Shifting Tips or Help.

[Crazyeights08]

So im trying to ease my way into sequential. But i dont know what gear to start off in. (I know when it hits 15 its optimal to switch).

But unknown about whats the next gears..etc and or How to downgrade.

I also looked on youtube, Still doesnt help.

[SavageOutlaw17]

You have to match the RPM's to downshift especially. As for shifting, it depends on whether you have a shifter knob on a wheel or something. Also what kind of truck you have, the load you're carrying and whether or not you're on a hill. You just have to start doing it yourself and then figure out what's best for you and the truck you using and the type of load.

[Capt Fuzzy]

Shifting a manual transmission is truly becoming a lost art, almost no one even teaches it anymore outside of the trucking industry.
I learned how to drive a car on a manual trans, and now, I can drive almost anything with a manual transmission.

To efficiently use a manual transmission, it is important to first know the 'shift pattern' of the transmission that you have. All manual transmissions have a shift pattern, but it can vary greatly from one model of trans to the next.

In terms of truck (semi) transmissions, there is usually a series of 'low range' gears and 'high range' gears and these are switched between through the use of a 'range selector' (I think that's what it's called) which is basically a switch-like device for moving from the low range to the high range and back again. It is used in conjuction with the shift lever to go from one to the other and back again and can be actually mounted to the shift lever for ease of access while shifting.

Normally, as you progress through the gears, you will reach the high end of the low range, engage the range selector and then continue on through the high range until you achieve cruising speed.
Downshifting is just this same process, but in reverse.

[Elwenil]

What gear you start off in will depend on how much the truck weighs. When bobtailling, I usually start out on the high side of 2nd, then skip to 4th. If I am lightly loaded I will start on the low side of 2nd. I usually only use 1st and 3rd if I am pulling heavy or starting on a hill. When I get to high range, I go through 5th through 8th normally, but will split them when I am heavy. A lot depends on the truck and trailer weight, the engine's power and the final drive gear when selecting a transmission. In other words, there is not really much anyone can tell you that will help you in your specific case as there are too many variables. Once you start driving and going through the gears, you will learn the truck and what gear is needed for what speed as well as when you can skip a gear or two.

[Capt Fuzzy]

Originally posted by Elwenil:

What gear you start off in will depend on how much the truck weighs. When bobtailling, I usually start out on the high side of 2nd, then skip to 4th. If I am lightly loaded I will start on the low side of 2nd. I usually only use 1st and 3rd if I am pulling heavy or starting on a hill. When I get to high range, I go through 5th through 8th normally, but will split them when I am heavy. A lot depends on the truck and trailer weight, the engine's power and the final drive gear when selecting a transmission. In other words, there is not really much anyone can tell you that will help you in your specific case as there are too many variables. Once you start driving and going through the gears, you will learn the truck and what gear is needed for what speed as well as when you can skip a gear or two.

Quite true.
As you gain experience with your preferred transmission, you will learn that there are times when you can actually skip gears, as pointed out, depending on load, engine power, etc.
It is also possible to shift gears without depressing the clutch pedal.
This is based on the RPMs of the engine and at what point that the lower gear 'tops out' and is now in the minimum low RPM range of the 'higher gear'. I believe that this is what's referred to as 'floating', but I'm not certain of that term, so please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Bob_Da_Goat]

Sequential is just like a dual clutch transmission, there is no rev match downshifting, you just shift when you feel you need to, i usually go by ear. In terms of starting off it depends on how heavy you are.3-5 usually works fine, then double shift until theres too big of a gap. I think everyone here confused a manual with a sequential. If you want to use a clutch, or want to be able to rev match, then you use manual (wouldnt reccomend doing so unless you have 3 pedals and a shifter). Sequential more simply explained is an automatic, and you just tell it when to shift, like using paddle shifters in a car.

[jcarder36]

in the game i usually change between15 and 17 in the rpm range with an 18 speed eaton fuller

[Elwenil]

Originally posted by Bob_Da_Goat:

Sequential is just like a dual clutch transmission, there is no rev match downshifting, you just shift when you feel you need to, i usually go by ear. In terms of starting off it depends on how heavy you are.3-5 usually works fine, then double shift until theres too big of a gap. I think everyone here confused a manual with a sequential. If you want to use a clutch, or want to be able to rev match, then you use manual (wouldnt reccomend doing so unless you have 3 pedals and a shifter). Sequential more simply explained is an automatic, and you just tell it when to shift, like using paddle shifters in a car.

I think manual is what he means anyway based on his previous post about buying a shifter and using an 18 speed.

[Crazyeights08]

Okay so basically. I usually carry anything that goes into a Reefer. Im getting a Logitech wheel and pedals. And want to get the best playing experience.

Far as the type of truck- I usually use the Peterbuilt Daycabs and or Kenworth W900.

[PvtStash]

It helps to know your engine speed spacing when trying to drive manual with range/split. If you intend on using mainly 18 speed Eaton Fuller boxes then the spacing is fairly basic. A full gear, say 3-4 is 500 rpm and a half gear, 3h-4l would be 250 rpm. So, if you wanted to downshift a full gear you need a 500 rpm increase in engine speed to match road speed. 250 rpm if you intend a half shift.

This is on flat ground, up or downhill will change that spacing as you gain or lose road speed. Most of the engines have an effective power range of around 1200 - 1850 rpm, sweet spot around 1500-1650. There are situations where you run the engine a bit harder, say up to 2000 or so. An example is to gain a little extra road speed uphill so you don't bog the engine on upshift as you will drop speed quickly between gears.

Those spacings are fairly constant, you will run into the odd box here and there that has different spacings for various reasons. And as stated above, it's also how your truck is setup. Diff ratio, engine type and rating, driving style etc etc. Best way is get in there and drive it and you will arrive at a solution that works for you. Happy truckin'.