Life OTR

Nothing wrong with a pee bottle. Just don't leave it in a parking lot or dump it in a parking lot. You can get a new bottle. I don't know how many times I've been hauling ### and didn't have time to stop at a T/S and find a place to park just to run in to take a leak. (and I will absolutely not block the fuel island and not get fuel.. neither shoud you) So I hit the first wide spot I could find or an off ramp with a good shoulder. Did my business and rolled on. YES carry TP!!!! Or else you will loose socks! Haha!

 

Deeeeffinately!!!!!! I've stopped before in that mad rush, ate really fast and hit the road. Sometimes not watching where I eat... once even ignoring the warnings of other drivers.. and that was one of those times I ate and hit the road... then it hit me back. I thought I was gonna die!!! If more than one driver says don't eat there.. usually its good to take the warning. Lesson learned here!

 

I've got a few q's about life on the open road.

1.) What is the worst part of being a solo driver?
2.) How much trouble do you run into with robbers/smugglers/gangs/bad parts of towns?
3.) How much drive time could I see within my first year being solo. (I'm single and have nothing tying me down.)
4.) Any of you carry a laptop that has GPS on it? I want to get one to keep with me for better directions and such.
5.) More to come....

Thanks for the answers in advance!

 

Im not a truck driver, yet. But I can answer your questions anyways from just my own experience on the road.

1. If you time it right, it shouldn't be a problem. It seems like guys (girls too?) carry a pee bottle. Someone even mentioned a coffee can for #2. I guess I don't know where drivers eat...maybe they bring something with them or eat at a truck stop...etc. Either way...take a walk. Dont just stop, eat and get back on the road. Usually if you get up and walk around and stuff...stuff gets goin inside ya...if you know what I mean.

2. Depends on the truck stop or company. Its kinda hit and miss. But I suggest taking your own towel and supplies...and shower shoes...and with that stuff there, you should be fine.

3. A truck stop is like...a huge gas station. They are gas stations for regular gas customers, but they also have the large diesel islands for the trucks. Some stations only have enough for a couple trucks at a time...some have enough pumps for a bunch of trucks at a time. I remember I was at one once where there were like 5 or 6 rows of trucks at the pumps....and there were 3-4 trucks behind each one...waiting for fuel. Most islands or whatever they are called, have two pumps for each truck...one on each side for dual tank trucks. There is a sequence to this and I still keep messing up when I go there, lol. Ive gone there in my Penske Truck and used their pumps...but the tank is on the right hand side. So I had to turn on the pump and put the nozzle on the ground...then go over and turn the pump on the other side on...and use that pump for the gas. I cant just go there first and use it...the main one seems like it has to be turned on no matter what. They also have ladders and long handled window washer things.

Also...many truck stops provide parking on a first come basis. This is for people to take their breaks, restarts...etc. Most have shower facilities and lounges. Many seem to try and seperate from the gas customers as much as possible. Some truck stops provide / allow a chapel service on Sundays.

Some stops have systems set up where you can pay some cash and use the internet...or find and schedule a load.

Some can be very large...others can be rather small. Just depends.

Also seems (correct me if Im wrong here guys) that you can get stuff delivered to you there as well. I was at a Flying J today sending out a fax and a driver was picking up a Fed Ex envelope. I heard the manager say the other one was for somebody else who was coming in later on. I guess you can have stuff delivered if you know when you are going to be there?

 

I endorse the chemical porta potty.
It has saved my butt many times.
They're small, slide under bunks or into cabinets.
No smell or leakage.

I bought one of these while my ex co-drove with me.
What a lifesaver it was for both of us.

You know what I'm talking about if you've ever been in DFW rush hour traffic or in between nowhere & El Paso & had that most urgent of urges strike you. Pee bottles just don't cover this particular urge in any graceful manner.

The bonus is that you don't have to stop for a "co-driver" every couple or three hours.
They can easily be used "on the run" without worry of splashing or spillage.

