What will I need to hit the road?

Dont forget a hammer.

 

Cash and cell phone.

 

For protection. Many use a Pit Bull.... Then I got me another doggie to seduce.

Depending on the carrier. You may need lots of tools. Food in the truck. A way to cook. Lots of water. A good sleeping bag to keep you from freezing.

 

Invest in an air hose. 50 ft with a glad hand conection and buy a long air chuck, so you can air the inside tires up, will save time. Most truckstops have them.A lot depends on how you start out, probably with a trainer, I would not carry a lot, Wait untill you get into your own truck.

 

Multiple rechargeable flashlights (one will always decide not to work at the worst possible time), leather work gloves are a must, gorilla/duct tape, some sort of entertainment because you always have some time to kill (e-book if you're a reader, or a computer to watch DVDs or online streaming like Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Prime), basic hand tools like cresent wrenchs, screw drivers, along with a hammer (carpenter/claw hammers work), tire gauge...as for protection... I use my sharp whit, and biting satire.

 

This is going to get you a WIDE varity of answers. On the low end your going to want the following no matter the carrier.

An EDC (every day carry) bag which is usually a decent sized backpack to haul stuff in. You will want a basic set of tools like https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Spec-Piec...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl Which ill cover most easy repairs. You need a head lamp and flashlight. A rain slicker, a change of clothing regardless if you are local or not, a towel, some basic first aid supplies for local, some basic OTC meds like asprin, cough drops, cough syrup, laxitives, rash creams, loations ect if not. Extra shoelaces (these can be a ##### to find otr if you have large boots) a good pocket knife and leatherman. If you have a Cpap get spare parts for it. At least 2 days of food and water incase you end up stuck someplace. Stuff like granola bars, beef jerky, nuts ect that will keep for a while or even MREs if you can get em. An extra jacket and/or coat depeneding on climent incase heat goes out. A roll of duct tape, 1 of each type of fluid, some various seal additives to help you limp back if posible. A box each of spoons and forks. A roll of paper towels and a package of TP with plastic sandwhich bags incase a place is sans TP. Oh and baby wipes.....baby wipes are an absolute LIFE saver.

As for a weapon eh do what makes you feel safe. As long as you dont deliver to military bases or gooberment facilitys carry the gun anyway if it makes you feel safe and you have a way to secure it legally in states your CCW card doesnt cover. If your still not comfortable then a tire thumper, a crowbar, even a buck knife are all acceptable and have ligit uses outside of self defense.

But thats just my opinion.

Edit: Oh and your also going to want a paper atlas incase your gps goes kerdead and to double checm check heights of bridges and the like or if a route is actully truck legal. A good weather monitoring app, a box of pens and some sticky notes to write directions on and stick to your GPS incase it goes stupid. A truckstop guide that tells you where they all are and a roll of 4 gallon trash bags for if you run out of plastic bags.

 

Today, all a company driver needs is a working cell phone. I would suggest a 12v cooler of some kind. Food on the road is lousy and overpriced, not to mention the truckstop shenanigans, lucky to leave with your mirrors intact. Buy food at a grocery store, healthy stuff, and stay away from truckstops. Years ago, I've never felt the need to carry a weapon, but today, you can bet my co-drivers would be Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. Good luck.

 

Shower shoes!

And, I went to Lowe’s and bought a one foot long plumbing pipe that would fit over the “L” shape chain tool to use for leverage. That was probably the best few dollars I ever spent.