This is a great video! Really explains and shows how hard it is to start out driving a semi truck! Super nice of Andrew to let you use his equipment and take time to teach you.
I agree that that was extremely generous of him especially considering I could have easily damaged it. Although I certainly would have fixed it if I did. I was originally going to edit this and chop it up more, but I felt leaving the full driving experience with struggles displayed it best
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow It is awesome showing all the steps that go into driving a semi. I love this video you guys did. Some of those roads you drove on were pretty narrow!!
That was little rough to watch. Some thoughts to put things into perspective: Ive been driving manual since I was 17 and have never owned an automatic. I can float the gears in my 12v cummins / NV4500 transmission all day long smooth as butter. That being said, as you can see even with being experienced driving manual, this unsynchronized 8LL is definitely a challenge. I don't fully understand why people say dont use the clutch even a little bit just to help ease the gear change? Especially for when you're first starting out and are not familiar with the particular rig. Also, for anybody wanting to learn, I definitely don't suggest starting out on tight mountain roads with slopes. Was a little sketch there! Haha. Anyway those are just a few thoughts I had and I hope this video serves to display how driving an 8LL can be challenging at first. Huge thank you to Andrew for allowing me to drive his rig.
I hear ya. I learned to drive manual on a 1948 Ford 1-ton with no synchros. Had to double clutch every gear change and it certainly helped that I learned when I was a kid and my brain was more "flexible" than it is now!
I had trouble with just normal double clutch shifting so had to get an automatic licence rather than spending more money. thinking of going back to give it another go now though
Double clutch, it's a pain but it works and will sort out your shifting issues. As you become more comfortable with that trans you'll be able to shift without the clutch.
@@robftzptr4438 Exactly. Far too many "operators" try to run before they've learned to walk and it rarely ever pays off well. I'm of the mind that if you're going to learn to operate a heavy truck that you should be taught to double clutch and learn how to shift by the numbers, as it were. You'll know how to "properly" shift a heavy trans and use your gearing to its best advantage. Learning how to stop is equally as important as learning how to get moving forward, as is learning how to correctly reverse a big vehicle. Take your time, get it right the first time and you'll never regret it.
Andrew is the coolest . Even as busy as he is , he still shares his time and equipment . Owners understand how hard it is to let someone learn how to drive using your stuff. You really have to appreciate a man like this . Great content . Shifting , timing engine rpm matching etc. is an art , like Andrew said , it takes time and practice to hear and feel all at once . I have a old Pete with a 5/4 dual trans, I have missed gears and had to just pull over and start all over , yes it's embarrassing , but humiliation builds strength , patience , character and understanding .
Andrew is amazing ! I basically watch your channel because you remind me a lot of him . That’s awesome you guys got to hang out . Great job 👏 It takes balls to drive a truck like that !
400 rpm step on the down shift is almost always a good sweet spot. I’ve been driving a truck for 20 years now seems like yesterday when I got my license. Keep up the progress.
Mr Andrew, you did an awesome job teaching your friend. Everything you said was on point. Not to mention how brave you are. When I'm teaching a new driver to me, I take them in the fill pit as we call it in the Bahamas 🇧🇸. Lol. The pits have steep hills and plenty room for the new driver to correct themselves without costing my heart to speed up so quickly if they make any mistakes. Once again awesome job and great videos.
Man you did great! That’s a rough transmission to learn on. Most of the trucks Halliburton had (in the early 1980’s) were the Fuller Road-ranger RTO 9513. It was a Cadillac of a transmission. High/low range with a splitter. I learned double clutching and never really got away from it. I could drive clucthless, just didn’t for some reason. It’s a different ballgame, driving a truck. Btw, gorgeous country!
Everyday we learn something new. I also drove a huge bus that I never driven before once, cause the driver was too tired to stay awake and I volunteered even though I was a passenger. It was a city to city private trip about 500kms. At night luckily, empty freeway driving for most part....but lots of steep up and down sections. Was on full alert and did it.....Enjoyed it as well. Oooooooh love the dog
Nice, not bad for a beginner. Practice makes perfect. After a bit you won't even think about it,you'll just do it. I drove a 59 International 20 speed dump truck with two transmissions, it was fun shifting multiple times backing up in the quarry. When first learning how to drive a different truck you watch everything then it becomes habit and you start shifting by ear. Good video. Happy Motoring.
I remember when I had a crash course with a 1990 international with a 12 foot plow and the road ranger with out a jake brake.They are something else! After two snow storms I loved that truck, not so much in the beginning. Down shifting is frustrating! But like he said it’s all feel. That was 25 years ago, killed me to see that go to the junkyard 5 years ago. You definitely would have saved it.😢
I thought I knew how to drive a manual before watching this video... I thought wrong LOL. This is so so so much harder than a 6 speed / 5 speed... crazy stuff!
