I Suck At Shifting

Honestly, with practice, you'll never need to look at the tachometer. You'll be able to understand truck language and shift without thinking about it. I tried an automatic and they are terrible. No way to feather the clutch you can't control. The truck picks gears for you, burns up a lot of fuel when it gets rolling. I guess it's just because I'm so used to being able to control every aspect of engine performance and total clutch control, the idea of losing it is unsettling for me. I like to be able to use the clutch to throttle the engine in reverse so I can hook a trailer without ramming into it. Same with starting from a dead stop. You lose those in an automatic. Just my preference though. As for texting and driving, there is a Freightliner being tested right now that drives itself. Get one and text away next generation truckers.

Cindy is determined:

I am currently in school and was one of the best shifters on the range. Then, we went on the road, and everything changed. AAgghhh....

I love the input on TT and will use the suggestions above. Thank you.

Cindy, learning to shift a semi is a bit like learning to ride a bicycle. It's more frustrating to write about how to do it than it is to just get on the seat and start pedaling.

And it's true, you never forget. I learned double clutching in the '70s, and then didn't use it again until about a year ago. I picked it right up.

. I like to be able to use the clutch to throttle the engine in reverse so I can hook a trailer without ramming into it. Same with starting from a dead stop. .

Granted, I haven't driven an Automatic yet, but why is it you have to slam into a trailer in an Automatic when backing? Wouldn't you now be using the break peddle like you would the clutch and control your speed backing up? This seems rather obvious to me, but hey, I could be wrong.

. I like to be able to use the clutch to throttle the engine in reverse so I can hook a trailer without ramming into it. Same with starting from a dead stop. .

Granted, I haven't driven an Automatic yet, but why is it you have to slam into a trailer in an Automatic when backing? Wouldn't you now be using the break peddle like you would the clutch and control your speed backing up? This seems rather obvious to me, but hey, I could be wrong.

You'd think, but the automatics have a "creep" mode and the brakes are odd to me without a clutch to control the engine. Try it out with one and you'll know what I mean. It's hard to describe other than, it just doesn't feel right. The hook is way too rough. Could have been the kingpin or the 5th wheel. Never had anything hook that hard before. Like I said, it's hard to describe. Just gotta try it.