How to shift an 18 speed Eaton Fuller Transmission. Down shifting explained on a loaded semi truck. 

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I've been driving for 50yrs. and have shifted about every transmission they put in a truck. I could never explain to someone how to shift one like you did!!! I always shifted by sound or feel and really never thought about it 😱! You did an awesome job of explaining it and are a better driver than many of the drivers I've been around for years!! Wish you the best of luck and God bless you and your family 👍

One thing I learned from my years behind the wheel is that shifting is like going to Baskin Robbins - everybody has their own flavor . Back in the 70's , we were taught by the company we worked for to watch the speedometer and memorize the speed for each gear - that way if you needed to shift down a few while still rolling and weren't sure what gear you needed your speedometer would tell you which one you needed . We were instructed to use the clutch for every shift , and it did have a positive side when it came to sitting in rush hour traffic for 3 hours at a time and only moving a foot or 2 at a time . That really built up the muscles in the left leg . LOL it never goes right when it's caught on camera , but when you stopped for the light and started off again you were getting the gears just fine and even tho you were talking about it you weren't thinking about it . And yeah , anybody that says they NEVER miss a gear is lying .

I'm a bus driver here in new Zealand(collect passengers mountainous areas down to the city). Originally from Philippines and I'm also a truck driver.i like the way you teach how to use the gear.anyway mate.you are a great truck driver and a great driving tutor.take care always mate

You’re a very brave person for making a video about shifting any particular truck and transmission. I have driven everything from bobtail dump truck to nine axle Cozads, end dumps, concrete mixers and many others. Trying to explain how to shift is like trying to explain the theory of relativity to a mole! It’s a rhythm between your feet, hands, shoulders and your mind! And if you shift correctly, I don’t care who you are, you will eventually have torn rotator cuff’s and separated shoulders! I should have taken better care of myself, between driving truck and operating equipment, I’m disabled. I have six ruptured and herniated discs, and both shoulders are gone, so now I live vicariously through all y’all making RU-vid videos! Thanks for sharing your day, and be safe girlie! 🙏💪🇺🇸🫡🤙

I'm in my third week of Trucking school, and this video and comments are priceless, thanks everyone!!!!!

The world needs more people like Doninique

Very fascinating & interesting, and still so down-to-earth practical! Give you all the credit in the world; great job, Dauminique! Thanks for so gracefully conquering the camera and taking us along for the ride!

Everyone has their own way of shifting, I think you shift just perfectly and don't listen to anyone else- what ever feels comfortable to ya.

Thank you for taking me back. My first three car's were standard shift transmissions and I loved them. First full time job out of high school was with local county highway department. That is where I learned to dance. I cut my teeth on the old Mack's "Road Ranger" It's the sound of the engine the revs and the strain and tension you feel in the seat of your pants no clutch needed...It was like dancing.

I learnt to drive truck back in 1976 on a Mack with a six speed and splitter. Like you I often did not go through all the gears, especially when unloaded. My first job driving was an on old 64 Kenworth 5 ton with a hiab on the back. It had a 5 & 4 two stick transmission. That was a nightmare! I remember putting my left hand through the steering wheel so I could access both sticks! That could be a hairy situation! I chuckled when you spoke about missing a gear and having to find it. Did that many times. The saying we use to have "If can't find it, grind it!" Man that was true at times. Hardest thing for me to get to use to was how much rev the engine up when downshifting and how much to let the RPM drop when shifting up. I haven't driven a truck since 1988 and some days I miss it. It is great to see how well you handle your truck. Thanks for the memories.

I appreciate this video. I drove for a few years. It’s a great feeling to row through the gears on 18 speed in a T800 under a load with no clutch. I work for the KW factory now. Did you know over the last 15 years the percentage of manual vs. automated transmissions went from like 10% to more then 50%. That number will rise. Some day manuals will be a relic. The reason is, big companies can hire less qualified drivers. It’s sad but true. Also, I worked for V. Van Dyke in Seattle. There’s nothing like looking in the mirror at a 130k, 130’ beam on a steer car. Good times.

Nice work on this video! I’ve been driving trucks for 30 years, and you did a great job with this explanation. Nice having a PNW driver who does an amazing job of talking about the ins and outs of driving! Keep up the great work!

This was a wonderful refresher for me just going back to a County dump truck driver/snow plow job after 12 years. Nicely done.