I had to watch this because I drive a tractor trailer and I've been driving for the last 10 years or so. My previous tractor trailer was an 18 speed, but with the powerful Cummins that was in my Pete I didn't need all of those gears, I used 2nd-18th...skipping gears. Basically I shifted it like an 8 speed, but I split gears as well. My current truck is a 2018 International with a Cummins ISC with a 10 speed and it doesn't have a splitter, so it's 5 low, 5 high. My first non-synchro trans was a 13 speed 28 ton wireline truck. I had never driven a non-synchro trans before and I was following a guy that I had just met through the Allegheny Forest here in PA and he was flying. I was grinding gears and after driving that truck for a couple of months I was slap shifting it and I was getting bitched at saying that it's not my Honda...lmao Just keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it. A non-synchro clutch pedal has 1-3" of free-play, 3-6" of engagement (where you shift), and the rest is what's called a trans brake. You only push the pedal to the floor when you're coming to a stop. When you're shifting (double clutching in the process) you only push the pedal 3-6" and it'll slide right into gear. Also, when you're about to start up or down a hill choose your gear before you go up or down and stay in that gear until you crest the hill or reach the bottom and that'll act as your jake brake.
Love love love it. Reminds me of when I started on the road. I burnt out a clutch on my first trip. The fitter explained to me how to drive not using the clutch. Good old sedon Atkinson 🥳🥳
I learned on a 1949 Mack L series with a 4x4 I was 14. Every time I reached for the clutch my uncle who owned the log truck would slap my upside the head. I learned fast. We never called it "floating gears," that phrase seems to have arisen in the last 20 years or so. We just called it shifting without the clutch. It was a harder lesson when I took drivers education in a car. You have to use a clutch there and I didn't know how. (1967)
Down here in Florida you have to double clutch for the test. It doesn't matter how you drive after that but you have to show efficiency in "double clutching" (Clutch and Neutral at the same time, then Clutch and gear at the same time). Good luck guys
Patients of a saint ! I can’t stand trying to teach someone to float gears when they’re acting that way ( 50 million questions and not listening ) I taught my grandson to backup trailers at the age of 10 first ( garden tractor and small trailer ) then forward on a stick ( double clutching ) then floating in my tractor without trailer and then in a full rig ! He’s 16 now and one of the best drivers I’ve ridden with !
Your right and thank you for pointing that out ! I do remember ( even though it was almost 50 years ago ) and sometimes i forget that this generation is differant then mine and i should cut them some slack ! Im sorry !@@ihateactors
that little village they drive through look like Tannerville if you keep going up on 23a it take you to Hunter M.T, Palenville up there to . there a lot of swimming holes in Palenville . nice first drive on a big truck
I learned on an international bucket truck, with I think the same tranny set up, what a PIA! I was double clutching it which helped me to get the feel for it and throttle position, The motor pool dude was like just jump in its just like your duece haha. ID have nightmares trying to get that thing in position on some steep ass cinder cones where we were putting in a power/comm line,
Nice job.. nice little 10 wheeler.. drove trucks for 30 years. I was a new driver trainer for about 5 years. Teaching is hard and sometimes scary. Teaching people to drive off-road is even harder
That was so funny, I can imagine that's how Andrew's dad taught him. Nice work though that's a huge task if you never done it before, especially with the terrain.
Haha yeah I was laughing as well looking back at the footage when editing. And for sure. Would be a lot easier to learn on flat ground than rolling windy roads
You did a nice job for your first try mate well done.When I got my heavy vehicle licence I trained in a 18 speed Road Ranger.Floating gears takes a while you will get there in the long run.When you get better you can even change gears with out the clutch all together. Job well done.
Wow Andrew I don't know if you remember when you first got the truck and I posted when you said the guy tells you you need to shift without the clutch and I told you it was called floating gears wow glad to see it's happened
Good video. Dude, you did fine. I have an old Mitsubishi dump that I float at times and it's just something where you learn as you go. Each trans can feel different, esp. if you've got a big load. I feel like anyone that understands how a manual works will understand that floating is just matching a certain RPM with the gear, it just takes a bit of practice. Give it a day and you'll be golden.
In many states floating the gears instead of double-clutching as designers of the equipment recommend will get you to fail on a driving test. Being able to shift a truck without grinding gears is a big part of a driver's test...you really might want to learn how to do things in a way as to get your license. Learning to double-clutch also gives you a lot more options when you come upon things unexpectedly on the road, while floating gears only gives you a small window of opportunity to get into another gear.
Also don’t know if it’s working but you can control the jake with the fuel pedal and also the clutch. There should be a micro switch on the fuel pump and one one the clutch pedal just under the dash and the free travel should be enough to disengage the jake instead of using the on/off switch as your doing. If the micro switches are working just turn it on and control it with the pedals and just switch from the different stages but remember when you stop to cut it off on the dash or it will kill the engine.
