Packing List for Students

notarps,
thanks for the list. been trying to find something like this. just got off phone with Christine w/Conway, my packet is on the way. Hope to start on Feb.23 # Crowder. she did say info on what Ineed to bring will be in packet. But suggestions from the actual guys in the on the road is excellent thanks you much. Been busy studying got permit test tomorrow in St.Roberts, mo. should do ok from my results from websites i've been practicing at.

 

Good luck with your test. Hope you did well, jshepp. One thing that many people seem to forget to bring with them is their common sense. Remember: It's your license! Just because you're training doesn't mean that you're afforded anything special. You ARE a licensed CDL driver. If you're not comfortable with something, speak up! It isn't your mentor's license that will be pulled: IT WILL BE YOURS! Just be safe and use your head. Big plus.

 

I really wanna thank you guys for this list. I am leaving the 23rd for my oreintation and then on the road after that. This has been really helpful and actually answered all the questions that i had for the time bein on what to pack and what not to pack.

 

great post very informitive thanks

 

The list and all suggested packing items by the other drivers has been most helpful. I leave for orientation on March 10. I'll get a finalized list and details about everything when I call my recruiter on March 4. Thank you to everyone and se y'all on the road.
~Strawberry Wine

 

A couple items I haven't seen mentioned yet...

a kingpin lock (Schneider requires this for sure)
extra socks and I'll second that Gold Bond powder stuff
baby wipes (they have been said but they're REALLY useful)
Dr Pepper and pretzels (this is my road trip snacking food of choice)
bottled water (Ozarka makes a 3-liter, it's ideal for trucking)

 

Get some of the "Anti-Monkey-Butt" powder from the truck stop.lol supposed to keep you from chaffing and all that. I always laughed at it cause it's a funny name to call it and has a bare butted monkey on the bottle but it works well in the boots to help with sweaty feet in the summer and also in the winter when you have the heat blazing on the floor (never on the windshield,defrost, as it melts the snow and makes it ice up more on the wipers)

Also.Go to TSC (Tractor Supply Company) and get a roll of electric fence wire and a pair of wire cutters.It WILL save your hide at some point.I have used it to hold air lines off the ground,hold trailer doors open when the chain is gone,helped a tanker driver use it to keep a cap on the drain pipe.Endless uses for it and it's very tough but easy to cut and work with.

 

This is a great thread! And some really good posts. Not to say I am right and anyone else isnt. Here is what I took.... in two parts - training, and then MY truck.

Training -

• 7 days worth of clothing (shirt, undershirt, pants, underpants, socks). Unless you are getting really dirty, you can usually get two days out of a pair of pants. You can do laundry at the truckstops when you are on your last change of clothes.
• Toiletries (Deodorant, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, razor, nail clippers [a must have], scissors). Also, not all truck stops provide soap, so bring your own bar. If they do provide it, toss it in your bag for "emergencies". A small ziploc bag makes for a perfect soap holder/keeper.
• I wasn't required to have steel toed boots, so I brought a pair of hiking boots and a pair of dark tennis shoes. Since then, I have fallen in love with driving while wearing a pair of those "surf shoes". Have you seen them? Form fitting, mesh, lightweight, easy on /off, and CHEAP! 6 bucks at Walmart. But you can feel everything in them when you are driving.
• Cell phone and laptop. Laptop is nice to have for both trip planning and looking at the weather forecasts.
• As far as adverse weather gear, use your head. Remember, you are going to be in someone elses truck, so be aware that YOUR space will be limited. And for what it is worth, a garbage bag makes an excellent poncho, and you dont have to hang it up to drip all over the truck after using it.
• Gloves. No need to get the Mambo Wambo of gloves because they will be destroyed in a few months any way. I picked up an inexpensive pair of mechanics gloves and they have served me well. I generally wear them when I am doing something that requires more delicate finger and hand movement. Then for the really nasty, dirty work, I have a pair of clunkier work gloves.

Your Own Truck -

That will be totally up to you. I can tell you that everything I have listed above is in my truck now.

I also carry a battery powered lantern, a tool kit (one of those 200 piece with sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and so forth), a 2 lb short handle sledge, a TRUCK air pressure gauge, bolt cutters, and a padlock.

I have also equipped my truck with a 1000 watt inverter (Cobra CPI1000). Then I bought a 750 watt microwave at Walmart, and a small electric skillet. I can cook literally anything.

Get what you want... but remember the more you take, the heavier your truck will be.

Happy trails!

 

Don't forget that bottle of rubbing alcohol for disinfecting public toilet seats before you use them.