How to float gears in a 10 speed (watch your rpms to start)

Shifting without using the clutch (aka "floating the gears" ) makes life easier when done properly. It is not harmful to the transmission and will save you some energy. With a little practice and some simple tips you can master this technique.
This video shows and explains how to get used to your shifting pattern, how to use your tachometer, upshifting at 1500rpm, down shifting at 1000rpm, and how to use a 1,2 count for the timing. You can do this!

[@lostbuffalo196]

Chad.........I just stumbled onto the videos re: shifting without clutch and I've watch 8-10 in the last two days. I watched your video today and I want you to know it is the best I've seen. Simple, clear instructions with good camera work. Way to go and thank you. rex

[@ExcavationRevelation]

Thanks Rex, much appreciated! have you been trucking long?

[@mfraze8753]

There are some drivers out there that think you have to use the clutch, that it causes damage if you don't, and there are some that swear by not using the clutch and think it's stupid to use the clutch. Use the clutch or don't use it, drive the way that is comfortable for you. The reality is that it doesn't matter if you use the clutch or not, you still have to match the engine rpm with the right gear with the speed you are traveling. Using the clutch does not magically change that fact. However, if you are just starting to learn how to drive a truck, using the clutch will help you get the timing of your shifts down, but like shown in the video, it's just a slight hesitation when you shift. Shift to fast and it's going to grind, shift to slow and it's going to grind, clutch or no clutch. If you haven't taken your test yet, the DOT will want to see you using the clutch. My personal preference is to not use the clutch, and after 30+ years of driving I still challenge myself to shift smoothly. I haul a lot of liquid and my goal is to keep the sloshing to a minimum, I want to shift so smooth that the only way you know I shifted was the change in the sound of the engine. My goal is to get the perfect shift 100% of the time, it might be unobtainable, but even after several decades I keep pushing myself to improve. There are so many variables that can change the way you shift or the timing of your shift. Are you going uphill or downhill? Are you loaded or empty? Is there any slop in the fifth wheel or drive line? Each truck also drives a little different, you can take 2 identical trucks and there will be small differences in the way they behave. My best piece of advice whether you use the clutch or not is don't force it. Forcing it into a gear when things aren't lined up is what causes damage.

[@darienms38]

I have been driving for a little less than a year. Some days I can shift smoothly for my 8 hour shift and some days I struggle to get it into certain gears with slight grinding. I Can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I drive different model trucks during the day but that shouldn't matter. Feels like I switch too quick it grinds and if I pause the RPM's drop too low. I guess it's all about the timing. Any advice?

[@mfraze8753]

@@darienms38 If you are driving different trucks all the time it's going to be harder. Not all trucks are the same. You can have 2 identical trucks, same model, same engine, same transmission and they will both drive differently. I don't know how long you have been driving, but one of the newer guys I helped train was used to driving a 10 speed and when we switched to a truck that had a 9 speed he kept trying to put it into 6th (first gear on the high side) like a 10 speed. Once I explained to him that there wasn't an actual gear there he understood and got better. Another mistake I have seen happen a lot is some guys tend to not let the throttle go all the way or are slow at releasing it making the rpm's hang a little longer or getting back into the throttle just a split second before they have completed the shift. Shifting is also a little bit different between the low side and the high side. The ratio's of the gears are much closer on the low side which means you have to shift just a little bit quicker. What kind of engine you have and where you are shifting can cause some issues as well. The newer big engines you should be shifting at about 1500 rpm's and it should drop to about 1000 rpm's by the time you complete your shift. The older trucks you should be shifting at about 1700 rpm's and it should drop to about 1200 rpm's by the time you finish your shift. Typically there is about a 500 rpm difference between the gears, but that depends on what the gear ratio's actually are in the transmission. I have seen some transmissions where there was only a 400 rpm difference, but the majority of the time its 500 rpm. Watch your tachometer, if you are pulling it out of gear at 1600 rpm it should slip into the next gear at 1100 rpm or just a hair before. If you are going downhill it will be a little sooner than that, like about 1150-1200 rpm, and if you're going uphill it will be a little later like around 1000-1050 rpm. Probably the best thing I can tell you is to shift quickly, but don't be forceful. It's ok if you feel a little bit of that chatter in the stick, as long as you're not forcing it onto gear you're not going to hurt anything. It's better to feel that little bit of grinding while you're waiting for the engine to slow down. It really doesn't take much pressure to move the stick. As you're throttling up put just a little bit of pressure like you want to pull it out of gear, don't worry, the stick will not move. As soon as you lift out of the throttle it will pop out of gear and into neutral, then quickly put a little pressure on the stick to the next gear, you will feel that little bit of chatter, as soon as the rpm's hit the right spot it should slip right into gear. learn to work your throttle pedal. Some guys like to smash on the throttle, don't smash it, roll into it. When you go to shift and you let up on the pedal, let it come all the way back to the top, even giving it just a tiny bit of throttle will mess up your shift and make it crunchy and jerky. I hope some of that information helps, keep practicing, when it comes down to it it's really a timing thing.