I drove big trucks for years. And taught a lot of guys how to shift a truck. It all boils down to matching the rpm with the mph. And you don’t have to be going fast. I had a Mack that I could be sitting still and drop into gear without using the clutch and no hopping then shift it through all the gears and not be going over 25 mph. It’s rpm x mph.
Good luck. I know you'll get it. Someone said double clutch - it's what works best till you get comfortable and learn your shift points. Then you'll be floating up and after some practice, down. NEVER, and from painful experience, NEVER downshift between the splits, high to low in the same gear. It makes a beautiful sound of gears spinning and teeth clanging till it eventually connects with a VERY VIOLENT lurch and your engine dies. Hopefully you won't be going uphill with an overloaded flatbed... I learned from my mistakes...
My first time was in an old ‘81 Transtar 2 with a 9 speed when I was 17. I got the hang of double clutching but it was downshifting that I never got the hang of
A little experience goes a long way when learning to sift these gears once you get the experience its easy without the clutch, but you got it, so I normally would use it, unless just lazy. The split gears can be just run in high side or low side till you get in your highest gear. Doubt if there are many still out there. Especially if you work for a commercial company.
I had this experience with a 10 speed once. The guy who owned it let me try it but didn’t tell me anything and just let me grind the crap out of the gears while he sat and watched. Haven’t tried again since lol.
I drove a KW T2000 for a while with a 2,4,6 Jake and it was for the number of cylinders contributing to the engine brake. I drove CA Hwy 80 and 395 and 5 all up and down the Western Corridor. I never Jaked uphill but...
Your doing great learning him how to drive and everything you’ve told him is correct. Just one thing I’d like to add, I figure your engine is a 270 or 290 could be a 350 but I wouldn’t think so but anyway the jake brake is very strong on that engine and with jaking down hill do not let your RPM’s get over 18 cause if you do you will bend a pushrod. I hope I don’t sound like a wise guy because it’s not meant that way. I actually learned to drive truck on that exact one and I’m telling you about jaking from experience and by the way that was in 1985-1986 and I learned in the coal fields hauling 30-40 ton on that power torque 270 up and down hills where you could only pull the hills in 2nd gear. Anyway hope I help save you some engine issues and I moved up to driving Kenworth and Pete tractor trailors with 18 speed transmission’s on those same hills hauling 55-60 ton an unexpected 70 ton accidentally sometimes and pulling it in 3rd and 4th gear but the engines are 600 cummins. Again great job and really enjoy watch the videos.
Thanks man I really appreciate your tips as well. Yeah that thing was definitely over revving on the Jake downhill. I should have been on the brakes a little bit more.
Had a friend teach me this in my Cummins diesel 6 speed . I did not really like the truck until he showed me this. Now I use clutch just to start out and it’s much more pleasurable to drive. Especially in traffic. Rip Frank
YOU DID GREAT CHRIS AND I'M 20 YEARS OLDER THAN YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON SEMI'S A BUNCH OF TIMES BUT IT'S ACTUALLY THE ONLY THING THAT I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN.
this is the same feeling i had when me father taught me how to drive his old tractor back when i was 12. just nervous because i didn't want to break anything. lol
I know this video is older but to anyone new finding this video.. This seems complicated and scary, but once you practice for a day or two and get it down... You're going to be up and down shifting without even thinking about it. Even in a gagged truck ( DEF equipped ) * aka - makes hardly any noise so you cant listen to the engine noise / RPM * you will be able to have the radio blasting and you will be shifting like its second nature.
Could I suggest getting good at double de-clutching before floating the gears. There is no shame in using the clutch.After all clutches are way cheaper to replace than gearboxes. When you learn to down shift smoothly with the clutch then try floating.It takes time and practice. A little tip, if you miss a gear try going back to the gear you came from (no clutch) build the revs slowly and it will suck it in when the revs and road speed match. I've been driving my classic '85 Kenworth 18 speed for a long time and still use the clutch a lot of the time. It's called mechanical sympathy and saves money.
Jake brakes are safety equipment, I ignore the signs. While Floating gears try not going all the way down to 0% throttle. Leave around 1k rpm or shift earlier/ sooner if unloaded.
theres a few tricks. first get use to only pushing the clutch down till your passed friction point so you dont engage clutch brake. second clutch or no clutch doesn't really matter as much as getting the revs right. third if you push the gear stick toward the gear, when the revs are right it will pull the stick in so dont try to force it. if your clutch fails by changing revs you release the pressure on the gear to pull out of gear easily. and the gear you use to go up the hill is usually the one to go down the other side. check your exhaust temp and you will see heavy vehicles love the power band when under load so dont be afraid to keep the revs up. - great fun crash boxes aren't they.:)
It's all about the RPMs and timing. Just b4 the spot the Trans will pull it into gear. Just right, slides in. Just past, you push in. Over rpm/under rpm, noise and resistance. Any more or less, no go! Most new drivers do not have rpms high enough! Additionally free shifting is good for clutch if it's not hydraulic type. If you do it wrong, it's hard on rear end! Double clutching at first till you really get used to the sound and the feel. Down shifting is a little more tricky even Dangerous on Big hills. Most important mistake is too much road speed for the gear you want! Engine break equipped truck is a must for big hills! Start slowly in correct gear, use engine brake, save your a service brakes for when you need them! It's not gas it's fuel. Last but not least, City horn for when cops are around; highway horn for when the cops aren"t around. Lol. Good vid. Thanks for vid.
