Husband and I are getting ready to go through CDL Training and I have a few questions. If you don’t want to shower at truck stops, do we have to go to a hotel for showers? Is there a way to have running water in the truck to wash vegetables and fruit? We would also like to hear from any CRST drivers about what to expect from them.

 

If you don't want to shower at truck stops I can't imagine you'd have too many choices. I suppose a campground would be one choice. Lake? River? Brrrr.

Take 4 litre jugs of water to wash veggies, dishes and what not.

 

Pretty much. Your only other option would be if a company terminal has shower facilities, but even working for one of the mega carriers like Swift it can be several days before getting into a terminal.

Out of curiosity, what is your problem with showering at a truck stop. The showers are private rooms, usually fairly clean (though I do reccomend wearing shower shoes/flip flops.) Also why pay $50 or more for a motel room just to take a shower. Anytime you buy fuel at a truck stop you will get a coupon for a free shower good for up to 7 days at that truck stop chain.



Not really without some fairly major modifiactions. Best bet would be to carry some gallon jugs of water to rinse your fruits and veggies.

 

Sounds like you are looking at trucking as more of an RV lifestyle, instead of what it is, a job.

I don't mean to sound rude, but the truck stops are about it out here. I will occasionally stop and get a room, but I could not imagine doing that on a daily basis. It is hard enough to find a truck stop out here with parking right now, much less a motel with truck parking.

And the truck stops are usually pretty nice. Most out here have been remodeled in the past few years, and there are many new ones popping up everyday.

The one I am at right now has real marble counter tops with tiled floors and walls in the showers. It is really nice, nicer then allot of the motels I have stayed at out here. They all will give you plenty of towels, and are normally very clean.

Just put together separate ditty bags for you and your husband. The usual stuff you would use on a vacation. I use a gym bag and a shaving kit, works great, and it stays in my truck. Use another bag for your dirty clothes. As most truck stops have laundry, which you may end up using.

As far as the washing of veggies. Bottled water, and you will probably want to buy some sort of refrigeration device. Allot will depend on the size of your truck, and if the refrigerator hole is empty in the sleeper. I had refrigerators on my trucks, but I have not heard of any of the big companies doing that for their drivers, but I could be wrong.

 

I don't have a problem with anything. Do you? I am just learning? One friend told me that many of the truck stops have scuzzy showers. I didn't know and sounds like it's not as bad as he says. Thanks!

My husband smells like vegetables and he can get a little fruity sometimes!

Sure would like to hear from some CRST Drivers?

 

Thank you LadyNorthStar and Justruckin, for some good information!

 

Thank you LadyNorthStar and uturn2001, not that other idiot!

 

After being on the road for a time, you will learn which truckstops have the cleaner showers and which ones you want to avoid. I won't lie to you and say that there are not some that are indeed scuzzy, but for the most part they are at least acceptable, especially if you are beginning to smell more like wet dog than human being. :wink: :wink:

If you keep to the major chains (Pilot, Petro, Flying J, TA) your odds are better at avoiding the truly scuzzy shower. This should be pretty easy to do since what ever company you go to work for will use one or more of the chains for you to buy fuel from.

BTW: You and you husband may share a shower room or you may request separate showers per time.

Here is a tip for you: Babywipes. Keep some on the truck. They work wonders at knocking down some of ripeness if you have to skip a day of getting a shower.

 

the Petro and Flying J are prolly the most consisent chains as far as Showers being on the clean side go for a T/S,Pilots are descent only problem is some have very tight parking for trucks which you will experience for ypurself when you get out there.TA's are very very ify to say the least especially if they are a old union 76 truckstop from yrs. gone past,best thing to do if you are concerned about the Showers and Cleanliness get the Key for both of you and check them out for yourself's if in doubt check it out.we used to all time saved the wife and i some hassle also.

Babywipes do come in very handy for a wide variety of uses also use carry jugs of water to wash up if the company is running you hard for a couple days at least ya can splash some water on the face and Pits :lol:

 

If you have a gym membership with a national chain you can use their showers. Another way is large hotel chains have swimming pools like Hilton, Marriott, etc. usually have showers in the bathrooms by the pool. It's easy to sneak in and do your business.

If there is a convention you can snag a bunch of free food to.