Problems In Lower Gears (10 Speed)

Topic 31716 | Page 2

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G-Town's Comment
member avatar

I agree with PJ. If your rhythm was working, you wouldn’t be missing gears.

Here is a detailed thread on the subject:

Floating Gears vs Floating

Floating Gears:

An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.

Bobcat_Bob's Comment
member avatar

Your school did you a huge disservice by teaching you to float so early on. Since you need to double clutch for the test that is all they should have focused on. The school I went through only let us double clutch until we passed the test then they took us out to learn floating. I agree with PJ that switching between the 2 is hurting you.

To answer your original question without being there to see it is hard to know for sure but I'm guessing your not being quick enough. With so little weight those shifts points come up quickly.

Double Clutch:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
BK's Comment
member avatar

Avoid relying on floating gears. Focus on doing it the right way. Floating gears was an automatic failure when I was tested. David W hit on my weakness, under- revving. Over rev and catch it on the way down, that’s how I got through it.

Then I was assigned an auto mated unit and so will you be in all probability.

Floating Gears:

An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.

David W.'s Comment
member avatar

Every newbie I’ve ever ridden with was under reving. Wind it up till 18-20 rpms and then shift and you’ll always catch the next gear.

Avoid relying on floating gears. Focus on doing it the right way. Floating gears was an automatic failure when I was tested. David W hit on my weakness, under- revving. Over rev and catch it on the way down, that’s how I got through it.

Then I was assigned an auto mated unit and so will you be in all probability.

Floating Gears:

An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.

Drew D.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks for all the great advice!

I went in today and hammered the road for a solid 6 hours. I did significantly better overall. I added double clutching and started using my clutch to pop my gears out if they were being stubborn.

The mistakes I made were silly and shouldn't happen again. IE: Trying to drop from 6th to 5th and forgetting to flip my splitter.

Also, I need to get better coming to stops in the appropriate gear. They want to see us at a complete stop in the lower gears (5th at the very least). Before we reset to 2nd. That said, I wait too long before downshifting trying to rush down all my gears. I know that this takes time and finesse.

My school makes me move my hands off the shifter when not shifting. I know this is technically how it should be, but man do I feel more in control when I have my hand at the ready on the shifter.

All in all, I test tomorrow after a full day of training. I am air tight on my pretrip and skills. Just need to hope I have acquired enough know how to drive to their satisfaction. I know that I am a safe driver at the very least. Regardless, if I fail, I fail. I will get back on the horse bloody and bruised. No other option.

Double Clutch:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

Double Clutching:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

Thanks for all the great advice!

I went in today and hammered the road for a solid 6 hours. I did significantly better overall. I added double clutching and started using my clutch to pop my gears out if they were being stubborn.

The mistakes I made were silly and shouldn't happen again. IE: Trying to drop from 6th to 5th and forgetting to flip my splitter.

Also, I need to get better coming to stops in the appropriate gear. They want to see us at a complete stop in the lower gears (5th at the very least). Before we reset to 2nd. That said, I wait too long before downshifting trying to rush down all my gears. I know that this takes time and finesse.

My school makes me move my hands off the shifter when not shifting. I know this is technically how it should be, but man do I feel more in control when I have my hand at the ready on the shifter.

All in all, I test tomorrow after a full day of training. I am air tight on my pretrip and skills. Just need to hope I have acquired enough know how to drive to their satisfaction. I know that I am a safe driver at the very least. Regardless, if I fail, I fail. I will get back on the horse bloody and bruised. No other option.

You've got US in your corner, good sir!

Best wishes, in a few!

~ Anne & Tom ~

good-luck.gif good-luck-2.gif good-luck.gif

Double Clutch:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

Double Clutching:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Good luck!

good-luck-2.gif

Drew D.'s Comment
member avatar

Passed my skills test today with flying colors. I pick up my CDL Class A tomorrow and off to work Sunday! I have six weeks of training on a 13 speed, then I get a choice between a 13 speed or an automatic when I get out on my own. Very excited to begin this new chapter in my life!

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Old School's Comment
member avatar

Great news Drew!

We all knew you could do it, and you did. Congratulations!

dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Outstanding!

dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif dancing-banana.gif

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