Trainer Input Please: Folding carts for trainees

male truck drivers that use a rolling suitcase set up to roll across the parking lot in order to take a shower seem out of place to me. i know that is not your question but i have been seeing the above scenario more often and it truly looks odd. heck,even a female that has to have that much stuff,as in a rolling suitcase,just to take a shower seriously needs to reevaluate their shower bag packing.

my suggestion is that IF you really need that much stuff and thus a rolling cart,strap the cart on the outside of the truck next to the air lines or other.you can use some form of cover to protect it from the elements.i highly doubt that it will be stolen.

edited to add that some posts just purge replies from me.yours is one. i am thinking that you are over thinking-

 

really, people? I have my own truck and have had it for a while. I could pack up everything, except the little lunch box stove and a rubbermaid thingy I use to keep condiments and whatnot in, and walk away in 1 trip. That's a laptop, 2 weeks worth of clothes, bedding, and a shaving kit (knapsack). If you need a hand truck to tote yo' stuff to your trainer's truck, you might want to re-evaluate your packing list.

 

this folding cart is so important to your life style that you can't live with out it?
How about your "blankie"

 

My opinion regarding the OP's question is that a fold up cart like that might be workable. If for any reason it doesn't stow behind a seat or under the bottom bunk you can stand up upright (folded) at one end of the top bunk when you sleep. It would be handy for wheeling heavier things through bus terminals, etc. to get to orientation.

To the trainers that feel like they can't give up "their" space, ie. take up all or most of the available storage space in the truck:

I don't get it.

Sure you live on the truck, but it also a truck that YOU decided to make available to a trainee and would SHARE the space. That's part of the territory of being a trainer IMHO.

Before I take on a new student I clean the inside of my truck and make sure there is an entire side of the cupboards and drawers available for the student to stow their kit. I also furnish plastic tubs for them to organize their clothes or food. It's a small thing called courtesy, and also happens to be part of my curriculum. You know, like teaching new drivers things like fuel island courtesy, making way for faster trucks courtesy, not honking the horn when backing in a truck stop courtesy, etc. etc. etc. That courtesy begins with my example and that example starts the moment they step up into my truck.

They are welcome. They will learn how to drive and comport themselves with professionalism and courtesy from day one.

 

My trainer gave me almost half of the storage space. He was awesome.

But a rolling cart that size? How much does it hold? and why can't you carry that little bit?

Mikeeee

 

If it's anything like the one I picked up from Walmart it was a bit disappointing. The handle only extended tall enough that you could walk comfortably when rolling along, as long as you were the Hunchback from Notre Dame. It was okay if you had a box on the base to stack things on, but other than that it was useless.

 

you sound like a nice guy and a good trainer. The question is, how many other trainers are there out there like you? What these guys need to know is what to expect from the worst or least accommodating trainer. My advice, again, bring enough clothes for two weeks, a sleeping bag, and a shaving kit. Just get used to the idea that it's gonna be kinda close quarters for a bit and as soon as it's over, you can load your own truck up with whatever you want. Personally, I wouldn't want to start the whole training experience off by showing up with my stuff packed on a hand truck.

 

Good points. Making a good first impression works both ways. While a trainer should have consideration for the trainee, the trainee should also have consideration for the trainer. Show up with only the essentials and it would be best if you arrive with what you can carry and easily stow.

Don't count on having a lot of cupboard or drawer space. Be prepared to live right out of your duffle(s) if need be. If you feel the training "experience" isn't working out with that trainer, do you really want to take an hour to repack your stuff?

Light is right.

 

You Sir I want as a trainer. Because I want to learn all the courtesy things that every trucker should be doing to just make everyone's day a little easier instead of the "Me first #### everyone else" style.

 

Maybe you'll get a decent trainer instead of a control freak that wants to be the big boss man, because he's a little henpecked whimp at home. Those horrible trainers; probably live in a filthy house with little children running around in dirty diapers. Their ultimate goal in life is to upgrade their home to a double-wide. I'm not knocking trailer living because that's how I started out many years ago, but some peoples minds are locked and there's no changing it.

If it was me, I would tell you, yes, bring the cart and we will deal with it. The world won't come to an end. You can strap it in the top bunk, then strap in against the bulkhead/wall while sleeping.

I was in the Navy and we had far less space for personal items than in todays trucks. Canvas bottom bunks stacked 4 high in some berthing compartments. I just don't understand the whining and wailing from these trainers.