Surge Control Help

I have been pulling Stainless and Asphalt tanks for about 5 months now, and am still not satisfied with my surge control. The lower gears are no problem, I just shift at a lower rpm...but shifting from 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 still gets me that little bump in the #####. I understand I need to accelerate after shifting to catch the trailer up to the surge, but how do you do that while climbing even the slightest grade? It's ticking me off that I can't get it perfect...and I know it is possible to do so. Anyone have advice?

 

It depends on the size of the load you have. If you have any things less than 40,000 lbs, it is going to be hard to avoid any surge. If you get a load with around 30,000 lbs, put your hockey equipment on and take any type of curves or turns verrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy slowly.

I much prefer to run with a full load, even though the truck is slower due to the weight.

 

I am always loaded to 45000. I love the way the truck feels at max wt....the asphalt doesn't surge much at all....even the one time I only had 20,000

 

Stop beating yourself up. Your load does it for you.
Get a set oF tank load locks and your problem will be solved.

 

I didn't apply a lot of power after the shift I just tried to make the shift as smooth as possible. Think of a cup of coffee filled almost to the top and sitting on the dash or wherever. When you shift you try to not spill a drop. Of course it's hypothetical but it worked for me. Or try progressive shifting, that will smooth out the shift. I hope you're not running the engine up to the peg and shifting. Because there's no sense in that and it wastes fuel and adds additional wear for no reason.

 

No, am very careful with the rpm....and am a very smooth shifter....just trying to completely kill the surge bump....am a perfectionist, and want to do the best possible

 

shift, then wait for it to hit the back of the tank, then throttle away. I think you are shifting, and then trying to catch the load with the tank when it hits the front?

lower gears are the hardest to get going smoothly, sounds like you got that part working for ya.

 

I think that's the problem. Just accelerate gently, and that will keep the surge from getting bigger than it has to be. Take GasHauler's coffee cup advice.

 

Yeah...the lower gears are no problem....I will work on my rhythm for the higher ones....thanks!

 

Progressive shifting and taking it easy is all you can do, we load 48k every time 4300 gallons in a 6000 gallon smooth bore and some days its just going to beat you up....happens to the best of us, don't let anyone bs you about it...

Keep on truckin' and you'll be fine.