Great vid even Cody got into training mode with the gear change assistance 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Andrew is a legend 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 Gear shifting is like riding a bike do it wrong and you fall off 🤣 Do it right your on the way to success its all in the art of good judgement combined with timing your revs with shift changes. Shifter wobbling have to make sure its ready for the voyage🙄🙄🙄🙄 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 cant have Cody selecting sneaky gears 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You need the Jake brake on if you plan to up shift when going up a hill. It helps drop RPM quick during shifts so you don't lose road speed. The Jake brake only kicks in when you let off the throttle even if the switch is on. So the reason we had it on was because I was going to up shift. But then decided not to so turned the switch off. Hope that explains it well enough. At least I think that's the part you were referring to. Yes we were going uphill
Yeah I agree learning double clutch method first would definitely be wise and safer for the transmission. I figured since I can float my nV 4500 I'd get the hang of it quick, but definitely not familiar enough with the 8LL yet to be floating smooth
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow also it’s important to learn to double clutch because I believe they want you to double clutch on your cdl road test. You weren’t allowed to float on my test
It's a device that opens the exhaust valve on the engine. Basically taking the compression stroke out of the four stroke equation and causes major drag on the engine and allows for smooth mild breaking down the hills. That's probably a terrible explanation. I'm sure there are a lot of good videos on it out there
To add to what NoNonsenseKnowHow said, opening the exhaust valve on the engine basically turns the engine into a giant air compressor, causing drag and slows down the truck.
Every body wishes to have a friend like Andrew
or just to have andrew as a freind
@@owentoal989 Too true
He doesn't let people know he is gay yet? Why ?
@@bern6984 Say again?
@@bern6984 seriously? 😕
This is a great video! Really explains and shows how hard it is to start out driving a semi truck! Super nice of Andrew to let you use his equipment and take time to teach you.
I agree that that was extremely generous of him especially considering I could have easily damaged it. Although I certainly would have fixed it if I did. I was originally going to edit this and chop it up more, but I felt leaving the full driving experience with struggles displayed it best
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow It is awesome showing all the steps that go into driving a semi. I love this video you guys did. Some of those roads you drove on were pretty narrow!!
That was little rough to watch. Some thoughts to put things into perspective: Ive been driving manual since I was 17 and have never owned an automatic. I can float the gears in my 12v cummins / NV4500 transmission all day long smooth as butter. That being said, as you can see even with being experienced driving manual, this unsynchronized 8LL is definitely a challenge. I don't fully understand why people say dont use the clutch even a little bit just to help ease the gear change? Especially for when you're first starting out and are not familiar with the particular rig. Also, for anybody wanting to learn, I definitely don't suggest starting out on tight mountain roads with slopes. Was a little sketch there! Haha. Anyway those are just a few thoughts I had and I hope this video serves to display how driving an 8LL can be challenging at first. Huge thank you to Andrew for allowing me to drive his rig.
a clutch change is always cheaper then a new gbox.
You learn fast. You'll be slick shiftin' in no time.
I hear ya. I learned to drive manual on a 1948 Ford 1-ton with no synchros. Had to double clutch every gear change and it certainly helped that I learned when I was a kid and my brain was more "flexible" than it is now!
Well - you finally learned not to change gears with two fingertips LOL
@@johnhansen189 works good with my trans. Clearly Not the 8LL. Lol
I had trouble with just normal double clutch shifting so had to get an automatic licence rather than spending more money.
thinking of going back to give it another go now though
Brings back memories of 10 speed split shift I drove many years ago. Lots of fun going through the mountains.
This is what a fellow truck driver told me, “it’s not the getting up that’s hard, it’s the getting down”.
haha yup
Double clutch, it's a pain but it works and will sort out your shifting issues. As you become more comfortable with that trans you'll be able to shift without the clutch.
Gonna have to double clutch on your road test anyway
@@jackk8422 my examiner said he doesn’t care you shift as long as you don’t miss gears. I floated on my test. That was 10 years ago.
Truer words were never spoken, Steve. Walk before you run.
@@robftzptr4438 Exactly. Far too many "operators" try to run before they've learned to walk and it rarely ever pays off well. I'm of the mind that if you're going to learn to operate a heavy truck that you should be taught to double clutch and learn how to shift by the numbers, as it were. You'll know how to "properly" shift a heavy trans and use your gearing to its best advantage. Learning how to stop is equally as important as learning how to get moving forward, as is learning how to correctly reverse a big vehicle. Take your time, get it right the first time and you'll never regret it.
