he probably listens to tell when the engine is tacking out. when i fist started floating I would listen to the turbo and when it leveled out I would level out the fuel (stop pushing and maintain the rpm steady) then pull on the stick and it just floats out of gear. let up the fuel (not all the way cause I run with the jakes on) and let the rpms drop just like when clutching then stick it in gear and resume pressing fuel down. with a little practice it will become one smooth fluid motion. after a while you stop listening and just start to feel when you are at the top range of that gear. couple things to remember. you must make sure that the gears are properly meshed before you apply fuel again or they will slip apart under the load and could damage the gears (and makes one hell of a racket) floating down works the same way but requires a little more practice. most of floating is all about fuel peddle control being able to bump the rpms and let them fall the desired amount each time.

 

You're a truck driver aintcha? Don't be a wuss. If I can drive a @#%@# Super 10, you can drive that truck.

 

If you ARE strong enough to jam it into gear, kiss a u-joint good-bye or even a tranny. I lost a u-joint in a pickup I used to have after it would not go into gear. Turns out the clutch was the problem, but I got'er into 3rd gear. U-joint didn't agree with that move and the next thing I hear was a loud pop and the driveshaft bouncing off the floorboard.

I've found a way to shift that is a cross of floating gears and double clutching. I use the clutch but only need to push it in once. Now and then I miss it and have to double but it's rare. New guy tried my truck and could not shift without double clutching. He had watched me and was trying to do it the same way.

 

Once you get used to floating gears, you will forget how to use the clutch to shift...I tried to double clutch a few weeks ago and thought I was gonna tear the trans out of the truck....when back to floating very quick....once you get it down, you wont ever have to think about when to shift, you will just know when...

Rick

 

I learned to drive from a guy who only floated gears. I got use to that, but when I learned to double clutch...I became a better driver...in my opinion. With RPM shifting...you BETTER know your "go-to" gears.

Now with your heavy load ...low speeds...I still would use the clutch.
I disagree with what you were told. In lower gears...I shift at lower RPM's and I don't power up much. In other words...let the tranny do the work.
My double-clutch is as fast as a shift gets...so I don't agree with this slower shift stuff. :P
If you ARE GOOD at floating...sure...no problem. I slip gears that way a lot as well...but not under every circumstance.
The higher you run your RPM's before you shift up or down...the harder it is to find that sweet spot. You can get rather routine with it...but by not being in any big hurry...your rig will respond nicer.

I still float gears...just for something to do.
same deal in floating...don't be in a hurry. If you are in a hurry, or need to use more power...and/or downshifting under load...use that clutch.

I recommend using the clutch in all circumstances, and floating only when your bunion is hurting too much. :lol: ...or when you are resting your legs up on the dash...and laying back with your belt unbuckled. :lol: :lol: :lol: snif...burp. :?

 

Once you get used to shifting, you will instinctively know when the rpm's are right for shifting. Initially, you will probably want to check the tachometer. It just takes practice. NEVER force it into gear. If it doesn't go into gear easily, you may want to increase or decrease your rpm's until it does.

 

Or use the clutch? :lol:

 

Well, you could use the clutch, Fozzy. But where's the fun in doing that? :wink:

 

Yeah, A person might scuff their chrome tipped faux ostrich boots or something :shock:

 

I shift with the clutch, without, which ever works the best.
When I don't use the clutch, I shift by the sound of the motor. Rarely look at the tach. Something that just takes experience.

Hauling Tanker:
When it gets interesting is when the wave comes to the front of the tanker and that changes my shifts. Takes timing then, shift in between the waves. :shock: When there is 3/4 a load, higher the rpm's accelerating, bigger the wave. LOL