Gadgets To Bring Onto A Truck

I say put as much comfort in the truck as you can, without making yourself uncomfortable. Reason being, anything to help you relax at the end of the day is a good thing, just as long as you are not cramped for space.

Often, you can find creative ways of stowing items, like bungee cords or velcro, even small ratchet straps to help keep things up and out of the way.

From someone who does not have a fridge or an inverter, I say the mini fridge and cooking appliances are essential, otherwise you'll spend a fortune in going out to eat.

It might be a good idea to see what truck you will be in, does it come with a fridge already? If not, does it have a space to put one? If not, then you'll have to just secure it in a place that will not be too much in the way.

Does your truck already have an inverter? If so, that's great, maybe consider a small microwave also. If it does not have an inverter, will they allow you to have one installed? If not, then the best you'll be able to do is a small 12v DC plug in inverter with a max power of about 400 watts. Which is not going to be big enough to run high draw appliances like a microwave and certain electric cooking devices, or a maybe a refrigerator, at least not simultaneously.

Just some questions you can mull over to help you be better prepared.

It's going to be a freightliner, apus and inverter 1500w installed

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

So besides the victrola, is the rest of the stuff good to bring?

I am a Solo Driver. The first time I "Loaded Up" my Truck for my first Solo run I brought more stuff than I needed. The top bunk in a Freightliner without a mattress is a huge storage area. Plus the room under the bunk. I have added and subtracted things over the last few hometimes. Don't over do it but bring everything you think you'll need. I you don't need it, leave it home next time. there is plenty of room to over do it quite a bit.

You are not going to be pleased by the performance of a vinyl record player on any truck.

Yeah, 8 track is definitely a better choice for a truck.

Hey my dad and grandfather has 8track players, they're pretty cool. Besides, am I overthrowing the cooking aspect? Am I taking too much clothing? (Double clothing for fiancee)

Hey my dad and grandfather has 8track players, they're pretty cool. Besides, am I overthrowing the cooking aspect? Am I taking too much clothing? (Double clothing for fiancee)

I didn't see anything else that doesn't seem reasonable, except, perhaps, the griddle. A 1500 watt inverter really isn't a lot of power. I have a 700 watt microwave, and the APU can't keep up recharging the batteries when the microwave and the air conditioning compressor are both running. They can run at the same time for about 3 minutes before the battery voltage gets down to 12V. I normally turn off the AC when using the microwave for more than a minute or two. The griddle might be a heavier hit, and it takes longer to cook on a griddle than a microwave, for most things.

One thing I would strongly suggest (if you are a reader) is a book reader. Sure, your smartphone or tablet can probably display books, but a dedicated book reader is just a better reading platform, IMHO.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Never thought about the book reader. That's a good idea. What if I don't bring a microwave? Would that be better? Could I make do with the griddle and crockpot?

Crockpots are great for the truck. They use little power and make good meals. Just throw the ingredients in when you first get up. Set it up and drive. By the time you shut down for the day, you have a meal fit for a trucking king.

The cheap small crockpot from WalMart only uses 90W. It costs like $15. Just don't forget to buy a bag of small bungees to keep the lid on.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

You know - for the first few months IN TRAINING - you are going to be on THE TRAINERS TRUCK. So what you are going to be able to bring is going to be quite limited.

There are a number of threads on here, that list what to bring to orientation.

You've got a ways to go yet - before you get your OWN TRUCK. And being on a trainers truck will help give you a better idea of what kind of "gadgets" you can bring, and where you're going to put them all.

For now - SLOW DOWN AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT ALL THIS CRAP YET.

Concern yourself with getting your permit - getting a HIRE - getting through orientation and training, etc.

YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO FIGURE OUT GADGETS...

Rick