Starting OTR Training; What to Bring?

I don't think you 6 pairs of pants. 3 at most. I would double up socks and underwear. Don't expect to be able to stop for laundry because it has been 6 days. Get used to wearing the same pants and shirt a few times. Baby wipes. Shower shoes are a must! The taller the better. Leave the grill. I doubt you will use it very much. Your backpack should be used for clothes and toiletries for taking a shower. Please don't come into a trucks top using grocery bags, yes it happens. As far as the cooler goes, I would check with the other driver to see if he is bring one or has one of the plug in coolers. The only thing I used my cooler for keeping drinks cool. I understand you want to be prepared with food, that is great. Realistically though it is not necessary to bring all that food along. Remember you are in training, not on an assigned truck. You are going to have to learn to rough it. 1 main bag for clothing, shower bag, laptop bag, sleeping bag and pillow is all I would take with me. From what you seem to have listed it is a lot of stuff to carry. If I can't carry on my back in one trip I don't really need it. A FEW snack items and a couple bottles of water if it will make you feel better. Life in OTR is like an extended camping trip with fuel stops, both tractor and you.

 

Uh wandering why do you only say 3 pants? That's gross I carry 2 weeks worth of clothing with me.

 

Lol, you can't wear a pair of pants more than once? You must be one of those high maintenance metro sexual guys.

 

I'd forget about the cooler. Space is a consideration, seems like my trainer maximized every cupboard and never did clear out a cupboard for me, so my stuff stayed stowed in my duffle bags through the training.

Regarding food, I strongly agree with your decision to bring food. I brought a duffle bag full and stopping at Walmart at least once a week I bought fresh red peppers, sugar snap peas, apples, and bananas ... all of which kept nicely without a cooler as long as I ate them within a few days. My mentor's cooler was an ice chest on the floor and it was nasty, so I forewent any concept of a cooler in the truck.

Regarding clothes, I brought 5 polo style shirts of the quick dry material, 5 sets of socks and underwear, two shorts, two long pants, sweater (never used at this time of year), warm jacket, rain jacket, light windbreaker, safety vest, work gloves, work shoes, work boots, cheap flip flops for shower, warm hat, baseball cap, and closed toed sandal type shoes (with closed heel). I was able to do laundry at least once a week, so having two weeks clothing wasn't essential.

Laptop is good for using google maps and checking weather for trip planning (streetview is often worthwhile). Books for reading (getting through the Game of Thrones series).

Flashlight and headlamp are very helpful.

Food kit included tupperware bowl with lid (for making oatmeal, etc), large spoon, fork, and swiss army knife; large thermos bottle to get free hot water at any truck stop, insulated mug for making my own coffee. I brought bulk oatmeal, raisins, nuts; canned tuna, mackeral, and chicken; a pound of cheese at a time (yes, as long as you eat it within a week and keep it sealed it's fine). I ended up spending about $50-60 per week for food, essential for saving money. I ended up six weeks of training with $1000 in the bank (more than my mentor saved with his expensive eating habits).

Good luck with orientation and training. Sounds like you are coming at this with an open mind and willing to learn. That's a good start.

 

If you need to know ask your trainer. No one will let you loose with a truck. Get to look at them tho.

 

it is about twice as much as you need
assume what ever you bring lives in the bunk with you
you will probably get to shower every other day
the cooking and coolers are overkill in a one week training before you get home


I could live on the road for a month with all that stuff

 

I think that's pretty good those trucks are rooomy. Get in touch with you r trainer bout some of the bigger items. Hey as soon as you can see grime in my clothes its off. Sometimes these last one day sometimes 2 depends how hot it is and what I'm doing. Good luck to you man.

 

pack light, pack extra under garments, yeah you can wear pants and shirts twice but at least change the under stuff daily

For food pack light when training, protein bars is a must on my truck even solo, jug of muscle milk for quick healthy meals, case of water

a flashlight is a must for night driving

you wont always be able to stop at a walmart, they are not all very trucker friendly, in a months time I have stopped at 2, one in Oregon where I parked in the back near the loading dock which they said I was ok as long as I didnt block loads, my company delivers at walmarts anyway so I could of just faked being there on delivery....another I stopped in Colorado Springs and that parking lot I had fun going through.

 

Wolfsync brought up a great point about not being able to get to a Walmart. The only one I recall that actually accommodated trucks is West Memphis, Ar. There are many that have no truck parking posted and enforce it. I remember my first trip to Miami. I delivered and couldn't find a place to park. Went to the back side of Walmart and was well out of anybody way. Spent about $100 inside. Went to sleep and around midnight the sheriffs department was beating on my door. Told me of I didn't move it they would tow it. Thank god for being on paper logs then. Drove around for an hour before I found a great spot with a tiki bar/restaurant. Anytime I'm down that way that is where I will be.