[@darienms38]

@@mfraze8753 I want to personally thank you for taking the time to explain in great detail of what is the best approach in your opinion. I am going to try to practice these techniques and hopefully I will see some significant improvements. 🙏

[@mfraze8753]

@@darienms38 No problem, glad I could help. If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask. Be patient with yourself, I know that it can be frustrating, but I think you will get it. Eventually you will get good enough you will be able to make your shifts based on the sound of the engine and the feel of the shifter.

[@giovannisorto8017]

I got my CDL but i really enjoy watch this videos

[@grumpycffc9487]

Thank you I been spoiled with automatics now I’m on a 10 speed and it’s been years. Still practicing but getting better because of your videos.

[@damitdoc]

Awesome thank you! About to go to road master course for my job. This will definitely help and I'm sure I'll watch it at least 50 more times!

[@farmerbob728]

Nice and informative video. The company that I work for on a part time basis. Went to all automatic tractors.,, Peterbuilts,,Volvo and freightliner. But afew years ago they had the same transmission as what you have.

[@alexfreel4931]

Helpful video. Thank you!

[@vsantiesteban562]

Great explanation 👍🏼

[@SBGB_TV]

Good explaining 👌

[@geovannygerman1939]

Thank you so much, this video is extremely helpful 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@galaxykode9243]

Great video

[@tsafa]

Good video

[@conp1254]

Thanks I’m gonna try

[@Diddley-js6lf]

It comes with time, you have to feel the RPM/ Tachometer plus Speed.

[@thecountryboythreat5273]

Hes a good teacher for someone new like me, its not bs

[@Diddley-js6lf]

That looks like a Freightliner Dash. We have the very same Trucks the M2-106 Business Class Five Yard Dump Trucks

[@og-nx8sf]

Good video on the basics. I thk thats what u were trying to accomoplish. Of course theres goin to be some variations. Overall good video

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I'm not a trucker. I am curious, will you go from 5th to 6th or are the speeds interleaved like on some where you might go from 4th to 6th or 7th to find the next ratio?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

The majority of the time you go gear to gear without skipping. Skipping can be done by properly matching the engine speed to the transmission. It is a bit more common to skip while downshifting for a quick stop

[@victoriavalentine8251]

A trucker told me he doesn't use rpm to shift.. he listens to the sound of his engine with proper timing

[@ExcavationRevelation]

That comes with experience. Over time, as you get used to shifting, you will get a feel for when the proper time to shift is without having to look at the rpms

[@simpletruckerstuff9478]

Thx mister

[@jerrycooper4204]

Floating gears seem a lot easier than double clutching. I remember learning about clutching in the truck school. I have a cdl B. However, I'm retesting In a class A to drive manual. I'm new to the industry but, my family goes back 5 generations with class A. So, when downshifting, is it the same concept where you don't have to use the clutch to go to a lower gear?

