Living in a truck
- Thread starter timvan83
- Start date
rode2rouen
Expert Expediter
For Wi-Fi connection I use a Belkin wireless notebook network card (model# FSD7011). It connects quickly to every Wi-Fi node I've accessed in truckstops, motels and even parked near a Starbucks.
IIRC, I got it from OfficeMax for $70.
I don't have a TV, but my ThinkPad plays DVDs. I scour the cheepie bin at Walmarts every chance I get.
Rex
IIRC, I got it from OfficeMax for $70.
I don't have a TV, but my ThinkPad plays DVDs. I scour the cheepie bin at Walmarts every chance I get.
Rex
anadarkos1
Expert Expediter
>For Wi-Fi connection I use a Belkin wireless notebook
>network card (model# FSD7011). It connects quickly to every
>Wi-Fi node I've accessed in truckstops, motels and even
>parked near a Starbucks.
>
>IIRC, I got it from OfficeMax for $70.
>
>I don't have a TV, but my ThinkPad plays DVDs. I scour the
>cheepie bin at Walmarts every chance I get.
>
>
>Rex
There are several forms of wireless communications adapters available. An antenna or a PCMCI card (wireless modem) which you can find at many truck stops (like flying j) and several retail Computer supply outlets like Staples, Best Buy, Fry's etc. The price range is about $50.00 to $70.00. The antenna is the best choice in my opinion. It has a USB cord which allows you to place the antenna in various higher (shelf, cub board, cabinet etc) locations to augment signal.
I also use a laptop with DVD play capability. It works very well and as the other gent suggested, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and several other stores feature a cheapie bin. Many of the older movies are a good bargain. You can always trade with others to save money.
>network card (model# FSD7011). It connects quickly to every
>Wi-Fi node I've accessed in truckstops, motels and even
>parked near a Starbucks.
>
>IIRC, I got it from OfficeMax for $70.
>
>I don't have a TV, but my ThinkPad plays DVDs. I scour the
>cheepie bin at Walmarts every chance I get.
>
>
>Rex
There are several forms of wireless communications adapters available. An antenna or a PCMCI card (wireless modem) which you can find at many truck stops (like flying j) and several retail Computer supply outlets like Staples, Best Buy, Fry's etc. The price range is about $50.00 to $70.00. The antenna is the best choice in my opinion. It has a USB cord which allows you to place the antenna in various higher (shelf, cub board, cabinet etc) locations to augment signal.
I also use a laptop with DVD play capability. It works very well and as the other gent suggested, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and several other stores feature a cheapie bin. Many of the older movies are a good bargain. You can always trade with others to save money.
theoldprof
Veteran Expediter
OK, so you buy a card, antennae, etc. How do these guys work, how do you pay for the minutes, etc. Thanks. :+ :+
I have a T-Mobile card. It's $30 a month and that include unlimited usage. Recently I saw one, I think it was Verizon, that was $60 a month unlimited IF you have phone service with them. Otherwise all the other companies are $80 a month unlimited usage. The others are a little faster connection than mine is but for $50 a month I can wait a few seconds longer.
Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
G
guest
Guest
I've got Cingular wireless internet access. The card was free with a two year contract at $80 a month for the service (unlimited time). It works fine inside the truck.
Make sure to get satellite radio. That's a must.
GPS navigation unit is also something I couldn't live without (Magellan 700--currently at Sam's for $750, or the Garmin 2620).
Make sure to get satellite radio. That's a must.
GPS navigation unit is also something I couldn't live without (Magellan 700--currently at Sam's for $750, or the Garmin 2620).
If you want to know about living in a truck stop by the Pilot on the Souhwest side of exit 6 on I-65 in KY . A Conway Now straight truck has been parked there for 2 months . After I had seen it parked there for over a week I asked at the fuel desk if they knew what the deal was. They told me the woman that owns the truck works at the Pilot and lives in the truck .
Flying J has pretty good deals on laptops . If you buy a new one you get a year's free Wi-fi access . They also sell refurbished laptops .
Flying J has pretty good deals on laptops . If you buy a new one you get a year's free Wi-fi access . They also sell refurbished laptops .
