Anyone OTR that takes wife along all the time.

You know I'd say that was just a man being a dog...I mean man, except that isn't nice either.

I traveled around with my husband, in the almost two years we hit all but 4 states.
*pro's: lack of outside bills ( phone,storage & Dish is all we had). Got to visit all but 4 states ( well 6 if you include Hawaii & Alaska). our communication skills got much better. I think our marriage got stronger. met a lot of very nice truckers ( and other people)

*con's: very small space for two people on the same schedule ( remember teams are opposite), No privacy. you get to see the worst in people the nasty things they say and do.

Thing's that you don't really think of, I've had pretty off the wall remarks and requests, that had I mentioned them to my husband might have got that driver shot. I got out the passenger door one evening and just about ended up with urine all over me. "yes we have overnight parking", only to find out when you get their all they have is a dirt parking lot ( with or without a nasty port-o-let).

Am I saying don't do it, it's a bad idea? Well no, but both of you should go into that with eye's wide open. Have an exit plan, for her and yourself if needs be. I loved it, I'd do it again.... not that you could ever talk my husband into going OTR again, he hated it.

One of the biggest things I missed is walking/hiking I used to hike 10 to 15 miles every weekend and walk 2 to 3 miles a day after dinner... If we got to a T/S early enough that it was day light, then I walked...after dark... no. It didn't even matter if the place was well lit. He isn't a walker and my 10 lbs dog wasn't exactly reassuring. It was something as stupid as that that made me glad he decided to come off the road. It wasn't even that I felt "unsafe", just didn't want to hear the rude comments and snide remarks. Not from everyone of course and it was one reason I really liked going to Melton's and J.B.Hunts terminals... While the guys might have thought it, they never said it.

 

I got my wife to go with me in the truck in August last year, hoping she'd take to it and enjoy the experience. While she enjoyed the scenery and the chance to visit family in other parts of the country, being cooped up in a small space for long periods of time and dealing with the "hurry up and wait" game of dispatchers and customers was pretty stressful for her. She lasted for three weeks before I put in a home time request to let her get off the truck.

 

If they aren't driving, they should be at a job.

 

Well said sir.....well said....lol


Took my wife once for ten days....we crossed the Chesapeake bay bridge....I had evil thoughts....

 

We did it for awhile but she got tired of riding on the catwalk and sleeping in the hammock under the trailer.

 

Okay, here is a serious response from a non-driving wife:

Y'all are correct when you say this is a lifestyle not a job. That was the hardest thing for me to come to grips with. Being overnight in a Walmart and walking into the store to potty and :brushteeth: brush my teeth was very embarrassing. I got over it.
Not getting to shower every morning was difficult. I got over it.

Hubby expecting me to keep him entertained. HE GOT OVER IT !!!

Winnowing down my wardrobe, my beauty regimen, my creature comforts...it took some time but I've found a happy medium.

I hate clutter and dirt, so we make sure to take out the trash several times a day and the truck gets a good cleaning after every load. If we don't need it every day, it gets stored outside in the under-bunk compartments.

He does the laundry. :smt058 I told him I'll go back to doing laundry when I'm outta the truck. (That's one of his compromises, and I get some "ALONE" time while he's doing it). Getting some alone time was critical for me, 'cuz I've always needed it to keep my mental health and after 30 yrs. I still have to remind him that I am not his Siamese twin.

Having access to the internet was crucial for me. So my laptop and my verizon jetpack are my best friends. :smt024 I am a gamer, and I love to research "what is that glass dome in Omaha?" and what T/S has a hotel so I can have a haven once in awhile during a 34 restart, etc.,

He likes to read,I like to watch movies, so we get our 'separate' time that way.

He likes me to get on websites and read him the news while we're heading down the road.

That list could go on but now I'll transition into more 'job' pertinent info.


I'm the navigator, the extra set of eyes in traffic, the "what's the weather doing" person, the "trip diary keeper", the settlement sheet auditor, the encourager (yeah, Honey,you can make that trip by the OTD).

He's making more money since I got in the truck because I talk to people and he doesn't but he has humbled himself enough to take what I've learned from all of you to heart and apply it to his company job.

The couple things I want to do is figure out how to take pics while we're going down the road...I've missed some wondrous sights that are worthy of documentation, AND once this "polar vortex" weather subsides, I'm getting out of the truck to walk and exercise like I did at home, so if y'all see this "crazy chick" at a truck stop doing yoga, or abs, or sprints...that's me.

 

take enough money to get her back home, by plane ,train or bus.

 

I know a few couples tnat do it.. of the three only one is still doing it, one tbe wife got her CDL and now drives Solo, but they are on the same account and are often parked at the same truck stop for their 10 hour resets.. and the last couple ended up getting out of trucking..
But, with tne couple that is still doing it, they have a great relationship, she also, has some job where she works on tne computer online and takes online courses.. their rig is awesome.. the way they have it set up, very organized.. they split the chores... one will cook while the other goes and does the laundry... they also take breaks from eachother, short ones while on the road and she gets off the truck for periods and visits family, friends or what ever..

I think it takes a strong comittment from both to make it work and to make it enjoyable and not stressfull...

Personal for me, I am a solo driver and that is how I like it.. at the end of my day I am tired and just want to shower and go to bed.. I have my truck set up they way I like it and works for me.. I converted on of my cabinets into a vanity, so I have a mirror and area to brush my teeth and all that.. and I just couldnt imagine sharing my limited space... it is why I have no interest in becoming a trainer... funny, cause before becoming a trucker I thougnt I was sociable, got ali g well with others and sharing.. now I have come to realize I like my space and alone time.. just the other day I had a fellow werner driver come to my truck asking questions.. it was cold so I let them in.. well, anyway.. answered her questions.. but then she stuck around chatting.. and I don't even know what she blabing about cause all that was going through my head was.. uh huh yeah.. get out of my truck.... plus she was wearing some cheap perfume and it lingered after she left.. had to burn a nag champa stick just to get the smell of my Redneck Hippie Limo back...