Are Trucking Companies Switching To Automatic Transmissions?
Topic 4925 | Page 7
when did this ruling apply ..do you know ?
I just started hearing about this in the past few months and I don't even know if it's nationwide or if it's on a state by state basis. But we've had several people in here that were told they would have a restriction on their license if they tested in an automatic.
Many states have it now it goes federal January 15th I believe.
Va has it now I had to make sure they did not put the restriction on it. I double checked when they left tanker off.
I heard at school from my instructor that Millis is transitioning into automatics. I actually didn't get my chosen trainer because they just gave her a new 2015 Kenworth automatic. I personally want to drive manual for a few years but must say I wouldn't mind an automatic after that. We haul mostly beer and from what I hear it doesn't change the ability to haul it like a manual transmission.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I just started hearing about this in the past few months and I don't even know if it's nationwide or if it's on a state by state basis. But we've had several people in here that were told they would have a restriction on their license if they tested in an automatic.
Hey Bret, here in Texas you can test in an automatic and not get the restriction on your license. Just a FYI 
Things are getting a little hostile here. Let's all down shift a gear or two. First off let me explain my thought process for the Jake. You have to look at the fact that you're controlling two separate vehicles. When you use the Jake you're only slowing one vehicle at a time. The problem with this is that during wet weather you're only slowing the front vehicle and allowing the trailer to want to take the lead. Anyone can see why this is not an ideal situation to be in. Can you use the Jake on wet roads? Of course, but why would you want to add more risk then need be.
As far as shifting, I think you haven't given floating gears enough of a chance. Using the Jake may be the problem or it may be the old tranny. In my opinion you need turn the Jake off and learn to use proper braking techniques. Then maybe you can really start controlling your rpm and road speed well enough to make smooth shifts.
That's all I got. Have a good day
Well, I'm going to try no jake brake when I get back in the truck. Maybe it will help with floating.
Floating Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
- You might not be accelerating hard enough to relieve the pressure on the gears when you let off the gas. Try mashing on the gas harder as you're accelerating.
- When you do let off the gas, don't do it slowly. Do it instantly.
- Make sure you have a little pressure on the shifter before letting off the gas and "pop" it out of gear the moment you lift your foot. Don't try to slowly ease it out of gear.
- You have a window of about 1/10 of a second from the time you let off the gas until the weight of the trailer puts pressure on the gears from the other direction and keeps you locked into gear. So you have to accelerate hard and pop your foot off the gas pedal quickly while popping the shifter out of gear at the same time.
When you see a veteran do it, it seems like they're doing it slowly and smoothly but in reality they're making quick, sharp movements off the gas and out of gear. Keep the word "pop" in your head. Like I said, you only have about 1/10 of a second where the pressure is off the gears. Jump off the gas and pop the shifter out of gear at the same time.
Good to know. Those points are probably why. I was definitely trying to do it slow and smoothly.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Good to know. Those points are probably why. I was definitely trying to do it slow and smoothly.
Yap, do it with quick movements - mash on the gas, quickly come off the gas, and pop it out of gear the exact moment you take your foot off the gas. Once you get the feel for it a bit you'll be able to do it a bit more gently. It won't take long to get the feel for it.
Hey Brett, here in Texas you can test in an automatic and not get the restriction on your license. Just a FYI
Thanks Photogirl!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hey guys ...
for what it's worth ,,,about any ""restrictions"" On CDL licenses OR about ""automatic transmissions and Manual trans."" ( i asked a few instructors Idaho "these guys are qualified for ORE & Wash. as am I " / skills testers He does Idaho Only .. ) there no restrictions , as of " present "NOT to say the states wont in 2015 ,,, just like some states vary requirements for testing for CDL pretrip /range ( backing skills ) and road test paramaters ) distances ...Oregon Vs Idaho Vs texas ..texas doesn't do a pre trip ...Idaho does .....and they all vary nation wide ...if I went to colorado "though I'm certified to instruct ,, "i'd have to study states parameters / pre trip req's / backing req's etc ...
and the way people learn how to shift gears is going to be different ,,, we were req'd to teach double clutch method w/ Sage . ..to break torque off input shaft and being easier of tranny ....then some co.'s wanted the person to float the gears "mandatory " I can doe either ...
but I double clutch when pulling a hill & down shifting "so I dont miss a gear ' ..."and seldom use a jake in snow & ice going down hill "...seen it lock the drives & slide ...but will go down in same gear went up in ...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Float The Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Yea that's what I'm hearing at school too about companies going automatic. One of the guys told me he trained on a auto cause PAM uses autos but had no restrictions on his cdl. I have also heard of companies going to auto sticks and from what I heard that is a transmission that allows you to choose between manual or auto. Now that would be pretty cool.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Funny you should mention "floating"! Talking to me Schneider Recruiter today I was told that "school" would teach me to double clutch because they didn't allow floating! LOL You do what they tell you to get the check!
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
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Automatic Transmissions Safe Driving Tips Tips For Shifting Tips For Shifting Truck Equipment Questions
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I just started hearing about this in the past few months and I don't even know if it's nationwide or if it's on a state by state basis. But we've had several people in here that were told they would have a restriction on their license if they tested in an automatic.