Awesome video. You did an amazing job explaining it and letting everyone know everyone is different. I learned on a 9 speed when I was 16, I had to stop multiple times to start over because I missed a gear. Crazy how you always remember the first time driving a semi. One of my most favorite one to drive was a cab over Pete with a 13 speed. Stay safe and keep on rolling out the videos.

Mam, you did a very fine job on this video. Everyone shifts a little bit different. No exact way of doing it. Just depends on the driver, the truck , and the situation.

Been driving 35 years always have driven by sound and feel u know your truck keep up the good work

I love putting it up against the hole and just letting it slipp in! 😂

This is my favorite video, watching you actually handle all that truck/shifting and offer very good advice about shifting while being considerate of others was nice. Thanks for a real feel ride along with seeing all of you and all of the controls at the same time. Dauminique you never disappoint us.

Yes there is a need to explain to people who do not understand, and for all truck drivers I would hope he understand the difference in payload weight in a given time which changes on how you gear down to how you up shift. There should be no haters. I commend you on the way you haul in total respect. All love great job !

I like your low RPM clutch engagement! Really saves on the clutch disc!

I'm the same way, I only use the clutch for starting and stopping. My instructor when I was in truck driving school was the one who actually showed us how to float the gears.

The first red light you saw you should be going slow enough to keep them wheels rolling anticipating the green. You said the light is usually red when you get there, so just slow down enough to keep the wheels rolling. You'll never have to mash the clutch at take off because you wont be stopping. I always hated stopping a Mack trans because of the trans brake being gone. You learn quick to keep the wheels rolling at all times. Funny story, I got pulled one time at the chicken coops on I85 south in Charlotte. For those that don't know, this is a downhill into the coop. The dot guy sitting in his car behind the scale was looking for brake lights. He pulled me when I was rolling over the scale and said 'you ain't got no brake lights'. I told him I didn't need brakes to stop the truck. He laughed and told me I was doing a great job driving. A co-worker and I got new T880s the same day. After 110k miles his T880 was getting new brakes. My T880 got new brakes at 212k. P.S. Don't ever get a UltraShift plus18-speed. Run away from it. You'll want to quit driving after using that POS.

You should be proud I am retired on disability I use to do this I just can’t believe how lazy some of these new drivers are they don’t even want to try I admire you I miss heavy trucking shifting is fun

I drove an 18 speed for long time. Loved it! Could shift without even thinking about it.

Thanks Dauminique, for the interesting video, you did a great job of explaining the shifting . I think everyone does just a little different but very similar in the end. But looks like and sounds like that you do a great job shifting, to me it just becomes a natural thing without even thinking of what your doing after that you drive this truck or that truck you just do it automatically for the truck that you are driving at the present time . For myself I listen to the pull of the motor, the pull and handle of the truck, the road, the speed, the revs of the motor, the up and downs of the road and the situation that your in at the moment and your mind just takes it all in and your legs and feet and your arms and hands work together with one another and keeps you moving down the highway, with an automatic motion . I learned to drive in a standard shift old Ford pickup and a standard shift C70 big Chevrolet truck here on the farm, didn't know what an automatic shift was for numerous years . I think that everybody should have to be able to drive a standard shift before that they can get their drivers license . In the winter time when there is ice and snow on the roads, I much prefer driving a standard shift, than an automatic, cause you have much better control over the vehicle whether it is small or large, I think . But it is getting so that you can't even get some vehicles in a standard shift . But I will always love standard shift vehicles and prefer driving them . For several years my dad hauled a lot of blacktop and then he hauled a lot of gravel for awhile and then him and his brother hauled a lot of hay out of Ohio, to Eastern Kentucky farmers and then in later years all that he hauled was different sizes of gravel . I have been around the trucking business for years of the hauling of different things, coal, gravel, blacktop, hay, corn, top soil dirt, fill dirt-rock, heavy equipment and fuel tankers, the only thing that I have ever hauled is top soil and fill dirt and drove a bucket truck a lot, cause I am mainly an (electrician, went to school for) but I grew up on a farm and have been a guy that has worked at a lot of different construction things, and carpentry and plumbing and etc., myself favorite thing is running heavy equipment . I love watching your videos, and you are a really good truck driver, so take care and stay safe and keep on shifting those gears and trucking down the highway . 🤗👍💖💫

good video. I too learned to drive by feel and hardly used the clutch with The Eaton Fuller as well. I was glad when they came along. Now it's automatics we drive now. The industry has come a long way for driver comfort.

