CDL - Practice in the Roxor

[Action]

Ive been practicing for the CDL Test in the roxor. Mainly shifting without the clutch, feeling the transmission and sliding into gears up and down. I've even been double clutching. Im wondering how much abuse (grinding of the gears) I can put the little roxor transmission through? Also dose double clutching change anything? I cannot hardly tell with such a tiny flywheel compared to a tractor.

Maybe I shouldn't abuse the roxor like this, or maybe a little extra maintenance and it wont be an issue. Let me know what you think! Maybe there's a trucker or two in here to give me a little advice!

 

[txroadkill]

You must use the clutch for the CDL road test. At least here in tx. Just learn to shift proficiently. Semis don’t feel anything like the Roxor trans in terms of shifting. Do yourself a favor and practice in the same truck you’ll road test in if at all possible.

 

[Action]

Here in Nebraska I've been taught to only use the clutch in higher gears on a 10 speed transmission. Shift quickly btw 2-3-4 without turning @ 950-1100 rpms then 6-7 at 11,12. Double clutch for everything else especially on a downhill. I hope im not learning any bad habits.

 

[txroadkill]

All bad habits. We only use clutch to start and stop. 9/10/13/18. Doesn’t matter. But for purposes of CDL testing you must use the clutch. I’ve had to retrain several driving school grads how to shift. Then I had to get one of those grads to help my son learn the proper terminology for his pre trip and to double clutch. He was one of the last ones to test out before the entry level driver training regs became law and you had to go to a school. The testers wanted to hear “keywords” during the pre-trip test. It’s all about verbalizing and the tester checking off a list. Can’t just say this item is good. Have to explain why it’s good as well. When it came to double clutching he floated and ran the pedal, lol. Tester had no clue but had to see the pedal being worked.

 

[USMC]

I was taught to follow the rules and shift as needed. After you pass and are on your own you can learn from the experienced drivers about the best way to shift. The main purpose now is to pass your test correctly.

 

[Action]

Anyone Floating gears on the Roxor regularly? Befor I used the clutch every time and have been for years had a manual. Floating gears is taking me a good while to do smoothly. Crusing around making crunchy sounds through the neighborhood has seemed to help me forget and rebuild the muscle memory. I guess im just wondering if I can just drain the trans and full'er up, move on?

 

[Longslyde]

If you are floating the gears in ANY synchonized transmission, like the Roxor, or most pickups and the like, all you are doing it smoking the synchros. They are there to line up shaft speed between gear shifts. If you don't push the clutch in as you shift, the syncros try to match speed, but can't because the clutch is still connected to the engine keeping the disc spinning to fast and won't fall into gear until the RPMS fall to the right speed naturally. But in the meantime the syncros were trying to slow the inner shafts down, creating all kinds of heat on those poor things. the ONLY way way you don't wear the syncro on a float shift is if you pull the shift lever at out at EXACTLY the right time, and then into the next gear at EXACTLY the right time the engine RPMS match the gear you're going for. I GUARANTEE even the best can only hit this a fraction of the time. This will work for a time until the syncros are totally smoked out, and then you will wonder why the transmission grinds on every gear shift, even with the clutch. The Roxor transmission shifts great with the clutch and the reason is the syncros do an excellent job at what they are supposed to do, and that's make a smooth shift. This is not to flame anyone, just to educate what Syncros actually do, they are little brakes to match up inner transmission shaft speeds so you make smooth shifts. Eaton OTR 10,13,18 speed transmissions do NOT have syncros, which is why double clutching is taught in their manuals. YOUR FOOT is the syncro there. You CAN float gears in those transmissions without clutch when you're good enough to pull the stick out of gear then into the next gear as the rpms are falling into the right ranges.
Sorry for the long explanation, but I have sold over-the-road trucks for over 23 years. I am currently working for a Major OEM truck manufacturer company. So I am not speaking from the hip LOL!