Gadgets To Bring Onto A Truck
Topic 17140 | Page 3
I don't know why people keep talking about months with a trainer. I spent 2 weeks with mine. He was trying to get them to test me out after 1. Maybe I am just a quick study.
Depends on whether you went to school PRIOR TO signing onto your company. In your case - since Wolding doesn't do company training, you DID go there, CDL in hand.
For most other "company based training" - you do 10K miles with a trainer driving solo - test for your CDL / then do another 30K miles (truck total) running as a team. All told - you could spend 3-4 weeks in "phase 1", and another 6 weeks in phase 2.
Looks like a "couple of months" there to me...
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
That's why my list was divided into two sets, first bunch was for training and second set was after I get my own truck. Also that's why I made this because if there's something that I can get now that can replace multiple items or performs better I'll get it. I figure experienced otr truckers have a better idea on my list than I do without being otr yet. I am already signed on with prime I just need to wait till April for the end of my current job.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
That's why my list was divided into two sets, first bunch was for training and second set was after I get my own truck. Also that's why I made this because if there's something that I can get now that can replace multiple items or performs better I'll get it. I figure experienced otr truckers have a better idea on my list than I do without being otr yet. I am already signed on with prime I just need to wait till April for the end of my current job.
Like I said - you aren't even GOING TO ORIENTATION UNTIL APRIL, and likely won't solo until JUNE.
It is only DECEMBER.
DEEEEEEP BREATH.
You have PLENTY OF TIME to figure this out...
Rick
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
I don't know why people keep talking about months with a trainer. I spent 2 weeks with mine. He was trying to get them to test me out after 1. Maybe I am just a quick study.
With Swift. 3 weeks of school, 200 hours behind the wheel with a Mentor, first 50 with Mentor in passenger seat, remaining 150 as a Team. Took me 4.5 weeks and freight was slow.
That's why my list was divided into two sets, first bunch was for training and second set was after I get my own truck. Also that's why I made this because if there's something that I can get now that can replace multiple items or performs better I'll get it. I figure experienced otr truckers have a better idea on my list than I do without being otr yet. I am already signed on with prime I just need to wait till April for the end of my current job.
Like I said - you aren't even GOING TO ORIENTATION UNTIL APRIL, and likely won't solo until JUNE.
It is only DECEMBER.
DEEEEEEP BREATH.
You have PLENTY OF TIME to figure this out...
Rick
I know I just am excited and I like having things packed and ready to go asap before a big life changing trip like this. I got my suitcase halfway packed with dedicated trucking clothes (layers, heavy duty jeans and durable shirts)
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
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
Hrm. Thanks for that, Rick. I agree 100%. Learn what it's like to live in a 10x10 box with another person, then see what you want to bring with you. Your significant other will have her own expectations, so you should be ready to explain things that won't work after some time on the truck yourself.
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?
I'm not sure how good an idea a griddle will be with a 1500 watt inverter. Griddles use a lot of power since they cook with heat, and are uninsulated. A crock pot is heavily insulated, so just a bit of energy builds up heat over time. That griddle loses heat like crazy, so you need a lot of power to run it. Another concern is that a griddle can damage the truck or YOU if it turns over when hot. If a crock pot spills, it can hurt you but it is unlikely to set anything on fire, or even melt wire insulation or floor matting.
Patrick wrote:
I don't know why people keep talking about months with a trainer. I spent 2 weeks with mine. He was trying to get them to test me out after 1. Maybe I am just a quick study.
Two weeks for road training is a bit of an exception. Best case you got about 130-135 hours of driving? Do you honestly believe it was enough though? Not trying to be argumentative, genuinely curious.
When I road trained (mentored) with Swift it was 240 hours of driving, about 6 weeks. They reduced it about a year or so ago to 200 hours. At the time I thought it was enough, but quickly realized it basically "scratched the surface".
Tbh, is your initial training ever enough? But yes I did feel ready. I had other similar experience to draw on. I have driven large vehicles in the military. I had driven 2 1/2 and 5 ton vehicles with trailers. I used tugs to move aircraft on a near daily basis. I was licensed and drove 44 pax buses in the military as well. (Basically a school bus. But we did our training in a greyhound sized bus). During my brief break in service in 2001 I drove large mining dump trucks. I had plenty of previous experiences that made my transition to driving Tractor-Trailer combo fairly painless.
I fully realize I am easily the exception, not the rule. I just enjoy "ribbing" people a bit. Besides, it can be a confidence boost to someone who receives and needs more "training" than I got.
Drive Safe and God Speed
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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I don't know why people keep talking about months with a trainer. I spent 2 weeks with mine. He was trying to get them to test me out after 1. Maybe I am just a quick study.