• Home
    • The Blog
  • Become a Truck Driver
    • Thinking of Becoming a Truck Driver?
    • Getting a CDL License
    • Truck Driving Jobs Guide
    • Trucking Company Guide
    • Trucker Life
  • CDL Training
    • Paid CDL Training
    • CDL Schools
    • Professional Driving Skills + Knowledge
  • Owner Operator
  • Just Trucks
  • Book a Consultation Now!

Smart Trucking

The Smart Trucking Survival Guide for the Trucker

3 Secrets For Truckers For Floating Gears Successfully

November 30, 2019 By Catherine MacMillan

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is.
23shares
  • 3

Truck driver with right hand on shifter knowbFloating gears vs double clutching.

It’s an age old controversy among professional truck drivers.

  1. Double Clutching – Some drivers are of the belief that a semi truck should be shifted the majority of the time, engaging the clutch when changing gears. These drivers believe that this is the correct way to shift as it is best for the longevity of the transmission.
  2. Floating Gears – Other drivers prefer to shift gears without the use of the clutch, other than when starting out or upon occasion. This group is of the belief that overuse of the clutch will lead to problems with the clutch. Many professional drivers who prefer to float gears, complain of knee problems, so sometimes this preference is chosen to avoid knee strain.

3 Secrets to Floating Gears Successfully

  1. Slight Pressure. One of the secrets to floating gears smoothly, is to apply or release a little pressure on the fuel pedal when pulling it in or out of a gear.  The purpose of this is to help it ease into the next hole.
  2. Timing. The timing between shifts is also very important.  Bring the revs up to where the transmission wants to pick up another gear. Then remove your foot from the fuel pedal, wait a second, then slip it into the next hole (gear). Then apply the fuel pedal again.
  3. Don’t Force the Shifter. Remember, there is no need to force the shifter when changing gears with you aren’t using the clutch. Only finger tip pressure is required when pushing and pulling the shifter. This way, the driver can feel when the transmission wants to accept the gear. There is never a need to force a gear if you are shifting properly.

Related > The Ultimate Trucker’s Guide to Double Clutching

Tips For New CDL Drivers

It’s a good idea for the new CDL driver to use the clutch (double clutch) for each and every shift. This is a good idea in order to be comfortable with the use of the clutch.

Once you are comfortable with double clutching, then experiment shifting without using the clutch.

Floating Gears Vs. Double Clutching May Be Obsolete Some Time Soon

With the increasing number of the big trucking fleets spec’ing their trucks with automatic transmissions, there may no longer be a need to learn to double clutch or float gears.

I personally prefer a truck with a manual transmission rather than an automatic transmission.

I much prefer to control when the truck needs the next gear. I don’t like the idea of the automatic transmission choosing the gear, when I’m driving.

I also prefer the standard transmission on slippery roads, as I can feather the clutch, in order to regain traction, in the even of a skid/slide. It can also be used to rock the truck if the truck is stuck in the snow.

I feel the standard transmission gives me more control over the truck and it’s drive line.

But most of all, I enjoy driving a truck with a standard transmission. It’s just part of  trucking.

More Articles For You

  • How To Shift An 18 Speed Transmission Like a Pro
  • How to Back Up a Tractor Trailer Like a Boss
  • 7 Tips to Avoid A Skid in a Big Rig That Really Work
  • DOT Roadside Inspections – 7 Checks Most Truckers Don’t Know About

Gear Shifter in Tractor Trailer

Filed Under: Truck Driver Skills

Recent Articles

  • View of Highway from Big Rig Over Hood3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
    It's critical to protect your CDL. Some smart trucker tips to keep that CDL you've worked so hard for, clean and intact throughout your trucking career. […]
  • Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue PeterbiltDrive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
    In spite of the problems in the trucking industry, there are still a number of truckers who stay with their career, as they love to drive. Dave laments on why he's stayed with the job, in spite of the industry and its faults. […]
  • Convoy of Big RigsTop Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
    We have curated a list of the top trucking companies in Canada to Work for in 2021: best paying, best for new drivers, tanker outfits, long haul carriers. […]
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!
    Truck driver training schools don't teach ALL you need to know about driving a truck. We give 5 things you WON'T learn in CDL school + how to fix that! […]
  • 1981 International Transtar II BlueThe Old Big Rigs – What It Was Like To Drive Them
    A 42+ year trucker laments about driving old big rigs in the '70's and '80's: Transtar Cabover, R Model Mack, Western Star, Kenworth W900A, Cabover Freightliner […]
  • Experienced Veteran Truck Driver Smart Trucking Leaning on 379 Peterbilt5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking
    I have learned a lot from my 40 years as a professional driver. There are 5 things that every one considering a truck driving career and those who are new to the industry should know. […]

Search This Site

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Our Latest Articles

  • 3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
  • Drive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
  • Top Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!

Our Most Popular Articles

  • 7 Things You Need To Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver
  • What Professional Truck Drivers Do Differently Than the Rest
  • Winter Driving Tips For the Trucker | A Professional’s Safety Guide
  • 10 Truck Driving Safety Tips Every Professional Driver Should Follow
COPYRIGHT 2012-2020, SMART TRUCKING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PLEASE NOTE: This site contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product or service links on this site, we may receive commissions if you purchase something. Please note: we would not recommend any product/service we would not use ourselves. Learn more...

Home   |    Affiliates & Disclosures   |   Privacy   |    Advertising   |   Disclaimer   |   Contact   |   Who We Are   | Terms + Conditions   | Sponsorships
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.