Want to go OTR

Its not the more money, flip your thinking to what it will cost for YOU to eat AND feed and care for that dog with you once solo OTR.

Many drivers fail in OTR because they do not put aside savings at all. They spend it all. Feast and famine.

You actually got it pretty good I think 1300 miles for a few dollars a week and home with the dog. I say you stay there.

HOWEVER. Remember where I was at 21, I was a wanderer with the intent to see the world so to speak. So I went OTR where possible and got everywhere eventually. Im glad I did. The good times Ive found here and there sustain me in bad times. The memories.

I refuse to get between you and your dog. I had two shepards in my life time and understand the bond. You just cant leave it behind. So.. that's where Im at.

 

OTR sucks unless you control your own destiny.

That being said, to get on with a company like Landstar or Mercer you have to have 1 year OTR experience, including winter time. They won't accept local experience.

 

Bunch of negative Nelly’s.

OTR stands for Open Territory Ranger.

In Latin, it means Road Warrior With Giant Flip Flops To Crush All.

RWWGFFTCA was a bit wordy, so it was shortened to OTR.

No commitment at home? Dive right in and have a blast. Most hate OTR because more than 5 days out from the home front is problematic.

Look at it this way, 8-5 folks pretty much work and sleep 5 days and live for the weekend - 2 days off.

You get to run all week and take a 34 where you like, grab a rental car and vacation for 2 days, wherever the wind blows.

 

Tell your company you're ready to hit the road OTR and when can you start. It's that simple. Don't waste time running regional if you really want OTR. I went right out of a 10 day cdl school, running coast to coast.

 

Get a good quality set of pawsies shoes or something for your dog. There will probably be times that pavement is 160F or sheer ice, potentially in the same day cycle. You will want other considerations for weather. You can be down here in the summer, but climb a pass on chain in the dead of winter a few hours later sometimes. Other cold, hot weather considerations include water and alot of it. Probably three cases of 24 quarts or something in one side under your bunk inside that cab. Not the outside side box where dirt or cold can get into it.

(Sideboxes in OTR trucking has a dirty box on the left and a clean box on the right of the cab. The good clean stuff go there. The tools, greases, oils etc go to left.)

 

Oh. If you ever carry antifreeze (And Im betting you will OTR...) get some BIG zipper bags in sufficient volume to prevent your dog from trying to partake of it's lethal sweet contents. One lick can make it really seriously sick fast and a few more will kill it.

The dog does not know the difference. But a big truck can potentially be a bad environment if you do not mind and manage all of your fluids etc onboard. Don't splash that antifreeze feeding the demanding computer throwing codes because it lost a pint in that overflow tank.

 

When I was regional I was only home every 12-13 days. So yes jump right in to the OTR division. It was not for me but you may love it. Keep your pup with you, I’m a loner too but being in that truck for 2 weeks at a time was even to much for me. You have to find a way to get out of that truck each weekend that was my problem. I used to run up my 70hr clock just so I could get a reset. But doing that costs you money. Take an Uber to a sports game or nice place to eat and try to forget it all.