EZ Rolling

New Driver Alert.
We have a new available CDL Class A Driver for your company
Do you have an empty truck and need a driver?
Call Now 773 554 6574

TRUCK DRIVER’S GUIDE TO DOUBLE CLUTCHING

Double clutching is not a complicated process. However, new truck drivers are often intimidated it because it can be difficult to shift smoothly.
There are a few secrets for the new professional driver to shift smoothly while double clutching
It takes one clutch movement to pull it out of gear and another clutch movement to pull it back into the next gear.
That’s why it’s called double clutching.
Push the clutch pedal down once to slide it into gear
Push the clutch pedal down to slide it out and
Then double clutch again to slide it back into the next gear.
GETTING THE FEEL OF DOUBLE CLUTCHING
Double clutching is not like driving a standard car.When you’re driving, both feet are working in harmony with the other. Listen to the revs. Especially if you’re on a hill, you don’t want your revs to drop so low that when you ease out the clutch that you’re lugging the motor. When you ease out on the clutch, make sure that your revs are high enough that you’re won’t stall the truck. It should be a harmonious move between your two feet and your gear shift. Just feather it in and out of gear. Don’t force the shift. If you sense resistance, you’re not doing it correctly. The shifter should slide in and out like a knife through hot butter. The move should be nice and smooth when it’s done correctly.
WORKING THE CLUTCH BRAKE
The purpose of the clutch is to slow down the transmission just enough so that the driver can slide it into gear. When the clutch is pushed completely down to the floor, the clutch brake is engaged. The only time it is necessary to have the clutch brake engaged is for moving the vehicle from a dead stop. When you’re double-clutching when moving down the road, it’s only necessary to push the clutch in about half to three-quarters of the way each time.
Remember, not to push the clutch in fully to the floor. If you push it fully to the bottom, you’ll eventually burn out the clutch brake. You only want to walk it, so push it down half to three-quarters of the way every time you shift.
Double clutching can be a bit tricky, as every track is different because each one has different clutch springs.
The clutch springs engage and disengage the clutch. If you don’t use enough pressure and push hard enough on the clutch, it simply won’t go in or you’ll grind a gear.
On the other hand, if you slam the clutch pedal to the floor, you’ll engage the clutch brake, which you don’t want either. Just ease the pedal in and out. You’ll feel the right amount of pressure with practice and you’ll get to know what the clutch likes and requires to operate. It’s a matter of feel.
When you are letting the clutch up, be careful not to dump the clutch. Ease the clutch in and ease the clutch out. Never use a rapid leg movement.
But remember when clutching, too little pressure won’t work and neither will too much.
Get the feel of the pedal and experiment and see how much pressure it takes to push it three-quarters of the way down.

Used truck prices will stabilize in 2021, DTNA says
Daimler Trucks North America reported used truck depreciation reached 8.5% as COVID-19 hit in Q1, and predicted that will level out in 2021, right as the "New Cascadia" hits the used market.
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) knew 2020 would be a volatile year even before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the economy after the market enjoyed a boon in 2018-2019. But North America’s leading truck manufacturer is confident that next year the used truck market will level off.
In Q1 of 2020, depreciation reached 8.5% per month on average, versus 1.25 to 1.5. depreciation for an average year.
“Prices are on the rise for used trucks right now,” remarked Mary Aufdemberg, president and general manager of Daimler Trucks Remarketing. “Inventories are decreasing in the marketplace, but we do expect supply to keep coming. [Looking] forward to next year, I think prices will continue to stabilize.”
Used truck prices won’t return to 2018-2019 levels, when trucking enjoyed the boom times as the economy grew and demand increased due to rising capacity.
Aufdemberg projected inventory will return to the lots at SelectTrucks and other Freightliner used truck dealers.
As the quantity improves, so does the quality, with the model year 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, which DTNA refers to as the “New Cascadia,” hitting the used truck market in 2021. That truck will turn four next year, which means more fleets will trade those in for newer models.
The MY 2018 features several improvements over the Cascadia Evolution, or Classic Cascadia. At the time of launch, the New Cascadia had an average 8% mpg improvement, and the disparity, depending on efficiency specs, could be as wide as 19%.
These are some of the first Freightliner trucks to offer the option of Detroit Assurance 4.0, the suite of safety systems that includes active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
Other additions included a more comfortable cab experience with a redesigned dash and steering wheel, as well as offering a smoother ride and better access to fuses for quicker maintenance and less downtime. Some of the 2018 stock may also come with the optional murphy bed bunk over the dinette area and 3M Thinsulate insulation, which isolates noise and improves temperature.
DTNA reported a 33% build rate for the MY 2018 Cascadia. Some MY 2019s, which had a 75% build rate, should also become available, but in fewer numbers. “Those will definitely be something that customers will sn**ch up pretty quickly once they hit the marketplace,” Aufdemberg said.
Aufdemberg also pointed out SelecTrucks opened four new locations in 2020, for a total of 30: Phoenix, Memphis, Chattanooga, and in Manitoba, Canada. The DTNA-owned business provides OEM-backed warranties with no progressive damage, no deductible, and no aggregate limits.