What is need for first time out?
 

I am starting tomorrow with TRL. I have all my paper work ready. But I don't know how much to take and what I might not be thinking about. For the first week I will be home every night because I live close to the terminal and will be driving back and forth every day. But I am really trying to get everything ready for what ever day they say I have to get in the truck and go with my trainer.

So any thing that would be a surprise other than clothes and the basic daily items that i might need to get? So I am not surprised once I am on the road and cant easily get.

And if anything is known about TRL I would like input as well.

Lets see... a handgun, a bottle of scotch, a years worth of playboy back issues :)

Seriously. Bring enough clothes to keep you going for a few weeks, but not more than can fit in a reasonably sized duffle. Bedding (or a sleeping bag) and a pillow, a comfortable pair of shoes for driving, a pair of boots for walking in the snow and muck, a pair of shower slippers. I good heavy jacket (and being you're pulling reefers, you'll want to keep that with you all year.) A good pair of leather or canvas work gloves (actually bring two, one for freight handling and such, the other for fueling and doing pre trips,) sunglasses, maybe a few books to keep you entertained, a charger for your cell phone, a hat (useful for those days when you don't get a shower,) a motor carriers road atlas (yes, your trainer will have one, but having your own allows you to do some studying,) a notebook and pens, a calculator.

Just remember, you are going out in your trainers truck, not your own. This means you don't need things like a CB radio, cooler or television. It also means you will have only a limited amount of space for your stuff (even if you're trainer is nice and tries to make room for you, there just isn't much space in the sleeper of a fleet rig.) You more or less are going to cram your life into a duffle and, with any luck, some of your entertainment and creature comforts will be provided by your trainer.

Take your road ATLAS. After training when you are issued your own truck you will need it. And even if you are routed by dispatch you will still need to be able to find truck stops and where to stop.

My husband did not have his and it was a BIG MISTAKE. Please do not make the same mistake.

Goin Fer It's Wife

My wife got me this books that gives exit by exit and what can be found at each exit. I have been looking for a good trucker ATLAS.

Is there one that isa better than the rest? Or is any old atlas as good as the next?

yea buy a lamenated Rand Mcnally has everything you need in it

A small bottle of asperin and a couple of band-aids.

Like classic said... the Rand McNally has everything you need in it. Be sure to get the laminated, spiral bound one that reads... "Motor Carrier's Road Atlas." Its the one for trucks... the other one is just for 4-wheelers trying to find their way to grandma's house. :wink: Its more expensive (about $50) but worth it.

Also a truck stop guide is invaluable.

birddogg18603
 

Probably too late for you, but do an archives search here, at layover.com, roehldirver.com, pumpkindriver.com, and truck.net. Use "things to take". But I gotta ask, don't companies tell new hires what they should have with them by letter anymore? BOL