Steve, I was amazed that once you got backing down, how much easier backing a semi was than a boat.
Andrew is the coolest . Even as busy as he is , he still shares his time and equipment . Owners understand how hard it is to let someone learn how to drive using your stuff. You really have to appreciate a man like this . Great content . Shifting , timing engine rpm matching etc. is an art , like Andrew said , it takes time and practice to hear and feel all at once . I have a old Pete with a 5/4 dual trans, I have missed gears and had to just pull over and start all over , yes it's embarrassing , but humiliation builds strength , patience , character and understanding .
Andrew is amazing ! I basically watch your channel because you remind me a lot of him . That’s awesome you guys got to hang out . Great job 👏 It takes balls to drive a truck like that !
Just got done watchin AC’s video an now yours! Great day !
Same sub added
I didn't read the description, just started watching. It's the coolest surprise when Andrew shows up in someone else's video.
Andrew is such a cool guy to let you learn
It kills me to let other people run my equipment. I can imagine Andrew’s thoughts. But that being said he’s the prince of cool.
Andrew is very patient teacher
Andrew is a pro at driving his truck and Cody was having a blast too lol
Now I see that "grind it, till you find it" doesn't always work in a truck like this. ;-)
You did great!
400 rpm step on the down shift is almost always a good sweet spot. I’ve been driving a truck for 20 years now seems like yesterday when I got my license. Keep up the progress.
Kinda cool seeing back to back vids with different perspective, can’t wait for the military truck stuff😏
All these years watching your channel i didn't realize you where in my backyard, I drive them roads all the time
Mr Andrew, you did an awesome job teaching your friend. Everything you said was on point. Not to mention how brave you are. When I'm teaching a new driver to me, I take them in the fill pit as we call it in the Bahamas 🇧🇸. Lol. The pits have steep hills and plenty room for the new driver to correct themselves without costing my heart to speed up so quickly if they make any mistakes. Once again awesome job and great videos.
Man you did great! That’s a rough transmission to learn on. Most of the trucks Halliburton had (in the early 1980’s) were the Fuller Road-ranger RTO 9513. It was a Cadillac of a transmission. High/low range with a splitter. I learned double clutching and never really got away from it. I could drive clucthless, just didn’t for some reason. It’s a different ballgame, driving a truck. Btw, gorgeous country!
Am happy to see two of my subscribers together
I like how the dog is just enjoying the ride.
Yeah Cody is an awesome dog!
THAT TRUCK IS A BEAST THOSE COUNTRY ROADS ARE BEAUTIFUL 👍✌️🫡
Everyday we learn something new. I also drove a huge bus that I never driven before once, cause the driver was too tired to stay awake and I volunteered even though I was a passenger. It was a city to city private trip about 500kms.
At night luckily, empty freeway driving for most part....but lots of steep up and down sections. Was on full alert and did it.....Enjoyed it as well.
Oooooooh love the dog
Yeah I thought that it was you in ACs video. I like that you don’t use his name for clickbait👍
Real fans recognize the truck in the thumbnail lol.
@@AlwaysBored123 true!
Nice, not bad for a beginner.
Practice makes perfect.
After a bit you won't even think about it,you'll just do it.
I drove a 59 International 20 speed dump truck with two transmissions, it was fun shifting multiple times backing up in the quarry. When first learning how to drive a different truck you watch everything then it becomes habit and you start shifting by ear. Good video. Happy Motoring.
I remember when I had a crash course with a 1990 international with a 12 foot plow and the road ranger with out a jake brake.They are something else! After two snow storms I loved that truck, not so much in the beginning. Down shifting is frustrating! But like he said it’s all feel. That was 25 years ago, killed me to see that go to the junkyard 5 years ago. You definitely would have saved it.😢
The scenery is amazing. I always enjoy the Collaboration videos with Andrew. That’s where I found your channel. Great job.
I thought I knew how to drive a manual before watching this video... I thought wrong LOL. This is so so so much harder than a 6 speed / 5 speed... crazy stuff!
now try an 18 speed lol
Tried driving a buddy’s truck once,could not get those gears….never in my life seen someone laugh so hard!! You did way better than my first time! Lol
1:56 wow, the scenery looks so nice. Didn't know you were friends with Andrew...
I had to watch this because I drive a tractor trailer and I've been driving for the last 10 years or so. My previous tractor trailer was an 18 speed, but with the powerful Cummins that was in my Pete I didn't need all of those gears, I used 2nd-18th...skipping gears. Basically I shifted it like an 8 speed, but I split gears as well. My current truck is a 2018 International with a Cummins ISC with a 10 speed and it doesn't have a splitter, so it's 5 low, 5 high. My first non-synchro trans was a 13 speed 28 ton wireline truck. I had never driven a non-synchro trans before and I was following a guy that I had just met through the Allegheny Forest here in PA and he was flying. I was grinding gears and after driving that truck for a couple of months I was slap shifting it and I was getting bitched at saying that it's not my Honda...lmao Just keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it. A non-synchro clutch pedal has 1-3" of free-play, 3-6" of engagement (where you shift), and the rest is what's called a trans brake. You only push the pedal to the floor when you're coming to a stop. When you're shifting (double clutching in the process) you only push the pedal 3-6" and it'll slide right into gear. Also, when you're about to start up or down a hill choose your gear before you go up or down and stay in that gear until you crest the hill or reach the bottom and that'll act as your jake brake.
