Do any of you live 100% out of your truck?

The year I drove for Prime I lived in the truck. Stayed at hotels for 'home time' and adjusted an old bank statement so my state's ridiculous DMV would let me transfer my MO license. Weird that I had to forge a document after 15 years living in this dump of a state, paying taxes 10 of them. I guess you can't legally elect to not maintain a residence while paying more than your fair share of taxes. Funny how they'd happily take my tax money while simultaneously declaring that I am not a legal resident. Can you even be a resident of no state? </rant>

Not because of Prime of course, I could afford my apartment before Prime and certainly could while driving, but why pay for an apartment when I'm only home a few days a month? No family, no obligations, no real connections to "home". No point blowing $800+/month unless you own.

 

The whole no toilet thing sucks when you have a mean case of diarrhea in the truck.

 

I do not recommend living in your truck. It is the same size as a prison cell. Those folks in prison without a place to go to when they got out didn't do so well.

 

I have been doing this for the last two years. Like others, I stay out till I need a break, usually 3-4 months, then take a week or ten days off, with an occasional day off or two in various places I want to see. The key here is you have to be very comfortable with your own company. For me personally, there are a few things that keep me sane/happy. Mainly my dog. The companionship is irreplaceable. Second is having a good hobby. For me, that's photography, which pairs very well with this lifestyle. I also have a bicycle to get away from the truck with a little more frequency. I also cook quite a bit in the truck, and love to try / invent new recipes.
I also drive for a company that is very good about me taking a day or two off in various places.
Learn to enjoy and appreciate the country that you drive through. Get off the interstate when it's feasible. Life on the road can be very enjoyable with the right mindset.

 

Except, prison is involuntary. You can leave your truck at any time for any reason with the risk of someone using violence to force you into submission. That alone is a massive difference.

Unless you work a local job, a dedicated route that gets you home regularly, an OTR job that gets you home weekly, own a home, or have a significant reason for paying rent (husband/wife, or children), there really is no downside in 'living' in the truck. a few days at a nice hotel is cheaper than rent and utilities for a month.

 

I've heard that in the case of an IRS audit you risk losing your on the road deductions if you can't provide utility bills. Things like landline phone bill, electric, gas and water bills in your name. I don't know if this is true, but I would make sure first. My last tax year as a driver was 2012. I don't remember the amount now, but this was several thousand bucks worth of deductions. Can't afford to lose this.

Before I posted this I took a few minutes and googled this. On the link I posted toward the bottom this is covered, so it does appear to be true.


http://www.truckershelper.com/webhelp/faq_s/tax_tips.htm

 

I think it sounds like a good idea if you have the personality for it. invest that money while you are living on the road don't just let it sit there.

 

You are right. If you live in the truck, the IRS can and will disallow some deductions. All you'd have to do is make up some receipts showing you rent a room and help with utilities, at a relatives house. The same relative were your mail goes would be best. And, if you really did live in the truck, and save all that money, it maybe wouldn't hurt too much to file taxes and just not take those deductions anyway. You'd still be money ahead in the long run.

 

I did it for six months and was happy doing it. You have to enjoy the road and be happy being alone. I'm a voracious reader and gmae player so I was fine with my laptop and Kindle.
Make sure you have stuff to make your own HEALTHY food. A fridge with some small freezer room, a microwave and an electric skillet. I can make myself one heck of a good meal with that.
Use a Bluetooth to stay in touch with family and friends. Call everyone once a week. Post your travels on Facebook and take the small time youre stuck to get out if the truck. Get a hotel, get drunk, do whatever, but get OUT if the truck for a 34 when you can.

I miss OTR. I like being home every night MORE, but I'd do OTR living in the truck again and be happy with it.

 

I gave up my apartment after 8 months or so on the road , that was a couple years ago. I stay out for at least 2 months at a time and then take 5 days off. So it would make absolutely no sense for me to pay a year's rent for a place I spend a month in. I don't have a dog or use Bluetooth or eat healthy by the way. I wouldn't do any of those things at home either.