what things will i need to drive?

I'm just about to go on my first long-haul trip where I'm behind the wheel....I've packed the following:
Bedding (sheets, quilts, nice pillow)
Cooler with granola bars, nutri-grain bars, green tea, the rest I will have to buy in the states so the border guards don't seize it. I will be buying bread, sandwich meat, etc.
Mini kettle for my green tea
Power inverter
Cell phone and charger
Digital camera and charger
laptop and wireless aircard
Clothing (long johns, multiple sweaters to layer up with, coveralls)
Work gloves (I like using thermal masonry gloves with the non-slip palms, been using them offshore and up north for years, but also have a pair of leathers too).
Lucky for me, I have 8,000 dollars worth of tools at home so it was easy to make a nice toolkit. Combination wrenches upto 1.25", basic sockets, screwdrivers, TEST LIGHT, wire crimping tool and various connectors, utility knife, electrical tape and rubber splicing tape, 2 lb "persuader", 3 D cell maglite, crowbar, white paint marker and measuring tape.
LOGBOOK
organizer with pens, ruler, calculator, whiteout.
window cleaner, hand cleaner, babywipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels
I had to get the bossman to buy some new wheel chocks since there wasn't any on the truck.
...and of course a credit card, bank card, passport, drivers license, and 500 bones in cash which will be stashed.

..just to add, I made sure there was spare glad hand rubbers, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares, triangles on the truck as well.

 

A flat keister with no feeling in it.

 

Notebook or two for writing directions down in is always helpful. Get one of the airhoses that hooks to the airhoses on the tractor - very handy for airing up tires that are low. my hubby bought one, and it paid for itself just after he bought it as his tire pressure was actually checked at a scale house shortly after he had aired up the tires that were low. That was the only thing besides the weight that was checked. Weird, but there ya go!

 

you'll use up all your butt connectors fixing company lights other drivers dont get fixed....at least i did. #### lazy drivers

 

Ya, my dad has that problem with the company he works for. He ends up having to fix a few lights every month because other drivers don't bother. With the company I work for, I get my own assigned trailer so I can make sure its upto my standards which I am pretty happy about.

 

Adjusting the brakes requires tools. Some drivers won't touch them. But it's easier to do it yourself, than haul butt down that 7% grade to the truckstop, to let a mechanic do it for you

And just as sure as you don't bring SOME tools. You'll need some.

I have
Screw drivers
HUGE crescent
Knife
Pliers (needle nose and regular)
Vice gripes
2 spare keys (yes they're a tool)
Zip ties
assorted Open and boxed end wrenches

 

or, if you pull flatbed you may pull off a mudflap on the back axles learning when to stop before hitting the curb, to put it back on. And eventually you'll discever that some things you know you can fix (but are at first trying to abide by the no messing with things company rule) aren't worth taking in to either the wait or on occasion the incompetance of some mechanics.

 

Now that is funny do not forget the trailer for the truck make sure they all have the wheels,tires and brakes,engine,trans rear end,etc