Sleeper Cab Survival Tips
We know you’ve seen them at a rest area at least once or twice—those truckers that look like they’ve got a dump truck’s worth of garbage in their cab. Now, we’re not here to judge. But we like to think that a nice, clean rig will keep you happy and healthy on the road.
When you’re on a haul, your rig is your home away from home. So what does it take to survive the life on the road? First off, we suggest stocking up on healthy food, fitness equipment, and quality entertainment. We also looked into what seasoned truckers recommend, and we’re here to give you the scoop.
Make Your Bed
When it comes to trucker survival, sleep has to be one of the biggest issues around. This is why nice, quality bedding can make or break your OTR lifestyle. We know new drivers use a sleeping bag in their training rig, but once you’re in your own truck, you need to take a good look at your bed situation. Your most comfortable option would be a memory foam mattress, but they have a reputation of staying warm with your body heat. But don’t worry, there are cooling mattress wraps you can buy for your truck!
Go to the Light
Wait, we’re saying you need more lights for sleeping? Well, the lights are really for when you wake up. We know that sounds weird, but a couple low lights could make the difference when you need to get up in the middle of the night. Dim light would also help when you’re winding down after a long drive—they’re preferable to bright lights. If you struggle with a sleep condition, get a blackout curtain to make your night time experience better.
Sleeper Cab Cleanup
Instead of just relying on the built-in shelving in your truck, make use of these trucker cab hacks. While you might be inclined to cram all sorts of junk in your cab, organizing with plastic shelving and hanging organizers can turn a cramped rig into a home on wheels. You can also re-purpose other containers, like old cleaning supplies, to maximize storage. And speaking of cleaning supplies, Clorox wipes go a long way—same for baby wipes. If you run a flatbed, these wipes can help you clean up the truck and yourself before you reach a rest area. We’d also suggest busting out a hand-held vacuum to keep the truck nice and tidy.
Be Prepared for Anything
Safety is a big part of happy cab life. If you don’t already have one, check out this guide to first aid kits. But don’t stop there! Create a winter safety and emergency kit to prepare for any situation you might come across. Whether you’re stuck in a snow embankment or broken down in the desert—an emergency kit will help.
What else can you do on the road? Try out mobile trucking apps like RigMinders and TruckLogics. By staying on top of upcoming deadlines and streamlining your professional trucking profile, your rig can be your home and your business headquarters!
And the last thing you want to worry about when you’re out on the road is IFTA filing. If you have any questions about reporting your fuel taxes this IFTA quarter, contact us and let us know!
What are your sleeper cab survival tips?
3,399 total views, 3 views today
