Profile For Kyle R.

A guy at work taught me to float. Then I had to learn double clutch at the school. I can do both but obviously I float them now.

That guide did help thanks. It's got a Cummins in it. I'll get it sorted but that will definitely help

So my rig is a 13 spd (EF trans). And when I was in school they had me on a 10 speed. And the instructor layed out what gears for what speed. For instance 8th gear is about 35 mph. 9th is 45mph, 10th is 55mph and above. Now it wasn't a big deal on the upshifting, just max it and shift it. But it helped on the downshifting. He had us slow down to 30mph and downshift to 7. By the time we got moved over and revved it was right about at 25mph. Then slow down to 15 and go to 5. Then stop.

So my question is, does anyone have a chart or reference they use for what speed to downshift at? And what gears do you skip thru? I've done some Google searches but nothing that I want pops up. I'm stuck going down 1 gear at a time or just coming up and stopping until I can figure it out.

So turns out we were talking about 2 completely different things. . . Sorry I let this go so long tho lol.

And it wasnt trying to be disrespectful. We were going back and forth at it all 4 weeks, just having a good time.

Anyhow

So guys, got the CDL in hand now :D.

4 weeks at DRIVECO in laporte, IN passed the test no problems. I find out my exact scores on Wed.

I passed it in a 10 spd so I dont have any restrictions, I hit every 5th gear downshift so I was happy about that. . .

Gonna be hauling piggies to market and whatnot, its going to take some time for my loads to start rolling in, so Ive got some time to customize my ride. Its got like 800k so I dont wanna get too deep into it lol Ill probably only have it for a few years.

Tho the boss did have me ride along to get a load of fertilizer and let me drive some of it. It was a super 10 so that was screwing me up lol. Plus the tach needle was all over so downshifting was kinda hard. I totally missed the one turn cuz I forgot I had just added 5k lbs of fluid.

Some of the stuff im looking at getting -

Looking at a Galaxy DX-959 CB with dual 5' fire-sticks and a Astatic mic.

Then Ill probably have to get one of those BT headsets, I think all the guys here use the blue parrot ones so Ill most likely get that so they can help me if it breaks or something.

I can post pics of my truck/trailer if anyone wants. Its not anything flashy but starting out at 18 Im lucky its got rubber. Its supposed to go to the shop this week for leaks, dash doesnt come on, and Ive gotta get replacement dash lights. Then we gotta get insurance and all that jazz set up. So hopefully in a week or 2 Ill be rolling. My boss is super nervous xD, but it was his idea for me to go to the school so I could start driving early, he even payed for it.

OK guys. Day 3 of trucker school. We looked at air brake stuff today. How they work. All that jazz. I have been around trucks for the past few years so I picked up on a lot of stuff with that, one of those being talking to a co-worker who has a dad that has been trucker for years. He's like 80 something now. Anyhow, here is what I heard.

That there are oooooold trailers that had an old air system, even before the 1974 system that got upgraded in '75. You know what I'm talking about right? Anyhow, the system requires that the air lines be reversed when hooked to the trailer.

I mentioned something about this at class. Instructor proceeded to tell me that there was no such thing. I'm looking for some veteran truckers to confirm or deny. Like some 70 plus year old truckers.

I'm really confused. It has no bearing on the tests or anything so it's not huge but I would just like to figure it out

If you're going the "spinner" route, don't forget the fingerless leather gloves and leather vest.

Just messing with ya

I already have those ordered. . .

I want one cuz the steering wheel is as old as the truck, and the rubber is starting to fall apart, so trying to spin it with my hand when backing is annoying

If by suicide knob you mean steering wheel spinner knob, I have always been told they are illegal.

Yeah thats what I meant, I havent heard that. Ill look it up. The other guys here used to run them, but they broke and didnt bother to replace them.

Im 17, turn 18 next Friday, start school Monday the 8th. My employer is sending me because in this area there arent any good drivers floating around lol. Its hog transportation so its literally live load and unload so not many people wanna mess with that. Anyhow, my truck is gonna be a 2002 Volvo day cab with a 465 cummins with a 13 spd. Ive started cleaning it out from the last guy that was in there, and Ive got some ideas for what I want to put in there, but its got 760,000 on it so I dont wanna get carried away and then have to switch over again when Im done with it.

Things I plan to purchase -

CB
Dash cam system
BT headset
suicide knob

Anything else I need?

Had a driver at work tell me I should build a box between the 2 seats with a cutout for the shifter so I can lay out if I have any breaks, he had the truck a while ago and said that it sucked to try and sleep in the seat.

I got 5 weeks to do crap to the truck before I start using it