Tips And Tricks For Cab Organization

I'd like to know your tips and tricks for keeping your cab organized and neat, using the small space as much as you can while not sacrificing comfort.

I remember cutie Miyoshi talking about using a stick to keep in place Rubbermaid type stackable drawers (if you could explained how you installed it, would be awesome!)

I'll go first: use mini bungee cords on your sun visors to keep secure important papers, sunglasses and such. Hang toiletries bag or any similar storage canvas that you can hook on the back of your seats to keep items for easy reach (baby wipes, flashlight, utensils, anything)

I remember cutie Miyoshi talking about using a stick to keep in place Rubbermaid type stackable drawers (if you could explained how you installed it, would be awesome!)

I wish I could take credit for that bit of good thinking, but I'm not in a truck yet. I've been trying to think ahead about the very same things, though. I'm curious to see what others have done. (And if you have photos you can post, that would be cool too!)

OMG....sorry, I thought it was you who posted a picture of it, which you had found somewhere online...oops

OMG....sorry, I thought it was you who posted a picture of it, which you had found somewhere online...oops

Maybe I did some time ago? I don't know. As I get older my memory holes get larger and more prolific.

When you get on your trainers truck you will find all sorts of things. I've seen microwaves bungee under the top bunk... passenger seats taken out for cabinet space....my trainer has removable.hooks on the wall of the top bunk for hanging hats... jackets.. etc. She put a bungee thru the center of a paper towel hole and has it hanging above the passenger get window. She has clips for eyeglasses on her visor that she uses for other things.

Each truck is different to where there is something you can do.. but look around at experienced drivers truck in your compay for ideas. Even y3ar to year in the same.model can have shelves or cubbies different

Hey ladies, I realize you are probably mostly discussing tips on storage and aesthetics here, but I noticed in another thread where Rainy D. mentioned her trainer cooking in the truck...

But in response to the cooking comment... my trainers baked cakes.. made stews and even steaks on the truck. the nu wave oven and a crock pot are amazing

so, I thought I would just throw out a kind word for the lowly "Crock Pot." I use one all the time and it works great for me - I love to cook, but I'm really terrible about using recipes or measurements, it drives my wife nuts, but I pretty much shoot from the hip when I'm in the kitchen. When I come up with something she really likes she will follow me around in the kitchen the next time I re-create it, and carefully measure everything I'm doing so that she can make a recipe for it.

Here's a quote from an old thread on the subject that has some valuable information in it concerning wattage and inverters, so that you don't overload something and cause a fire on your truck. That is why some companies only allow the smaller inverters that plug in as opposed to the ones that have to be hardwired. I have seen several trucks that burned to the ground because the driver was unaware that they were overloading the electrical system and caused a fire.

Bill, here's a couple of things to consider when looking at cooking in the truck. Different companies will allow different things when it comes to using an inverter in the truck. You want to keep your wattage level as low as you can and still accomplish what it is you're trying to do. That rice cooker is rated at 650 watts - at that level you will need an inverter that is hard wired to the batteries in the truck. You can probably find an inverter up to around 500 watts that will plug into the outlets in the truck, once you get past that level you will need to hook it up directly for safety. Some companies won't allow you to have an inverter that hooks directly to the electrical system, others will but will probably require that their mechanics do the work and may even charge you for the labor. Just wanted to point out those things as considerations.

As you know, I love to cook in my truck and have found the lowly crock-pot to be a wonderful tool. The wattage level on mine is around 300 when it is on high, and 150 on low. I don't mind the time it takes to cook, because I'm generally doing long haul work anyways, and when using these appliances with an inverter you need the truck to be running so the alternator is providing the load which keeps you from draining the batteries. Even at a load of 150 watts the inverter won't even work unless I have the truck running - that is a safety feature to keep you from over heating the wiring.

Not saying the rice cooker won't work - I think it would do a fine job, just make sure with your employer that you can have an inverter large enough to carry the load.

I've cooked chickens in my crock-pot, and I'll tell you they are "falling off the bone" good! I throw some sliced onions and carrots in there with it and then later I'll use the broth it makes while cooking to cook my rice in, oh man that is some good food!

Also here's a link to an older discussion where I showed how I stewed a Cornish hen, and then stripped the meat from the bone to make a delicious chicken soup. Slow cooking is ideal for a long haul truck driving job because the cooking all takes place while you are driving down the road. The only problem with it is the smell invades the truck and can really make you want to stop and eat. When I was travelling with one of my daughters we made some smothered pork chops, and the smell was driving her crazy!

Here's a link to that trip with my daughter, there is a photo in there of a small pork chop served on the traditional "paper china" that truck drivers eat off of. Great times with my daughter and some great food to boot! Life is good on the road!

Thanks for that ;) my mom bought me a nu wave oven for xmas. We tried it at her place.. put steaks in it and 20 min later they are perfect no turning. I put a little janes craxy mixed up salt and it came out like a restaurant. my trainer keeps her crock pot and cookware in the toolbox on the side of the truck so it's not taking room inside ;) she always uses the bags in the crock pot for easy cleanup

Mental note: bags for crockpot!

I love to cook with a crockpot. It seems everything comes out of it super tender and SUPER flavorful, because the seasonings you add have TIME to simmer in the food! Definitely a must have. I can totally see the smell driving me crazy tho...it invades my whole house, can you imagine inside a small can?? Oh boy. Keep a window cracked open for sure.

I definitely won't go for a compact truck. I want to have space for when I bring my daughter, or occasionally, my dog. I want to get myself a Ragdoll kitten who will become my road partner. So I do need the extra bunk, and I cannot take my passenger seat out. : /

Because I can't have the passenger seat taken out, I'll have to accommodate with a tiny fridge that I will secure on the top bunk, or in the corner of my own bed where I can just move my feet aside a little.

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