[@alvincatraz]

You can down shift without using clutch. Like he said, at 1000rpm rev and drop into lower gear.

[@charlesdemidio4010]

Also need to see what he’s driving is a straight truck because it doesn’t have a trailer brake. So what kind of weight is he pulling

[@BearMountainBigfootRescue]

Just to be clear, up-shifting is accelerating to approximately 1500rpm, letting off the gas completely, and as it falls to 1000rpm, I should be into my next gear? (Adams family 1-2) But down-shifting, I let it fall or brake to 1000rpm, pull out of gear, rev, put it into gear, correct? Great video, thank you. Newbi CDL holder.

[@ExcavationRevelation]

generally, yes, that's how it goes. depending on the terrain, your load, or gear ratio it might vary slightly.

[@diamondboy9654]

What’s the point of double clutching if you can just float the gears?

[@noerojo5891]

When loaded and having the engine break on , does it make it difficult down shift ?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

No, it's just slightly different. Engine brakes really aid in slowing down while loaded and are meant for this. It will cause the transmission to slow a little faster, so it will just take a little adjustment with your timing.

[@whoinvitedabel8134]

is this a straight truck? Why doesn’t it have a red trialer brake button? Also, I drove a 10 speed intertrashional recently and I raised it up to 1500 to change gears and I kept getting the transmission light on the dash. If I changed at lower ranges I would grind my gears so I didn’t know what to do. I just kept getting the light 😅 I’ve driver freightliner w no problems just wondering if you knew what was happening thanks great video

[@csxrailfan632]

Inter”trash”tional huh? International good

[@whoinvitedabel8134]

@@csxrailfan632 nah I prefer Freightliner. International has that 1-2 second throttle delay when backing up always messes me up

[@csxrailfan632]

@@whoinvitedabel8134 on our 9200i I don’t know anything about that (2006)

[@ExcavationRevelation]

This is a straight truck that is not equipped with trailer brakes. I'm not super familiar with Internationals, what type of transmission did it have?

[@mikel9567]

Internationals aren't bad. I work for a road dept and my dump truck is an International 7600. It has an Eaton 18 speed auto shifter though which is actually probably better for our purposes working on the roads. I suspect that the issue your having is a mechanical problem rather than an International issue. Internationals and Freightliners both can be ordered with Eaton transmissions. When I put my truck in manual mode it wants to be shifted at 1400 rpm's.

[@cb9029]

When going up a gear and get to 1500 do you have to tap gas to get it into neutral Then tap gas again to get in gear

[@ExcavationRevelation]

You give it just a little extra throttle so you can pull it into neutral. From there, you don't need to tap the throttle again. Just pause slightly in neutral, then hit the next gear

[@rebelredRC]

I will say this there are some trucks that need to be driven between 1500 and 2000 rpms my truck is a good example of that i absolutely cannot start off in second when loaded

[@juangonzalez8734]

How high do you Rev your rpms when down shifting..?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

usually a couple hundred rpms

[@pmgaming2179]

11TH SUB

[@ShamarJackson9276]

so you just pop it out of gear? no let go of gas or anything?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

You need to give a little extra throttle just before you go to pull it out of gear. You then release the throttle, shift, then apply the throttle once you are in your new gear. You need a little window, so to speak, so you can change gears.

[@El_LeChErO91]

Do you fully let go of accelerator or do u keep some pressure on pedal to keep the rpms up in the floating range?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

I let go of it completely, but that's not to say keeping very light pressure will not work

[@JosephKundwe-tw7kh]

So you only use a cluch when starting moving and when you want to stop

[@ExcavationRevelation]

Pretty much. I will sometimes use it while dropping a gear

[@Mainly-boy-outdoors]

Were you hauling anything?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

I don't think I was

[@wallacewimmer5191]

🎉

[@damiancameron3614]

what truck is this?