The roads are beautiful!!
Happy to see you link up with Andrew. I enjoy both of your channels.
Love love love it. Reminds me of when I started on the road. I burnt out a clutch on my first trip. The fitter explained to me how to drive not using the clutch. Good old sedon Atkinson 🥳🥳
I learned on a 1949 Mack L series with a 4x4 I was 14. Every time I reached for the clutch my uncle who owned the log truck would slap my upside the head. I learned fast. We never called it "floating gears," that phrase seems to have arisen in the last 20 years or so. We just called it shifting without the clutch. It was a harder lesson when I took drivers education in a car. You have to use a clutch there and I didn't know how. (1967)
Down here in Florida you have to double clutch for the test. It doesn't matter how you drive after that but you have to show efficiency in "double clutching" (Clutch and Neutral at the same time, then Clutch and gear at the same time). Good luck guys
No disrespect. But if youtube had academy awards or golden globes. Andrew is definitely the winner.
Lol..I feel your pain. I remember those days. So nervous. And like Andrew said....with 73,280 on it's a whole different animal!! Good video
I miss those days of driving, thank you my friend well done.
Love the sound of engine braking in the morning 👍
I love this video, best video on how to float gears, atleast upshifting. And your mate is actually really helpful, good lad I can tell.
Great!!! Watching new content and found Andrew's truck 👌
I use to own and drive a 13 speed International. What a great truck man. Enjoy it! And check those slack adjusters
Lol started the vid and put my phone in my pocket to listen then thought hey
That's that andrew fella talkin!
Patients of a saint ! I can’t stand trying to teach someone to float gears when they’re acting that way ( 50 million questions and not listening ) I taught my grandson to backup trailers at the age of 10 first ( garden tractor and small trailer ) then forward on a stick ( double clutching ) then floating in my tractor without trailer and then in a full rig ! He’s 16 now and one of the best drivers I’ve ridden with !
It’s called nerves. I’m sure you were nervous at first too.
Your right and thank you for pointing that out ! I do remember ( even though it was almost 50 years ago ) and sometimes i forget that this generation is differant then mine and i should cut them some slack ! Im sorry !@@ihateactors
“Now we’re getting on a real road now”😬😆 Did a good job👍
that little village they drive through look like Tannerville if you keep going up on 23a it take you to Hunter M.T, Palenville up there to . there a lot of swimming holes in Palenville . nice first drive on a big truck
I learned on an international bucket truck, with I think the same tranny set up, what a PIA! I was double clutching it which helped me to get the feel for it and throttle position, The motor pool dude was like just jump in its just like your duece haha. ID have nightmares trying to get that thing in position on some steep ass cinder cones where we were putting in a power/comm line,
Nice job.. nice little 10 wheeler.. drove trucks for 30 years. I was a new driver trainer for about 5 years. Teaching is hard and sometimes scary. Teaching people to drive off-road is even harder
What a beautiful damn truck! I love the classics!
That was so funny, I can imagine that's how Andrew's dad taught him. Nice work though that's a huge task if you never done it before, especially with the terrain.
Haha yeah I was laughing as well looking back at the footage when editing. And for sure. Would be a lot easier to learn on flat ground than rolling windy roads
You did a nice job for your first try mate well done.When I got my heavy vehicle licence I trained in a 18 speed Road Ranger.Floating gears takes a while you will get there in the long run.When you get better you can even change gears with out the clutch all together. Job well done.
Wow Andrew I don't know if you remember when you first got the truck and I posted when you said the guy tells you you need to shift without the clutch and I told you it was called floating gears wow glad to see it's happened
Good video. Dude, you did fine. I have an old Mitsubishi dump that I float at times and it's just something where you learn as you go. Each trans can feel different, esp. if you've got a big load. I feel like anyone that understands how a manual works will understand that floating is just matching a certain RPM with the gear, it just takes a bit of practice. Give it a day and you'll be golden.
He's a work Aholic like you ! I've been watching his channel for years.
In many states floating the gears instead of double-clutching as designers of the equipment recommend will get you to fail on a driving test. Being able to shift a truck without grinding gears is a big part of a driver's test...you really might want to learn how to do things in a way as to get your license. Learning to double-clutch also gives you a lot more options when you come upon things unexpectedly on the road, while floating gears only gives you a small window of opportunity to get into another gear.
