No Home Time Needed?

drivers have lived at the corner of kenworth and kenworth for years. but to make it for any length of time in trucking you need time away from the truck. you see lots of burned out drivers after only four or five years of driving. the reason being they took every mile they could run either that or there mp5 player burned out. to make it simple you need home time. lots of luck

 

One thing to consider about living in the truck is that it takes a lot of pressure off of having to run so many miles to make payments for a home front. In the OP's situation I'd rather come "home" to an "apartment" that has maid service, room service, and laundry service for less than it costs for an apartment; with keys to a new car I can use for a few days. Budget time and money for "home vacations" and you will stay refreshed and looking forward to planning your next home time in a nice location.

Do plan on taking actual home time a few times a year, meaning clock home time at your home address. That's essential for taking per diem. Get a good accountant that is familiar with the trucking industry.

 

A driver I worked with for several years had lived in a truck his whole career; been driving maybe 10 or 12 years. When I worked with him, he rented a storage facility with 24 hour access for about $50 a month and kept some stuff in it. Also used it as an address. Had a cot, lamp, hot plate, TV inside. He paid cash for a nice piece of land in Michigan, a home in California, a home in Tennessee. Rented out the homes and had tons of cash in the bank. Didn't own a car; would rent one on occasion. Took home time wherever he wanted depending on his mood; beaches of Florida, Caribbean, Philippines, California or maybe do the Las Vegas strip/brothel thing. Pretty much leads a stress free life.

 

Eddy... Don't let anyone discourage you from your plans.. I think if you pick the right trucking company, you should have NO problems.. When you pick you company, you can always change your "home" address to fit your needs..

You do have to have somewhere to call home, but do not really need a home.. Family, or friend can always supply a home address..
You are correct that the Internet is the way to go for most mail, but not all..

Dropping your apt is always easy to get another when and if you want one..

I believe some that talk about needing home-time have never served in the Navy or some other branch where you were gone for a couple years at a time..

When your truck is in the shop, just get a hotel room, some may be offered by the company you work for...
Treat yourself to a rental car instead of owning one..

Sounds like you have a good plan that may fit your lifestyle for now.. Good luck to you..

 

zipcar is a great alternative for anyone in an urban area that doesn't want the hassle of owning a car. I'm considering joining in order to have cheap wheels in cities. $6 per month for membership and $8-10 per hour to drive, with insurance and fuel included. If you are going to take home time in an urban area and get a hotel, then this is cheaper than renting a car if you are only going to use it for a few hours.

 

Hahaha. Well, it wasn't an acrimonious split. It's a very long story that would leave you shaking your heads in disbelief hehehe.

I looked into that myself, but it doesn't seem that there are very many of them that are parked in truck accessible or even truck-friendly areas. Not to mention any places where you can leave your truck while you tool around in your zipcar. Maybe OOIDA can contact them and suggest that they park one or two at truck stops and see how it works out for them.

 

Ah, I've been reading this forum for about a month now as I'm leaning towards learning and driving 18 wheels. A prerequisite to doing that is, I'm thinking, along the lines of the OP in being a homeless trucker.
Difficult to wrap brain around the psychological aspects of having zero roots at 57yrs old (and nobody dependent on me), not that it might not be great but, but looking for the questions and aspects of others who HAVE DONE THIS. What are some of the things to know in advance ?

thx
glenn

 

Roaver, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, call me what you will?

 

i use my mom address for residence, have a p.o. box for mail, have all my stuff in storage. no house, apartment ,kids,wife, or girlfreind.park my personal truck at terminal so i can go visit freinds or family when i'm at home terminal. i pay all my bills thru my banks website(i use chase and went there and had it all set up). if i get cabin fever, i'll take a 34 and get a hotel. btw..i'm 51,a loner, and very indepedant. i have books and dvd's to keep me occupied when off duty. definitely can save up alot of money going this route. but make sure thats not your priority, gotta enjoy yourself in the process

 

... This never crossed my mind I could possibly take a reset wherever I would want with prior approval... I sense a Wrestlemania in my future