Starting a "Things To Keep In Truck" list

A baggie of office supplies. 1 gallon zip lock bag works great to keep everything together.

A few pens, a mechanical pencil, dry erase markers (trip planning in your atlas), roll of tape, mini stapler with staples, small pair of scissors, high lighter, envelopes, post it notes, ream of paper (tape your receipts to it for travel expense reimbursement)

 

I'm just a "new kid on the block" but it would seem to me a good idea to have a "break-down" kit.

I've read of break-downs that have lasted for hours and hours. Mechanical as well as "weather and traffic" related.

I would think it helpful to have a medical kit, and as others have mentioned, some back-up food and water.

 

How bout food and water for 2 days. I was caught by a winter storm once they closedthe road, litte place I was holed up had nothing

 

Consider also reflective clothing, safety glasses, razor knife and if your like me good supply of bandaids and neosporin with pain relief.

 

Depending upon if you are an O/O or a company driver certain tools are a must.

Sockets (make sure to have some 12 point if needed), good long or extendable ratchet, breaker bar, set of open end wrenches at least up to 1", quick connect fittings for air lines, rubber repair parts for cab to trailer lines, compression fittings for trailer lines, duck tape, electrical tape, a good at least 6-8ft tow chain, spare bulbs, fuses, wipers, rags, hand cleaner, water and food for at least 3 days, blankets, and wet weather gear

No need to worry about that tourque wrench for lugs...unless you have a multiplier it won't do you any good and if you've got lugs loosening up over time, it's more work needed than the tools you'll have on hand can fix

I keep an air line and a couple impact guns and wrenches just because I do a lot of my own work on the road

 

I carry some of the above and at least 2-fuel filters with 2- 911 anti-gel. When I have gelled up it has always taken at least 2 filter changes to get truck running. Most all the time its at home because I forget to plug truck in or it has gotten colder than I thought it would.
I also carry a replacement diaphragm for my brake can. Spare slack adjuster, pins for the push rod. Couple easy outs that fit my small 1/4" and 3/8" air fittings. Couple candles.

 

First of all, if you are a company driver, does the company want you doing work on their truck? If not, then most of your tools can be left at home.

Essentials?

Claw hammer or pry bar to pull nails out of trailer floors. (flatbed, van)
Broom to sweep out trailer (van/reefer).
Work gloves.
Duct tape.
Penetrating oil (WD-40, PB Blaster, etc...)
Zip ties.

2 Screwdrivers...slotted & phillips...nothing too special.
Perhaps a crescent wrench or two.
Vice grips.

Once you get a truck assigned to you, if you need any other tools to change a light or anything simple like that, add that to the list.

If you don't know what you are doing, you should leave the wrench turning to somebody who does. Last thing you want to do is lose your job because you tried to fix something and made the problem worse. Some companies will terminate a driver for unauthorized repairs, so make sure it is OK for you work on the truck before you attempt to do anything on it.

 

I recommend a good Atlas. I like the large laminated Rand-McNally. If you purchase the WET ERASE markers (not dry erase), you can highlight your route and it won't smear. A moist towel or piece of paper will wipe it off in just a swipe. Don't always trust the GPS... you will often get stuck.

 

Good advice!