OTR must haves for new drivers?

If money is tight, take some instant foods so you can use the free microwaves at the truck stops, until your first paycheck.
Instant oatmeal
Instant coffee
Beanees Weenies
Soup
Ramen Noodles
Etc.

 

Don't take shampoo and soap. Only take shampoo because you can wash your hair and bathe with shampoo.
That's one less item you need to deal with.

 

That’s what they taught us in basic training!

 

Shower shoes are a must for me, just a cheap pair of flops will do.

 

Don't take anything you would mind losing unless it can quickly fit into a backpack and/or duffle bag. Keep enough cash on you to pay for a cab to the nearest bus station and bus fare home.

 

Lol. That would explain the funny looks. Just thought it was from cigarette and coffee fart smell. All serious though yeah brush teeth every day like normal

 

All these are suggestions. You will want shower shoes for sure. I’ll also add foot spray never know when they’ll start to itch and that’ll be some relief

 

Tools! I've seen so many drivers waiting hours at a shop just to change a light or replace a mud flap.

 

I used wet wipes (baby wipes) in addition to soap and water like Dave said. Kept one package immediately right of the driver seat, within reach. Also roll of paper towels on a bungee above (well, 2 bungees, and a clip, giving just enough friction so it wouldn't unroll on it's own). And a roll of TP up there, too (to blow my nose). Kept a garbage bag close at hand, too. And some plain water in a spray bottle over behind the passenger seat. That came in handy more often than you might think (rinsing out coffee before changing to other drink for instance (while stopped!)). My double wall stainless steel cup was a constant companion.

My personal 'within reach while driving' snack of choice were peanuts. I found them cheapest (and good quality) at ALDI. A little better for you than chips and pure junk food, not that you want to eat too many peanuts though, either. But a few handfuls really saved me some times when I didn't have time to stop. But get whatever you like to snack on.

I had a fridge, so I would get some lunch meat. With some bread and mayo (or whatever you like) a sandwich makes a pretty decent, quick meal when waiting at a shipper. Keep paper plates and whatever cold drinks and other things you like on hand as well.

If you have a microwave, there are several quick and easy meals. One of my favorites were Ranch Beans (from the can) and hot dogs cut up. Very quick and easy, but you probably need a big plastic bowl. Those Hormel Compleats make a reasonable facsimile of a hot meat, don't require refrigeration, and no dishes to wash afterward, either. I'm pretty sure I tried them all, and I think the chicken alfredo is the best (maybe only good) flavor.

I tried to keep a balance of things that did not require refrigeration and those that did, obviously the latter being more limited space. But I would be pretty self-sufficient out there, if I was spending the night at a shipper or receiver in BFE I always had something decent to eat.

I tended to shop at Walmart a lot, truck stops are just a rip off. I prefer to stay at Walmart or rest area anyway. I would get into truck stop every other night (or during the day) to get a shower. I would keep my eyes peeled for that rare good hole in the wall next to wherever I was stopping. They are out there, but getting fewer and further in between. Those would always be my first option.

We each have our 'must haves' but you will figure it out. When something is really annoying you, write it down on a list. Then next time you are at Walmart or whatever, pick it up. Eventually you will be all cozy with whatever you require. But I used to read all these threads, too, just a few short years ago I was right where you are and here I am giving 'seasoned advice', lol.

Also, I had an Instant Pot, toaster, coffee maker, etc. but only the coffee maker I used regularly (every dang morning in fact, lol). You just don't really have time to be making full meals out there. Maybe on a 34 I guess. At least I didn't, I was always running my arse off until exhaustion it seemed. So quick and easy was the name of the game, at least for me. Then I would try and get out of the truck for a good, sit down meal at least once a week. I did make some eggs and other things and a couple nice pot roasts in the Instant Pot though. But it really depends what you have equipment wise (inverter, microwave, etc.). But instant mashed potatoes are pretty easy, and go well with some microwave veggies and a pot roast. I really should post Mom's pot roast recipe, because it's awesome.

Maybe it's good advice to travel light, but I liked being cozy. So I probably had too much crap, lol. But one thing which was super handy was this folding table I found (probably at Walmart). It was my kitchen counter, dining table, and office. And it went behind the passenger seat when not in use. Brilliant!

You will lose your mind and want to quit out there, no matter what hang in there at least a year, a lot of doors will open after that. Even more after 2 years.

Good luck, driver.

 

My favorite flashlight is the Nitecore P-10

keep plenty of snacks like granola bars or whatever , and a case of water , keep some snacks and water in your side box so you will have them available when you’re stranded or stuck in traffic backups for hours .

A lot of drivers keep a five gallon bucket and some kitty litter, oil soak or sawdust .

Put a trash bag in the bucket . Add some kitty litter , so your business , use the baby wipes .
Tie it up and secure it to the catwalk and toss in a dumpster asap .

not my favorite way to potty , but if you get stuck in a road closure for hours or stuck at a warehouse for hours and hours with no restrooms , you’ll be glad you had it .

If you don’t have a CB get one first chance , it can be handy .

get some good earbuds or whatever you need to use to talk or listen to your favorite music and podcasts .
And don’t get busted talking on the phone while you’re driving .

I know a guy that just got a ticket for that and unless his lawyer can get it reduced or dismissed , it might be a career ender for him since he had a couple other tickets he either didn’t fight or couldn’t get reduced .


and be careful ,
Protect your CDL because it’s YOURS,
And it’s now your money maker.

do NOT be intimidated by other drivers , or your dispatcher or anyone , to do something you’re not comfortable with .

If the weather is bad, so ow and ice and slick roads , and you’re not comfortable , just park.

your dispatcher won’t be the one getting the ticket for having an accident , YOU will be the one getting the ticket .

when you’re backing up , if you are not sure of how close you are to the other trucks or poles or whatever obstacles , get OUT and LOOK ,

get a bag of the cheap bungee cords or some good nylon string , you will want to secure some of the trailer doors open because some will have latches that are damaged or missing ,

Use Google maps to look at the driveways and streets at your destination .

map out your trip before you leave , look at the route on Google and on an atlas, and jot down some notes if it has a lot of turns ,
Your gps could conk out at a critical time and having backup notes is very handy.

If you turn down a residential street or a dead end or some place a big truck has no business being , don’t be afraid to call the local police and ask them if they can send a patrol car out to stop traffic so you can reverse back out into the busy road you turned off of .
Occasionally a cop will be a dick about it but 99.5% of them would rather stop traffic for 2 minutes that spend two hours filling out an accident report .

you will get frustrated at stuff that is not your fault but is costing you time and money by making you sit and wait .
Just let it slide and get your six months in or a year if you can stand it and a lot of doors will open up .

but the main thing is don’t hit anything , and don’t get any tickets , and keep your CDL clean .
If you do get a ticket that’s a moving violation , do NOT plead guilty and pay it , hire a lawyer and fight it .

and get a dash cam right away ,
The garmin one is the most user friendly that I’ve seen.
And it’s just over $100 and it will save your butt when you do get into an accident .

Once you get on your feet , keep a credit card and some cash on you or hidden in the truck , so you can buy a bus or plane ticket home if you have to .

and if you can , make a spare key and hide it under the truck using a bread twist tie or something.


Anytime your dispatcher asks you to do something thats odd or makes
You uncomfortable, get it in writing , in texts or email or however you communicate .