Driver Cited for Attempting "Normal" Dress

[Fancy_Maneuvers]

Greetings all!
I feel obliged to give a sort of introduction since this is my very first topic, and I am virtually unknown here in the tight-knit CAD community.

I found this site - well, I really don't remember how I found this site.. but I remember being grateful that I had because there were times when I felt absolutely alone out on the road - I still feel that way sometimes. Simply reading the posts here - lurking - had me feeling some connection to other drivers. I've read posts that had me falling out of my seat, laughing... and others that made me want to spit fire in anger. That is neither here, nor there, and I take it all in stride. I'm happy to know that this community exists in the event I have to ask a major question that has been at the forefront of my thoughts for quite some time.

It, like another topic here, concerns the "poor driver image" and our ways of battling it. And so, I begin. First, we all know that there is limited space in trucks. We all know that most of the major chains have laundry facilities, and we all probably know that Roadpro sells a number of electronics 12V ready. Do you all think it would be too much to ask that someone, anyone, come up with a 12V clothing iron? Is it even feasible? I mean, I know that I could take an iron into the laundry room and iron in there, but wouldn't it be easier to accomplish this in the truck on a per day basis? Considering the limited space, we could fold our clothes down and iron them for the next day - instead of relying on trying to find dry cleaners. For me, I usually pay my aunt to do my laundry - she needs the money and I hate using my 34 hour break or my time off to do it myself. We swap out bags; I give her a bag of dirty clothes and she gives me a bag of clean ones.

I take my job very seriously; I want my company and our customers to take me seriously, too. I would love to get out of my athletic pants and jeans (jeans are not at all comfortable for me when driving many hours) and wear something more business casual, but is there really a point? Even if I had the iron, I would still have to battle fifth wheel grease, oil, sweat in the summer, dirty drop lots, etc.
I have considered this topic long and hard, but I cannot go another day without having an answer. I appreciate feedback, but be gentle and remember that this is my very first topic :wink:

* Thanks!

[golfhobo]

Not allowed a small inverter in your truck? Even the temporary plug in kind? The truckstops sell one that fits in your cupholder, plugs into cig lighter, and has AC plugins. No hardwiring necessary, and can be removed as soon as you're done.

[Rev.Vassago]

Not allowed a small inverter in your truck? Even the temporary plug in kind? The truckstops sell one that fits in your cupholder, plugs into cig lighter, and has AC plugins. No hardwiring necessary, and can be removed as soon as you're done.

A clothes iron is a high wattage item - usually between 1000 - 1800 watts. A plug in inverter wouldn't handle the wattage. Many hard wired inverters can't even handle that kind of power.

[Windwalker]

Hobo already said pretty much what I was going to say. However, you might want o check the wattage of the iron and make certain that the inverter you get will handle the power draw of the iron. Then, as long as you have a flat surface to use the iron on, you should be in fine shape.

[RebelDarlin]

I don't really like jeans all the time myself. I've found Dockers to be comfortable. They are also wrinkle and stain resistant.

[Uturn2001]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

They also make sprays that will relax fabrics and take the wrinkles out.

[RebelDarlin]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

They also make sprays that will relax fabrics and take the wrinkles out.



Downy Wrinkle Release Spray
http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/wrinklereleaser.jsp

[Rev.Vassago]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

I would assume that a 1200 watt cordless iron requires 1200 watts to charge it. That doesn't really solve the power problem, now does it? (unless of course you plan to charge it at a shipper or receiver, in which case, why not just do your ironing there?)

[matcat]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

I would assume that a 1200 watt cordless iron requires 1200 watts to charge it. That doesn't really solve the power problem, now does it? (unless of course you plan to charge it at a shipper or receiver, in which case, why not just do your ironing there?)

I disagree, if it is operating off a battery, it would not take 1200 watts to charge a battery. Battery charger such as that probably has a 100 to 300 watt draw.

[golfhobo]

Not allowed a small inverter in your truck? Even the temporary plug in kind? The truckstops sell one that fits in your cupholder, plugs into cig lighter, and has AC plugins. No hardwiring necessary, and can be removed as soon as you're done.

A clothes iron is a high wattage item - usually between 1000 - 1800 watts. A plug in inverter wouldn't handle the wattage. Many hard wired inverters can't even handle that kind of power.

I meant to include such a caveat in my post, and obviously I should have. I have no idea what the wattage of an iron is. I don't use them.

I just checked my iron. It is 1100W AC only - household use only. I'm pretty sure they MAKE "travel irons." My hair dryer (don't laugh) is 1260W. I KNOW I've seen people using them in their trucks. Don't they make a plug in inverter that handles about 1200 Watts? Again.... just asking. I've never used an inverter in my truck. I didn't LIVE in it.

[Rev.Vassago]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

I would assume that a 1200 watt cordless iron requires 1200 watts to charge it. That doesn't really solve the power problem, now does it? (unless of course you plan to charge it at a shipper or receiver, in which case, why not just do your ironing there?)

I disagree, if it is operating off a battery, it would not take 1200 watts to charge a battery. Battery charger such as that probably has a 100 to 300 watt draw.

That's possible, but I can't find any specs on that iron to indicate what the draw is, which leads me to believe (along with the price) that it is a POS.

[Rev.Vassago]

I just checked my iron. It is 1100W AC only - household use only. I'm pretty sure they MAKE "travel irons."

I did a quick search, and couldn't find any 12V irons. They do make "travel irons", but that is mostly just smaller in size, which again, it is a wattage issue.

