Bad hopping when backing up, is it me or a problem with the truck?

Howdy All,

For the last five years I have been towing my large RV trailer with a Freigthliner Columbia with a 10 speed Auto-Shift and NEVER had a problem modulating the clutch when backing the truck-trailer up.

I have just recently finished the build on my 2001 379 which has an 18 speed Auto-Shift, I am having one hell of a time backing this rig when hitched to the trailer which weights 22,000 pounds. No matter how carefully I release the clutch there seems to be no slip friction zone its either not engaged or fully engaged. The clutch has been inspected and properly adjusted, I know how to drive but this clutch has got me looking like a newbi. Any suggestions other then just getting used to this clutch. Thanks for any advice you can offer.



Dave

 

Howdy Brandon,

Rigs like mine are getting more and more common as the size and weight of RV trailers keep getting larger. Most folks who do this use Volvo’s I like real trucks.

Dave

 

Howdy BUMBA,

My truck truck has an Auto-Shift, not an automatic transmission. The Auto-Shift still uses the clutch to leave from or come to a dead stop.

Dave

 

Howdy Rusty,

My truck has a regular clutch pedal that must be used when starting to move or coming to a stop, it is not a two pedal automatic transmission.

Dave

 

Howdy All,

Thanks for the replies.

Just to clear things up a bit the transmission in my truck is an Auto-Shift, it is NOT a automatic.

The Auto-Shift, has regular clutch pedal that must be used when ever the transmission is in gear, when leaving from or coming to a dead stop.

The clutch in the Peterbilt has a very different feel to it, I am asking if this is typical for a Peterbilt clutch and just something I have to get used to or it may be a problem that needs to get looked into.

Dave

 

Howdy Ridgeline,

I have checked and made sure that the axle inter-lock was NOT engaged. I have had the truck weighed there is 4,200 hundred pounds of trailer pin weight, around 2,200 pounds of steel car deck and 2,000 pounds of Smart Car, sitting on the rear axles so I don't think tire slippage on dry ground-pavement is the problem.

This is the Freightliner that I used to tow this trailer with, with luck a guy is coming up from Salt Lake City and will be buying this tractor from me next Monday.



I when I decided to carry the Smart Car, on the truck rather then have it take up half the garage in the toy hauler I went with a tandem axle truck for two reasons, ONE I love the look, TWO resale value. I bought the Freightliner as a turn key RV trailer tow rig, it was singled and had the deck and storage boxes all ready on it, a very good truck that served me well for the five years I have owned it but to do the work nessisary to convert it so that it could carry a Smart Car, would be a lot of money that I could never recover when I sold the truck.

When I bought the Pete, I looked for and found a truck that not only fit my needs but that when I decide to sell it will have MUCH more market value not only as an RV hauler but take the Smart Car, deck off the truck, bolt the commercial 5th wheel back in place and its all setup for commercial duty again. Once you single a truck its commercial value is next to nothing so your future sales pool is greatly diminished.

I just returned from the West Coast Heavy Duty Truck Rally, click this link to be taken to a gallery containing many photos of real trucks used to tow large RV trailers.

2018, HDT, WCR, participant truck photos. - Mr-Cob

This is a link to the National HDT rally, held each October in Hutchinson Kansas, MANY more trucks. I use the National rally as a kick off point for my Ural motorcycle wandering as I make my way back home to Washington State.

2015, HDT rally and fall Ural sojourn. - Mr-Cob

Dave