By their nature, OTR trucking jobs require drivers to be away from home for extended periods of time, living in your semi-truck. It’s not easy, practical, or cost effective to run to a Walmart every time you think of some truck driver supplies that have been forgotten, so it is vital that professional truck drivers plan out the essentials needed for each trip.
Pre-trip planning is key to good preparedness and may vary by each route assigned, but we have compiled a basic list of essentials to build a Truck Driver Starter Pack to keep you comfortable, healthy, and safe while away from home.
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Truck Driving Essentials to Bring on the Road
Personal Needs
These include the basics you would pack if going on a long vacation
- Trucking Clothes
- Pack comfy trucking attire
- Button up shirts
- T-shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Jogging pants
- Off-duty Clothes - Pack comfy and season appropriate free-time clothes.
- Underwear - Pack enough to last throughout the trip or between laundries.
- Shoes - Running shoes, shower shoes and off-duty shoes
- A Jacket - Always bring a jacket, specially if you’re driving through changing altitudes.
- Safety Apparel Work Boots
- Depending on your destination you may need:
- Work Boots, use steel toe boots if you’re driving a flat bed and insulated boots for winter weather
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Coveralls, to protect your clothing
- Sunglasses - Take polarized, transition prescription lenses and amber vision sunglasses.
- Raincoat - A raincoat will help you avoid getting wet and being uncomfortable for hours.
Personal Products
Stay clean for your own health and wellness (and consideration for other truckers)
- Shower Kit - Body wash or bar soap, shampoo and/or conditioner (depending on your hair situation)
- Overnight Kit
A well-stocked overnight bag should include, at a minimum:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouthwash
- Deodorant
- Cologne
- Include any daily medications, vitamins, or supplements and an extra pair of glasses or contacts
- Grooming Tools - Include all grooming and personal hygiene items
- Wet Wipes - For small spills or to clean up between showers
- Cleaning supplies
Examples of cleaning materials to have in your rig include:
- Laundry detergent
- Paper towels
- All purpose cleaner
- Lysol wipes
- Dashboard Conditioner
- Air Freshening Spray
- Handheld vacuum cleaner
Truckers’ Needs
While on the road, these are some essential truck driver supplies you will want to carry with you.
- Cell Phone and Charger - Make sure your chargers work in the truck.
- Trucker’s Atlas or Maps - In case other means of navigation fail
- GPS System
- Find the best routes and high quality restaurants, hotels and stores
- Locate good stopping points
- Work gloves
- For random repairs to your rig or trailer
- To make loading or unloading easier
- Emergency Kit - With food and supplies in case of a breakdown
- Emergency Gear
In case of emergency, a trucker's kit should Include:
- Emergency weather gear in case you’re caught in an unforeseen storm
- Light reflective clothes
- Sturdy pair of boots
- Road Flares and cones
- Chains for tires where there’s a chance for snow or ice
- Toolbox
- Wrench set
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Zip ties
- Pocket knife
- Tire pressure gauge
- Brake cleaner
- Phone Number List - In case your cell phone gets broken, lost, or stolen, keep a handwritten list of numbers in your glove box.
- Document Envelopes - When you live in your rig and space is at a premium, keeping your life organized is a key to sanity.
- Use envelopes for documents like license and registration
- Use manila envelopes invoices and shipping orders
- Use other envelopes to organize work-expense receipts
Food and Snacks
It’s expensive and bad for your health to have all your meals be from fast food restaurants, truck stop buffets or the gas station. Make sure you pack some snacks and meals that are easy to make this will help save money and contribute to your health.
- No Refrigerator Needed Snacks
- Peanut butter
- Bread
- Crackers
- Baked goods
- Apples
- Bananas
- Meat jerky
- Whole grain crackers
- Sunflower seeds
- Easy to Make Meals - OTR truck drivers can easily prepare sandwiches, salads, and heat canned soups from the comfort of your rig.
Entertainment
Trucking can get very lonely, so make sure your truck driver gear includes some entertainment sources to occupy your time when on the road.
- Music Player, E-Reader, Laptop or Tablet - Check out mobile hotspots that allow you to hook up to Wi-Fi safely and securely.
- TV, DVD, Game Console - Watch movies or play games in your spare time.
- Drawing, Photography or Writing - To bring out your creative side, make sure you tote all the materials you need for these hobbies
- Magazines and Newspapers - Get issues from different places for localized reading
- Crossword Puzzles, Word Search, Sudoku, Adult Coloring - Keep your mind focused and sharp with these and any other activity books you may enjoy.
Make sure to have chargers and adapters for your electronics
Trucker Comfort
This section of items are essential if comfort on the road is what you need.
- Portable Toilet - You may want and need the convenience of going to the bathroom whenever you need.
- Indoor Sleeping Bag and Pillow - When it’s important to get the right amount of sleep, an indoor sleeping bag will take up less space and keep you comfortable in your rig.
- Cooler, Ice Chest, Compact Refrigerator - It's critical to have a device or other means to keep food cold.
By putting some thought into the truck driver gear that you need, you can compile your own Truck Driver Starter Pack for the open road. Remember, you won’t have much room in your truck, so make sure you pack light and pack smart. Safe travels!
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