I believe in NYS you need to double clutch to pass the test.
That's a beautiful jake brake I'd be running it like that too 😅
Hey, I really like your International dump truck. I have a 2007 International tri-axle dump truck myself. But it has the fiberglass hood on it. 👍
Also don’t know if it’s working but you can control the jake with the fuel pedal and also the clutch. There should be a micro switch on the fuel pump and one one the clutch pedal just under the dash and the free travel should be enough to disengage the jake instead of using the on/off switch as your doing. If the micro switches are working just turn it on and control it with the pedals and just switch from the different stages but remember when you stop to cut it off on the dash or it will kill the engine.
I drove big trucks for years. And taught a lot of guys how to shift a truck. It all boils down to matching the rpm with the mph. And you don’t have to be going fast. I had a Mack that I could be sitting still and drop into gear without using the clutch and no hopping then shift it through all the gears and not be going over 25 mph. It’s rpm x mph.
~HIS VIDEO TOWING WITH THIS TRUCK: ua-cam.com/video/LE4a33BApoI/v-deo.html
Good luck. I know you'll get it. Someone said double clutch - it's what works best till you get comfortable and learn your shift points. Then you'll be floating up and after some practice, down. NEVER, and from painful experience, NEVER downshift between the splits, high to low in the same gear. It makes a beautiful sound of gears spinning and teeth clanging till it eventually connects with a VERY VIOLENT lurch and your engine dies. Hopefully you won't be going uphill with an overloaded flatbed... I learned from my mistakes...
My first time was in an old ‘81 Transtar 2 with a 9 speed when I was 17. I got the hang of double clutching but it was downshifting that I never got the hang of
I remember when it was my first time learning with my dad, don't worry the seems hard at first but it'll get easy overtime
It took me nearly 9 months to figure out how to shift a 10spd roadranger trans...once you get it it becomes a joy to shift and can even skip gears.
4:00 you gotta “commit” to that gear change! No backing off.
A little experience goes a long way when learning to sift these gears once you get the experience its easy without the clutch, but you got it, so I normally would use it, unless just lazy. The split gears can be just run in high side or low side till you get in your highest gear. Doubt if there are many still out there. Especially if you work for a commercial company.
I had this experience with a 10 speed once. The guy who owned it let me try it but didn’t tell me anything and just let me grind the crap out of the gears while he sat and watched. Haven’t tried again since lol.
Lol, sounds like a good time
I drove a KW T2000 for a while with a 2,4,6 Jake and it was for the number of cylinders contributing to the engine brake. I drove CA Hwy 80 and 395 and 5 all up and down the Western Corridor. I never Jaked uphill but...
Camarata Driving School
Your doing great learning him how to drive and everything you’ve told him is correct. Just one thing I’d like to add, I figure your engine is a 270 or 290 could be a 350 but I wouldn’t think so but anyway the jake brake is very strong on that engine and with jaking down hill do not let your RPM’s get over 18 cause if you do you will bend a pushrod. I hope I don’t sound like a wise guy because it’s not meant that way. I actually learned to drive truck on that exact one and I’m telling you about jaking from experience and by the way that was in 1985-1986 and I learned in the coal fields hauling 30-40 ton on that power torque 270 up and down hills where you could only pull the hills in 2nd gear. Anyway hope I help save you some engine issues and I moved up to driving Kenworth and Pete tractor trailors with 18 speed transmission’s on those same hills hauling 55-60 ton an unexpected 70 ton accidentally sometimes and pulling it in 3rd and 4th gear but the engines are 600 cummins. Again great job and really enjoy watch the videos.
Thanks man I really appreciate your tips as well. Yeah that thing was definitely over revving on the Jake downhill. I should have been on the brakes a little bit more.
To me you did freaking awesome. Good job man.
Thanks Anthony
Had a friend teach me this in my Cummins diesel 6 speed . I did not really like the truck until he showed me this. Now I use clutch just to start out and it’s much more pleasurable to drive. Especially in traffic. Rip Frank
Learning to shift a semi can be intimidating at first but with practice it will become second nature to you
First dump I ever drove was the same style paystar
Are you double-clutching? That's how I did it in my Army truck.
I do enjoy those Pa. mountains, streams, and falls.
YOU DID GREAT CHRIS AND I'M 20 YEARS OLDER THAN YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON SEMI'S A BUNCH OF TIMES BUT IT'S ACTUALLY THE ONLY THING THAT I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN.
this is the same feeling i had when me father taught me how to drive his old tractor back when i was 12. just nervous because i didn't want to break anything. lol
so in a 8 speed what is the window of rpms that would be good to shift thru gears?
Nice video. Well done and very informative.
I know this video is older but to anyone new finding this video.. This seems complicated and scary, but once you practice for a day or two and get it down... You're going to be up and down shifting without even thinking about it. Even in a gagged truck ( DEF equipped ) * aka - makes hardly any noise so you cant listen to the engine noise / RPM * you will be able to have the radio blasting and you will be shifting like its second nature.