G
guest
Guest
Magellan 700 purchased on Ebay: $525, no monthly service
Satellite radio with rebate: $75, $12.95 a month service
Mobile internet accesss: PC card was free, $80 a month service
To me, it's not really all that expensive. $600 up front and $93 a month.
Satellite radio with rebate: $75, $12.95 a month service
Mobile internet accesss: PC card was free, $80 a month service
To me, it's not really all that expensive. $600 up front and $93 a month.
G
guest
Guest
That sounds absolutely awful: Okay, you work at a truck stop, which is okay, though I wouldn't want to do it, and then when your shift is over what do you do? You go out to the parking lot and the truck you live in. I think I would rather drive the truck for money than work at the truck stop if I am going to be sleeping in the truck anyway.
HI
Yes it's awfull but she isn,t the first and she will not be the last.I don't want to sound like I'm harping on this issue but,if you come into this business make sure you have the capital.A lot of bad things happen to good people.
I have seen alot of people lose everything because they started in the business during the busy period, got a couple of big checks and thought this is the way it's always going to be.Then the slow time hits or they have some major break downs or have an at fault accident or an illness and they didn't put back enough money.
Be extra frugal the first year, don't buy anything that isn't absolutly nessesary and put money in the bank.
I read in another post where some one was paying double payments on his truck, I don't agree with this practice your first year.Put your money into a saving account or CD's some place where it is easly accessable.You never know when or why you might need it.Then at the end of your first year if you have had good luck take half of it out and make a large payment on the principle only.
Thanks have a good one.
Yes it's awfull but she isn,t the first and she will not be the last.I don't want to sound like I'm harping on this issue but,if you come into this business make sure you have the capital.A lot of bad things happen to good people.
I have seen alot of people lose everything because they started in the business during the busy period, got a couple of big checks and thought this is the way it's always going to be.Then the slow time hits or they have some major break downs or have an at fault accident or an illness and they didn't put back enough money.
Be extra frugal the first year, don't buy anything that isn't absolutly nessesary and put money in the bank.
I read in another post where some one was paying double payments on his truck, I don't agree with this practice your first year.Put your money into a saving account or CD's some place where it is easly accessable.You never know when or why you might need it.Then at the end of your first year if you have had good luck take half of it out and make a large payment on the principle only.
Thanks have a good one.
G
guest
Guest
Oh lord, you mean she was an expediter and something happened and she had to get a job at the truck stop she was at when she ran out of money (or whatever happened)? Eeek! I am always SO happy to leave a truckstop after even a day or so. I can't fathom going in and asking for a job because my truck broke. I feel for her. I hope she doesn't have to live like that indefinitely (unless, of course, she likes it).
You made the comment about not investing too much the first year. It seems like there are some things that are necessary for survival or necessary so you do not get too discouraged the first year and decide to give it up.
Correct me if I am wrong but from what I have been reviewing it seems like the best investment to start off would be a GPS system and a few good guides that various drivers have mentioned in the forums.
I'm thinking a computer would be a great addition as long as you had the communication service and the money to invest. So far we are in the negative as far as profitability goes with hopes of making a quick rebound.
Correct me if I am wrong but from what I have been reviewing it seems like the best investment to start off would be a GPS system and a few good guides that various drivers have mentioned in the forums.
I'm thinking a computer would be a great addition as long as you had the communication service and the money to invest. So far we are in the negative as far as profitability goes with hopes of making a quick rebound.
Hi
You have brought up a very good point.What is absolutly nessesary and how do you decide?Is it a want or a need? Will it make me more productive or just make my job easier?Am I going to use it in my day to day business or use it a couple of times and then put it aside?
Sounds like a really good subject for a 2 new topics.Especially since I just spent half the day looking for a new laptop.These thing now have more options than a 75 Caddy.
You have brought up a very good point.What is absolutly nessesary and how do you decide?Is it a want or a need? Will it make me more productive or just make my job easier?Am I going to use it in my day to day business or use it a couple of times and then put it aside?
Sounds like a really good subject for a 2 new topics.Especially since I just spent half the day looking for a new laptop.These thing now have more options than a 75 Caddy.