Advice on Outfitting T680 Sleeper

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by AIV LLC, Aug 20, 2021.

  1. AIV LLC

    AIV LLC Bobtail Member

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    Hello All-

    I've recently started a small hazmat trucking company, and need some advice on outfitting the T680 sleeper we just purchased. From a company driver perspective, what equipment/gear do you like to see in your trucks? Talking safety/maintenance items and any nice extras we could provide to make things more comfortable (within reason). No furry pink slippers or heated blankets ha. We are planning on having a dash-mounted cellular tablet for all the apps we use so driver won't need to use their cellphone and have a bigger screen, in-cab printer for documents, stuff like that. Any input is greatly appreciated!
     
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  3. MOBee

    MOBee Road Train Member

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    Refrigerator and inverter for sure. Curtains that cover the front windshield and side windows. A innerspring mattress with a topper out of memory foam.
     
  4. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    Proper maintenance and reliability are the most important items to this driver. All of the bells and whistles don't mean a thing when a driver is sitting on the side of the interstate waiting for a hook. Maintain your equipment, offer proper breakdown pay and hotel accomodations. Breakdowns happen, compensate your driver's accordingly. My company pays 500 miles per 24 hours breakdown plus a hotel room. Crappy equipment and a lousy breakdown policy is the quickest way to pi ss off a driver. Remember......just because YOUR EQUIPMENT breaks down, don't expect your driver to eat it. Good luck. PS...I'll buy my own fancy pants mattress and refrigerator.
     
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  5. asphaltreptile311

    asphaltreptile311 Road Train Member

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    After refrigerators becoming a staple in sleepers going back to a truck without feels like being slammed in a prisoner of war camp. Inverters are a necessity too , a good mattress is essential though some drivers bring their own .
     
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  6. asphaltreptile311

    asphaltreptile311 Road Train Member

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    Absolutely the rest of the pay package might be good but once you find yourself on the shoulder waiting on a tow truck that's taking the truck to a dealership that's going to hold it hostage for 7 days and you realize you won't be getting breakdown pay.
     
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  7. AIV LLC

    AIV LLC Bobtail Member

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    Thank you, that all helps! Definitely going to make sure we've got good curtains, I'm its the small things like that that make the difference when you're OTR.
     
  8. AIV LLC

    AIV LLC Bobtail Member

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    Yep that'd be enough for me to say "see ya," for sure. We plan on staying very small, 5 trucks total, so we can do things right and treat our drivers professionally.
     
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  9. AIV LLC

    AIV LLC Bobtail Member

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    Thank you, that helps! Sounds like some good basics for us to start with! Do you know who would do a good job installing curtains? Probably just go to a dealer?
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Why don’t you be a driver for a while and see what you would like.
     
  11. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    Curtains are standard equipment on sleeper cab trucks
     
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