Living arrangements while OTR?

Most of the "homeless" drivers I knew would take home time wherever they wanted and used either the truck to stay in or got motels/ rental cars to travel around.

 

You have to declare some sort of physical address for CDL and tax filing purposes. A parent or other long-time relative who is permanently settled will do for that address. As far as how you handle the rest is up to you. I recommend a small travel-trailer and inexpensive long-term park arrangements for those with the means and/or perhaps a storage unit somewhere to keep your other season clothes stored as well as other accumulated belongings you're not ready to part with yet.

 

Like STexan said, you need to declare a permanent address for several reasons, so use a family member. If I were you, I'd give up my own place for a while, visit family & friends during "hometime" and bank the rent & utility $ you'd be saving. (Assuming you have that option with fam) You may find in OTR you don't exactly get home every week so why pay the rent? After a year or so, you can determine if OTR is for you or local is better as well as where you want/can afford to live & go from there.

 

That is all great advice. When I had started I roamed using a mailboxes etc address. I took my home time where ever I felt like it and was not locked into one place. When I settled down with a wife and kids of course that changed. I took on a rental and then a mortgage.

WE divorced and again I spent the next 4 years traveling North America just "hanging out"

For you I believe this is the best way. The fact that wages are not the best in the trucking industry make this concept much more alluring. Having the ability to lower or eliminate most living expenses means a big savings for you!

 

but if you have a apt or a house you can trip planned too be there on late fri evening or early sat morn take a resart then go out late sunday with a fresh 70

 

pick a state that has no state income taxes for your residence on file. it will save you a buck or three. then whenever you need to take a break from the road (trust me you will), then pick a place, tell your planner hometime is gonna be there and recharge your batteries. i divide time btwn seeing the exwife and kids in UT and visiting fams in CA

 

Based on your background, I'd establish myself as an OTR driver in the industry FIRST, before putting all your stuff into storage and turning in the keys to the house. Will you continue to incur the costs of a home/apartment while you're out on the road? Yep.

Not wishing you bad luck or anything like that, but, you could very possibly have unforeseen events or circumstances occur, maybe your fault, maybe not, that sidelines you as a driver after you start and what then?

My advice would be to get a year under your belt and establish yourself as a safe, credible OTR driver (A majority of companies in the industry ideally look at someone with at least 1 year) and then, give thought once again to your plan. That way, if you pay your dues, work hard, drive safe, and possibly, want to make the jump from one company to another, your chances of success are greatly increased.

Just a suggestion. I'm sure there are more out there than just mine.

Good luck.

 

Lets just face it, if you are wanting to live in your truck and avoid the responsibilities of home ownership, and don't even have a dog, you are a hippie.

Texas does not have any state income tax. It was always my plan to win the lottery and move there before I cashed the ticket. So far that has not been a problem.

Living in the truck is a good plan but most people's wealth is built by buying real estate. Invest in rental property in the area you want to retire in or around a military base. Rent that property out and use it as your address. Your renters can save your mail. Of course then you need to figure out property taxes versus state income tax. Work hard for you money, then make you money work hard for you.

 

Living in a truck is the best thing, if you love to came its even better,make sure you have an iPad or some sort of entertainment device,smartphone etc, to me I can live in a truck as long as the truck has ac. A sleeper window is even better ou can watch the surroundings and t he wintertime is the best during a storm you cam be cozed up planing for the next trip, or cuddled up looking up, I spent 6 months otr without stopping home, It's the best,(was in company truck). Driving local sucks sometimes,



I'm single, everything's paid for and will lease to Werner, will rent out my house and live otr again,
Leasing a new 389 to Werner,