How to Double Clutch in a Big Rig: Trucker Tips
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Dave gives some guidelines and tips for new drivers and drivers in training, for clutching in a big rig.
Dave reviews some of the points regarding controversy over whether the clutch should be utilized when shifting.
Mechanics say that the clutch is absolutely necessary when shifting as the use of the clutch makes it easier on the transmission. There are varying opinions on clutch use.
No doubt, overuse of the clutch will burn out a clutch prematurely and it is quite expensive to replace one.
Some tips, tricks and information which may be helpful, especially to new drivers.
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This guy is a phenomenal instructor. It's too bad he can't be cloned and millions of him sent out to help new drivers learn correctly the FIRST time. ;)
When I was in truck school, my instructor told us that it was better to have no experience in a manual transmission car before getting in the truck was better. But, I have always disagreed with that because having an idea of how the clutch works, even though the truck is different than a car, is helpful compared to getting in the truck with absolutely no experience with a manual transmission.
When shifting as rookie.....say in ur head
Clutch...neutral..clutch..gear....
what wears out a clutch? It's friction. If you use the clutch every shift, you're gonna get some amount of friction, depending on how closely you can match engine rpm's to the transmission rpms. So in mho, when you float through the gears (don't use clutch), you're not gonna have any friction because the clutch is always engaged. I've put 1.3 million miles on my truck,
has original clutch
The last little part of he saying to not get discouraged. I'm in that boat right now working with my shifting but I'm gonna stay positive and continue to try my best...Thanks inspirational video
If you're using the clutch while you're driving down the road you're wasting clutch plate float the gears is the right way to drive it doesn't do any damage when done properly and it saves your clutch
THIS GUY IS SO SMOOTH HE GLIDES WHEN HE WALKS
I truly thank you for posting this video. This is really helping me. I learned more in 10 mins now than i did 8 weeks/160 hours at my school....
I love that whistling sound when the turbo kicks in
I found all your video well in depth and very useful. this is perhaps the good part of the you tube
Just for clarification. Double clutching is the synchronization of the input and output shafts. If you are stopped at a light, per say once you came to a stop in the gear in which you intend to move off, you need the clutch to be just below friction point no need to go any deeper. How would you execute progressive shifting with a loaded truck on a loss if you were to depress the clutch pedal that deeply with shocking the drive-train in order not to loose momentum? Likewise, consider the same scenario on a gain. You don't have to go that deep with your clutch pedal travel. Pressing the clutch to the floor should never be done if the truck is already in gear or if in motion, no matter how slow. This can ruin the clutch brake. (NB---- Clutch have to be properly adjusted)
Great video! I have watched several of them and you teach like you shift. So smooth and simple!
thank you! Dave
Hey Dave..You remind me of the guys who trained me ..gr8 guys i'm 53 n thinking of getting in again since 2008...but thank God I still remember everything they taught me to this day..n I will use it every time...gr8 Vid Kid...
Free beer and food at Dave's house night? Haha
Love your tips
Had to watch again. Make sure I practice this method on the practice yard.
Wonderful instructor. Knows what he's talking about.
Man my dad use to drive them rigs I really missed them ol school truckers 👍🏿👍🏿
I agree most of the trucks I've driven like the clutch when changing the low/ high range. Also on the second press of the clutch as you shift into gear it's a softer tap on the clutch as you feel the gears sync.
I like how you go over the little things. great Vid.
Thanks! Dave
Good information. Thanks for taking the time to film and post.
I watch these because I wanna be a truck driver these are good tips thanks!
Seems floating the gears is the preferable way to go. Thanks for presenting your side of the 'argument'- bottom it's about what works for you.
That's right! Dave
The 7 dislikes must be automatic tranmission drivers.
or chair seaters
Thank you so much for that demonstration. I am sitting now in front of this School that offers a 4 months course to get Class A and license and Haz Mat certified. I have welded for the for 20 years, and the the money I use to make was good, not so good now.
I prefer driving over anything else in life. And I have a clean driving record.
So I hope that this makes for a better life for me.
Again, Thanks for video. 😊
Thank you for watching! Good luck! Dave
Cool I wish you were my driving instructor in trucking school.
much respect for truck drivers. .
