Team Driving Tips for me?

When I was running team it was roughly 10/10. Watch your food and fluid intake (especially caffeine). I would read for a bit if I didn't feel too tired. I always wore earplugs to bed and that seemed to help. And, although I can generally sleep most anywhere at anytime, sometimes a little OTC help with sleeping was necessary.

 

I don't have any advice on fixing this. I drove 5 & 5 for seven months with a lead driver. We did very well, but the life style of teams is quite different from that of solo drivers, as you mentioned. You may feel as though you are spending your entire life in the cab of a truck. I also worked 8 & 8 with another lead driver. The problem with that is constant churn of your sleep/wake cycle. I believe the human brain needs a few hours of deep sleep to regenerate. This is not possible for many of us in a moving truck where all we get is short naps and light sleep until the rig stops for unloading. My solution was solo driving where the schedule was not so tight. If I had to team again, I would use ear plugs and sleep mask. I would not eat anything before my turn in the bunk.

 

I like the herb called GABA I sleep like a baby when I take it. You can get it at wal mart or gnc of course gnc will be higher. Lostnfound was correct also.

 

Depends. Is it a trust issue, or a timing issue? I can sleep anywhere/anywhen behind someone I trust. I will stay awake for days behind someone I don't trust. Ear plugs, eye shades and white noise can help you sleep. I don't know anything about herbs, but any additive to the sleep process makes me a bit nervous, that's just me. Regarding timing, I cannot drive from 2am to 4am as a rule of thumb. Even if I wake up at 1:30, I will be desperate for sleep at 2 am. It is just the way I am built, it can be overcome, but I don't like to do it at this late date.

If trust is an issue, try to take a bit more control of the driving hours that you both perform. If you say "I will drive from x to x, and you will drive from y to y" it may be enough for you to get some shuteye. It's all between your ears and if your anything like most of the truck drivers I know, you can be fooled. Even if it is by yourself.

 

Eat less fast food, drink less caffeine if you can as well. You might want to try and have more healthy food in your truck with you.. Take vitamins as well.. Once you body starts to get rid of all the junk in you body you might do ok..