Shifting the NV5600: how to?

[slowneasy]

I need some advise, opinions etc on shifting the NV5600 better than I am now with a loaded trailer that weighs about 13K. That's not much weight compared to some of you guys but that's about all the weight I want in my driving situations. I live in the northern part of LA County and my biggest problems with my shifting is on the surface streets/roads that have stop lights and up/down grades. It wouldn't be a problem if the lights weren't there to screw ya up but they are.

Upshifting- how long do you hold the current gear before shifting (RPM's)? And once you shift into the next higher gear, and with the clutch still in, do you increase the rpm's and if so, by how much? One of my many problems is that on shifting, if I don't increase rpm's when the clutch is in, I lose too much monemtum. But a lot of times if I increase rpm's, then let the clutch out, I get some jerking of the truck/trailer. (Not exceptable as trailer is a horse trailer).



Downshifting is not as problematic for me but obviously, still needs work. I'm sure if my upshifting improved, downshifting would follow. Another slight problem is that this truck isn't a daily driver so even though driving it empty I have no problems, it's not like I can practice with the trailer regularly to figure it all out on my own.



Thanks!

 

[nickleinonen]

if you have a load, hold the gear long enough that when you do shift, your next gear will keep you in the power band. . while the engine will make good torque at 1400rpm, i'd with a load keep it so you drop to about 1800rpm or so [so shifting from 2500-2800 or so]

i don't give it throttle between shifts, but i can pretty quickly shift. if you find you loose too much rpm between shifts, try being a little late off the throttle when you shift [throttle will hang for a sec, allowing you a little more time to find your gear and match the rev's better]. downshifting i always try and match the rev's and can get it within a few rpm most of the time. i do the same while on the brakes too heel/toe downshifting [actually pretty easy to do]

 

[slowneasy]

nickleinonen-

thanks for the reply! couple of questions for ya now. so you take all gears (1,2,3,4) to 2500-2800 rpm's when you shift with a load?



what's the toe/heel thing you mentioned at the end of your post? turn your right foot sideways a bit and use it on the brake and throttle at the same time? more detail please.



Thanks again!

 

[nickleinonen]

less rpm will be needed for the lower gears as you have more mechanical advantage. you will need to play around with it to find what works best for you, but try and keep the rev drop to around 1800 when you start off in the next gear [1500 would be good for 2nd & 3rd gear]

you got it on the heel/toe. . i don't really put my foot sideways, but i hold the brake with the inside edge of my foot, and with the outside edge rocking it i can get the throttle nicely

[i rarely have a load on my truck (99% unloaded driving) the most i have had for a short distance was around 10k]

any hilly terrain and it is good to hold a gear that allows you to accelarate on that hill [to keep from bogging engine]

 

[Tomeygun]

nickleinonen-

thanks for the reply! couple of questions for ya now. so you take all gears (1,2,3,4) to 2500-2800 rpm's when you shift with a load?



what's the toe/heel thing you mentioned at the end of your post? turn your right foot sideways a bit and use it on the brake and throttle at the same time? more detail please.



Thanks again!

Thats one things nice with these 3rd gens - Dont be afraid of the RPM - I shift based upon the grade... when I'm climbing with 13k in tow, I take her to 3k every gear...