Man, I sure have done my fair share of slip seating. Macks, Kenworths, Peterbilts, White Freightliners, Autocars, even cab overs and probably some others. I never realized how many different ones I did drive over 12+ years, lol. Whites seemed to be the easiest to me, and I liked the way they felt. Good video!
+dontswin Thanks! Dave
Great job starting off by explaining the clutch brake. Side note is how sometimes you have to sometimes let up off the pedal a little bit if it wont go into 1st or reverse.
+mike anderson Too much clutch brake can mess up the rpm match between engine and transmission if the truck had been in motion. Dave
I switch back and forth between two manual cars pretty regularly. One shifts nice and quickly, the other has this annoying, inconsistent rev hang, and I always get thrown off for the first hour or so when I switch between them.
I absolutely love your dashboard and steering wheel, they are beautiful.
Thanks! Dave
I will try double clutching, i just started working for a guy and he gave me a new truck 13 speed transmission and i hate it when i shift gears and i hear/feel that grinding, i don’t force any gears and try to give it the right rpms but i think i just have to find the sweet spot and know more the truck, it usually happens when i try to down shift. Thanks for helping us the new drivers out. Well appreciated.
My pleasure, good luck! Dave
Great video Dave. You put my mind at ease.
Hey Thanks! Dave
Great video , will watch it another 100 times.
I love you unc! You give the best advice to all off us
Well thank you sir! Dave
my uncle and cousin are both drivers and i'll be going for my cdl after the holidays and they both told me that a good rule of thumb about how far to push the clutch down is to get it about even with the brake pedal since clutches usually sit higher than the other pedals
Double clutching is a relic of the twin stick days. My first week of drive, I tried single cluthing - no difference, you still have to time the gears.
I struggled big time today, hope tomorrow is better
this is the best example of double clutching thank u sir everyone been telling me but it don't compare to u explanation
thank you. your videos have helped me get your cdl and learn better driving skill along the way
Love the videos! I've been following you for a year or so, I think.
Floating is the way to go. Only time I use clutch is starting up from dead stop
Everybody hating on his methods,, they seem to have worked out well for him!
What a great teacher, thank you
Happy to help!
I'm considering going to school for my cdl-a. Thank you for explaining this so well. Reading about it didn't really work for me
That's a lot of knowledge 👍
Awesome info, this is your best video imo, thanks
Thank you! Dave
I'm watching your videos it all way useful. thanks
Thank you! Dave
Excellent video, solid advice thanks
Thank you! Dave
It all depends on what mechanic you talk to 90% of mechanics would rather you float the gears there's less damage to the whole system as long as you're doing it smooth
Thanks teacher. Greetings from Mexico.
I've been floating gears since my first day driving, its the only way I know how. I couldnt double clutch to save my life. I might bumb the clutch to come out of gear sometimes, but never into gear. I hold one finger on the shifter and just let it fall into place with proper RPM. Double clutching would seem to take far too long to get though the downstairs gears, be hard on my leg, and create unneeded clutch wear.
thats one beautiful Dash I must say
The old trucks and buses I drive didn't have clutch brakes. You had to do it all manually and by ear. I think he clutch brake make shifting a lot easier. Sometimes I'd shift completely without the clutch. You only need the clutch to start and stop.
That is one beautiful truck you got there, plus it's got a cat engine just makes it awesome.
Lol 90% of truck drivers would not be able to handle the job if they had to double clutch all the time
Good video thanks for the info
I've been driving Trucks since 1980 and I've driven all types of standard transmissions, Because the transmissions do not have synchronizers, weather you use the clutch or as you are saying float shifting, if your speed to rpm ratio is not right it will not go in gear clutch or no clutch without bumping gears and that's a no no. I don't know if they are teaching these new steering wheel holders how to pay attention to speed and rpm to determine what gear they should be in, but to many out there are jamming gears taring up trucks, and that is why companies are going to automatic transmissions, You are right if they are taring up equipment then that person is not a valuable employee he is a costly employee. Al I know is I have driven probably as many of the same types of trucks as you, and of this new generation of drivers I've seen vary few that could operate even an automatic. Unfortunately not everyone can be or is a Trucker, just sitting behind the wheel holding the wheel does not make a TRUCKER !!! I really enjoy you video's and I hope everyone really listens.. You remind me of the man that Taught me to drive a truck in 1980 He lives in Surrey BC and at the time he was an owner operator leased on to Van Kam...