Dau you did it, I finally got it properly. Good explanation of teaching 18 speed change. Great teacher and driver. Ladies quite thorough

I drove a 18sp and a 21sp three stick everyone drives different than others your doing great you drive the way your most comfortable with, great video keep up the good work God bless from GA

Great video! Learning to shift a non-synchromesh transmission like yours is like playing a musical instrument. All by ear, based on the pitch of the engine. I learned on a 10-speed, then switched to a 13 and then an 18...with a 5x4 twin stick in there for about 6 months. Never used the clutch except to stop and start. The hardest are right-hand turns, when you slow down from 60 to 10 or 15, and have to know what gear you're going to want to get into to pull out of the corner. It's an art.

You explained things about shifting very well. I wish you were my teacher when i learned how to drive Keep up the good teachings and thank you.

Makes sense. I've been having issues with this subject . I was reving up too much and trying to engage after without the pressure on the stick. This will help thanks. 👍

Excellent explanation, Dauminique! As for floating the gears, my first trainer's brother worked for Eaton and claimed they could tell which transmissions coming in for rebuild had been floated or not. The clutched transmissions were typically in much worse condition than those that were floated. Too many noobs have no idea how to double clutch. I did as I came from the charter bus arena where double clutching was a necessity. Keep these great videos coming!

I enjoyed the refresher on shifting since I’ve not been in a manual since CDL school. Your video helped me connect some dots. There’s some real satisfaction when you rev it and goes right in the gear. Thanks for taking the time to video and teach.

I can't count how many times I have missed a gears great job with the shifting

Love you love to hear you speak. You give whole different perspective driving. As a driving instructor I can really appreciate it

I have never driven a truck, many vehicles with a clutch and gearshift, but not a truck. I watch videos like this just in case of an emergency and I’m forced to by circumstances. Thank you for your educational video. This was helpful.

Another great video! Safety and not tearing the truck up are my two biggest things. On wildfires we are always working rough, narrow and steep logging roads with 4,000 gal of water on board. #1 BE SAFE. #2 DON'T TEAR UP THE TRUCK. The truck is what is making the money, no truck = no money.

Hi Dauminique, having driven roadies for years now I have actually learnt how to split down from your video. Sanchez Trucking has a scene where they do the same split. My original teacher taught me to ‘split shift up shifting but never split shift downshifting’ possibly to our hilly terrain in NZ. It’s certainly harder to grab the half gear when road speed is dropping quickly.. and you can grab a full gear on an 18 speed easily. Certainly need to drive by feel with a roadie in any gearbox configuration and actually had an 8 speed Eaton in a smaller 6 wheeler that required a lot of concentration which becomes part of the fun of working out your vehicle.

Been there done that gotta say you do a fine job. Always chuckle when I see a new guy grinding gears. No school and no one taught me, lots of imbarasing times and as a mechanic had to really step up to the plate. Great vid, keep em comin..👍

I use to throttle shift I never used the tachometer I was instructed to go by sound & feel

Thank you for sharing I love watching cab views of truckers. Folks please be respectful to truckers they have a big responsibility driving and cannot stop or move quickly.

I enjoy your videos, I left the Pacific north west in 86 so I enjoy watching your channel. Thank you

Hey you definitely know exactly what you are doing, I’m not a truck driver, my hats down to you, I wouldn’t be able to do that job! I’m mesmerized wow!! Very impressive!! Thanks for sharing

As long as however you shift doesn't result in driveshafts falling on the road or blown rear ends, it's all good! I'm learning shifting myself, just got the class A (class 1 in eastern Canada) 2 years ago. It's all fun!

Very interesting video, you explained gear shifting brilliantly. You are a very good driver and a lovely person. Stay safe and best of luck with your business.

Have to say , 13 is the most I've driven. Good Work!

Wow that was awesome.I'm watching this video over and over

Nothing but respect for you, Dominique ❤

Thanks! I really enjoy the videos where I can see you shift and hear the engine as you do it. .

One of your best videos, love the sound of the CAT making its music.

