What tools and gadgets should I carry OTR?

You take that back!!

 

There is nothing so permanent as a temporary solution, duct tape is an enabler of poor choices for the vast majority of people that use it

 

If you say so. Duct tape got me to the mudflap bracket store.

 

Or...it's an enabler to make do until you can make right. That and bailing wire

 

I'm still a newer driver, but I used to haul reefer and dry van. Now do flatbed. Other drivers will have more info for you BUT....

2 good pairs of gloves at least (one for fueling because you don't want to touch those nozzles and a second just to protect your hands from being pinched or burned) i.e. hot trailer door handles, landing gear handle, connecting your emergency, service, and electrical lines, etc)

A fifth wheel pin puller (some don't use it, but I feel like it helps so you don't #### up your shoulder trying to reach under the trailer and pull at an awkward angle)

Clip board to keep your paperwork organized and pens of course.....can never have too many pens.

Always keep extra water in your truck and non-perishable food in case you get stuck in bad weather or your truck breaks down.

Reflective vest

Rand McNally 2022 Motor Carrier Atlas and a GPS (make sure it is one specifically for truckers)....at least the Atlas to start....you can get away with Google maps for awhile just make sure you pay attention to roads with NO TRUCKS allowed and bridge clearances, etc etc

Zip ties

Extra gladhand seals (your company should provide these though) and extra coolant, anti gel (for winter time), rubbing alcohol, washer fluid, straps or load bars to secure your load.....your company should provide all this on this paragraph other than rubbing alcohol.

 

Yes and good for you, but im not convinced youre "normal" or "most people" i have to defer things i can easily "fix" now frequently because i know that if i do, ill just ignore it till it breaks again

 

I wouldn’t buy any tools as a company driver. They should give you a bag of basic tools for the truck. A pack of zip ties a pack of bungees and a couple rolls of duct tape, mainly for dropping into the oversized cup holders, would be more than necessary.

Stuff like work gloves a rain jacket a large plastic envelope a normal flashlight cell phone mount and chargers a garmin truckers gps Bluetooth headset sunglasses a microwave an electric cooler a toiletry bag ear plugs etc.

Then theres stuff that will save you money like a coffee maker a can opener a bottle of laundry detergent an extra pack of socks etc.

Worry about taking care of yourself while being a new driver out on the road and let mechanics fix any mechanical stuff, the rest will fall into place much better. You shouldn’t be driving junk equipment anyway. Ive been driving for years in all conditions and never once thought “gee I wish I had a sledge hammer”.

 

So you have never had frozen brake drums or a trailer door handle that needed a little encouragement?

 

Geez louise that's bad advice.

The company should be paying for supplies (lights, etc), but tools are a driver's responsibility.

About this time last year one of our drivers had an ecu fault that wouldn't let the truck start. Dispatch had me stop by so once the tow truck got him out from the trailer I could put it in the dock. I disconnected the battery, reconnected it and the truck fired right up. Got him unhooked from the trailer and canceled the two truck that was still 2 hours out.

Last week a yard jockey was pulling one of our trailers from the dock and the brakes locked up on him. Air line had cracked. It took me less than 5 minutes to make the temporary repair. They were going to just drag the frigger out of the way - ruining 8 tires in the process.

3 days ago a driver couldn't get their 5th wheel to release. They didn't have a hammer. Less than 30 seconds of my time and I got the driver unhooked.

Anyone who wants to make this a career needs to have tools and learn how to use them.

 

Nope. Frozen brakes just once. 16 ounce hammer worked just fine.