advice please new guy starting wednesday

pmotrucking · Apr 18, 2008

Thanks guys for any input i leased a 2007 freightliner m2 with a 64" sleeper for my first truck start work this wed don't know what i'm in for have been driving local 48'fters for the past nine years have to get used to weigh stations and such any more input i can get would really help out.i'm going to be running solo as an o/o for Express-1 things im buying this weekend are as follows microwave,tv/dvd combo,and a gps unit thinking about getting an inverter for now to power my laptop and to watch a little tv not a big tv person like to read alot and the microwave will only be in use for a couple of minutes a day i have two hookups in the truck for inverters was thinking of 2 1000 watt inverters 1 for each side small microwave 700 watts any advice for my new career would really help

dcalien · Apr 18, 2008

I have a 1000 watt inverter off of which I run a laptop. Three phone chargers, 800 watt microwave, a small fan. It is plenty for me.

I use my microwave more like ten or twenty minutes a day. Not sure what you can cook in 2 minutes. I recommend running your engine while you use the microwave, as it draws down my 100 amp battery pretty fast otherwise.

I run a 220 or 230 amp alternator by the way. cannot remember which.

Also other than my microwave, my laptop is the biggest user of power.

Oh yes, I also run an Espar heater off the inverter. I can run that for several hours without hardly bringing down the battery.

You are probably looking for other kinds of advice here, but I thought you might want to know my experience with the inverter anyway.

Good luck to you in your new venture.

greg334 · Apr 18, 2008

dcalien said:
I also run an Espar heater off the inverter.

.........huh?

dcalien · Apr 18, 2008

greg334 said:
.........huh?

Good eye, Greg. Feel free to substitute battery for inverter.
I also run and Espar heater off the battery.

RLENT · Apr 18, 2008

I was wondering about that one two when I first read it.

arkjarhead · Apr 18, 2008

Get you one of those little fridges from wal mart like the ones that go in a dorm room. They are great. Plus I know the GPS is great with the turn by turn direction, but it would be smart to get a Motor Carrier's Atlas. You can pick one up at any truck stop. If your gps goes down you have it. Plus it gives you low bridges, tell you where the scale houses are, etc, etc.

cheri1122 · Apr 19, 2008

One small investment ($15) is The Next Exit, available at Flying J - lists what's at every exit, on every interstate, with RV friendly (and that's a C or D unit size) places in red type. Whether you want the nearest WalMart, truckstop, or grocery store, it's priceless.
A big investment is an APU....it gets pretty hot in the summer, & cold in the winter, if you don't want to go broke idling - but you can't get much sleep, if you're uncomfortable, ya know?
The Col always recommends parking under a shade tree, but I've sat in the summer, feeling like I'm dying of thirst in the ocean: trees everywhere, but not a one that I could park under. I'm beginning to think he takes his own...

dabluzman1 · Apr 20, 2008

A bottle of tylenol, anti acid tablets, wet ones and a big bag of starburst.
Good luck to you!!!

Fr8 Shaker · Apr 20, 2008

You forgot the anti-depressants.

x06col · Apr 20, 2008

I wouldn't go spend a lot of funds on "things" that others "think" they need. Get out there, find out how "you" negotiate life on the road. and what will make "your" life there bearable for "you". Then get it. Just remember in this business, you are not trying to make others happy. Less of course, yer the type that has to keep up with the Joneses.

dcalien · Apr 20, 2008

x06col said:
I wouldn't go spend a lot of funds on "things" that others "think" they need. Get out there, find out how "you" negotiate life on the road. and what will make "your" life there bearable for "you". Then get it. Just remember in this business, you are not trying to make others happy. Less of course, yer the type that has to keep up with the Joneses.

I pretty much figured out what I would need by being out here. I even started out by sleeping on the floor with a sleeping bag. That did not last long.

I do think the Trucker's atlas is a great idea for him though cause sometimes these modern electronics just don't get the job done. Oh yeah the baby wipes are another really inexpensive thing.

bludragon13 · Apr 20, 2008

all the above , we also use trips and streets cheaper then gps system but not as cool. Question you leased a 'o7 that did not have a micro,tv ,refrig or inverter? haven't ever seen or heard of that before musta got a great lease deal for an unequiped straight truck. good luck