Thanks for writing in David! Chances are if your mentor lived and drove in B.C. he could drive. One of the old guys that taught me lots was from out there too. I still think of him every time I run the hills out there. Dave
Yes I really miss living in Washington and running Canada and the Northwest, I've even run the Alcan into Alaska, boy that was a run I've made many times. I really think drivers that learned to drive in the mountains are the only ones that can shift a truck and keep it moving forward in all weather were a driver needs to know his speed and rpm and how that particular truck runs... When I started driving the pay was .18 cents per bed bug mile. I think about the guy that taught me all the time. Every Driver should be required to learn from an old school trucker, in order to make the cut.
Smart-Trucking.com. Older manual buses had to use the clutch brake for shifts.
Knife through hot butter.....lol thanks for the video!!
Lol you answered my ? to another guy on another vid right away in the beginning. So it's not a sychronizer that slows/stops the clutch to shift into 1st when you start off.
thank you!
when you get really good you will triple or even quadruple clutch!
Huh. Trick question. Going to have to think about that. Dave
Awesome truck
Phen0mable
thank you Dave
I'm still on the school now .....I got problem with double clutching ....I forget then I clutch 1 time then gear ...1 time then gear
I shift my C15 at 1800 rpm. Unless loaded climbing a hill, then 2000. Probably the difference in transmissions tho. I have a 10 speed.
Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Usually get 45000 plus miles out of a clutch most wear is from docking
Oops 450000 on clutch or more
good tips, wish me luck.
I don’t comment much, and I am not looking for haters or praise, But I have my opinion and observations, first things first . Nobody knows how to operate a truck better than the owner of the truck , other thing, my dad had to replace his knee on his left leg, and people that double clutch thinks it is nominal to replace clutches often , so I don’t even talk to them about it. A clutch can last a long time or miles. Over a million in some cases, and it is from not using it. And the transmission is just fine also, a mechanic telling you to use the clutch is like a tire guy throwing nails in the road. Maybe not that bad but it’s you tube and we can say what ever
I don't mean to be rude but when a driver can shift smoother (while using the clutch than floating) I think he needs more experience. Also can you imagine how many times the clutch linkage is used in a year while double clutching compared to floating? Doesn't make sense.
Hello everyone! Imagine situation: you drive at 1500 rpm, let off the gas and depress and hold clutch pedal(no clutch braking!). After second your rpm drop to 1300. What is rpm of input shaft (clutch disk) are at the same moment? What will slow down faster - flywheel or input shaft of transmission?
Александр Коловрат the input shaft because the flywheel has a larger moment of inertia than the smaller input shaft. I’m just learning this stuff. Is that correct?
Dave u should be a Driving Instructor
thank you.
Just only have to use it for 1st and reverse.
Nice! Thank you...
Thank you sir !
You are awesome
Thanks! You too!
Mechanic told me the way I floated gears was okay he had seen broke gears from improper floating
That's how I was trained. 20 years and counting
Excellent..!!!👍🎸
Why not keep the clutch depressed from gear release *through* to next gear engagement?
It seems like it would be the most efficient, instead of depressing the clutch twice for the same purpose.
Thank you!
Let's say u roll to a stop sign or red light and pop the truck into 1st or 2nd before you come to a complete stop (so your already in gear waiting for the light to go green) would u have the clutch to the floor while maintaining it in gear while stopped?? what position would the clutch be in??
+Stefan B Clutch almost all the way down to the floor. Dave
+Stefan B only need to full clutch if you're at a complete stop and not in gear. In most things, it's quicker and smoother to shift back to first when rolling to stop, so you can just ease off the clutch to take off again; same applies even with syncho'ed transmissions (cars/pickups, etc.), shifts are easier with a little bit of momentum (especially on a grade) than coming to a complete stop then shifting.
i have something as rare as a new volvo with a manual gearbox :) i like that over the autos. the next truck i mite get a finnsih sisu and that one you can get with a detroit 16 litre and 18 speed fuller :)
good video , lol your from canada ha ha I can tell!! the way you say "out"
wait for it....wait for it....
