How long does it take to build up OTR stamina?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CSDixon, Feb 23, 2017.

  1. CSDixon

    CSDixon Light Load Member

    208
    242
    Feb 7, 2017
    Denver CO
    0
    Just starting out as a new driver, I imagine myself needing a power nap after 3 or 4 hours of driving (especially at night, when I plan to drive). How long did it take you to build your stamina (keep the left door closed) to drive 8, 10, 11 hours straight (not to mention off-duty tasks). Everyone is different. Just looking for an average I guess. Oh! And did you build it up without coffee or energy drinks? How long did it take?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Boattlebot

    Boattlebot Road Train Member

    1,666
    21,078
    Aug 7, 2016
    0
    Don't do what I did. I had to drive vampire shifts for a few days and wound up drinking 2 or 3 big monsters a night after about a week of that I freaked out. Wasent pretty.

    My ideal shift is late morning to 2 or 3 am.

    Didn't really take me to long to build my stamina tho. Just pure vampire kicks my ###.
     
  4. street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

    4,578
    20,668
    Apr 18, 2014
    cold as hell, MN
    0
    Sidebar boat,... i tagged you in a great thread over in the (achem) other area.... you were looking for music....


    (Sorry op)
     
    Shock Therapy and Boattlebot Thank this.
  5. Boattlebot

    Boattlebot Road Train Member

    1,666
    21,078
    Aug 7, 2016
    0
    Can't find the notification or thread. Pm me the link
     
  6. ExOTR

    ExOTR Windshield Chipper Extraordinaire

    1,707
    1,893
    Jan 23, 2013
    Fort Worth, Tx
    0
    I stopped every few hours anyway, walk around for a few minutes and stretch.
    You rarely need to actually drive for 8hrs straight if you plan correctly, and stopping to take a quick break will wake you up.
     
  7. street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

    4,578
    20,668
    Apr 18, 2014
    cold as hell, MN
    0
    Unless you go in and put in your password, its hidden. Once you put it in, it will show on your notification list
     
    Boattlebot Thanks this.
  8. street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

    4,578
    20,668
    Apr 18, 2014
    cold as hell, MN
    0
    On topic, its different for everyone. Some people get right into it, and some have to drive during the day...
     
  9. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

    5,701
    9,071
    Mar 17, 2014
    Jackson Center Ohio
    0
    I'm a solar powered trucker, once the sun goes down I hit a wall and start getting tired quick. But I always drive took my clock dings that I got 1 hour left. That's when I start looking. Took me about a month before I was able to consistently knock out over 600 miles on my 11.
     
    x1Heavy and CSDixon Thank this.
  10. Boattlebot

    Boattlebot Road Train Member

    1,666
    21,078
    Aug 7, 2016
    0
    Yea your find your stride. I'm half way between solar powered and vampire. Works best for me.
     
    Gunner75 Thanks this.
  11. againstthewind

    againstthewind Road Train Member

    2,027
    3,161
    Oct 26, 2012
    0
    i stop every few hrs to smell the roses, im not interested in seeing how many hrs i can drive straight, that "keep the left door shut" saying is for super truckers, they can have it. the only thing ive built up is arthritus in my back
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2017
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.