New Driver Legs And But Are Killing Me!

I have finally realized my goal of becoming a truck driver. Just started Monday on my trainers truck. I’m driving between 7 and 9.5 hours a day so far. I’m not having trouble at all mentally or getting tired/sleepy. But after a few hours my legs (especially my calves on down) and hind end start hurting bad. Is this normal for noobies or is there a special cushion or something I could get to relieve the pain?

I’m currently on my second trip this week to the northeast. Maryland and then Connecticut from Missouri.

It takes a long time to get used to the constant grind of driving extended hours when you first start. Your seat may need to be lowered. Air it down to the point that with your feet both flat on the floor, your knees are a bit higher than your waist with some bend in the knees. If you prefer, also move closer to the steering wheel. Adjust your mirrors accordingly as needed after these adjustments. Walk as much as you can during non driving periods, too.

Your seat is probably up too high. New drivers tend to inflate the seat so they're sitting high in hopes of seeing better. Make sure you deflate the seat enough so that your feet are sitting comfortably on the floor with weight on them while your legs are at a 90 degree angle.

Larry, I had leg problems but Old School solved it. It was seat height mis-adjustment. How high do you keep your seat?

I bought a nice little seat cushion that I use, but not all the time. Just use it if getting tired of sitting for to long, the slight change seems to make the difference. I do not know how long you go between stops but when I am driving all day, meaning 10+ driving with no stops I take at least 5 minute breaks every couple hours and make sure you use your 30 minute to your advantage and take a walk when possible. I do not have in the truck but when I was farming we would have longer days and I really liked the heated seats for my back, I would crank the heat to high for about 10 minutes then off.

I bought a nice little seat cushion that I use, but not all the time. Just use it if getting tired of sitting for to long, the slight change seems to make the difference. I do not know how long you go between stops but when I am driving all day, meaning 10+ driving with no stops I take at least 5 minute breaks every couple hours and make sure you use your 30 minute to your advantage and take a walk when possible. I do not have in the truck but when I was farming we would have longer days and I really liked the heated seats for my back, I would crank the heat to high for about 10 minutes then off.

How do you drive ten plus without stops?

The suggestions offered by Packrat and Brett are exactly what helped me after I first started out. My back and legs were bothering me in the same way. I believe it was Errol who mentioned lowering the seat until my knees were level or slightly higher than my waist. It helped immediately.

Another thing you can do is move around in that seat. Stretch your legs and stretch your back while driving. You can also change the position of the back rest every few hours, too. Lean it back, more upright, repeat. It can take months for your body to become accustomed to sitting mostly stationary and driving for the extended periods we are required out here.

Schneider actually has a specific ergonomics program to help new drivers learn how to adjust their seats. I should have taken advantage of that, but thankfully, I got great advice here.

I bought a nice little seat cushion that I use, but not all the time. Just use it if getting tired of sitting for to long, the slight change seems to make the difference. I do not know how long you go between stops but when I am driving all day, meaning 10+ driving with no stops I take at least 5 minute breaks every couple hours and make sure you use your 30 minute to your advantage and take a walk when possible. I do not have in the truck but when I was farming we would have longer days and I really liked the heated seats for my back, I would crank the heat to high for about 10 minutes then off.

How do you drive ten plus without stops?

Pete, I believe he meant "stops" as in "customer".