That is one nice International🚛🔧
Awesome video
Andrews what they call a Hands-On kind of fella
Could I suggest getting good at double de-clutching before floating the gears. There is no shame in using the clutch.After all clutches are way cheaper to replace than gearboxes. When you learn to down shift smoothly with the clutch then try floating.It takes time and practice. A little tip, if you miss a gear try going back to the gear you came from (no clutch) build the revs slowly and it will suck it in when the revs and road speed match. I've been driving my classic '85 Kenworth 18 speed for a long time and still use the clutch a lot of the time. It's called mechanical sympathy and saves money.
I learned to float. I didn’t find it hard at all. I really enjoy it.
I remember those!
The title of the video should be: Torturing Camarata. kkkk
You learned fast. Very well!
Luckily you have the best teacher ever haha 🤣 03:20 be sure to make it (no preasure 10s in hahaha)
Hey not so bad for your first time with a non synchro. Every truck is different and every one has its quirks. Seems like you caught on pretty quick!
Yeah even two of the same trucks with same transmission can feel different
Jake brakes are safety equipment, I ignore the signs.
While Floating gears try not going all the way down to 0% throttle. Leave around 1k rpm or shift earlier/ sooner if unloaded.
theres a few tricks. first get use to only pushing the clutch down till your passed friction point so you dont engage clutch brake. second clutch or no clutch doesn't really matter as much as getting the revs right. third if you push the gear stick toward the gear, when the revs are right it will pull the stick in so dont try to force it. if your clutch fails by changing revs you release the pressure on the gear to pull out of gear easily. and the gear you use to go up the hill is usually the one to go down the other side. check your exhaust temp and you will see heavy vehicles love the power band when under load so dont be afraid to keep the revs up. - great fun crash boxes aren't they.:)
It's all about the RPMs and timing. Just b4 the spot the Trans will pull it into gear. Just right, slides in. Just past, you push in. Over rpm/under rpm, noise and resistance. Any more or less, no go! Most new drivers do not have rpms high enough! Additionally free shifting is good for clutch if it's not hydraulic type. If you do it wrong, it's hard on rear end! Double clutching at first till you really get used to the sound and the feel. Down shifting is a little more tricky even Dangerous on Big hills. Most important mistake is too much road speed for the gear you want! Engine break equipped truck is a must for big hills! Start slowly in correct gear, use engine brake, save your a service brakes for when you need them! It's not gas it's fuel. Last but not least, City horn for when cops are around; highway horn for when the cops aren"t around. Lol. Good vid. Thanks for vid.
Great vid even Cody got into training mode with the gear change assistance 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Andrew is a legend 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Gear shifting is like riding a bike do it wrong and you fall off 🤣 Do it right your on the way to success its all in the art of good judgement combined with timing your revs with shift changes. Shifter wobbling have to make sure its ready for the voyage🙄🙄🙄🙄 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 cant have Cody selecting sneaky gears 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Best thing to learn to float gears in is an older pickup with a granny low 4spd.
Can someone explain the uphill braking? Or is that just a visual trick and its actually downhill?
You need the Jake brake on if you plan to up shift when going up a hill. It helps drop RPM quick during shifts so you don't lose road speed. The Jake brake only kicks in when you let off the throttle even if the switch is on. So the reason we had it on was because I was going to up shift. But then decided not to so turned the switch off. Hope that explains it well enough. At least I think that's the part you were referring to. Yes we were going uphill
You were granny shifting when you should have been double clutching!
🤣
You need to learn how to double clutch first, floating gears is an art. It took me sometime to get it down pat and there is a time to clutch.
Yeah I agree learning double clutch method first would definitely be wise and safer for the transmission. I figured since I can float my nV 4500 I'd get the hang of it quick, but definitely not familiar enough with the 8LL yet to be floating smooth
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow also it’s important to learn to double clutch because I believe they want you to double clutch on your cdl road test. You weren’t allowed to float on my test
@@RS_T correct
I personally think it's not very smart to learn how to float gears before you even pass your cdl road test.
LOL.... when I was 19 delivering hay for cows around the area in Tulare Ca... enjoy 😉
U-patter design manual transmission. I've driven that type in a 1990 Ford LS9000 dump truck.
Love your t-shirt bro I’m in wasilla AK!
Could you do a video, or something explaining the"Jake"?
It's a device that opens the exhaust valve on the engine. Basically taking the compression stroke out of the four stroke equation and causes major drag on the engine and allows for smooth mild breaking down the hills. That's probably a terrible explanation. I'm sure there are a lot of good videos on it out there
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow normally used for very steep declines, in cities they do not allow using jake brakes, too noisy. Nor in tunnels.
To add to what NoNonsenseKnowHow said, opening the exhaust valve on the engine basically turns the engine into a giant air compressor, causing drag and slows down the truck.