Housing Options for First Year Trucker ?

Being sick on the road is never a "good" thing... Even a tooth problem can be troublesome.
Depends on how sick you are.... for how long... depends on how your company treats its drivers.
When I got a medical problem and communicated that to my company, I was in my "hometime hotel" taking time off. They decided to put me on a Medical Leave and I had to empty the truck and the company sent someone to pick it up. But when I returned, my company still had "my truck" sitting there and "waiting" for me.

 

If you get sick and need to get out of the truck, the company will put you on Medical Leave so that you can go somewhere and get medical care. In the meantime you may not be receiving any money. Depends on what the arrangement between you and your company is. My company always paid accumulated vacation pay. So, they kept paying me a small amount per week while I was out of the truck.
See with your new company, what benefits they will offer you. That's important!

 

Is the company terminal in the same city where you intend to take "home time"? Sorry I missed that info if you wrote it here.

 

My last company's terminal was in OKC but I didn't want to take "hometime" in OKC nor did I want to bring my storage to that city...
So, I found a secure parking place for the truck and my vehicle and paid rent for that. It was a great yard for big trucks most Owner operators. The yard was fenced and gated with lock and video cameras and the owner had business across the street with his employees coming and going 24/7. It cost me $150.00 per month. But I would rather pay and know my vehicle was safe while I was on the road 3 to 4 months at a time. Only problem, my car stayed in the sun and rain and the paint is destroyed... well, it's yr 89..

When looking for companies, ask for parking options during hometime. If company will allow you to take truck and trailer with you, etc...

 

Fevers is one thing. Medical emergencies is something else.

One day I pulled into Darien at the new McDonalds just built. I was not well. But figured forget the day and rest until tomorrow feasting on that cooked to order food. And hydrate etc.

Usually the body responds by making power to go work. But this time did not for a VERY good reason.

Day two did not go well. The body refused the food sorta. No power.

I finally had one thought. Home. NOW.

9 hours later I am in Maryland by 3 am. started to speak to father about the problem and woke up in the ER being told it's appendix thats gone and they have surgery ready and waiting before taking me out with the needle.

When I came out of that I was not happy. Told to sit home 6 weeks.

HELL no. Back to work lumping country crock butter onto the floor for hunts next morning. That was not exactly wise with the incision. But it held. I was told that I have half the belly that is nothing but scar from my infant premmie days (3 months early) and the doc needed 5 hours plus to find and chop the appendix out. It was about to burst. If it did I would be dead in about a week or less the hard way.

Thats one story.

The other relates to ER for trauma, burns and assaults. I end up in the ER and doc shows up mmhmm, yep, here have a shot.. No doc no narcotics. I gotta drive a 18 wheeler when you finish patching this up.

wot?! Ok kid it's your scream, those are free. OW *&^%$

NEEDLE time out. Thats the end of that horrible word. HA.... #### that needle is fast. So much for driving today.

They end up talking to company boss. They lay off me and let me out the next day. #### it. Late and gotta get going already... sheesh.

Truck and trailer is USUALLY fine. For the most part.

 

Rent a storage for a month for your gear, line your next gig up, get your new truck and bring it by.

 

This is a really interesting thread. Thanks to everybody for taking part.

 

It’s impossible to make a long term plan, if you barely have a short term plan in focus. You can really get a jump on life, living in the Truck. Extended stay Motels, for a week off, or maybe joining a nationwide gym, for showers on days off. Renting a car, they bring it to you at the Truckstop, where ever your at, just some ideas. Definitely need to visit relatives, visit only, insist on staying at hotel. Wouldn’t hurt to show up with some steaks, and take them out for dinner, or give them a gift card for their favorite Steakhouse, to show your appreciation. Maybe they’ll let you use their mailing address. In no time, you’ll have a nice bank built up. At that point, who cares, if you change employment, rent a car. Move along. The long term plan will find you. Usually involves a woman, Lol. Usually in a place you would never want to live otherwise. Good Luck. Don’t always need a plan. They always change anyways. Avoid the disappointment, enjoy the freedom now.

 

......... he's right, I put my stuff in storage unit ($90 per month climate controlled) 5 years ago when I came to the oil fields in West Tx. My stuff is only worth about 5000, so it's almost a break even. I'd suggest getting rid of the stuff that you don't need, and renting a very small unit for the keepsakes.