 

Ok...like I said...Im not a trucker, but I can toss in my opinion.
1. Depends, for some, there isnt much bad stuff. Some truckers dont even have a home or apartment. For many though, I think the big thing is being away from home and family. Even if you are single...you still might have family in general and friends, etc. Its kind of hard to do a lot when you are only home for a day or two at a time.

2. I dont know about this. I think some drivers conceal and carry to help them in this area. But I guess it depends on where you are going. How long are you going to stay in an area? I think many would just as soon get in and get out as quick as they can.

3. I think you can get as much as you want for drive time. Just find a company to hire ya and train you and all and after you get your own truck or whatever...you can work as many miles as you can...legally. As far as miles...I dunno.

4. I guess I havent really heard of a laptop with GPS. Not too sure where you can put a laptop while driving anyways. Of the trucks Ive seen...I dont think there is a flat / sturdy enough spot to put them on. Just get a regular GPS unit from Garmin or whatever and put it on the dash of the truck or maybe even by the controls if there is a relatively open area. The problem with GPS units though is you have to buy the information for the gps...maps and the like. Depending on what you want, you might have to spend a little extra to get all the maps that are out there of the US. Also...some GPS units have weather and mp3 stuff added in. Thats a really nice feature to be able to see the weather as you approach it and find out how bad it is...or find alternate routes. lol...I own a motorcycle and Im planning on getting a GPS sometime in the future.

 

Here ya go hotrod.

1.) The worst part for me was when I decided making money was way more important to my health. Eating and sleeping just kind of go to the back burner. Watch that animal in ya.

2.) Never ran into any robbers or anything, been to some rough areas but refused NY. The worst thing to happen to me was people stealing things off my truck when I stopped. I wouldn't carry a gun... there are people who will say yeeah go for it. But it could get you fired and a fine.

3.) If you get with a good company and you like it, you can get alot of seat time.

4.) I carried a gps unit. A Tom Tom, not the best for a truck, but I used it with my atlas and it worked for me. There are programs you can get for a laptop that have great gps snd show truck routes... which would be great for a new guy. One is "Trucker Co Pilot". The lap top can hang out in the passenger seat or they make stands for them that you can strap it too. Its all possible.

5.) Bring em on!

 

1.) What is the worst part of being a solo driver?
2.) How much trouble do you run into with robbers/smugglers/gangs/bad parts of towns?
3.) How much drive time could I see within my first year being solo. (I'm single and have nothing tying me down.)
4.) Any of you carry a laptop that has GPS on it? I want to get one to keep with me for better directions and such.
5.) More to come....


1) nothing, unless you tend to get lonely

2) none. and I've been to New Orleans, Baltimore (slept down at the port many times,) Miami (slept there in a "bad" neighborhood,) Youngstown, Dayton, Toledo, Birmingham, Atlanta, and just about every other large city east of the Mississippi. not many people would bother a trucker, because they don't know what's in the sleeper.... it might be a meek, out of shape 5'6" fellow with a pocket full of cash, or it might be a big bad motherf"cker with a sawed off shotgun. of course, if you sit around watching cable news all day, you'll be afraid to even leave the house.

3) 10-11 hours a day

4) I don't even have a cell phone. didn't have a CB until I drove 7 months. all I carry is a road atlas. if I need "better" directions that what is on the qualcomm(, and I RARELY do) I either pull over and ask directions, consult a local or county map at a gas station, or call dispatch and they patch me thru to the customer - all those cost approximately NOTHING

5)..........

 

I love being solo, because I always get to talk with genius. Yes you will talk to yourself alot.
I have never had any problems with anyone on the road. Except once in Matthews,mo when another driver decided to block the darn fuel island so he could take a nap. I'm a patient guy but c'mon I've got limits.
I have an Atlas, it's get's me to the city where my directions usually take over. Good tip that I've found helpful is to double check your directions with the consignee and make sure both line up. Usually, you won't have any problems. The only time directions get hard is when your the first guy from your company to deliver to a customer, then you only have what they tell you and their not truck drivers. This can cause problems with low bridges and streets where trucks aren't allowed.