my guess is the instructor is telling you that stuff because that’s what they do. Just nod at them until they leave you alone.

Luck in battle.

 

I forgot to also mention... Since you are in a class, your best bet is to drive the way they want you to cause they usually know the methods/criteria of the local driving inspectors when it comes time for the test.

Once you get on the road, you'll find out pretty quick what works for you and is most comfortable.

 

If you keep an eye on your steer tires(and dont overload them...steer blowouts are very Rare.If it comes down to overloading steers vs.Drives.Opt for the drives.There is "No One Size Fits all ...when It comes to a "Steer Tire Popping".Road conditions,speeds,traffic conditions vary.Your main job is "To Get that SOB slowed down,off the road,without hurting anyone (including Yourself)!its all on you. Ive had 2 steers "Pop",in 12 years of driving a Rig. 1ST THING,let out of gas...and control it. I used a steel guard rail on I70 to help slow it dowm. Was I concerned about the Company Truck? NO,that was 2nd or 3rd priority.Used the friction of the guard rail to bring it to a stop.Truck was "hammered down the Passenger side". Also Never ""Lock your fingers behind the wheel"Itll hurt like a "Bastage",may not break fingers ,but,hurts.So,let outta gas,and Dont lay into the breaks(thatll make it worse yet

 

I've had a couple of steer tires fail. I never had difficulty holding the wheel or had the wheel violently try to jerk from my hand. The secret to making it through training is to, as much as possible, pretend anything your trainer says is the most important beneficial useful advice until you get your own truck. If your trainer says touch your nose before every left turn to prevent alien invasion, do it and ask for an explanation later. Never give the impression you intend to fight his technique as some trainers will see it as being unwilling to "learn." The less conflict the better. You will be Captain of your own ship soon.