Nice shifting. I have never been in anything with a 15, or 18 Speed Transmission. I started back in the 80's though, and I trained, and took my first Road & Skills test on a 1954 B Model Mack, with a Twin Stick 20 Speed Quadruplex, which is a 5 Speed Main & and a 4 Speed Auxiliary Transmission. Double, and sometimes triple clutching, and RPM's we're required with every single shift, and if you missed a gear, there was no way you were gonna get it in any gear, and you would need to stop, and start all over again. I eventually graduated to a simple 5 Speed with a 2 Speed Split Axle, then on to the 10 Speed Road Ranger, before eventually getting into my all time favorite, which is the 13 Speed Road Ranger. I now drive a School Bus with a boring 5 Speed Allison Automatic.

Great instructional video! Probably the best I've seen. Thank you.

That was the best explanation on how and why to shift an 18 speed i ever heard or saw .

I'm not a truck driver. I watch because I enjoy seeing you and hearing your voice. I'm amazed at how well you do what you do whether you feel that you're not perfect or not. Thanks!

I have had 18 transmissions for years in the Fraser Canon BC.Very good.

I could watch that view all day. I love the veiw when we go to Washington

You do a good job. Shifting is whatever is best for you. I am a 42 year driver. Owned 3 18s. 2 13s. My first truck had 2 gear shifters. Anyhow makes me smile with all these people getting on here to show how to shift an 18 speed. It’s not rocket science. Now the guys that show shifting 2 sticks are cool because most drivers out there today have no idea what your talking about if you mentioned one. Some of them do ok. Lot of them should be embarrassed filming themselves. Lol. You keep up the good job. I’m retiring in a couple years. I’ll be checking in all you youngsters out there in your self driving electric trucks in a few years. Lol. Take care

Been a while since I’ve been on 530 out of Arlington. Brings back memories

Douminique your beautiful driving truck the same as I do. I never touch the crutch unless I’m stopping or going. It’s a Blessing to watch you drive your dump trucks and watch your videos be safe and cool 😎🤠🦺🩳❤️💖🇺🇸

Nice job. As long as you drive and your comfortable cool 😎

Nice video. My Dad taught me how to double clutch or float shift as conditions warrant.

As Always great video on the 18 speed transmissions. I remember my first time drove 18 speed with my instructor in school. Apparently I was doing something wrong where I ended up grinding the gear for whatever reason and the instructor pull me over on rode and switch seat to show me how it done. He floated ever gear which was confusing at first because in school they teach the double clutch method which take a lot hand and foot coordination. I eventually was able to catch on very quickly and so every time I drive a truck I never driven before and try to feel the truck like the RPM.. I fast the RPM rise and fall which determine how well I shift, for example when I downshifting and I know I have to slow the vehicle so the RPM drop to 1000 and then increase the RPM to about 1500 before catching the next lower gear. Well with certain truck the RPM will rise and drop faster depending on where the RPM idle at.

I help with harvest and only drive a few times/year; I'm usually in a 13-speed, but have driven an 18 several times. They're basically the exact same, except the splitter is available in low range with the 18 and not the 13. When upshifting, sometimes I clutch and sometimes I don't. When downshifting, however, I always single clutch out of gear then use the RPM to float into the next lower gear; not sure why I do it that way, but I'm comfortable with it and it works for me. I generally downshift my way to a stop, until I HAVE to use the brake pedal to completely stop (yes, I know it takes me longer to slow down that way). It surprises me how many vids I see of drivers who pop into neutral from 4th or even 5th gear and glide to the stop/red light in neutral and use the brakes. Given how costly it is to replace brakes, I do what I can to save them.

Thanks for sharing this video and thanks for the lesson on shifting a 18 speed transmission I’ve learned a lot from your video. Thanks Dauminique.

Dauminique, thank you for another great video

Out of all the shifting videos I’ve watched this is the one that I’ve been needing. Of course it had to be the last one I picked. I guess that what it means; saved the best for last! 😂 thanks!

Just beginning my 50th year driving heavy trucks, depending on the terrain of course over reving and catching the gear on the way down doesn't work on a soft jobsite..skill and guesstimated timing adding or dropping revolutions is what makes it "look easy"..watching in your peripheral vision, you notice 4 or 5 people stop their work to watch you..thats what makes it fun day after day!!

Great to see your Knob selection. I knew about the selector switch on unit. But, did not know about thumb switch on knob. Great explaining! Back in the !980’s drove truck with the brownie 2 stick transmission. Oh so much fun!

