Rand McNally Deluxe Motor Carriers' Road Atlas

Never leave home without it. The Rand McNally Truckers Edition is a tool that will pay for itself over and over again. After I retired I still use it for the 5th wheel when we go travelling just to keep tabs on any clearance issues where we go because the 5th wheel is over 13' high. But seriously it will be better than any GPS in my opinion but I'm old school.

Just my personal experience.... Wait until after your training. Your trainer will have one, so yours will be sitting around taking up space.

I got the spiral bound, large scale.

I have the spiral large print edition. i found it much easier to read as a newbie. more expensive but well worth it.

Yes, ma'am, that's the advice I keep seeing. The clincher was when someone called it the Truckers Bible.

Never leave home without it. The Rand McNally Truckers Edition is a tool that will pay for itself over and over again. After I retired I still use it for the 5th wheel when we go travelling just to keep tabs on any clearance issues where we go because the 5th wheel is over 13' high. But seriously it will be better than any GPS in my opinion but I'm old school.

Yes, sir! I plan to make the most of it. And if I'm reading you correctly, the batteries will never die in this one, eh?

Just my personal experience.... Wait until after your training. Your trainer will have one, so yours will be sitting around taking up space.

I got the spiral bound, large scale.

Yes, sir, this should have been common sense. But, alas, my mind is adrift in air brake and pre-trip inspection questions. It's also suggested as something to bring with me (which I thought might be covered in class or something.) But it makes more sense that they suggest I have it if I hit the road with a trainer - in which case, I really hope the trainer has one, lol. If not, that might be a sign right there!

I agree - the spiral bound large print is the way to go. BUT, unless your company positively requires it, do not buy that or any other stuff until later. When you are a student in a trainer's truck the less extra stuff you have the better. I was astounded at the amount of crap my last student had with me. My current student has a reasonable amount, but the wrong luggage. Please read all the many resources on the items you need for training and do not bring anything else. Everything you take should fit in two duffel bags plus a shower bag, and one of those duffels should be empty after you take your your bedding.

I have the spiral large print edition. i found it much easier to read as a newbie. more expensive but well worth it.

I agree - the spiral bound large print is the way to go. BUT, unless your company positively requires it, do not buy that or any other stuff until later. When you are a student in a trainer's truck the less extra stuff you have the better. I was astounded at the amount of crap my last student had with me. My current student has a reasonable amount, but the wrong luggage. Please read all the many resources on the items you need for training and do not bring anything else. Everything you take should fit in two duffel bags plus a shower bag, and one of those duffels should be empty after you take your your bedding.

Yes, sir! I've just about got my bags packed, and what's not packed is ready to be. Including my sleepng gear, everything fits two black duffel bags very neatly. Coming from a ton of camping/hiking experience, I've got lots of practice in only packing essentials (many of which are multi-use items) to keep pack weight light. (If you go waltzing up the side of a hill in the Rockies with an 80 pound pack, I promise you won't make the same mistake next time around!) Honestly, I'm REALLY glad you said TWO duffel bags, I've been a little anxious and considering only taking one.

As for the atlas, I hope I don't sound flippant about this (after all, I did step up and ask for advice.) But I'm also trying to bring whatever the official school suggest I bring. They put out their list for a reason and (since I know didley about truck training) I'm just taking their word for it.

I guess I disagree with the others. The reason you want your own Atlas is because you may need it in the classroom section of your training. We did trip planning exercises in class, and that is probably why they suggest you bring an Atlas.

I guess I disagree with the others. The reason you want your own Atlas is because you may need it in the classroom section of your training. We did trip planning exercises in class, and that is probably why they suggest you bring an Atlas.

Yes, sir! And that's the ONLY reason I want the thing right now. Heck, half of the stuff on their suggested list will probably get donated or dumpstertized if I'm fortunate enough to get a trainer assigned.

I really hope the trainer has one, lol. If not, that might be a sign right there! wtf-2.gif

My trainer didn't have one......or a CB. Both were my first two purchases when I got my truck.

My trainer didn't have one......or a CB. Both were my first two purchases when I got my truck.

Not instilling confidence right now, Turtle...