Roadranger Gearbox Training

Mastering upshifts & downshifts as well as compound, split and progressive shifting

$45 +GST per person ($51.75)

4 x $11.25

Number of course licences:

Roadranger Gearbox Training

Name: Roadranger Gearbox Training
Brand: TR Driver Training
Price: 45 NZD
Availability: InStock

Mastering upshifts & downshifts as well as compound, split and progressive shifting

Grind a range change, miss a split or select reverse before the truck stops, and you can damage an Eaton Roadranger gearbox. Do it often and you could face a repair bill in the thousands of dollars. The truck is also off the road while it’s fixed.

Many drivers who use a Roadranger every day taught themselves, picking up habits from whoever was in the passenger seat, and some of those habits are slowly wearing out the gearbox.

This online Roadranger training course teaches drivers how to drive an Eaton Fuller 18-speed Roadranger with the right technique. It explains how a non-synchro (constant mesh) gearbox works and why it behaves so differently from a synchromesh box, how the clutch brake and countershaft brake help you select a gear from a standstill, and why double clutching is the key to clean upshifts.

Drivers learn to match revs for downshifts, use the range selector and splitter correctly, and when to compound shift, skip shift and progressive shift. The course also covers lo range and reverse, including how not to break the gearbox while reversing, and whether you should float gears.

Good technique pays off in more than a longer-lasting gearbox. Drivers who change gears smoothly use less fuel, put less wear on the clutch and driveline, and finish the day less tired.

New Roadranger drivers will be competent in the cab sooner because they already understand what the gearbox is doing, and experienced drivers get a chance to check their habits against best practice.

Why do a Roadranger online course?

You've never driven a Roadranger before: having this theoretical knowledge means you'll be able to get in the truck and be proficient more quickly.
You already drive a Roadranger: this course will give you best-practice technique to improve your driving, reduce fuel economy and ensure your gearbox lasts as long as possible without breakages.

What is Roadranger gearbox training?

Roadranger gearbox training is an online course that shows drivers how to get maximum performance and minimum wear from their Roadranger gearbox. It's delivered via video-based learning, where an experienced instructor demonstrates techniques.
What is a Roadranger gearbox?

A Roadranger is Eaton’s range of non-synchronised manual truck transmissions, also called Eaton Fuller or Road Ranger gearboxes. They are common on many American and Asian trucks and come in several configurations, up to 18 forward gears and four reverse. The 18-speed uses a five-speed main section combined with an auxiliary section that provides a high and low range and a splitter, giving 18 forward ratios from a standard gear lever.
Why do Roadranger gearbox training?

Roadranger gearbox training helps cut repair costs, fuel use and downtime. A Roadranger is easy to damage with poor technique, and a repair can cost thousands of dollars. Drivers who change gears smoothly also use less fuel and put less wear on the clutch and driveline. They finish the day less tired, too.
Who should do Roadranger gearbox training?
Roadranger gearbox training is for any driver who drives, or will soon drive, a truck with an Eaton Roadranger gearbox. It suits:
- new Roadranger drivers, who become competent sooner once they understand the theory
- experienced and self-taught drivers, who can check their habits against best practice
- fleet managers and transport operators, who want all their drivers working to the same standard
What will I learn in a Roadranger gearbox course?
The Roadranger Gearbox Training course teaches you how to change gears smoothly and safely on an 18-speed Roadranger. Topics include:
- how a non-synchro gearbox works
- clutch brakes and countershaft brakes
- upshifts with double clutching, and downshifts with rev matching
- range shifts and split shifts
- skip shifting, compound shifting and progressive shifting
- whether or not to float gears
- using lo range and reverse without damaging the gearbox
Does this course cover 13-speed and 15-speed Roadrangers?

Yes. The course is built around the 18-speed Roadranger, which is the most common configuration. The core techniques of double clutching, rev matching, range changes and using the clutch brake apply across the Roadranger range, but the gear layout and splitter use differ between models, so drivers of 13-speed and 15-speed gearboxes should check their own shift pattern, but can use the same techniques taught in the course.
Why is a Roadranger hard to drive?

