Stupid question. No, I mean really stupid

I think you will be alright...

I don't have a cdl, but I drive our trucks around on our farm. It is a little different than driving a manual car... and I love it when I get a chance to hop in the driver's seat. If you think it is something you really want to do, I say go for it!

 

The 18 speed I drove,(Ken T600 325 Cat) You could split gears in both low and high range.

 

It may seem a little intimidating at first but after one solid day on the road you should get fairly comfortable with it. It will seem like driving a regular car after a bit. Try not to white knuckle or stress about it. Just relax. Good luck to you!

 

you'll grind'em at first. No worries, we all did...you'll get the flow of the vehicle after a bit and it'll be easy.

 

Tip one: 5th gear and under are all corner speeds or less. 10th gear is overdrive. Now you are left with 6,7,8,9. 6th gear 25mph, 7th gear 35mph, 8th 45mph, 9th takes you to 55mph and for hills, 10th gear is for cruising.

Tip two: Shift by sound and feeling. Don't stare at your dashboard.

Tip three: Get yourself an erasable wipe off marker and draw your shift pattern and gear info right on the windshield. Preferably in the center of your windshield. You can also write your directions, exits, times, fuel stops etc... on your side window. (the one that doesn't roll down)

Tip four: Relax! Shift with the tips of your fingers and lightly float the shifter until it slips in. Don't force it making loud grinding noises.

Tip five: Develop a rhythm. Accelerate take out of gear count 1,2 put into next gear. When downshifting don't over rev. The higher your rpm's the longer you must wait to slip it in. Also when up shifting don't wind out the gears. Have a feel for the weight you are pulling and go through your gears as quickly as possible without bogging down the truck.

Tip six: Rinse and repeat!

Not so hard is it?! Good luck!

 

You just negated the earlier post (and the easy learning tool) of add the digits to get the gear...15mph = 1+5 = 6...6th gear and so on.

Keep in mind this formula is for helping the driver learn the easy method to determine a gear primarily when down-shifting, or dropping gears.

Also, when approaching a corner in 8th gear, brake to the beginning of the turn, clutch coast at the beginning of the turn, then drop to 6th gear just before the apex of the turn, slight acceleration through the turn will negate the centrifugal force generated in the turn...this keeps the driver and passenger and freight stable through the turn. The "two gear drop" into 6th will give enough power to "pull" through the turn...if you need more power, drop another gear into 5.

Remember...never coast out of gear...when out of gear, technically by the phrasing of law, the driver is not in control...use the clutch to "coast" approaching the turn.

A new student needs to SEE AND FEEL AND HEAR the workings...so pay attention to the speed/Tach/Sounds as you learn...with experience the natural rhythm and sound and feel will come. Pay attention to the dash, you need to learn the positioning of the needle on the gauge showing the speed or RPM...once you have set the position of the needle at specific speeds or RPM's, just a glance will give the information you want.

I disagree...humbly...any drawings or extra distractions on the windshield is just that...a distraction...there is far to much happening in and around the vehicle to add any potential distraction. As for later when you are driving and delivering freight...your turn by turn directions can be put on the wing window (or for those that don't have a wing window) on the windshield close to the left side so as not to create a distraction and easily seen and followed as you drive.

I agree! Another different "grip" is to use just the palm of your hand...don't grip the shifter with a fist....it is just as easy to "push and pull" in the direction of gear change..."up and away" or "away and down" if you get my hint.

ABSOLUTELY...but think (you might not be old enough to remember Lawrence Welk)...the way he always started his orchestra...."1 and 2"...by thinking the "and" between 1 - 2, allows the necessary slowing to arrive at synchronization. Remember less is more...and more is less! To up-shift get off the throttle (less) and to down-shift give it some throttle (more).

In other words...wipe off the sweat...it ain't no big deal! And once you put it all together...you will look back and say to yourself..."Self...why did you make such a big deal of this...it ain't nothing for a stepper!"

I AGREE!!!

 

Wish I could agree with you, but my 10 speed will not go that fast in the gears listed below 2000 RPM.