Questions about having a microwave in my semi-truck

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Jun 5, 2022.

  1. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I have a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia. I am an OTR trucker. I waste a fortune on paying other people to prepare my food, both at fast food restaurants and doordash. I want to put a microwave in my truck and buy food at grocery stores instead of at truck stops and fast food restaurants, which would save me a fortune. I've never had a microwave in my truck.

    The average microwave that is for sale at Walmart is not made to travel in a semi-truck. If I put a microwave in my truck, the microwave is going to get jostled around a lot as I drive. Is the average microwave for sale at Walmart durable enough to travel on a semi-truck for years and still be able to function properly? Or do I need to get a specialty microwave that is made to travel on semi-trucks?

    Also, I am wondering where I should put my microwave and how I should brace it so that it does not fall onto the floor (and get damaged) when I have to take a sharp turn real quickly. interior of semi-truck.jpg

    The photograph above is a photograph of the interior of my truck. At the bottom of the photo is a built-in refrigerator with a flat top. About a foot and a half above the refrigerator is an open shelf compartment. I think that I should either put the microwave on top of the refrigerator or in the open shelf compartment. But if I just set the microwave on top of the refrigerator or in the shelf without anything bracing the microwave, the microwave would surely fall onto the floor every single day, damaging the microwave. I cannot have the microwave falling off all the time. I don't think I want to store the microwave under the bed while I drive and just take it out when I want to microwave something because there is not room under the bed. One I idea I have had was to either buy or make some sort of crate to hold my microwave, and then have bungee cords to secure the crate. But i don't know where I would put the bungee cords. Does anyone have any ideas of where I should put my microwave and how I could secure it properly? If you have a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia with the built-in refrigerator like mine, I would be especially interested in knowing how you secure your microwave, if you have a microwave.
     
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  3. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    i keep my microwave in the bottom of cabinet in floor, got a foldable table to put the microwave on, and put it away when done, and can eat using the other end of the table.
     
  4. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    There might be room for my microwave in my big cabinet on the driver's side of the truck. That's an idea. Does anyone else have any ideas?
     
  5. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    Is your microwave a specialty microwave that is made to travel in a semi-truck, or is it just an ordinary microwave that one would buy at Walmart that most people would keep in a house?
     
  6. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    700 Watt microwave from walmart,
    got a 2500 watt inverter mounted.
     
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  7. dngrous_dime

    dngrous_dime Road Train Member

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    You're not running the microwave while you're running down the road, so it doesn't really matter. I occasionally have to reposition the turntable, but that takes all of 3-4 seconds. I've got a 2015 ProStar, but nearly identical interior layout to yours. Mine is strapped down on the passenger side cubby/table area, and it doesn't move whatsoever. I'm getting a dorm fridge soon, and it's going to be strapped down on my top bunk. Having a dedicated real freezer is going to be life-changing when it comes to driver happiness.

    Oh, and I got the cheapest microwave I could find on Walmart's website, I think it was like $42 shipped.
     
  8. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    There so cheap, if it lasts a yr. ?? Should last longer. Small one might fit in the shelf above fridge.
     
  9. Anywhichwaybutloose

    Anywhichwaybutloose Light Load Member

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    That shelf is made for a microwave. There should be a strap in there to secure it down.
     
  10. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I'm worried that the microwave getting jostled around might damage the magnetron or other electrical components on the microwave, knocking them out of whack.

    Could you show me a picture of the setup of your microwave?
     
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