A Roadranger is harder to drive than a synchromesh gearbox because the main section has no synchronisers to match gear speeds for you. The driver has to match engine revs to road speed on every shift, using the clutch and throttle. It takes practice to get right, and poor technique can damage the gearbox, which is expensive to repair or replace.
How do you change gears in an 18-speed Roadranger?

You change gears in an 18-speed Roadranger by double-clutching and matching the engine revs to road speed. On an upshift you let the revs drop before engaging the next gear. On a downshift, you raise the revs. Work through the lower gears in low range, then switch to high range with the range selector. Use the splitter to step between half gears. The Roadranger Gearbox Training course covers each type of shift in detail, including range changes, split shifts, compound shifts, skip shifting and progressive shifting.
Can you float gears in a Roadranger?

You can, but Eaton doesn’t recommend floating gears in a Roadranger. Floating means changing gear without the clutch, by matching revs with the throttle alone. A mistimed float can grind the gears and damage the gearbox. The Roadranger Gearbox Training course explains the technique, the risks and why double clutching is the safer habit.
Is Roadranger training relevant outside New Zealand?

Yes. The Roadranger Gearbox Training course teaches gearbox technique, not local road rules. It applies in any country where trucks have Eaton Roadranger gearboxes, including Australia and America. The certificate of achievement is a training record, not a licence. Licence and qualification rules depend on the country you drive in.
Can you learn to drive a Roadranger online?

Yes, you can learn the theory and technique online. The Roadranger Gearbox Training course explains what happens inside the gearbox during each shift. Drivers then understand why the technique matters, instead of copying someone else’s habits. Driving skill still comes from practice in the cab. It helps to have a truck with a Roadranger gearbox to practise on.
Is in-cab Roadranger training available?

Yes, in some locations. The Roadranger Gearbox Training course is online only, but TR Driver Training can help arrange in-cab Roadranger training for your drivers. Call 0800 637 000 to check availability.
Can a company use the Roadranger course to train multiple drivers?

Yes. You buy one course licence for each driver and assign the Roadranger Gearbox Training course to them from your dashboard. You can then track progress, keep training records, download certificates and run reports. You can add more managers at no extra cost.
What do you get when you complete the Roadranger course?

You get a certificate of achievement when you finish the Roadranger Gearbox Training course. You can download it and keep it as a training record. The course isn’t a driver licence or endorsement. To drive a truck with a Roadranger, you still need the right class of heavy vehicle licence.
What other training goes well with Roadranger training?

Roadranger training pairs well with Pre-trip inspection and Heavy vehicle load security. Together, they cover checking the truck before you leave, securing the load and driving the gearbox properly on the road.
How do I access and use the Roadranger Gearbox Training course?

You need one course licence for each driver taking the Roadranger Gearbox Training course. You can’t use one licence for several drivers. You also need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access. You don’t need a truck to do the course, but a truck with a Roadranger gearbox helps you practise.
Can I take the Roadranger Gearbox Training course in another language?
Literacy and language support is available in the Roadranger course:
- Video subtitles/captions are available for all videos - see above for the list. Choose the language in the video.
- Questions: 76 languages are available - check the language option at the top of the page.
- Question audio: play audio of every question in English
- Some captions are AI-generated and, as such, may have occasional errors.
What are our clients saying?

I [saw] some areas where I can improve. I learnt things that I thought I knew but maybe had to change some of my methods as I am pretty much self-taught. [Foodstuffs South Island driver]

$45 +GST per person ($51.75)

4 x $11.25

Number of course licences:

Certificate of Completion

Approximately 0.75 hours

Full access for 6 months

Optional practical training available in selected locations - contact us for pricing

Subtitles available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malayalam, Maori, Punjabi, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Sinhala, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese

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TR Driver Training specialises in heavy and light commercial and rural vehicle training nationwide. Call us on 0800 637 000

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