Do you really need the clutch when pulling it out of the gear ? (assuming you adjust the throttle correctly so there is little to no power going trough the transmission).
Have heard mechanics say not using the clutch at all is the best when shifting if you are able to do it correctly. I myself have only experience shifting without clutch on motorcycles and did it all the time because it was simply much faster and simple. Did also hear a guy with a 600hp rally car say he never used the clutch to shift when he was racing and according to him his gearboxes lasted longer then the other who used the clutch.
Eatons' manual tells you to use the clutch, and I'm sure they have a good reason for that, they design and build the transmissions but I've known guys who rarely use it and go years with no issues. Dave
i been having a hard time double clutching i dont know if its the way my instructor is pushing me making me panic or if im just not pushing it enough
When you drive an 18 speed Eaton Fuller transmission +SmartTrucking do you pull the shifter forward or back to take it out of neutral if you don't mind me asking lol thank you.
+Kirkland Batiste Neutral is a central position with gears available either forward or back, depending on what gear you want. Dave
OK well this is my last question how do I put the semi in neutral
+Kirkland Batiste Take it out of gear lol
What do you do when it's 40 below and the transmission and driveline slow right down as soon as you shift to neutral? Would it be easier to float gears under those conditions until the driveline warms up?
What year is this truck?
Do you have any videos on a super ten transmission?I bought one I enjoy only shifting half the time but you know more than I do maybe you could show the proper way of a super ten....
I've never driven one Tommy. Can you tell me, what's the difference between a ten speed and a super ten? I don't even know that! Dave
Smart-Trucking.com A super u shift with the selector switch instead of going thru clutch,neutral,gear u use the switch in every gear so it cuts the shifting to a five speed instead of a ten.If that makes any sense...Example 1/2 are the same gear 3/4 are the same gear etc.The switch change the gear when u get to the right rpm’s.
If your RPM is right when you re-engage the clutch it wont burn the clutch.
do all trucks have a clutch brake?
All standard transmission trucks do. Dave
+Smart-Trucking.com hello i am learning how to drive the trucks but last time i tried it with cargo in the back it started shaking idk if i let the clutch go fast or idk
Is there a need to match RPM still in here? Just curious it doesn't sound like you're giving any throttle when you go to put it back into gear.
When down shifting? Yes. Dave
Dave. Where were you when I was learning as a kid with my uncle. His method was to scream at you and not give any explanation at all.
Got a laugh out of me there! Did the screaming method work? Dave
When I first bought my volvo with the cat 3176. Full out governered to 1800 rpm's. It took awhile to get use to the low revs of this cat. my truck shifts best at 900 to 1400 rpms. as compared to the Cummins and Detroits and ih's I was use to. Interesting thing is you can take two identical trucks of any make and they won't shift exactly the same either
Thanks for your info. You seem to be a very experienced driver that knows your stuff. I have a question...what do you do when you come up to a stop sign and you are not loaded and want to "bump a gear" and keep going? Like an "almost stop" but still barely rolling before taking off again? I have been tapping the accelerator and grabbing 3rd gear before the truck completely stops but sometimes it's stressful if someone is behind me and I miss a gear. Do you double clutch for this too?
Clutching once should do it if you're rolling slowly. Just don't rush the shift. Dave
Do you really double clutch with your years of experience or do you float like I do?
Honestly my truck does seem to prefer the clutch when changing ranges but prefers floating the gears for the rest of the shifts. Dave
Im bought me a gear shifter for 18 gear, is the best to watch your how to shift 18 gear ? ( for american truck sim)
Yes, I think so. Dave
do all trucks require double clutching?
As far as I know, all manual big rigs requires double clutching.
So is floating gears bad for the truck?
No it is not
Only if your rough with it. If you don't know what you're doing, you can chip a tooth in a gear. A well broke in transmission with like 300,000 miles is more forgiving than a brand new one, as tge gears aren't as tight. It's all in synchronization. If you can synch the gears well, they'll fall right into the hole.