Hello All,

I am a Newbie for PAM(penny a mile). I know my first year I will get really screwed and Know i'll be sitting around waiting for loads out in BFE town w/nothing but time on my hands- AND this is expected for the first year or two.

I was wondering how to hook up an extra computer(my own personal computer) and surf the net, maybe a playstation 2 system for DVD Movies and games... How the hell do I plug all this crap in for power?

I searched ALL over the internet for tips on this subject and found nothing. I figure, if PAM is going to screw me over alot and have me waiting around for BS loads that no one else wants, I might as well entertain my DAMMMM self. AND I'm also giving up my apartment since i'll basically be living in the Freakin, Blood suckin' truck all year.

Thank you all.
be safe and watch out for the rookie, i'd sure hate to crash into your ace. I'll be bringing lots on No-Doze, hope it helps.

Get an "air card" from your cell phone provider (I use Verizon, but there are others) to get internet access on your laptop.

The tv/dvd can hook to a 9v "cigarette lighter" connection. Most trucks have them. I don't know how much juice a playstation uses, but if it won't work on the lighter thingy, power inverters are pretty cheap. You'll need one if you want a microwave or a coffee pot anyway. Check with PAM though, before you install it - some companies (Crete, for example) are pretty anal about those things - fire hazard.

Oh yeah, you can get all this crap at wal-mart - much cheaper than at truck stops.

Thank You for the INFO. How many 9v cigarette connections are in a semi? I have about 5-7 things i'll need power for.
Sorry for the ignorant questions and hope I don't blow up the truck w/all i'm planning to bring.

the trucks i've had usually had four - one for the tv, one for the cooler, one in front in the ashtray and one on the sleeper heater/ac control. I'm sure it varies, and you can probably hook up as many as you want, but you can also purchase adapters which turn one connection into 2 or even three.

another thought - you can buy a cheaper, better tv if you buy one without the 9v plug - just a regular plug. then you can get a small inverter ($25) that plugs into the 9v. I have one that has two outlets - and I plug my laptop into one and the tv into the other. Neither uses much juice. again - walmart.

not dumb questions, by the way.

hope this helps.

I have a 1500 watt power inverter that Runs My TV, PS2, Laptop, Microwave, and other Cooking appliances, and Refrigerator, and A Home Theater surround sound system... all at the same time

1st just get a standard cheap TV not a combo with AV plugs
2. Use the PS2 as a DVD Player
3. Get the $39.00 Home Theater System from Walmart
4. 600 watt from walmart 39.00 roughly
5. Surge Protector bars 1 or 2 depending on how you want your setup
6. i use a GE Black Mini Refrigerator that i got at walmart for 129.00 its just a bit bigger than the white harrier one but has a larger freezer section on it
7. hook it all together and there you go

8. if you have a laptop i suggest if you don't want to pay the price to add a second line of service for the AirCard, check and see if your service provider offers a Phone AS Modem plan and you can connect 2 ways
1 USB cable (can be purchased on Ebay, BestBuy, CircutCity, I know sprint doesnt sell the cables)
2. Bluetooth you can buy a Bluetooth USB Adaptor for your laptop for 20.00 from walmart (i got one 2 days ago) comes with all the software you need to run it and instruction manual)
and the cost is cheaper than connecting at a pay wifi connection I use Sprint Phone as Modem plan and my monthly charge is $39.99 for unlimited data

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

That sounds like a great setup. But I would definitely suggest going with the air card over the modem. $20 a month more - but way better if you're at all a serious surfer.

I have a 2500watt cobra inverter. Make an offer, at truck stops everyone low balls you.

o yeah This is important i left it out... Check with Pam 1st before you purchase a power inverter, and see what the company policy is on how many watts it can be

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

Which one is faster for downloading mp3's or Movies? The air card or the other thing?

I found out PAM doesn't allow pets. I've had this Dog for 8 years now. If I sneak around and bring the Dog w/me will I get fired if i'm caught? I don't see what the BIG deal is anyway and I would not have a problem paying a pet deposit.

My rig has a RigMaster APU on it, so I have 110 outlets built-in. When the RM stops working for whatever reason, I have an inverter backup I use (A Coleman 300w, cost about $50). As you get to driving, by the way, you can build up payback points at the truck stop chains (like Pilot or TA or whatever) and use those to buy more stuff. That's how I got my 12v crock pot, 12v vacuum, and so forth.

As for Internet, I use truck stop Wifi connections. Siricomm is great, but doesn't take payback points so you have to cough up cash. I use FlyJ (my second-fav) and use my payback coupons for that. TA is OK, but they're being taken over by IdleAir and so it's hard to get a good TA wifi connection anymore--they keep putting the antennas inside the building...frikkin morons).

A card from your cell phone provider (I use Sprint and have friends who use their cards and love them) is most convenient, but also the most expensive route. I don't need 'Net 24/7, so I don't mind not having it at my fingertips at all times. I tend to read a lot of books.

As for movies and so forth, I watch DVDs on my laptop and don't have a TV in my truck at all.

By the way, most trucks have at least 4 lighter socket outlets in them. My Kenworth has five, as do most models of Pete. Most Volvos come with built-in inverters for 110 outlets too, by the way.