Packing List for Students

Excellent recap, TAJW!

I agree that the tools should be something you only bring when you get your own truck.

Add to TOOLS:

- 50 foot air hose (can be used to inflate all tires on the truck and to clean out the cab) - don't get the cheap PVC, spend the extra $10 for the one that is supple and resists cold down to -40 degrees

- Headlamp - in addition to two flashlights I find a headlamp is invaluable. Many a time in the dark you need both hands free to perform a task, trying to hold a flashlight at the same time is often impossible. Makes pretrip inspections in the dark go much faster. Doubles as a bunk reading light on the low setting.

New category I strongly recommend:

Food and Food Kit

Kit :

- Tupperware bowl with lid - big enough for cereal, hot oatmeal, preparing tuna salad, etc.
- Big spoon
- Fork
- Swiss Army Knife (with a can opener)
- Can opener (optional)
- Resealable zip lock bags in gallon, quart, and sandwich size
- Large thermos bottle (hot water is free in any truck stop)
- Thermos coffee mug

Food


- Oatmeal (I repacked into gallon ziplock... buy in bulk and it's only $0.60 per lb or so)
- Nuts
- Chopped dates
- Raisins
- Canned tuna - 3 or 4
- Canned chicken breast - 3 or 4
- Mackeral (not everyone's taste but I love it)
- Loaf of bread
- Mayonnaise (small bottle)
- Cheese (1 lb)
- Canned sweet corn 2 or 3 (get the small single serve cans with the pull top lid)... other canned vegetables.... blech!!!
- Wheat Thins - healthiest snack out there, especially if you can get the low sodium version...
- Energy Bars
- Instant Coffee
- Honey or Sugar

Fresh foods

- Apples - I buy about 4 at a time, Fuji is my favorite.
- Sugar Snap Peas - at Walmart sold in a prepackage. Very sweet and a great raw snack.
- Bananas - I buy 4 at a time at WM.
- Red Bell Peppers - I buy 2 at a time.

I brought a duffle bag with my food kit and food to orientation. Replenishing on the road at Walmart every 4-8 days, depending on dispatching and location. It was a heavy bag, but well worth it. I left orientation directly into training for six weeks, and then immediately into my own truck (into my second week solo). During the last two months I've averaged about $60 per week for food, with a fast food meal about once a week. My next purchase will be an electric cooler. The recent heat wave just baked my sugar snap peas, bread, and peppers... so I need something that will store food longer and give me more options for fresh produce. A hot water source in the truck is also next, then I won't be dependent on staying at truck stops in order to make my coffee or hot oatmeal. I get a much better nights sleep when I'm not next to folks idling their trucks all night.

 

Good suggestions, Lepton....thank you!

 

Don't forget your hip waders. #### gets deep in the truck stop lounges.

 

LOL! That right there is funny, I don't care who ya are.

 

Does anyone share a truck? I am going 7/7 and will be sharing but wanted a fridge or cooler, microwave and TV. I'll buy everything but wonder if anyone has shared before?

 

Doesn't matter whether its 2008 or 2007. We are into 2013 and we certainly need it now. Students should consult with other students to know the exact documents they need to avoid any confusion and hassles.

 

Here's the list I just received from the recruiter for when I start Orientation next week:

Suggested Items & Tools List for drivers

This is a list of tools and items that you must have with you when you arrive for orientation.
**Driver’s License/Permit
**Complete copy of Long Form DOT Physical and Card
**Valid Passport or copy of Birth Certificate (ONLY for drivers entering into Canada)
**Social Security Card
**Voided check for direct deposit (if you are participating in this)
**School Receipt (for reimbursement program)
**Fuel Receipt/Flight Receipt (if an alternate means of travel was used)
**Beneficiary Information for Life Insurance (name, date of birth, social security number)

Toiletries
Clothing for at least two weeks
Work gloves
Boots
Winter clothing—gloves, hat, coveralls
Motor Carrier Atlas
Alarm Clock
Notebook
Pens: black ink, ball point
Calculator
Cash for food
Cellular phone with bluetooth/hands-free device*
Highlighters
Whiteout
Clipboard, optional
Flashlight

This last group of items will be needed for your first day as an employee, when you get your truck.
You may want to wait on these items until you have gotten into your truck (strongly advised).

Small assortment of tools/ and items for your truck (* items are priority):

Flat screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
9/16” wrench
Heavy hammer, claw type
Crowbar-optional
Pliers
Knife
Cooler
Thermos
Push broom
*Vice grips
*Duct tape
*Tape measure – 25’
*Towel/washcloth
*Pillow
*Bedding (sleeping bag, sheets/blankets)

 

Whether you choose to be "road ready" when you first arrive at orientation is up to you. However, based on my experience it seemed that 80% of folks that "graduated" orientation (ie. they didn't wash out and wanted a job) were not ready to hit the road. All of them wanted to go back home and gear up, see loved one's, etc. Very few of us came to orientation ready to hit the road. Those of us ready to go were in a truck and training within 24 hours. I was under the impression that the orientation leaders were disappointed (rolling their eyes) as one after another said they needed to go home.

If you are going to orientation and really want to work and get going, then arrive to orientation ready to go. The only essentials I did not bring were my tools. Fortunately when I tested out after training my brother was able to drop off a few tools for me before I hit the road, I went straight from training to testing out and hitting the road again. By far the most used tool in my tool kit is a good pair of vice grips to get bent pull bars in place for moving tandems. With lots of drop and hook the number of bent pull bars on trailers is mind boggling.

I've been away from home close to two months straight since departing for orientation and will put in for home time next week. This will mean I'll need to slip seat (change to a new tractor) when I get back to work, so I'm keeping my purchases to a minimum in regard to stocking the truck (although a Koolatron cooler was an essential).

 

Thanks, Lepton!

I'm going completely ready for the road...tools included. I won't have any way to get them to me after orientation, so I'm bringing them along. Fortunately, it's only a 7 hour bus ride with no vehicle changes, and I can store the items in the hotel.

Thanks for the tip on the Vise Grips. I'm bringing two pairs! I have a small canvas tool bag with all the recommended items (and a few more) already made up.

I expect to be out for at least two months also, and like you, I will be keeping purchases to a minimum for the first couple months until I know where I will land. I agree, a cooler/refrigerator is the highest priority, and I'll probably need an Inverter to go with it if the truck doesn't have one. I wish I could afford a Rand McNally GPS, but that will have to wait. I've already got a Satellite radio, so I'm good there. I am bringing a laptop, Kindle (for off duty) and an iPod, downloading several audio books from our really excellent library. Gotta keep my mind active.


Thank you,
Tracy

 

An RM GPS is on my wish list for much later. The company provides navigation on the Qualcomm and it's been pretty accurate and gives their dispatched route and fuel stops, so having another GPS is reduntant and not worth spending that kind of money in the first year IMHO.

Also note that as a company driver (depending on your company) many items are given to you for free by the company at any of their service terminals. Electrician tape, bungies, load bars, fuses, light bulbs, reflectors, etc. etc. Once you are solo, after training, you can start budgeting a few tool purchases here and there and shop the truck stops, Walmart, etc. for the best deals and add as you go.