A few random questions from newbie

I can't read and drive at the same time.

Hell, I can't read my own chicken-scratch anyway.

On those sections of road going through big cities when I gotta' take different ramps multiple times within a few miles, I like a co-driver. Hence the gps.

In rush hour traffic the audio and a quick glance at the unit can help a lot.

If she says get in the left lane, then stay to the right, and take the next exit to the right in .25 miles it keeps my eyes on the road. Plus I have the cars buzzing by me even when I have the turn signal on.

I wouldn't be able to do that while reading. That's just me tho.

 

Use all the technology you have available to you, while you are parked. Make going over your route for the day part of your daily routine. Have an idea of where you want to stop for your 10 hr break and realize that if it's going to be between 8pm and 5am, you will have trouble finding a parking spot most likely and have a backup plan.

The major truck stop chains all have apps. Pilot/flying j's will let you put in your destination and show all of their places along the way and how far you are from them. Very useful for planning breaks.

As was stated, am apu isn't really an option. The truck you get has one or it doesn't. If it doesn't, there is a pretty recent thread here on keeping comfortable without one.

I'm sure your company will tell you this, but don't be mounting anything permanent to your company owned truck as has been suggested.

One of the best suggestions here was about minimal distractions. Especially if your first time driving a truck was at truck driving school. There is already a lot to learn and get semi comfortable with as it is without throwing in cell phones, gps, laptops, music players etc.

It's good to hear that safety is a concern for you. For me, my biggest incentive to be safe on the road isn't a safety bonus, or falling asleep and veering right off the shoulder into a ditch and wrecking the truck. It's jumping the median and taking out that mini van on family vacation.

 

Good luck if it's past 6pm.

What I do, and again, this is using the gps, is I would check which ones had a trailer drop. It usually means their larger.

You can use the little book that you can buy that shows TS's and rest areas or get on the computer too.

The other thing is finding a truck stop that has the competition across the street, or at least close.

Sometimes there's a loves and a pilot on the same exit or a pilot and a mom-n-pop place. Have two staked-out as a back-up plan if possible.

If no spot's are available, head on down the road again and try a rest area. Maybe no luck there either. Sometimes it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Give yourself at least an hour if it's evening or dark out.

Sounds fun huh?

 

I have an app called trucker tools. It will show you all the truck stops around you and how many parking spots they have. You can also look up rest areas and walmarts. With walmarts I always use Google maps satellite view to see how truck friendly they are. Sometimes you'll see trucks parked there. Here's a tip for that. If you see a bunch of trees and vegetation placed in the parking lot, that's their way of saying no trucks.

Here is the best advice, hands down, advice on truck parking. If you are wired for it, and loads allows, drive at night. 90% of my runs, I start my day at 1-2 am, which puts my day over at 1-2 pm. I never have problems finding parking.