You are an amazing Truck Driver

Cool 😎 video!!! I could watch you truck drivers shift all day there is a art to shifting trucks in my opinion 👍👍 on a side note I don't drive truck. I drive a roadgrader for a job. You know what you are doing. The people who hate on you must THINK they know everything

13, 10, 13+4 sp Brownie @ 200mph almost :) and now on 18 speed which I love....for years I moved the splitter after the stick never lost a transmission...a few years back I saw somebody move the splitter before the stick so I've been doing that still haven't lost a tranny.. in my current truck just turned a million miles...I guess there's more than one way to get there... And if I had to take a driver test and use the clutch I know I'd flunk :)... keep up the good work

Great job girl you rock.

Great video Dauminique!

New Driver , very helpful Video . Thank you Tim .

From the moment I first came across you're channel that was one of the items I noticed right away, your ease and smoothness at shifting and of course the clutchless shifting all while in far less then ideal conditions as per city driving. Dauminique, you would roll your eyes to watch an official Eaton transmission shifting video and you probably can guess why as per them claiming that the ONLY way is to ALWAYS use the clutch period.

Great video! Absolutely nothing wrong with “Your” shifting! I say it like that because we all learned how to shift as we were taught! Then we find our own techniques!

Impressive!! Nice job

Good Morning from South Alabama, stumbled across your page, and have enjoyed watching your blog....this video of you shifting is my favorite, it's almost like a fine art in the sense that finesse makes it so cool to watch, keep posting.

Hi I'm Clarence. You're doing it the right way I've been doing it from the age of 18 I just turned 39 back in October

I could watch her drive all day. Shes smooth.

I love how you take the other drivers into consideration from a safety standpoint. Way more responsibility with all of that weight.

I once drove a W900 pulling a rock dumper that had a super 10 (split every gear) with what looked like a range switch on the shift rod. It turned out to be a Jake brake switch! very sweet not having to reach for the dash to engage/disengage it. Thanks for the video, you made many good points.

Truck have come along way. I work for small company of 8 guys . Underground construction water & sewer & storm drain. I operator equipment then moved the equipment from job to job. The truck I drove had 220 Cummins with turbo 5 & 4 manual steering no Jake and beat you to death and you couldn't hear any body talk. You do good job driving. And thank God you didn't have to drive the old crates. But being be a kid in 1980 I loved it.

Great video you drive the way it suits you and don't worry what other people think

Thank you I like the way you explain how you work and shift we are all different thanks again 👍

LO L is 1st gear,LO H is 2nd gear, 1L is 3rd,1H is 4th,2L is 5th, 2H is 6th ,3L is 7th ,3H is 8th, 4L is 9th,4H is 10, 5L is 11, 5H is 12, 6L is 13,6H is 14,7L 15,7H is 16, 8L is 17,8H is 18 gear😊

Learned from crusty old timers who drove B models and Brockways! Mostly anyways. Learned to use my ears and the sound and feel of the truck. Use the clutch Pedal when starting out. Power shift/ speed shift. 38 year's experience. I think you do very well

Great info about the clutch brake @9:35!

Hey Daum, U explained this as well as anyone could have. Kudos to you. Keep floatin' them gears & save Ur knee. :-)

I learned on an 8 speed dump truck. Downshifting was what got me. I think most people have the same issue. I learned upshifting a lot easier. Double clutching also killed me for a bit. I was either too slow or too fast or the speed and rpms weren't lined up right. Almost 3 years later, I still grind gears. Somedays the shifting just comes to me. Other days I can't shift to save my life.

Cool vid keep up the good work and keep trucking

Awesome example and great video. Thanks.

Oh wow I figured you'd be an automatic only driver. Good for you! Go girl!

NICE...THANKS. IF THAT'S YOU MAKING A VID NERVOUS YOU DESERVE A BILLION THUMB UPS WHEN COMFORTABLE.

Great video!

Looks a lot like work lol Kinda glad I don't shift firetrucks anymore (automatics) and yes, when I started I shifted a 68 Mack firetruck with no synchronizers!

Hi Dauminique. I like the way you shift. I still rev it up and catch it on the way down when downshifting but I'm going to try it your way. Also everyone misses a gear so no big deal. Also using a clutch on every shift is ridiculous. However I had to us my clutch to pass my test.

Proud of you young woman

Do what works for you Dauminique👍👍👍Looks like you do it quite well. To heck with what everybody else does😎😎😎