Living on the truck and a few other things

We had rented out our condo in the summer of 2007 right after we bought our house. In the early summer of 2008 the condo along with 20 others and several houses along I-5 there in Stockton burned down. 6 months later I lost my job and 12 months after that my wife lost her job. After 15 months of unemployment and losing both homes and my pickup truck to the banks, I became a trucker. Then my wife filed for separation. I ended up buying my truck for cash and have been basically living in it for 2.5 years now with my dog. I can stay at the house back for hometimes but the majority of my time is spent over the road paying the rent/child support and back taxes. Some days are better than others. Every once in a while on a cold dark night I sit there and think What the hell am I doing out here.

 

####, right in the feels...

 

I know OTR life isn't for everyone. I sure as heck didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did before leaving the industry.

Those weeks I spent training before I got a trainer were the hardest I had ever endured. It was fun nonetheless, especially when it came time to site off what needed inspected. I totally blew the doors off that and the instructor was flabbergasted. He claims no one has ever got it right the first time through. I just sat there and smiled real big. Had good roomies which made the stay better. Sad though, those of us headed back to Edwardsville, KS term, I was the only one who lasted longer than 6 months. My CDL exam was a different story. Totally bombed the driving test. Took it again the next day and passed easily. Never thought I'd bomb driving the rig. I had it in my mind I would bomb during the backing exam. Apparently, backing was the easy part. Nah, the instructor told me I never used the turn signals and that I forgot to turn on the 4-ways when I had to stop for someone. I was using the signals; however, my knees kept hitting the lever, turning them off. I was sitting like they wanted at the Academy (which was too close to the steering wheel for my height).

To me, I felt like I was on a 24/7 camping trip with all the sites dangling just out of reach like a carrot to a donkey. However, if I never tried trucking, I'd prolly never would have seen what I saw the 2 years I drove over the course of my life. I cannot wait to get back. Found out today my diabetes exemption with DOT has been forwarded to the DOT Registry waiting to get posted. At this point, I can start planning and getting what I need before I'm laid off my current job. Additionally, I'm playing it safe and getting an at-home sleep study done. I should have my one months usage out of the way (if I need the CPAP) about the same time my paperwork comes back from DOT. Can't wait to get driving again. Don't have as much tying me down this time around; so, I won't mind those slow weeks sitting around playing my electric bass or gaming on my lappy or watching movies or simply out stretching my legs or.... LOL!

Everybody has a unique load of "baggage" they carry with them. Some have more than others. We all strive for equality, yet life treats every single one of us differently.

Good luck out there drivers.

 

You are doing what you need to do, when you need to do it, in the only way that you can (right now) do it.

You are surviving.
You are being a man.

 

I wish I could say I am going back. I think the mult-car accident I caused this evening may have canceled my truck driving career. I was cited 2 infractions from it: improper right hand turn and driving too fast. 1 guy went to the hospital to get checked out. His car is totaled and possibly mine, too. What a ###### up day. The one time I get out of line, I really ####### pay for it. I know my back is paying for right now. Just had a failure to yield citation drop off this past January. I'm still trying to process what happened. Best part about it was how up beat and nice everyone was. Even the Sheriff and local PD were pretty cool about it. I was expecting to get yelled at by someone and / or go to jail. This was my first accident on the books in 12 years. Last one I just rear-end the car in front of me.

I hope Swift lets me in, but I can understand if they won't want to risk hiring me.

 

your singing my song scottied67,I think the same thing a lot....but f it...im pretty happy now tho....

 

that's right.....

 

I live in my truck full-time, and I love it! Keep in mind tho, my second choice would be to live in an RV full-time, and have previously lived in two different self-built tiny houses [grin].

Getting my mail is by far the hardest part. I have a box in Las Vegas, and if/when I know where I'll be a week in advance I have them bundle it up and forward it. It's that week in advance part that's tricky!

I never take more than two days off in a row; my terminal allows up to four before turning in your truck (I hear some terminals allow only a 36hr restart!). I've had the same truck since I got out from mentorshit, but it's also been in the shop the last 3 fridays in a row - ouch! I plan to beg for a new one (with zero expectations of getting one) when I get to Phoenix.

You can request your home-time for (just about) any zipcode. I have yet to get there on time.

Inverters also seem to vary by home terminal. Lewiston allows 300 watt plug-ins only. Michigan shop told me NO inverters were allowed, and that I should hide mine the next time I visit their shop. No company driver is allowed to hard-wire one as mis-wiring can literally burn the truck down. Only owner ops are allowed to take that risk. I generally try to charge things while driving, when inverter has max power. Also use my lunchbox oven while driving. Butane stove burner while parked (with windows open).

My coleman cooler would drain my batteries about 8 hours into my 10, truck woke me with loud obnoxious "shedding loads" beep every time! It died after 6 months continuous usage, and I sucked it up and bought a truck fridge that fits PERFECTLY in the cabinet and NEVER drains my batteries. Yes, it's expensive, but IMO totally worth it! Besides, how much would you spend on a fridge for your brick-and-mortar house (no rental disclaimers please)?

You are restricted in your idle percentage, your DM will yell at you if you go over, and I did overhear a DM telling her driver "yes I understand it's 100 degrees in Nevada, but you're at 45% idle rate and I have to write you up!" [blink blink] Apparently they expect you to sit in the truck stop all day and let your truck bake all the groceries they want you to have on-board in case of emergencies. My solution - drive Canada for the summer! [grin] I actually had to use the heat there several times. The Webasto bunk heater works well. If you are someplace unreasonably warm, tell your DM to note it in a comments section (no clue where this section is, but apparently there is one.) I asked, and oddly enough Swift will NOT reimburse for Idle-Aire to prevent idling! I've been very pleased with my RoadPro TornadoFan clipped above my bed. That and a damp washcloth on bare skin will do wonders while parked!

BTW, other companies will not necessarily accept Swift's Academy training. I know Gordon wouldn't.

Sorry for the long comment, but I REALLY love my job, I LOVE living in my truck, and woe to the person who asks me about it! My employer, otoh, I'm still struggling to understand...

(they pay me to live in a tiny house and drive around looking at the scenery? Dude, I am SO there...)