Started CDL School Yesterday !!

I do plan on staying out OTR and living out of the truck...will see how that goes. Have gotten a clearer picture of things from all the great posts from all you guys. Appreciate the advice and info.

Gotta come up with something better than...Dan lol

Hi Dan. As a former OTR Driver with years of experience "LIVING OUT OF THE TRUCK" I can tell you a couple of things that may be of benefit to you. I used to stay out 4 to 8 weeks at a time in the truck.

1. Your life with revolve around your job (let's be honest, when you are living out of the truck then the truck runs your life while you are in it). But use it to your benefit (make the most of it).

2. Invest in your success. Buy a good Truck GPS Mapping Tool (I spent $400.00 three years ago on a Rand-McNally 730 with a 7-inch display which I still use today that has it's own quirky behavior in Routing, but is easy to learn and see).

3. Get your own coffee-maker to go in the truck (I purchased one in Pennsylvania at a TA to park for the night) and it ensures hot coffee or tea anytime.

4. Buy a Road Pro oven (looks like a lunch box) and you can have a "hot meal" anytime while you are out.

5. Get an Igloo cooler for icing cold drinks, etc. (or invest in a fridge if you can see the monetary benefits).

6. Keep your mind on something positive (give up your regrets of the past).

7. Buy groceries and supplies when you are at home (I usually spent $120 - 150 every 4 weeks at a local home store for the month).

Living out of the truck is exactly that. The truck determines when, where, and how you stop as well as when, where, and how you go. So just go with it and make money. Make it work for you not work you personally.

OTR is exactly what it is - you live out of the truck.

Keep it real and in perspective at all times.

Peace

Dan M.

I am also a Dan M.

I do plan on staying out OTR and living out of the truck...will see how that goes. Have gotten a clearer picture of things from all the great posts from all you guys. Appreciate the advice and info.

Gotta come up with something better than...Dan lol

Hi Dan. As a former OTR Driver with years of experience "LIVING OUT OF THE TRUCK" I can tell you a couple of things that may be of benefit to you. I used to stay out 4 to 8 weeks at a time in the truck.

Yes that's what I was figuring on.

1. Your life with revolve around your job (let's be honest, when you are living out of the truck then the truck runs your life while you are in it). But use it to your benefit (make the most of it).

2. Invest in your success. Buy a good Truck GPS Mapping Tool (I spent $400.00 three years ago on a Rand-McNally 730 with a 7-inch display which I still use today that has it's own quirky behavior in Routing, but is easy to learn and see).

Was wondering some companies say "turn-by-turn" directions...have seen the good trucking GPS and thought it would be a good investment.

3. Get your own coffee-maker to go in the truck (I purchased one in Pennsylvania at a TA to park for the night) and it ensures hot coffee or tea anytime.

My Kuerig is coming with me !

4. Buy a Road Pro oven (looks like a lunch box) and you can have a "hot meal" anytime while you are out.

5. Get an Igloo cooler for icing cold drinks, etc. (or invest in a fridge if you can see the monetary benefits).

Would get a fridge if not in the truck...not sure about what the APU's can handle as far as power.

6. Keep your mind on something positive (give up your regrets of the past).

Yes divorce 3 will be final at the end of the month...plan to look for some land in a few years.

7. Buy groceries and supplies when you are at home (I usually spent $120 - 150 every 4 weeks at a local home store for the month).

I can live very cheap and simple and was figuring just what you did.

Living out of the truck is exactly that. The truck determines when, where, and how you stop as well as when, where, and how you go. So just go with it and make money. Make it work for you not work you personally.

OTR is exactly what it is - you live out of the truck.

Wonder about where to park and address to use and things like that. Also can I keep a trailer at the terminal ?

Keep it real and in perspective at all times.

Peace

Really appreciate the advice and making me feel welcome to all, and to you classA !!

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Dan M.

I am also a Dan M.

You must be good people then !! lol

Buy groceries in Al or MS not NJ lol

much cheaper anywhere outside the northeast.

Dan...where did u go? Smith n solomon?

Buy groceries in Al or MS not NJ lol

much cheaper anywhere outside the northeast.

Dan...where did u go? Smith n solomon?

I know Jersey isn't really cheap for anything. No Rainy, am going to Bradway in Vineland. More of a smaller "old school" style of Company and school, and it's 30 minutes from my house. Will be getting in the truck by Friday...can't wait.

much cheaper anywhere outside the northeast.

Looking for a trailer to store my stuff instead of putting everything in storage. Might not look back if I get out of Jersey.

Dan...where did u go? Smith n solomon?

We had US Express in today and Werner next...getting closer to sinking in with having recruiters come talk to us.