What are the must haves on a truck?

Does anybody know what company supplies the new GPS systems that come with the new trucks? I have heard the Rand Mcnally is the best truck GPS out there.

 

Where are you guys buying an atlas that costs $40-50? I got a laminated for $25 at a Road Ranger earlier this year. Not expensive in the least bit.

My company uses DriverTech EOBRs which can come with Rand McNally GPS software on the computer itself. Works just like the regular stand alone GPS. Not necessarily giving you a free GPS unit, but it is free GPS.

 

Don't forget the flip-flops for use in the showers & as one mentioned big package of baby wipes. I use the baby wipes after fueling(even though I use gloves), touching door knobs/handles,steering wheel, in the restrooms, etc. I always carry aerosol air freshener for inside of tractor & once a week spray the mattress, seats and a general wipedown inside the tractor.

 

Yea I ment what brand of GPS the new trucks use. The ones that come in the truck already. Not from a company or anything.

 

That use for dry erase markers is new to me, but very good one.

 

one thing i learned about the hard way once. SPARE KEYS. one for the ignition, one to take out with you to lock the truck if you leave it running and another one hidden on a ziptie somewhere on the frame. i pulled off a dock one time and went to get my paperwork i turned the truck off, and had the driver window open about 4 or 5 inches. i came back to leave and the door was locked. stupid international eagle...........anyways, i was lucky to find a petite female driver and she was nice enough to slide her arm down there and open the door. my arm wasnt small enough.


SPARE KEYS!!! lol

 

I can't believe people thought to make light of a reasonable question but if you can laugh at your own jokes, at least you have an audience.

You didn't say whether or not you would be Regional or OTR, where you would be based out of or even what part of the country (or world) you were in.

With those thoughts in mind however, I will give you what I think are essentials to survival both on the road or, in the event of a breakdown in some remote part of the countryside.

Water,... lots of water (I keep no less than 6 gallons of the stuff stored under my bunk). A body can survive about a month without food but only a week without water. I included a Catadyne Ceramic/charcoal filter as well which I hope I will never have to use (that means I'm in serious Kim-che and have been out there for some time already without help arriving). Food. Crackers are dry but they can sustain you. Beef jerky or canned sardines (protein). Some kind of first aid kit (bandaids, anti-bacterial ointment, Hydrogen Peroxide, steri-strips... use your imagination). That should cover basic essentials.

Think Shelter: Never leave your vehicle if you break down... there are things in and on it that can result in your survival in places you are not familiar. Too many people have strayed away from their vehicles in the desert only to be discovered dead or eaten or never to be seen again. You're not the only animal out there but you're the most vulnerable one to a predator.

That takes care of survival... Maps: A gps doesn't have to be 'trucker' ($400 or so?) to be useful. I've been using a simple Garmin Nuvi 350 for the last 4 years... under $100 on Evil Bay). It does have a choice for Bus or Truck and, since I, like any good driver, pay attention to road signs and clearances, will, most of the time (better than 90%) keep you on acceptable travel routes designated for truck traffic. Having a Rand-McNally is a must because it will let you know where the scales are (in lieu of that trucker gps) and give you state by state restrictions necessary to go in legal (tandem positions change in numerous states just like speeds change routinely with construction and traffic volume). A decent laptop with the ability to wirelessly access the web is a plus for mapping updates or route verification (I recommend NOT using Mapquest... some like it but my experience - only one but one is too many in a big rig, was being directed to the road that didn't exist).
I have a cold weather rated sleeping bag... you can always strip off clothes to find some level of comfort but freezing to death is an option I'd just as soon avoid. Good bedding equals comfort.
Entertainment: I don't find that to be an essential need. Being an outdoorsman, I can find something better to do than watch TV. Besides, I'm one of those guys that feels I should be ON the TV, not watching it.

I'm sure there will be some drivers that can add (or retract) from this little input I've provided. I can't be in your head and I only know my abilities and limitations. It will be your comfort level you will need to entertain.

Best wishes in your endeavor and one more essential you MUST have: A POSITIVE OUTLOOK AND LIMITLESS PATIENCE.

 

http://truckandtravel.com/buy_now.html, this little $7 pocket guide will help you a great deal finding a stopping place.