I Need Help With A Short Girl Problem

Once she learns to shift she will hardly even use a clutch. And automatics aren't badm I drive one now I don't mind it

I am 5'0" and have been driving an Eaton 10 for the 2 years I have been driving. I was concerned before going to school regarding the clutch until I realized that clutching is different on a truck than in a car as you only need to depress it far enough to shift, usually only a couple of inches. I sit farther back than most women because sitting too close to the steering wheel can be dangerous in a collision. I sold cars for several years and was always amazed at how close most women sit in relation to the steering wheel and saw the horrible bruises one received when she was in a wreck and her air bag blew. Only you can decide where you are comfortable, but you are probably sitting a lot closer to the wheel than is necessary. It can be done if you are willing to make some adjustments, which you will find you need to do quite often when you begin to drive, as these trucks are not designed for women but we make do. Good luck!

Probably Abilene Motor Express in Richmond,VA

Is there a company that would hire just with the auto endorsement ?

My wife and I were in truck driving school together at Crowder College but today they made her withdraw from the class. We were in a four week program. She wants to come back in February to try again in a five week program they have. She is 5'1 and about 135 pounds. She pulls up so close to the steering wheel that when she shift gears she needs to sort of reach back and around and that causes her to turn the wheel whenever she has to shift gears. She also had problems with the clutch because she had a hard time pressing in it all the way. I'm going to finish up the four week program and get started with CFI, and she plans to return to Crowder again to try once more. So the question is, do any of you know of away to over come the problems she's having from being short?

There's people shorter than her driving trucks. The problem is with the school she's attending, not her. Why don't you and her team with Benny Whitehead Trucking right there in Eufaula?

Everyone has offered some great points, as usual. While reading OS's post, he mentioned watching the trainer drive next time you go to class. I'd like to add to that by asking the shortest instructor there for tips, or possibly watch them drive.

So...I promised to talk with the driver I work with who is barely 5' tall and knee-high to a grasshopper. She is a really good driver, safe, efficient and knowledgeable. All she does is lower the seat (almost no air), un-recline the seatback so it's almost 90' to the seat, pull it all the way forwards and adjust the steering wheel. She uses no pedal extensions or anything like that. She is totally fine but, I can attest that all you see when she drives is her head. Perhaps this is where the difference lies, many new drivers feel the need to sit up really high, not really necessary. Over time once you get used to the truck, the size and your clearance, you will begin to lower the seat. In fact, when I was learning my mentor had me lower the seat to train my eyes to look far forward of the nose of the truck, instead of looking down.

Hope this helps. Something you are just going to need to get used to.

G-Town stated:

.... many new drivers feel the need to sit up really high, not really necessary. ...

Hope this helps. Something you are just going to need to get used to.

Have you been watching me set up when I get behind the wheel? LOL This is EXACTLY how I set up! I want to be able to see the ground as much as possible as close to the tractor as I can. I have noticed that by doing this I need to pull up a LOT to reach the pedals. I'll try this when I get back to school on the 2nd.

G-Town stated:

.... many new drivers feel the need to sit up really high, not really necessary. ...

Hope this helps. Something you are just going to need to get used to.

Have you been watching me set up when I get behind the wheel? LOL This is EXACTLY how I set up! I want to be able to see the ground as much as possible as close to the tractor as I can. I have noticed that by doing this I need to pull up a LOT to reach the pedals. I'll try this when I get back to school on the 2nd.

Too funny...

Tastebuds take a look at the profile in my Avitar image (yes, that's me)...I am an inch shy of 6' tall. I don't sit as low as many, top of my head about even with the top edge of the side-view mirror. Basically eye level with the road ahead of me, and not looking down, but out.

Good luck with this.

G-Town stated:

.... many new drivers feel the need to sit up really high, not really necessary. ...

Hope this helps. Something you are just going to need to get used to.

Have you been watching me set up when I get behind the wheel? LOL This is EXACTLY how I set up! I want to be able to see the ground as much as possible as close to the tractor as I can. I have noticed that by doing this I need to pull up a LOT to reach the pedals. I'll try this when I get back to school on the 2nd.

Too funny...

Tastebuds take a look at the profile in my Avitar image (yes, that's me)...I am an inch shy of 6' tall. I don't sit as low as many, top of my head about even with the top edge of the side-view mirror. Basically eye level with the road ahead of me, and not looking down, but out.

Good luck with this.

You're roughly 3 inches taller than me. I retest on the 7th, so I don't want to alter my view too much, but I will try putting the seat an inch lower to see if that helps. I say "helps" as if I have a problem, I really don't think I have a problem, but that doesn't mean it can't be better. Only issue I do have with my seating is that it has to be JUST right. One notch too far back and I have a tough time with the full pedal range, one notch too close and ... well, my steering wheel gets what I like to call "belly resistance" when turning!

I drive with zero air in the seat, save for lower lumbar support. I can't see the hood in a Cascadia, but can in a Volvo VNL.