Trouble double clutching smoothly?

Floating is easier to pickup on than double clutching. When you are upshifting it doesn't take long for the engine rpm to drop enough so you can get into the next higher gear. It's almost as fast as you can shift it in the middle-lower gears. If you double-clutch then the engine rpm is continuing to decline making it even harder to get into the next gear.

While double clutching does give you some more leeway it is quickly offset by how long it takes to bounce on the clutch like that.
Especially for a new driver who is likely not used to using thier left foot like that.

I think it would be easier to teach floating first (on flat ground of course) so they could get a feel for road speed and engine rpm for any given gear, and then try to double-clutch.

Just make sure they know it only takes two fingers to put the shifter into gear gently and not to force it.

 

2 fingers and 1” is what my instructor said lol. I’ve driven a manual for years but the double clutching has thrown me off for sure. Mostly the down shift. Got it down better today though!

 

It's just a rhythm you have to learn. I haven't double clutch in 20 yrs since I tested for cdl. Now even sure if I can remember how lol. But a need trick that may help you. Add the mph numbers together and it's real close to the gear you need. Example 25mph=7th gear.

 

While yea a certain rpm = a certain speed, its dumb to try and teach that. I can go into 7th at 900rpm or 2000rpm, I wont be at 25mph at either of those rpm's.

 

Worn down transmission is easier to shift versus a new one just FYI. The gears have a lot more tolerance and range for errror.

 

Well that's awesome. Figured wouldn't take long before Billy big rigger came along and popped off something smart. But for the record it does work. I was just giving a trick to help a new guy along the way.

 

It isn't about being a Billy big rigger. It's about the fact that there are literally hundreds of different drive line combinations which results in dozens of different gear selections for a certain speed.

 

Amen on that! I drove junk for so many years that when I got super nice equipment I couldn’t hardly drive it lol.

 

It’s been a while since I have double clutched, unless every now and then it gets stuck and I double clutch. With that being said like a couple other people have said when you double clutch there’s more time for error. I’m not saying you should do this, but say most people are up shifting at 1500 rpm I would go up to 16 to give me a little more time. Also, it’s so much smoother when the truck is loaded. It’s a lot easier to shift. I dunno how long you been going through training, but another thing that kills people is they think to much. Before I train anyone to drive I make sure they know the gear pattern cause it’s hard enough to teach someone and then on top of it they’re asking what gear there in, or what gear they need to go into. Best of luck to you!