What Truckers Should Take/Leave | West Coast Enterprises

Being a truck driver means taking on a life full of unexpected challenges and that’s especially true of long-haulers. Among the unique puzzles they have to face is how to essentially live their lives like turtles, with all they need to survive packed into shells that surround them.

Those who’ve chosen the life can put even the space-thriftiest big-city studio dwellers to shame with their skills at making the most of the space available. They know exactly what they need and, just as important, what they don’t, and where it all fits in their cabs.

If you haven’t been in the driver’s seat long enough to have those skills fine-tuned or you’re just curious what other truckers tell us they think is essential, read on for some help. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of everything you might need on the road, but rather a catalog of some of the essentials, including some you might not think of if you’re new to the road.

Trucker Essentials for the Road

1. A real GPS system. Yeah, it’s easy to use the navigation on your phone, but it probably won’t offer the trucker-specific assistance some systems provide, including tips on road hazards and advice for where you should stop.

2. Your bathroom essentials. A toiletry kit is ideal, since you’ll need to tote it all into truck stop bathrooms and hotels.

3. A tool kit. We’re not going to list everything you’ll need in it because the good folks at Schneider did it for us, but you’ll definitely want a hammer, screwdrivers and a tire pressure gauge.

4. Cleaning supplies for your cab and your stops. From sanitizing wipes to trash bags, you basically need to set up your own mobile janitorial service so you’re ready to take on any messes you encounter.

5. A first-aid kit. You’ll want the supplies to cover all the essentials, from minor to major injuries. Not necessarily part of the kit, but you’ll definitely want some pain relievers on-hand.

6. A power source. If your truck doesn’t have one or more outlets already, be sure you have an alternate source or an adapter that can be used with a cigarette lighter. It’ll come in handy for everything from entertainment to food prep.

7. A container with a lid and toilet paper. Sometimes nature doesn’t wait until stops or other convenient times to call. Be ready with a sealable container.

8. A flashlight. Trust us, you’ll use it a lot more than you expect to.

9. Work gloves. It’s easy to scrape and cut your hands up in the course of a day as a trucker. Protect your hands because driving with banged-up hands is no fun. Some truckers swear by leather cowboy gloves specifically.

10. Cash in a jar. You may prefer to use plastic, but when you’re on the road you should keep some money for stops where they don’t accept it. The jar is for catching change you get after making purchases, which you’ll want to save for laundry days.

West Coast Enterprises Truck & Trailer Sales is your one-stop shop for sale, leasing and financing of both new and pre-owned trucks, trailers and car carriers. Trust our knowledgeable staff to get you in the rig you need and help you get on the road.