(Part 3) Top products from r/Truckers

You want to make money driving a truck? Learn how to save it.

The number one expense on the road is food. You can save up to 75% off daily food expenditures by having a thermometric cooler or fridge, but I would wholeheartedly recommend the cooler over a fridge.

Just a few reasons why: (ex: Coleman 40qt)

1. Way more space. Less shit in the way. You take out the shelf and fan cover. And don't have to deal with the cluttered layers and small freezer that can't hold anything of value.
   
   
2. It still functions as a freezer. Spray the heat sink with DuPont's Teflon anti-frost / anti freeze spray and let it air out. WD 40 works in this capacity as well. Lay down some paper towels and use some q-tips to get all the nooks and crannies. Let it air out before stocking it. This process will provide several extra weeks before a defrost is required as well as let the wall closest to the fan turn into a freezer. Make sure to leave a path way down the middle so the fan can do its job. keep any drinks to the 1/2 gallon of milk size. condiments and meats like portioned chicken can be against the freeze wall. Lunch meats and cheeses can be vertical in the middle section without issue, keep an eye out for any water. Would recommend sticking to quality with any bags, Ziploc is the only brand I use out on the road as leaks can ruin an entire cooler of produce.
   
   How I stack it with bonus pics of the rest of the truck
   
   ___
   
   A couple other things I would add are a carpet and a Queen sized fleece blanket for the back wall. You can cut any of the area rugs at Walmart in half and they will fit the truck perfectly after trimming for corners and cut lines for the seat straps. The fleece for the back wall can be anchored under the bunk mattress and netting while tucking sides in the back wall cushioned paneling. You should also pick up a mattress cushion, cut to fit and use the scraps to protect the tv from the wall features of the truck.

Tire chain tools:

Chaindawg, purchase


cheater chains you can build these yourself at any hardware store for $5. They're good for driving around yards, getting out of a dock that you're stuck in our getting unstuck from being parked all night after a snowfall or due to sinking into ice. These are not a replacement for chaining up under a chain law, I keep a few sets of these in my bag. All they are is a length of chain with a simple hook like on your tire chains.


another example of cheater chains


other tools that are available

cam tool this is my favorite style of tightening tool as it's easier to use in the back. I've seen one sold in some backwoods truck stop that had a handle like a socket wrench. I've been looking for it since last year, wish I bought it when I saw it.

Fifth wheel pull hook it's useful for putting on a set of singles. reach through between the tires and pull the chain end through so you can hook it before driving over them.

chainpro still haven't seen it for sale anywhere

I've seen some pretty cool hand tools over the years at truck stops to help with chaining up. Kind of wish I picked some of them up as they don't seem to be easy to find online.

Otherwise there's a lot of gimmicks out there.

For me the biggest barriers are weather and my irregular schedule. Sometimes it's just too windy, cold, or rainy to do anything outside. Some days I feel like working out but don't have time. Other days I have the time but don't feel like working out. So three variables have to come together: weather, free time, and energy level.


Lately I've been doing better though. I started doing isometric exercises in the truck, which I can do in any weather (I have a Steel Bow and Iso Bow). If the weather's nice I use my pushup stands and dumbbells, along with jumping jacks.


The food, though - obtaining healthy food is a definite problem.

sure they are. or at least fans with any mm range that run on 12v will also probably have 12v in their name.

anyhow, amazon 12v fan and that should give plenty of options. I'd recommend one of those computer fans. Not the one that plugs in to the 12v outlet lol.

I've had one of these on my coleman for a while. It sometimes decides to be a freezer. And haven't had any issues with lost appendages from putting hand in fan since I stuck the fridge into the right bottom compartment on the cascadia.

Study, I dunno. I like to listen to books about nuclear science, nuclear power, weapons, accidents and the like while I'm driving. I don't do many fiction books.

While it may not be studying, learning about the world around you can help expand your mind and keep it active while you're focusing on the road. I've listened to these books a few times over by now.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5
Link 6

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving:: Thinking Of Becoming a Truck Driver? You MUST Read This Book First. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E0KSOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IoizDb3BH2QC2

Read this first. It's a great book alot of insight on the world of trucking.

I wear Bates composite toe military style with side zip and they are very, very comfortable and have held up for two years in a chem plant environment. They breathe well and help me stay cool. A heavy sock in the winter is usually enough unless I'm standing around in the snow/ice. They are NOT water resistant in any way which is a major downside. Wet feet are only slightly worse than wet undies.

edit to add Never skimp on anything between you and the ground: boots, bed, tires... you get the idea

get a spillproof water bowl they are awesome. We never had any spills unless I overfilled it.

If you have a way to power a crockpot that's the way to go. You can make a weeks worth of meals for under 20 bucks and it'll blow the pants off any fast food taste wise plus much healthier.

Had to buy a new car recently so had to tighten the budget, was blow away with how much I was spending on food. Check this out

Most of our trucks have these:

SABRE Red Pepper Gel - Police Strength - Family, Home & Property Defense Gel with Wall Mount Bracket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002368VJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VT0-BbSNGNC77

At my work (YRC Freight) we have a different truck each time. So instead of the more bulky home models I've been thinking about buying the portable keychain model. It costs more but the convenience might be worth it? What do you think? https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-CO-72-9021-Monoxide-Detector/dp/B001G0STBK

Stand-alone jump starter like this: http://themicrostart.com/ or one of the much larger ones that also has an electric air pump for tires

Fire extinguisher

Ratchet straps

Zip ties

Duct tape

First aid kit

Blanket

Pen and field notes (they’re small, fit in a shirt pocket) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034KDEMO/

Spare sunglasses

Spare cell phone

/r/VEDC

This is what I had when I was otr.

It worked great for 6 years and in fact is still in use in the garage for beer. Expensive? Hell yes. Worth it? Hell yes!

Getcha one of these and mount it to a sturdy 2*4. Then use big u bolts or even straps to attach that to the frame. Another strap to hold the back tire down and your done.

Delta Bike Hitch Pro Locking Fork Mount with Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ACAM88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J8tKDbY85GVXG

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TMRCVC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A3HJVAY1TAWG77&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DZPEDE/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A1CTDVWMV20N3W&psc=1

valve core tool

Like these

This. Also use bag-o-rags from autozone

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AP585M/ref=asc_df_B000AP585M5027594/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395009&creativeASIN=B000AP585M&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167151917164&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10381526456474114756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028716&hvtargid=pla-359966164207