It's all about finesse, be smooth, easy, and confident. I'm a floater and have taught it to other drivers for years. I don't normally use the heal/toe method and find it unneccesary. Don't put yourself in situations that would require fancy footwork. Even starting off on a steep hill with a heavy load isn't a problem if you know where the clutch engagement point is. This gives you time to slide your foot from the brake pedal to the throttle as the brakes release and you engage the clutch and apply throttle all in one smooth motion.
Also, as any tanker driver knows, always have the truck in the correct gear for the road speed. That will help when the traffic light turns green just before you get to it and you have to find the correct gear.

As for floating the gears, done right no one knows that you are doing it. Most of the companies that I drove for didn't pay me enough to use the clutch. My first terminal manager stated it the best, he came from a bus background and said that one of his trainers could float the gears and it was so smooth that you couldn't tell. Well there is the secret, if done correctly the gears will mesh so smoothly that it's better than an auto transmission in a Cadillac. Listen to the engine, When it is the quietest is when you can slide the transmission out of any gear. Know what the rpm is between the gears, it's a little different for the different transmissions and this has no effect on road speed. Forget about road speed for now.
Most of the time you'll be looking for about 400+/- rpm either up or down depending on an upshift or downshift. You should be able to hear this before you start trying to float gears.

Also note that you don't have to shift at the same rpm all the time but the same 400 difference will be there.

I was training a guy on gasoline and as I turned the corner and got on the big road he slid over and was watching the tach. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he wanted to see what rpm I was shifting at. I asked him what rpm he wanted and all during the day I gave him shifts at all different rpms. Even ran through Myrtle Beach without touching the clutch by gauging the lights and downshifting all the way down to low if needed.

So relax, plan ahead for the stops and turning corners, and find the right gear before entering the turn. Remember, putting power to the ground will get you out of more jams than hitting the brakes. And quit using the jake brake till you have a lot more experience. I've never drove a truck that had one and ran coast to coast OTR for years. Learn to slow down in time before trying to turn a corner or you will end up with the truck on it's side. This is a sure sign of a new driver.

Practice, practice, practice...nothing beats experience!!!

Mad Fatboy

 

There were a few excellent threads on this some while back. I don't know if they got lost in the "crash," or not. I'm sure I will get "jumped" by the current crew of responders, but I'll give you my best!

I quoted this particular post of yours, because I think it represents your problem best. You are first probably going too fast for the curves in the highway, second under the impression that you want to downshift for better traction (like with a sportscar,) and third, scared to death to be "out of gear."

Slow down! Stay in a gear that you can do the corners with, or use a little brake before entering them and STAY in the gear you're in.

Now.... it might be hard for you (or at least other newbies) to know who is talking about "floating" and who is clutching. I don't think YOU should be floating just yet!

No offense to the oldtimers here, but forget all this crap about "heel and toe" until MUCH later. There is NO reason why you can't do this without such machinations.

I only drove an 8 speed for a short time, but the theory is no different than a 10 speed. If you are trying to downshift from a high speed FOR THE PURPOSE OF slowing the vehicle down.... you are going too fast.... and yes, you will need HIGHER rpm's to get it in gear!

The jakes will ONLY lower your rpm's too quickly, IF you are trying to FLOAT! If you use the clutch.... the jake is disengaged immediately!

Now.... using the standard double clutch method, don't even downshift until a hill or something (like reducing your roadspeed) causes your rpm's to drop to the level just before "lugging" the engine - around 1200 or so (depending on the tranny.)

Then depress the clutch and gently pull the stick out of gear, then rev the engine to the level it gets to just at the point you would UPSHIFT. Again, this will vary.

You can do it slowly, like some suggest, but I don't like that method. I don't JUMP on the fuel pedal, but I punch and release somewhat like I would a CAR. I watch the needle, and when it starts to DROP through the highpoint I just mentioned, I depress the clutch a few inches, and gently "coax" the stick into the gear. (Be ready to go into the next gear, timing is everything!) I like the 3 finger method as mentioned, and ALSO, make sure you are not being LAZY! By this I mean, it needs to be pushed OUT for the outer slots, and pulled IN for the inner slots! It won't go just straight forward or back! Try THIS.... hold your elbow out parallel to the ground! It helps you to hold the stick to the RIGHT or LEFT.

Remember, the jake makes no difference if using the clutch. If you are taking it out of gear and feel like you are freewheeling too quickly, you are probably TOO FAST to downshift! Use the brakes a bit to bring your roadspeed down!

And clutch or not, if it doesn't want to easily slide into gear, you probably need to "goose" the fuel a bit.

Of course, there is more to it.... but these "baby steps" will help you find YOUR confort zone. Sitting STILL on the yard, you can learn how much pressure it takes to "goose" the fuel pedal to the high range (and no higher) of each shift range. Watch how quickly it falls back to the LOW end. That's how much time you have to move the stick! Most people I see, are just TOO slow with the stick.... timing is everything.

I hope this helps, and doesn't offend anyone. KISS!! Keep it simple!!

Clutch, shift (to neutral) FUEL (without the clutch) and then clutch, shift! For some reason I don't want to attempt to explain, FUELING with the clutch in doesn't work so well! It's like a DANCE!! "one, two, three, One two three!"

That means Clutch, shift fuel, Clutch, shift, fuel!!

When you get good at this, you can learn to float! I have NEVER had to use a foot on both pedals!