[Popeye]

I just wanted to let all the posters know that I am very angry with all of them :evil: . I have spent roughly 3 mos. absorbing as much info as I could about this field and have heard what I thought was the hardest parts of the job. So 08/13 I start My CDL training and what do I find out --- SHIFTING :? is the most confusing and at this point the hardest thing.

Actutally this board has been great for information and I would like to say thank you to everyone that has posted useful (and some useless :P ) information. I have drastically improved but my first day I felt really bad for the truck and trainer ops: . I think for the 2 hrs I drove today I had about 10 -12 bad shifts. Compared to Monday when I had about 95% bad shifts. :cry:

Again thanks to everyone that has answered questions for me and all the great info provided by CAD

[Uturn2001]

Every one has their own quirks when it comes to what they find difficult in the actual driving of the truck. For me it was learning how to do a good set up for various backs. A guy I went through school with had a hell of a time with left hand turns of all things.

Just remember it is only difficult until you figure it out.

And when it stops being hard there is always Viagra. :P :P :lol: :lol:

[COLT]

You have to learn to listen to her Popeye, she'll tell you with her reactions, too fast, she'll lurch, too slow, she'll bog down to a stop... You can pump her clutch till your blue in the face, but that won't do a thing to get her home...
Remember, she's in charge... Listen to her, feel her reactions and adjust your timing, it's all in the timing... Next time, we'll talk about different ways to shift ... Not all gear boxes are the same, newer trucks tend to be much less forgiving, the older ones are much easier to get home...

[Kranky]

Just remember: NEVER "jam" the shifter in gear.

If it won't engage smoothly, then you're doing something wrong.

[Sabine]

I am the gal who couldn't turn left. We spend days in an industrial park, going right, right, right.......

I never made a left turn. I almost failed my test because I swung so wide I didn't make it around the corner.

I have gotten better, but my instructors where baffled how anyone could make beautiful right hand turns and then screw up turning left....well they should have taught that too.

[Drew10]

Hey Popeye, know this, everyone of us went trough exactly what you are going through, especially the shifting, everybody had a difficult time learning how to mash the gears correctly.

You already know the basics, you must practice. If you are determined you will get better and smoother at the shifting. Just dont give up, you will be surprised how quickly you will master it.

Then the real problem will occur. If your 4wheeler is a stick shift, and you've been out with the big truck for many weeks, you will try and shift the 4wheeler like the big truck, and wait till you make that 1st right hand turn in the 4wheeler :shock: , its almost comical. :lol: :lol:

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

Originally Posted by Popeye

I just wanted to let all the posters know that I am very angry with all of them :evil: . I have spent roughly 3 mos. absorbing as much info as I could about this field and have heard what I thought was the hardest parts of the job. So 08/13 I start My CDL training and what do I find out --- SHIFTING :? is the most confusing and at this point the hardest thing.

Actutally this board has been great for information and I would like to say thank you to everyone that has posted useful (and some useless :P ) information. I have drastically improved but my first day I felt really bad for the truck and trainer ops: . I think for the 2 hrs I drove today I had about 10 -12 bad shifts. Compared to Monday when I had about 95% bad shifts. :cry:

Again thanks to everyone that has answered questions for me and all the great info provided by CAD

You must go to a good school.. I didnt have more then 1.5 hours behind the wheel before i was doing the road test in St Louis .. You'll do fine.. double clutching isn't that bad.. I had a good laugh watching the other people in my truck trying to single clutch it everytime.. then telling the instructor they did double clutch it :lol:

[RebelDarlin]

Oh Popeye, you'll be fine! Everything is hard the first time you try it. By the time you're done you'll be wondering why you thought it was so hard. 8)

I think for the 2 hrs I drove today I had about 10 -12 bad shifts. Compared to Monday when I had about 95% bad shifts. :cry:

See you're already getting better!

Do you remember first learning to drive a stick shift car? Bet you stalled that a few times too. :wink: It will get easier, don't be too hard on yourself.

[Popeye]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragment. Yeah I am getting better I just never thought that shifting was going to be one of the harder aspects of driving :roll: . We have only done straight line backing so far so I am sure that come angle time it will get even worse. :? Well off I go to class so I can make some more metal dust :shock:

[continental]

Don't worry, you will scratch a gear every now and then throughout your career.
WE ALL DO! Anybody says otherwise is a liar. :wink: