Profile For Need

Again I am just throwing this out there not as a truck driver but someone with a few expeditions under my belt. In fact being prepared saved my life in a 2 month stranded in the middle of nowhere ordeal.

I watched Indianajacktrucker on youtube talking about having backup food supplies in case you get stranded (like in a snow storm) and have no access to food. To elaborate on his idea: The best defense is having backup food that does not spoil, is easy to move (slipseaters), you are not temped to eat when to lazy to stop or walk to the truckstop, and will not freeze.

I have used and eaten these and they are really good in an emergency. Comes in a bucket w/handle that is easy to store under your bunk. Need-To-Know: They do need to be heated, add water (water should be stored too - a water brick is good).

I am not a trucker and maybe this is being over prepared and maybe since my ordeal I am just paranoid. lol

72 Hour Kit for 2 People

Not replying as a truck driver but as a veteran of many overland expeditions.

If you have the money the ARP fridge/freezers are great and will not run out your batteries. But they are expensive.

ARP fridge/freezers

Hey thanks a bunch for taking the time to let us know all of that!

Keep us updated on things. It is really helpful.

I just got off the phone with a Schneider rep. They now offer a company sponsored CDL training program similar to Roehl. They tell me they teamed up with several private schools to add this to their recruiting options. I plan on getting my CDL locally, then signing with them. I thought I'd post info here to be added to the list of companies that offer it:

1 year contract... If the recruit doesnt fulfill the 1 year the payback is $4000 (prorated) 4 week 8am to 5pm schedule. CDL training is unpaid lodging is provided lunch is provided transportation to/from hotel is not provided

Hope the info helps...

Great info! Thanks. Schneider has been one of the companies I am looking at.

Do you have any info on the location of the CDL school. I am not starting for several months so I have not contacted any recruiters yet.

Thanks for the answers! That helps me understand things much better.

Best I have found is Dale Clay. He is a smart "normal" guy.

In fact his vids have made me think more about flatbeds. Dale Clay

Nice to see someones complete start.

To be honest at first I was researching and watching vids I guess I found all of the wrong ones. Some of the guys are really obnoxious, some laugh every other word, some trial off into thoughts, some blast music only they like, some are overly into "vapes".... so I started thinking maybe not the field I want to be in. But after finding a few ...."normal" guys.... yeah I said it again..... I am still on track. One thing I do notice too is they all repeat themselves a lot. Maybe from being alone all of the time....?

Best thing I did was read Brett's book. It made me see that it IS exciting getting into trucking....even if he did (rightly so) put me in check about wanting a certain truck. lol

Hey guys,

Just curious about when you have time off and are out of town how you get time away from your truck? Pertaining to company drivers rather than owner operators.

Questions:

1 - Can you leave your truck (like with an empty) at a truck stop for a few days? I suppose different companies have different rules.

2- Can you leave an empty at a truck stop and just bobtail?

3- Say you request/have a few days off - some where not where you are based - do you have to always have an empty (generally speaking)? I realize the same flatbed trailers are mostly kept with the same truck (if I understand correctly). To me that would be a downside of flat-bedding but other than that I like the flatbed idea since it has more hands on work (I am in decent shape).

I ask since I am not looking for hometime. I want to take my days off where ever they have/need me.

AWESOME reply!!

Got what your saying. After living most of my life in Breckenridge Colorado with 80 days a season on the hill, multiple bike tours around Europe and western US, several treks in a disused 4x4 military vehicle around the US on fun adventure tours and hiking the Appalachian trail solo in the winter - you are just the type of person and response I was looking to hear from.

I only stopped adventures 11 years ago when the love of my life said she needed me to settle down (we actually have been together 17 years but only settled down 11 years ago). Unfortunately I will be losing her soon. Cancer be not proud. We had planned on getting a truck camper and touring the country next. But my partner and resources are all used up on medical. Nuff said about that.

The idea of getting paid to tour around (even though it is like you say "hard, long, tedious work") it is what I need. Get out, get a fresh start and stay busy!

Your tips are just right and exactly what I hope to do. Be proud you helped someone and someones heart tonight.

Best of luck to you and thanks to all of you truckers for the hard work you do!

Thanks guys and thanks for the positive feedback.

Good points all. I even think the selling my 4 wheeler is a good plan.....after I work for a while and be sure this plan will work for me.

Small places - my profile picture is of me driving my Unimog (German Army radio truck). I traveled in it from coast to coast from Mexico to Canada in a 5 year journey. Living in the back was really small. I loved it. The downside to it was having to work on the engine almost daily and getting stuck when the engine blew deep in the desert - Took 2 months to take the engine apart and fix it.....with no one in sight for those months. Living off of MREs and rationing water.

vwidiot - Good to hear that from a fellow Colorado guy. I am originally from Breck. I do have a list of questions I have amassed over the last year. Most of the time I just try to figure them all out via forums, youtube, etc. But there are a few I have not figured out yet. Might be best to ask in open forum for others. However would really like to hear your story and what's going on now. Feel free to pm me.

I bought the book for sale on this site - Great positive book. I really like to hear guys say it is fun too. I understand it is hard hard work. But wow what an adventure it must be too.

Odd question I know. I am wondering if anyone does not keep a house or apartment and just keeps traveling.

I will be moving out of my house in a few months and do not have a wife or kids.

To me it would be ideal to just stay on the road. If I had a week waiting for a load or something I would just enjoy the adventure of where I was at (if it was an adventurous place -haha) Or vise versa - if i needed to just keep working for weeks I could do that.

Taking a few days off I could stay in a hotel even upgrading it since I save money with no mortgage.

In my situation I could work for a few years and just save. I have no debt.

Might help the company since I would not really care where I was based out of…or not even having a base. To me it is time to work hard and save for retirement in 20 yrs.

Oddly it sounds perfect to/for me. I am not the type to get lonely (in fact prefer it), I do not mind small places like the sleeper (looks perfect to me). No family to visit at least not for more than a few days a couple times a year.

Store my F350 truck (4 wheeler) and my stuff in my cargo trailer, park it at my relatives farm so no worries about my stuff.

Roll for 10-15 years OTR....or whatever and just save my money

Anyways just a dream I have always had and soon will be free to pursue it.

Of course I would spend a couple of years (my early learning) making sure that is how I want to work.

I do not heard of many guys doing this so I thought I would ask in case I am missing something.