When a new driver is assigned to a truck, what should i get for it?

I am using this in the interim until I get a truck and put a REAL scanner/printer into the truck.

http://www.brother-usa.com/MFC/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=DCP7065DN#.T9zYr7WvJ8E

 

A smart phone.

Until I started trucking I would only have the cheapest cell phone I could find. When I started I bought an Android phone. It was expensive but proved invaluable for me. I could surf the net, watch TV shows, play games. It had GPS and I downloaded truck stop apps. After I got a laptop I just tether it.

The next thing I bought was a 12v cooler. Then a TV. Then an inverter and microwave.

I tried two dorm type fridges. They didn't last too long in the FL Columbia I was driving. I think there was too much shaking and bouncing going on. The second one actually caught on fire.

The only problem with having all this stuff is if you have to change trucks. Then it is a real PITA.

 

110 charger for your cell phone is helpful.

I broke down one time and had to spend three days in a hotel room. I had a heck of a time finding a charger for my phone within walking distance of the hotel.

 

I use a micro USB cord off my computer to charge the phone as well.

 

First off, I would get a Rand McNally. A lot of people are going to sound off about how bad it is to rely on a GPS, but if you use it properly, it can be your best friend. When I was just out of training, it helped me a lot. Use it as a tool, not for it to tell you every step of the way. If you do, it'll be a matter of time before it gets you in a sticky situation. You'll need the RM Atlas. It has a lot of good info in it.

Within a few months of being by myself, I got really sick of feeling unhealthy, from eating TS food. I also started feeling like a fool for giving all that money to the TS's, so I went to Wally World, and bought a mini-fridge. It has saved me a lot of time, and money. Now, I don't have to stop somewhere where they sell food. I can pull over anywhere I want, knowing I have everything I could possibly need in my truck. I can keep bags of salad in the truck, along with yogurt and milk for cereal.

I look at my truck as home. When I close the curtains, I might as well be on the couch at home. I spend 22 hours a day in my truck per day. I go home once a month, so there is no reason not to make your truck as comfortable as possible.

 

A duffle bag. And make sure you can put everything that is yours- in the bag!
This is good advice when moving in with your girlfriend also!

 

First thing to get is a first aid kit for yourself. Second is a good toolbox with everything you need to make general repairs, third is spare parts kit. Other things like a portable gps, a laptop computer, and always a good roadside breakdown kit. A printed/ written down list of contacts for special needs like towing, mechanic shops, and whatever is important. Not on your cellphone because if your phone dies how will you get your info with no place to charge it? Most of all.... carry some cash/ change. You may need to use actual money sometimes. Not just plastic/atm cards. I hope this was helpful. Good luck!

 

what ss posted.I do not possess a GPS nor do i intend to purchase one.I actually just updated my trucker atlas this year w/a 2012 edition so it too is now antiquated.I run a cb that does the job,have verizon wireless,and the very best escort rd made.drivers have been anywhere you will go and all you need to do for the most part is get on the cb and ask or use your cellphone and call.in fact,most all of you new drivers have that qualcom thingy so put it to good use.you'll be fine w/o GPS as it is just another distraction.

keep the fridge stocked in case of unexpected delays and power cords for the phone and cb,as in extras,and along w/a trucker atlas, you will be good to go.oh yeah,the tool box suggestion is another great suggestion.you will learn over time what you'll need in it but the basics,both metric and sae wrenches,phillips/standard and torx screw drivers,etc,and an airline w/glad hand fitting on one end and the tire chuck on the other(with the end that stays on the valve stem by itself),and a higher end tire gauge.

carry a GOOD large pair of vice grips and duct tape.you may have to crimp an air line to an air ride trailer or back off the brakes and crimp the air line in order to get down the road to a shop or away from a dangerous spot.all that comes after you learn more i think. EXAMPLE one busted air bag on a trl will keep all the bags from airing so you'll need to crimp the one line in order to move basically.common sense stuff that one driver will call in on and wait hours while another will keep on trucking until he can get to a shop.

 

That is the reason that i "pass it on"every time that i can help another driver.very early in my truck driving career,i was stuck on a toll road, 80/90,and did not have the money to proceed.I got on the cb,a driver pulled in behind me,gave me $20,i tried to get his address to mail him the repay,he declined and simply said "pass it on".

It took 6 months for it to sink in EXACTLY what "pass it" on really meant and yes,i pondered it. it finally hit me. yeah i am slow at times but i have been "passing it on" since then and it has added up to be so much more than that mere $20 whether i helped w/cash,my tools,my time,or whatever.

In addition to all of the above in the several posts replying to your post,always remember to "pass it on"driver.