cooking in the truck

Still working on organization and securing stuff. I still get amazed after 1 and half years how much stuff bounces and moves in the cab...I call it a "travelanche". Seems everything migrates. It would be really neat to see some of the clever ideas that the seasoned folks have come up with to arrange, organize and secure stuff in the tractor.
Could not find a page for that one....maybe someone could start one, Hmmm?

 

Bins and bungees - LOL! And stuff still falls down

 

Duct tape & tie downs!

When I was at Con-Way, they offered to their drivers to remove the top bunk and replace it with a shelf. I took them up on that offer and it really helped with storage and securement. It may not be an option in your case, but I'd at least ask or expore that option.

It aways helps, as Lady K says by suggesting bins, to compartmentalize. The ONE thing that I always think back on as being one of the best movies I made is when I bought a small plastic container for all my plastic forks, spoons, and knives. When I'd buy something at McD's or Wendy's, I'd usually grab a few extra utinsils and just throw them into the container.

Wendy's forks and spoons are the best!

 

Hi, I started driving a Freightliner Columbia last week and I see a OPT switch on the right side of the Dash , I have not idea what is that for .

 

Camo, if i'm not mistaken the OPT switch is for optional lighting on the truck. Some use that switch for fog lights or, as I did, I added lights to the truck and wired it up for that switch.

 

After I installed a 1500-watt inverter, the biggest my company would allow, I bought an "apartment-size" refrigerator/freezer at Wal-Mart and used that to store my food. While there was plenty of room in the fridge section, the freezer compartment is kinda small. As far as cooking, I used a crock-pot and a small one-plate electric burner. Also had a microwave. Just be careful of the wattage since you can blow the fuse on the inverter.

 

Don't let the Safety Idiots in your Co find out you have a propane stove in it, they'll go nuts. Happened to me years ago with JB Hunt. They tried to tell me it was against the FMCSA regs to have a propane bottle in the tractor. I told them that the reg they thought they were referring to only prohibited REFILLED propane bottles. They thought they were going to CONFISCATE my stove, I told them that if they didn't know the regs it made them look incompetent and unintelligent. Then I suggested they hire someone that had actually looked in the FMCSA book. Like- ME! They were Not impressed.
Anyway, it's not against any regs but be smart- keep it tucked away. Flames fumes and plastic don't mix. Oh- yes, there's a monoxide hazard. Keep both windows cracked open a couple of inches. Don't get found dead with a full stomach- after a few days in a hot truck, it won't be a pretty sight.

 

I just bought my husband one of those lunchbox oven/heater things. I've been cooking extra when I make dinner for the family and putting it in the foil pans and freezing it. Now when I stock his cooler for the week, I can add the meals I made for him. I also got him one of the travel mugs that plug into the 12 volt outlet. I figured he can heat up soup, coffee, etc. in it.
He was tired of eating in some of the TS and said that it was hard to find parking, but rest stops were usually not as full, but didn't have food. Thought this would be a good solution and he gets to have some of my good home cooking

 

He can also stop at walmarts... If they don't have truck parking, we just pull around back by their loading docks and walk around to the front of the store. (they all have loading docks for the Wally Mobiles). He can get frozen dinners to pop into the microwaye or the LB oven.

 

"nobody can eat 50 eggs"