Joining Husband In Truck (Advice)

My husband has been driving OTR for ~11 years now and I *finally* get to join him in the truck. However, he's a little nervous about me being bored. He's also a little unhappy, thinking he's going to have to stop more often to find bathrooms for me. (cue eyeroll) I've tried to reassure him on both of these that I'll be fine, but his experience with an ex has him feeling otherwise. Does anyone have any advice, for the both of us, to make this transition easier?

Thanks all.

Welcome Cindy, several years ago my wife was on my truck, although a little different. She was a cdl holder and I hired her. She drove some, which is what was different than what your looking to do.

We found the first issue is space. We figured that part out pretty quick. She loves to read so she made sure she had books and a kindle to give her ample reading material.

More stopping is not any issue. Everyone needs to use the restroom, but stopping and getting out if the truck every few hours to just stretch and walk is better for people.

Spending that much time in confined areas is a challenge for anyone. It was nice we had plenty of time to discuss whatever we wanted or needed to, because we both had the time. She would get me a drink or me her when she was driving which was nice.

You just need to remember its a job not a vacation and work schedules dictate what times things to get done.

Our biggest issue really was when parked for a break and one of us needed to use the restroom was getting in and out trying not to wake the other.

If you both want this then you will find a way to make it work.

PJ that was my biggest issue with my co drivers (3) when we were parked, they always had to slam the damn door getting out while I slept lol....I told em all "you don't need to slam the door, push it closed, and a second push if needed" I was more considerate, when I exited the truck, not to wake them, by slamming the door !!

My advice for married team driving:

Good news: You two are together a lot!

Bad news: You two are together a lot

I don't have this experience, but my sister in law, married to a long-time trucker, got her Class-A and teamed up with her hubby. After a few months they split to two separate trucks. She says "That was the best decision I ever made!" And they still love each other.

Keep in mind if you're sleeping together it's a twin sized bed. Space is a premium. As the co-pilot, you can take great pictures, help look for signs, learn how to be a spotter for tricky backs. It's also possible to have a portable potty on the truck.

I train women mostly. Get a porta potty, it has bags, even put some wood pellet kitty litter and it smells like pine trees! This litter breaks down into saw dust. You can use a rubber made container with locking lid, a bucket with a pool noodle on top for comfort, then lock the lid. It doesnt have to be fancy... just there for emergencies febreze scented trash bags work nicely in them.

You rolled your eyes, but you have no idea what this life is like. I once sat in traffic for 8 hours at a fatal accident scene... drove 5 hours in the middle of nowhere to a customer with no restroom 10+ hours with no restroom. we park at convenience stores that may close overnight. Sometimes our loads prevent us from stopping for 4 hours (high value loads likely to be stolen). We often trek through 300 truck parking lots through blizzards to walk into a truck stop.

It is much easier for a man to urinate discretely into a bottle. I had to pee so badly one time with a male student on the truck... i told him to do the paperwork and I climbed under the trailer to pee. Yep.. outside. At a closed warehouse, away from cameras. But you do what you gotta do.

So please, get rid of your expectations. The eye roll thing came across as disrespectful and naive. And he is unhappy because it won't be easy for him to return you home quickly if you are miserable on the road. Then he will feel guilty and will be worried about future interactions. He does not want you uncomfortable... and life on the road is that at times. He is nervous because he knows what this is like, and he probably doesn't like that you are so dismissive of his concerns.

Here's a video i did with a female student.

Life on the Road: I Have to Pee!