My hair dryer (don't laugh) is 1260W. I KNOW I've seen people using them in their trucks.

They make 12V hair dryers.

Don't they make a plug in inverter that handles about 1200 Watts? Again.... just asking. I've never used an inverter in my truck. I didn't LIVE in it.

Nope. The biggest inverter you can plug in is about 400 watts, and that's even pushing it.

[golfhobo]

Rechargeable Cordless Steam Iron

I would assume that a 1200 watt cordless iron requires 1200 watts to charge it. That doesn't really solve the power problem, now does it? (unless of course you plan to charge it at a shipper or receiver, in which case, why not just do your ironing there?)

I can just SEE the Rev doing his ironing at a shipper.

Better idea..... take your rechargeable iron to the shower with you and charge it while showering? Just a thought.

I WAS going to suggest that the O.P. build themselves a generator like the Rev did, but.......

Seriously, what about this. IF your company won't allow a hardwired inverter large enough to power a silly iron..... how about getting such an inverter and setting it "temporarily" on your catwalk and hooking to the "jump posts" of your battery (usually easily accessible on the frame.) Then run an extension cord into the sleeper or wherever you're finding room to do this ironing? Eh? Would THAT work, Rev??

[Rev.Vassago]

I can just SEE the Rev doing his ironing at a shipper.

Nope - I only wear shirts made by Dickies. No ironing necessary.

Better idea..... take your rechargeable iron to the shower with you and charge it while showering? Just a thought.

Possibly, depending upon how long of a shower you took. But again, if that's the case, just bring a normal iron, and do your ironing while you are in the shower room. That probably makes the most sense of all. (see, we can work together to come up with a logical answer!)

I WAS going to suggest that the O.P. build themselves a generator like the Rev did, but.......

Throw a little water on the fire, and you have an instant steam iron.

Seriously, what about this. IF your company won't allow a hardwired inverter large enough to power a silly iron..... how about getting such an inverter and setting it "temporarily" on your catwalk and hooking to the "jump posts" of your battery (usually easily accessible on the frame.) Then run an extension cord into the sleeper or wherever you're finding room to do this ironing? Eh? Would THAT work, Rev??

As long as nobody from your company saw you doing it, and you weren't standing on the frame while you do your ironing, because then you would have to log it as On Duty (not driving). :wink:


Actually, if you are doing ironing while on the road, then you are likely doing laundry on the road too. Most laundry rooms have outlets in them. Just use one of their outlets, and do your ironing in the laundry room.

[Fancy_Maneuvers]

You all just don't know how much I appreciate all of the replies! Thanks!

Golfhobo, I might as well tell you now - and hope you won't be disappointed; I am a certified dweller. In my self-psychotherapy sessions, I've concluded that I'm just on the verge of coming to terms with this state of being, and am planning a serious life-overhaul :wink: I have a plan! Also, I have a little 300 watt inverter, but as Rev said the wattage of the irons are too much for it. Your very last idea was so technical that my brain started short circuiting a little LOL

I saw the travel irons, too, but I think they sell based on their size as opposed to their wattage. I read some reviews that they don't get the wrinkles out :sad: Also, I saw the wireless iron, and I had a crazy thought that I'm ashamed to mention here.. would the iron need to be close by the charger in order to work?? Would it be like a cordless phone?? LOL

Uturn and RebelDarlin, if I were washing my own clothes, I might've actually *seen* the wrinkle release sprays in the store, huh? That's what I get for being a lazy, quasi-philanthropist/employer I'm going to check out the downy site; thanks for the link! Also, I had no idea Dockers were wrinkle resistant

In the end, it may be that I'll have to stick to the particular fabrics that I know can withstand the dirty aspect of the job and not cause me to look too bummish :wink:
All I have to do is remember the three "D's": Downy, Dockers, Dickies 8)
Again, I appreciate all of the responses!

[golfhobo]

Golfhobo, I might as well tell you now - and hope you won't be disappointed; I am a certified dweller. In my self-psychotherapy sessions, I've concluded that I'm just on the verge of coming to terms with this state of being, and am planning a serious life-overhaul

Hmm..... why would I be disappointed? I don't even know what a "dweller" actually IS! Let alone what it has to do with me? :shock:

[Fancy_Maneuvers]

Earlier you mentioned that you didn't need an inverter since you didn't "live" in the truck... Nevermind, I'll axe that statement instead of opting to incriminate myself!
Nevermind!

[golfhobo]

Earlier you mentioned that you didn't need an inverter since you didn't "live" in the truck... Nevermind, I'll axe that statement instead of opting to incriminate myself!
Nevermind!

At the risk of being attacked for clarifying my post or position....

I drove TEAM. East coast to West coast and back in one week or less. I took a few changes of clothes, and anything I didn't want to get wrinkled, I hung in the condo closet. I only eat one meal a day, and I usually ate that in a T/S or other restaurant or fast food. Sometimes, even settled for the roach coach at a shipper. I took a small cooler and used ice to keep my SOFT drinks cold. I would usually get a bag of jerkey each week, and some small snacks like Skittles or trail mix or something.

So, as I said.... I never lived in my truck. Home every weekend.

[Rev.Vassago]

So, as I said.... I never lived in my truck. Home every weekend.

You only live on weekends? How do you keep your body from decomposing the other five days? :wink:

[Double L]

So, as I said.... I never lived in my truck. Home every weekend.

You only live on weekends? How do you keep your body from decomposing the other five days? :wink:

Golfhobo, techinally you do live in your truck since you sleep in it for 5 days of the week. :P :wink: