The Driver Toolbox - So To Speak

This started as a reply in the CB thread but it got to the point where it was better suited as it's own thread.

So the Driver Toolbox is something I've come to call the collection of things you SHOULD have in your truck as a driver. Not just actual tools(in terms of hammer and screw drivers) but more so tools of the trade you could say. So I figured I would make a list of my current Driver Toolbox and see what you guys consider to be in yours. Maybe add to my own or you guys add to yours.

1. Hard copy Rand-McNally Motor Carrier Atlas - This, without a doubt, is a must have in your truck. Even if you don't use it THAT often to trip plan, it has an absolute AMAZING amount of information in it and at your finger tips. Too much to really list here but pick one up. You won't be sorry.

2. CB Radio - A CB radio can help you get up-to-the-minute information from other drivers in your area. Even if you don't actively talk on it, other people do. You an get instant information about traffic ahead of you, questions answered, or even ask for advice on rerouting in case of heavy traffic jams.

3. GPS - This is always up for debate, but I feel these do help. Just remember to not rely COMPLETELY on it. It is not the end-all be-all answer to your trip planning. There are 2 main companies out there to look at and they both have their pros and cons. Rand-McNally with the OverDryve series is pretty nice, it's made by the same company that makes the coveted Motor Carrier Atlas and has a lot of bells and whistles to it. I personally use their OverDryve 8 Pro II. Garmin, being the second one, while not as feature heavy. It does it's job well. From my own observations the trucking community is split between those who love Garmin and those who are Rand-McNally followers. The choice is up to you and I would say do your own research. Just know that it is, again, NOT the end-all be-all to your trip planning needs.

4. Phone apps - There are A LOT of apps out there that are super helpful. Here are just the ones I use and what I use them for. A. Trucker Path - I use it to see truck stops and truck parking in my area and to see how full the location is. Each location is updated with how full it is from other truckers, so if you do pick it up, update the location and help everyone else out. B. AccuWeather - I use it to check for weather advisories in my area and along my route. C. Windy - This is a great weather app. You can see wind direction and speed, accumulated rain and snow fall, thunder storms, weather radar, temperatures, amongst about 30 other different layers. You can customize your quick view to only have listed the layes you want to quickly check. D. Weigh My Truck - More of a convenience app than anything. Allows me to quickly get weighed at scales without having to disturb the people inside too much. E. Truckers Slide Calc - A super awesome app that tells me what hole to slide my tandems to when given weight information from a scale. I enter in the values of my steers, drives, tandems, and what hole my tandems are currently at and it tells me what he to slide to and what the weights will be when slid. Can verify with a re-weigh if need be as well. F. Transflo - Super helpful to transflo paperwork to the company without having to look for a truck stop and a parking spot.

5. Pocket Truck Stop Guide - Really neat little book to help find those little, hole-the-wall, truck stops and diners. Super, SUPER, handy and cool. Love this little thing.

6. Work Gloves - Face it, grease and road grime are a thing.

7. Tandem Slide Stop - Super handy little brass ring. Put it into a hole or 2 in front of the hole you want your tandems to be in and GENTLY slide your tandems until it stops them and your right in the hole you want to be. This thing is awesome. Takes the guess work out of when you slide your tandems.

8. Misc Stuff - Some misc things like pens and a clipboard to do paper work with.

9. Load Tracking Booklet - This is awesome to help keep track of dispatched miles, shipper/receiver addresses for each load and their contact phone numbers, load numbers, pick up numbers, trailer number, date, amongst other information. You can find these for fairly cheap at most truck stops.

10. Battery Powered Leaf Blower - Really only if you pull reefer. SUPER handy to blow out your trailer with and works A LOT better than a broom. Just move big pieces of wood from the pallets with your hands and use the leaf blower to blow out everything else. It's awesome....just remember to charge the battery.

That's about all I can think of I would consider right now. What do you guys have in your Driver Toolbox?

From experience, Optical, you'll get suggestions for everything from ball-peen hammers (my favorite) to WD-40 to steel wool.

The ball-peen hammer is useful for clearing ice from your steps, to checking tire pressure, to being the third hand for getting you out of a high-hook with the trailer.

Good luck!

Vise grips and duct tape.

A flashlight, cable ties, rags, cleaners, air hose for filling tires (get it at truck stops). Flat head and philips screwdrivers, electrical tape, wire cutters and strippers, wire connectors, phone charging cords.

From experience, Optical, you'll get suggestions for everything from ball-peen hammers (my favorite) to WD-40 to steel wool.

What's the steel wool for?

From experience, Optical, you'll get suggestions for everything from ball-peen hammers (my favorite) to WD-40 to steel wool.

What's the steel wool for?

Cleans of rust in conjunction with the WD-40 comes to mind.

Also makes a fire starter when attached to the positive and negative ends of any battery.

So not for super truckers to shower with then.

Oh wait.

Weigh My Truck app, be careful in Kalifornia. My company told me that digital copies of scale tickets aren't valid in Kali. If you get the atlas, spend the extra money and get the large laminated one. You can use dry erase to mark out routes. I learned that trick from Susan. I still don't know why drivers can't spend $60.00 of reward points to purchase a CB. My CB definitely help me avoid backs ups and road closures this winter. The Windy app sounds like a useful one. I will have to download.

Weigh My Truck app, be careful in Kalifornia. My company told me that digital copies of scale tickets aren't valid in Kali. If you get the atlas, spend the extra money and get the large laminated one. You can use dry erase to mark out routes. I learned that trick from Susan. I still don't know why drivers can't spend $60.00 of reward points to purchase a CB. My CB definitely help me avoid backs ups and road closures this winter. The Windy app sounds like a useful one. I will have to download.

Yeah, California DOT won't accept the digital scale tickets but when you weigh with the app it tells you the physical ticket is available for an hour inside the building. So you can still go in and get the printed ticket.

Weigh My Truck app, be careful in Kalifornia. My company told me that digital copies of scale tickets aren't valid in Kali. If you get the atlas, spend the extra money and get the large laminated one. You can use dry erase to mark out routes. I learned that trick from Susan. I still don't know why drivers can't spend $60.00 of reward points to purchase a CB. My CB definitely help me avoid backs ups and road closures this winter. The Windy app sounds like a useful one. I will have to download.

Yeah, California DOT won't accept the digital scale tickets but when you weigh with the app it tells you the physical ticket is available for an hour inside the building. So you can still go in and get the printed ticket.

Dutch Maid still being good to you, man?

I forwarded RJ your Upgrade thread/diary. He's looking into your place of employ.

Thread COULD use updating, LoL!! Optical's Upgrade Thread

This TOOL BOX thread is actually a cool idea. I wish PackRat would add HIS two cents, but then again, it'd probably be like that guy that got 91,500 pennies as his 'final payment' from his place of employ, hahahahaha!

~ Anne ~