Necessities for a Newbie
 

As a woman/newbie driving solo, what are some items that are very important to have at all times?

For you or for the truck ? ...

Common, Roses! You are smarter than that! :lol:

I would definitely carry extra food, water, sleeping bag, and keep plenty of fuel in the tank if you are headed up north. Because, its already snowing up in Canada and you may get stuck somewhere :sad:

Some basic hand tools, screwdrivers, flashlight, pliers, duct tape, tire thumper may also come in handy.

I've been building a checklist from these forums. Here are some specific items. Use your own judgment on whether an item is needed or not. This is still work in progress.

Tool Box
5/16 wrench
7/16 wrench
Anti-gel
Batteries, extra to fit flashlights
Bolt cutter
Broom
Bungee straps
Crow bar
Fifth Wheel Puller
Flashlights, (2)
Flashlight, Head lamp style
Glad hand seals
Hammer, claw
Lubricant, slider
Mallet
Pliers
Ratchet set
Screw driver, multi-bit flathead and Phillips
Shovel, fold-up
Spare light bulbs and fuses
Tape, Black electrical
Tape, Duct (couple of rolls)
Tape Measure (25'), check height of low posted overpasses
Tire thumper
Tire Gauge
WD-40
Wire cutter
Wrenches, adjustable (2) - Vise grips, Crescent
Zip-ties

Cleaning Stuff and Toiletries
Luggable Loo bucket
Micro Fiber cloths for cleaning windows
Paper towels
Rags
Razor
Shampoo
Soap, hand (truck stop soap is terrible)
Soap, laundry
Toothbrush
Trash bags/grocery bags
Waste basket (2 - one up front & one near bunk)
Wash clothes
Water (a few gallon containers)
Whisk broom or small vacuum
Windex

Clothing
Blankets, extra
Coat, winter and jacket
Clothes bag for dirty clothes
Enough shirts and jeans for at least 1 week.
Eyeglasses, extra set
Eyeglass repair kit
Gloves, two pairs of good leather
Hangars
Rain suit, light weight full size
Shoes ? 2 pair (for outside and for driving)
Shoes for shower
Some long johns and a good jump suit.
Sunglasses (polarized lens)

Entertainment
Camera and charger
CB Radio
Chairs, fold up camp style
iPod or MP3 player, and charger
Laptop computer, and charger
Music - CD or Cassette
Reading material
TV - DVD or VCR

Paperwork
Calculator
Cards 3x5 for writing down directions
Ink pens, lots of them
Motor Carriers Atlas & Maps, laminated
Log Book, extra
Notebook, small
Notepad
Ruler
Baby wipes for those quick baths and potty
Purel hand sanitizer
Truck Stop Guide

Miscellaneous
Alarm Clock
ATM Card
Cash, Quarters for vending machines
Cash, stashed in your money belt
Cell phone
Compass
Cooler, Plug into the cig lighter type ? 12 volt
List of important phone numbers
Microwave
Mini-cassette voice recorder

Okay I'll bite... how the hell do you fit into a 72" sleeper with all that in there?

You pack like you was in the military very conservativily everything has it's place and it is even worse when you are out with a Trainer and don't over pack cause remember u are in his/her space while riding along learing.

Great question! I'm a rookie also, starting class in a couple weeks. The inside of some of the condo sleepers look very impressive, but they are not much bigger than a small walk-in closet.

However, I did read a trucker blog and the driver had to swap trucks. It took her an hour to get everything transferred.

To put things in perspective, my son works on a fast-attack submarine. His personal storage space is a 6" inch deep space right underneath his bunk.

Stuff/Storage
 

I use a "gun bag" for my tool kit. I use "milk crates" to put other stuff in, softsided luggage and a garment bag for clothes.
"6" inch deep space right underneath his bunk." His storage IS his bunk, 6" deep, 'bout 30" wide and 6' long. Been there, done that..... after the canvas bunk-bottom racks. BOL

Sealord, you are right, the storage space it is built right into his bunk on the submarine. Because he is on the fast-attack subs, he is only out to sea for a few weeks at a time. He is not on the boomer that go out for 6 months. On some trips, he has to hot bunk... he wakes up, gets up and another sailor climbs in.

It helps to put truck driving into perspective.