What should i bring in the truck with me

Your Brain...

 

What they said.

Standard spiel from me, you get one shelf and one cabinet, your sleeping with the rest.

Frankly the bunk is probably all your getting with some of them, but honestly clothing, hygiene products, a sleeping bag, small electronics.

Had a student who decided to put his suitcase in the floor one night when I had already conked out. It's the middle of night on highway 93 in Northern NV, we pulled off into one of the little salt pile pull offs. So it's dark as can be.

I decide I gotta go "check the reefer" (code for take a piss while staring at the reefer panel.) Well I get up take one step and then my foot finds the suitcase, I fall hit the passenger seat twist right and the left side of my head hits the middle console that the auto T680s have. I was not happy. Needless to say a new rule was created instantly.

 

Who will you be training with? 100 ft. of fog line and some bug spray to keep the critters out of your armpits.

I had the kind trainer; a regional guy. We were at home base every weekend and I had a nice hotel room waiting for me. I had a duffel and a soft suitcase. The first day he said he'd store the suitcase in his pickup while we were out. Worked a treat!

 

Bring a great attitude and willingness to learn. Leave your issues and insecurities at home. Trucking will be much more enjoyable when you both enjoy being there.

 

In addition, bring some Quaker bars or pop tarts or something else in a small package that won't go bad. Good to have a snack and it will save you money, which will be scarce while training.

 

Refreshing. In it to win it.

You see a lot of these, "What kinds of questions should I ask my trainer" threads. Or the "What should I if my trainer and I don't get along threads." Lots of things you can figure out just by watching. It's the little subtle things that you need to ask about...like the way he reads the road. A good driver can read the road and traffic so well that you will think he's psychic. "How did you know there was going to be an accident?"

 

Sometimes it's a no brainer. There was a red convertable maitia I think they were called with top down, fresh out of a rain storm but really went roads. Rolled past me at 100 in the far hammer lane. Westbound into the teeth of Mt Eagle. I got on the radio and told the mountain be ready for someone in the red car to crash due to water on the mountain. Sure enough a mile later he was crumpled against the rock cliff face on the first curve upgrade where he lost it Standing next to the thing wondering what happened. Well I could have stopped and tell him but was focused on the pull what with the gears and all back then. You don't want bad things to happen to people but I have always without fail tried to have a plan B working in my head when I see something setting up.

My favorite was when a corvette zipped around 4 Beamers in the far hammer lane on 495 inner loop prior to the antacosta bridge (It had a name, a nick name but I have literally forgotten it since it has been blown up for a new one, wilson I think it was called) anyway while he was angry in aggressive horsing his corvette around the beamers I knew he will cut em off. And bingo there he went. caused the first three to crash, and two to catch fire then and there in the engine bays. (You learn which cars can catch fire in a relatively minor collision and avoid buying them) The problem was already going to be a crash due to a educated guess or prediciton on a driver behavior. especially aggressive ones who are so angry they become literally boneheaded or stupid. Not thinking.

 

When your own your own... Tools. Nothing too major but everything basic. Screwdriver set, sae wrenches, socket set, ratchet, pliers, channel locks, crowbar, hammer, mallet... And stuff like wd-40, duct tape, zip ties, glad hands, gaskets, fuses, coolant, def, oil.... I like to keep at least all of these things plus a few more I probably forgot. I've gotten myself back on the road after 30 minutes of repair and kept rolling until whatever the issue was fixed by a mechanic. Do what you can. I personally do not like to sit for a wrecker or mechanic if I don't have to.

 

This goes along with that.


I often tell people I can see an accident before it happens.
I can see how a car has maneuvered through traffic while seeing it in my mirror. As he passes I know how he will maneuver around the way traffic is.
I can tell by looking at a driver looking in there mirror as they pass they are about to squeeze in front of me as they are already looking to be clear.

I can tell a driver is going to switch lanes, run not into stopping traffic or any number of things.

I look at every driver I pass on the road and watch every car...

 

I tried to pack light and STILL brought a little too much with me with my trainer in early spring.
1st, find out how often your trainer's truck is going to take a 34 or a 48-hour break. This will tell you how many changes of clothes you need. Remember flatbedding, you will get filthy, OFTEN. and you will want more changes of clothes. Van or reefer, you can wear the same clothes for 2- 3 days and really not care.

Something to occupy your mind. I reccommend a kindle e-reader, but a blue-tooth and a audible ebook account works too.

Toilet kit, including SHOWER SANDALS are a must. But smaller is better, ALWAYS. Main thing this time of year is to take along a very warm jacket and a lighter jacket or a thick sweater so you can stay warm.

Most times, 3 changes of clothes with an extra set of socks and underwear should do you fine. Remember, the only storage space you're likely to have is your bunk, and you don't want to be sharing that with a giant duffle.