[@ExcavationRevelation]

Freightliner M2 112

[@chesterpanda]

15mph=6th 25mph=7th 35mph=8th 45mph=9th 55mph=10th Add the numbers for the speed you want on the high side and it’s pretty close to the gear you need on a 10 speed.

[@user-vu5yo3zv9g]

What does RPm means

[@ExcavationRevelation]

Revolutions Per Minute

[@DavidDence]

Every video talks about matching your engine speed or RPMs with your road speed or transmission, but no one ever explains how that is done. I am guessing there is no explanation.

[@KhoreyAM]

Think of it as two spinning gears, transmission or road speed being one gear and rotating at X speed. Your engine is a second gear rotating. If you go to shift and one gear is slightly faster or slower, you can’t sneak a toothpick between them as they are spinning side by side. But you can speed up or slow down the engine gear, and suddenly the gears line up perfectly and that toothpick can slide right in.

[@dreezytokes]

@@KhoreyAMgenius

[@ajbhuiyan4589]

If I was a trucker I'd want to drive a 10 speed truck

[@anniekolie5357]

training how to dump materials

[@Diddley-js6lf]

I knew it just by the cup holder and Cab Filter Cover.

[@terryrandall2192]

LOL yeah, that’s right I always take your eyes off the road to watch your rpm gauge. 😂

[@ExcavationRevelation]

It's just a quick glance but yes that is why it is there. Same thing with the speedometer 👍

[@Diddley-js6lf]

The Allison Automatics are perfect in those truck because anyone can drive them literally and here in Michigan any 26,001 lbs. don’t need a CDL just a Chauffeurs License.

[@shakewell548]

Need to know how to float gears? Watch how a Jamaican drives

[@shreddder999]

10,000 lol

[@charlesdemidio4010]

It’s all BS. I’ve been driving for 49 years. Diesels are governed, they like to be wound out. You always wind them up tight before your shift when you are loaded. But he is showing works for when you’re empty but not loaded.

[@Katmandu2]

My 12.9 Detroit is NOT governed. When the turbo starts to spin up, it will easily and very quickly Rev to over 4,000 RPMs.

[@michaelbender2493]

Must have run a Detroit

[@domwill7603]

Get with the times old man lol.,....... 😂😂

[@richardhurtjr.8457]

YOU BEEN A ROOKIE FOR 49 YEARS....

[@mikel9567]

Your so full of shit Charles. They are not governed and no truck likes to be wound out. You sound like someone who's tough on equipment and has a lot of breakdowns and failures. Loaded or empty, it doesn't change the RPM's. The only difference between loaded and empty is how quick you need to be on the shift. Same with hills.

[@louie4512]

Not too sure on giving it GAS before shifting down!!! I give it some throttle or diesel! Not gas 😂🤣😅

[@nickk5731]

Fuller never called it floating. This is some stupid name you young ones started calling it on social media. You all need proper educating on what Fuller did with RR back in the day And Eaton will tell you to use the clutch these days because to many you boys been destroying gearboxes. So much wrong in what you’re talking about. Fan belt don’t break becayse you revved it to 2000rpm. It breaks because it’s worn out and can happen at 1500 1000-1500 rev range is your torque range for down low. Need more revs getting up in speed, especially on hills or you will stuff up your gear changes and amateurs like you won’t be able to catch them

[@user-gn2dd7zw5j]

タコメーターの説明ばかりで、スピードメーターが全然見えない！解る人なら良い動画なのでしょうが、知識の薄い自分では、回転数が何回転の時大体の速度は？も手でスピードメーターが隠されて解りません！キロでは無くマイルなので、私が馬鹿だからでしょうが、スピードメーターも映して欲しかった！

[@TheWhatthefuck12]

how do you "give it gas" when its a diesel?

[@charlesdemidio4010]

Also need to see what he’s driving is a straight truck because it doesn’t have a trailer brake. So what kind of weight is he pulling

[@KhoreyAM]

I’m running a 579 and don’t have a dolly either, not all trucks do.