What do I bring?

[TeamCaffee]

We get asked this question often of what are the bare necessities to leave out in a truck for a couple of months.

It would be great to get a list started where a new person could look and get ideas of what they need to bring with them.

GPS - Truck Map - Flashlight - computer - printer/scanner - phones - and chargers for all - clipboard to hold paper work - pens

Travel file container or box to contain receipts, envelopes, stamps, extra BOL's and any other paperwork needed from carrier. We also have a permit book that has enough room to carry our lease.

Small set of tools

Clothing - depends on the time of year and length of stay away from home

I do laundry one a week with very few exceptions and this will dictate how much of something you need to bring.

We have found that we like jackets and if it is really cold and we are going to be outside long we can layer clothes. The bigger coats took up to much room for the small amount of time we spend outside when it is really cold.

At least two sets of shoes one for going onto a customers dock and one for leisure wear.

 

[Greg]

2nd pair of glasses(if you wear glasses)
Bluetooth (hands free is a must )
Spare fuses ( you just never know when you might need them)
Tire guage ( check your tires regularly)

A written or printed list of any needed phone numbers. If your cell phone fails, have the contact info available in another form.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Passport (if going to Canada)
Copy of Medical card
Shower bag - (not need for towel usually)
Dirty clothes bag
Laundry soap (much cheaper then buying at truck stop)
Paper towels - Paper plates - plastic silverware
baggies of all sizes
velcro

 

[Greg]

Water. I have found over the years that keeping a supply of water on board helps in many ways. Obviously, for drinking, but there have been a couple of times in years past, where my drinking water saved me. If you get stranded somewhere because a hose failed, a roadside repair and bottled water can get you to a shop for real repairs.

Also, keep some water and some food available in the truck for the inevitable breakdown that leaves you stranded, especially in extreme temperatures.

A warm blanket or sleeping bag for the winter, a little survival gear is always a good thing to have available.

Don't forget the duct tape !

 

[TeamCaffee]

We carry a small fire/water proof safe in the truck where we keep some extra cash, our birth certificates, and phone numbers just in case like Roamin says something happens to our phones. Extra emergency cash can also really help in an Emergency...

We also carry debit/credit cards instead of much cash. The cards help to keep track of expenses for end of the year tax reporting.

 

[Greg]

The more I consider this subject, the more I realize just how much stuff I carry with me.
Spare filters - oil and fuel - and filter wrench
Oil
Power steering fluid
Coolant (anti-freeze)
Gear oil
Electrical tape
Spare wire and connectors
Shop rags
Gloves- for fueling
Extra wiper blades

 

[TeamCaffee]

Sheets - pillow
glass cleaner
insulated coffee cup - (Contigo is what I have)

 

[ATeam]

When you are new, it is easy to over-think things like glove quality because you are not yet out there with a sense of what is truly important. It is also tempting to take too much.

Example: Work gloves; cheap ones. You can replace them with cheap ones as needed out on the road.

One wise expediter -- I do not remember who -- stated it well. Lay out everything you think you will need, then leave half of it behind. You are never far away from Walmart and other stores when you are out there. Start light and add what you need as the need becomes apparent.

Essentials include:

Internet access device that gives you access most anywhere in the country
Cloud account for data backup
Work gloves
Fuel gloves (separate from work gloves because they get dirty quickly)
Small but powerful spotlight for seeing address numbers on buildings at night
Small but powerful flashlight for use in the truck (reading shipping labels at night, finding things in dark corners, etc.)
Duct tape (never go anywhere without duct tape)
Packaging tape and dispenser (not essential but nice to have)
Band-Aids, asprin, other first-aid items
Winter survival clothing (in case you are stranded in a bizzard or truck breaks down in sub-zero weather)
Reserve supply of drinking water
Rechargeable batteries and charger (or extra store-bought batteries) for all devices
Baby wipes (for when showers are not readily available)
Garbage bags for many uses, one of which is to isolate rain-soaked or diesel-soaked clothes in the dirty laundry bag.
Paper towels
Go-Jo or similar hand cleaner
Hand sanitizer
Standard toiletries (soap, toothpaste, etc.)
Gym bag, contains exercise clothes and shower gear
Anytime Fitness key on your key ring (gets you into 2,000 gyms in North America)
Cloth towel(s)
Wash cloth(s) (Face cloth)
Toilet paper
Binoculars (not essential but really nice to have)
Box cutter
Pocket knife
Truck stop locator book (pocket-size book available at truck stops)
Pocket-size notebook kept on dash (write down miles when crossing state lines and international border)
Pocket-size notebook kept in laundry bag (write down deductible laundry expense)
Spiral bound steno pad for writing notes and info of any kind
Sewing kit
Bolt cutter
Wire cutter
Essential truck supplies (oil, fuses, etc.)
Folder/container to hold dozens of permits, large enough to hold them all but compact so it can be kept handy for quick access.
Extra pens
Postage stamps and envelopes
Document scanner or scanning app
Printer
Wallet or organizer for passports, fuel cards, loyalty cards, certification cards, etc.
Tire thumper (for use as a weapon if needed)
Tire gauge for true tire pressure readings
Rain gear
Health insurance card

 

[paullud]

I like to have 2 pairs of work gloves. One is a cheap pair from Harbor Freight used for fueling and the other a good quality pair that doubles as work/mechanics gloves.