Things to have when going solo

Some trucking jobs you will be outside a lot more than the average driver probably is... flatbedders for example have to secure/tarp their loads before leaving.

Wool socks are another must have to up north driving. Don't go full wool. They itch too much. I bought full wool and I couldn't wear them for very long. Go half wool and half cotton, or poly. If you want to buy from Amazon, check the reviews first because wool socks some of them are misrepresented there, I don't know why. Have a lot of socks.

If you don't already have a good coat, invest in one. A good coat will last you a long time so be generous. Don't underestimate weather in some places like Wyoming and the Dakotas. Even if it's just below the freezing point, it will feel colder outside more than in my -30 trailer if there is high wind. Wind kills ya. I was in South Dakota once and it was high wind, just in the time it took me to fuel and add some windshield fluid I was painfully cold just because of the wind in hands/legs/feet. My Carhartt Artic Extreme coat kept my torso and arms plenty warm though.

Don't wear just jeans in weather like that. Wear long johns or at least a pair of pajama pants underneath your jeans for an extra layer. Jeans by themselves in the Dakotas are a no go.

I like the Carhartt long johns. I think they are like $40.00. Worth the money because they do not itch and won't pull your leg hairs when you sit. They are warm, so warm though that you might start driving in your warm truck and want to take them off. Pajama pants under jeans not as warm, but I can wear them and be fine driving so I'm not taking them on and off multiple times a day doing all my pick ups.

 

If you're going to be working outside in the tundra, the two-piece bibs/jacket are better (for me, anyway) than the one piece coveralls. More freedom of movement and, if you're long waisted + short legged, they won't try to castrate you.

 

I personally like Rand Mcnally. I also have the Garmin Dezl 770, but I have found that the routing isn't as good for where I tend to go. But RM has had a string of tough luck these past couple of years (In my opinion) so I will say that the model I have is the TLD 720. It's showing it's age, but it's still works great.

GPS units are like laptops. It's all personal choice. No one unit is going to be better than the other really, it boils down to what you prefer. If it were me, I would get a new model, on sale somewhere and go from there... later on, once you figure out what your doing within the company, you can adjust.

But never lose your common sense. GPS units are great, but if you don't read the signs that say "No Trucks" or "Low Clearance" etc... you in for a bad day. I have learned to trust my gut... If it doesn't look right; I don't do it. I'll pull over and figure it out; call the people and ask directions, etc... As long as your safe, a little late, is OK. I should have a bumper sticker on my truck that say U-Turn.

 

Female with a nice rack?

 

Gotta have a weather report.

 

+1 on this. Alternator went out on my apu Friday night and can’t idle longer than 3 minutes. Up in MD and glad I spent the extra $ on a warm bag!

 

Best keep canned food, used to a truckstop kept enough food for 3 days in places were roads shut down, eat theirs first saving yours, you may need it.

 

I use Google Maps for GPS, and carry a Rand McNally truck driver atlas (J Rayl gave it to me, you should have gotten one during orientation). Google Maps doesn’t have a truck option so it won’t route you around low bridges or truck restricted routes, but a little bit of common sense goes a long way. I always review the route suggested, and if I have any questions I’ll consult the Rand McNally. I’ve been using it ever since it started working as a GPS about ten years ago and I’ve only had to turn around twice.

 

I recomend Garmin. Rand McNally hardware is crap out of the box.

 

I have never owned a pair of long johns for at least 20 years, and I don't recall ever wearing pajamas.
I have a pair of the artic carhart bibs, that I do keep in the truck, but can count on my fingers how many times I have actually put them on.
What I wear if I am going to be in and out is some carhart insulated over pants. They are plenty warm, easier to put on than bibs, more comfortable to wear, especially drive in and no need to take them off in a warm truck, just unzip the legs all the way.