Mandatory Or Optional Items To have Inside The Truck As An Over The Road Driver

Is it mandatory for an over the road, (OTR), truck driver to have any or all of these functioning items inside the truck?

1) CB Radio
2) cell phone
3) laptop computer or "smartphone"

If the individual truck driver chose to only have the company "qualcomms" to the exclusion of these other 3 items, would it be permissible by both the trucking companies and the federal government?

Not only is it a money factor, but there is a security factor. The less one has in their truck, the less worries there are both financially and security wise. Also, if a company driver has to or is told to "clean out" their truck, the fewer items that they have, the easier it is to "clean out" the truck.

I am thinking back in my younger days as an active duty sailor in the U.S. Navy when your whole life was compressed into a sea bag when arriving, departing, or transferring from one duty station to another.

Also, about 6 years ago, (9/30/2007), when my mother passed away, my 2 sisters and I spent 15 months going through both of our deceased parents estate, (house and records). Our father passed away over 32 years ago, (7/2/1981). There was over 51 plus years worth of items that my 2 sisters and I had to sort through. Our mother lived in her house for over 51 years, (6/1/1956 - 9/30/2007). It took over 9 estate sales, along with numerous sales through both e-Bay and Craigslist, to clear out all the items. The house was sold back in 2010 to a husband and wife couple with 5 children.

Currently, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with only the essential necessities and very few additional items beyond that, (my desktop computer being one of them).

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

I consider those items essential. Truckers aren't so much concerned about what can be stolen from inside their truck as what is on the outside (spare tire, fuel, load locks).

CB Radio - Can give you access to vital information provided by other drivers. Such as weather up ahead, delays, speed traps, accidents, etc. You can also get on the spot advice from other drivers.

Cell Phone - With a headset this is great for passing the time. You can speak to a few people for 15 minutes to an hour each and get through a shift easier. Conversation can stimulate the mind and help keep you awake. A cellphone is also necessary for emergency purposes. The Qualcomm periodically goes down for software updates or for other reasons. Furthermore, truckers are often the first on the scene of an accident. Finally, you'll want a cell phone to communicate with the shipper/receiver and your dispatcher when he can't be reached on the Qualcomm.

Laptop - I use the laptop for entertainment. Maintaining personal morale is vital on the road. Instead of a TV and an Xbox taking up space, I can watch movies and play games right on the laptop.

 

Thank you.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Very Well stated! Thank You. I was thinking this exact post! Thanks.

 

I am very sorry to hear the deaths of your mother and father.

 

Sorry to hear about your loss.

As for your question.

1. Smart phone-I can do everything on my cell phone that I can on my laptop...yea my laptop must be a diansore.
2. CB-it's my lifeline. I don't talk on it much but it's always on and cranked up just in case.

that's what I carry in my truck. I don't carry a laptop I don't need one in the truck with me I don't have the time to worry about using it to entertain myself. I go to sleep when I get done driving...when you're as ugly as I am you need all the beauty sleep you can get

 

My company pays us $25 a month to maintain an active cell phone since it is the primary means of comms with them along with the truck computer. I watch tv and movies on my phone before I go to sleep too, though I do still carry books with me.
A CB is still used at some shippers and receivers to let you know when your door is available, and others call you on your cell. And the other poster was correct, most of us don't worry so much about what is in our truck as who will screw with the outside. If Im not parked in a truckstop, Im not too far from my truck anyway and more likely than not Im inside with my stuff.
Its your home away from home.

 

Thank you.

 

Thank you.

 

Two of those items are an added luxury.Most use the cb to just chat.I did have a CB the first couple months and haven't used it since and that was back in 2003.The cell phone I would say is a necessity for 911,some companies require it.Phone booths anymore are few and far between.I'd be lost without my cell.The laptop,now who really needs that on the road?I do that's who,lol.Gotta have something to do during those weekends at trk stops.