Braking While Turning

I just finished my first week of cdl school yesterday. They let us drive a truck around for the first time yesterday. I was completely terrified and I felt ill and sad all day. Not sure why it's making me so emotional, but I know it's partially because I don't feel in control of this large, dangerous machine that I am directing.

I'm trying to figure out the most fundamental things I don't know this weekend. There's one thing I can't figure out about turning. Yesterday I did a right turn and I turned too late and ran over a curb with the front wheels of my tractor. Before I ran over the curb, I braked to stop from hitting it. When I braked, the engine shut off. It is my understanding that the engine shut off because I was breaking while turning sharply. But isn't breaking while turning something I will need to do normally if I have to make a sharp right turn onto a two-way road with other vehicles in my path?

I hope someone can explain this to me.

Was the clutch in?

Was the clutch in?

My thoughts as well....

Was the clutch in?

My thoughts as well....

I feel it's a valid question. Because unless it's an automatic-training truck with some kind of tec that shuts it down, which I guess is possible.

For the original poster, if you were to turn into say a brick wall. That truck will have no problems going right through it. So a curb isn't really going to slow it down at all. Which is why I asked if the clutch was in or out. If it was out and you hit the brakes then yes. It will shut off. More or less the same concept if you were to let off the clutch to fast in to high of gear.

Was the clutch in?

My recollection is the clutch was disengaged and it was in 4th gear..

I guess if I was braking, I should have had the clutch engaged..

Relax... everyone has been in the same spot. Your not the first and won't be the last to kill it.😁

Was the clutch in?

My recollection is the clutch was disengaged and it was in 4th gear..

I guess if I was braking, I should have had the clutch engaged..

Also not to bust your chops but you have that backwards.

You should've had the clutch disengaged or foot on. Instead of engaged with your foot off. Remember it takes two feet to come to a complete stop.

Yup you just stalled it. No biggie we've all done it. You were probably so focused on the curb and turn you forgot all about the clutch.

It time it will become more natural

Relax and take a deep breath. You are in your first week and your first drive. Don't over think it. Your instructors are there to teach you. We have all been there. You can do this. Just take it one day at a time. If you haven't already, ask your instructor about it. Good luck.

As everyone else has stated don't stress it. I grew up driving manuals so when I get in one my left foot moves without me even realizing it. I just finished week three of my training and I can't tell you how many times I got so miscombobulated stopping or turning that my left foot never left the floorboard and the truck came to a halt. It happens. You're not the first to do it and won't be the last. No biggie.