What/Where/How Do I Buy Stuff For The Training Portion?

Bedding, Sleeping Bag, Food, Clothes etc

What should I bring? I know there is a short list on the intro paperwork. And yeah I still have to get my CDL , but I want to be prepared.

Im super excited about this whole new career.

So suggestions on a pillow, sleeping bag, food, clothes, whatever else I need to bring on my training experience!

Thanks Mark

So suggestions on a pillow, sleeping bag, food, clothes, whatever else I need to bring on my training experience!

You are the boss, nobody but yourself can tell which pillow works best for you. As for "what" and "how much" you will have to politely ask your trainer. The truck is his home, and it is completely up to him how much space he is ready to share.

1. Pack light. There's a lot of schlepping around in the training experience. Whether it's transferring to a new bus at the Greyhound terminal , moving into your dorm, moving out of your dorm or moving onto your trainer's truck you have to carry everything you bring. I managed to fit everything I needed into two GI duffel bags. Makes it easier to move and to watch over (things sometimes disappear in Greyhound terminals). As a bonus you can put a padlock on them to make sure everything you packed makes it to your destination.

2. There's a lot of standing around outside at truck school. You're going to Missouri in the fall it can get cold and wet. 59 degrees and rain on the 11th and colder in the following weeks. Pack a waterproof hat, a warm coat (waterproof), A good pair of waterproof boots, wool socks, waterproof gloves.

3. You're going to want a sleeping bag that's warmer than you think you need. I like this one. It has a cloth cover that you can use as a layer between your pillow and the mattress. Why a 0 degree rated bag? Doesn't the truck have a heater? Yes, but if you're broke down or involved in an accident your heater may not be working and it may take HOURS for a tow truck to come get you.

4. You're probably going to want internet for your 10's and 34's. I use Visible. $40/mo. gets you unlimited, unthrottled, uncapped internet anyplace you can get a Verizon signal. You can link one device to your phone with a cable or bluetooth. Depending on your needs that device can be an iPad or a wi-fi router. I use the Xfinity app on my iPad to use it as a TV on the road. It gives me all the channels and movies I get at home.

5. You're going to want to stock up on cables and 12v adapters. The cables wear out so bring spares. You can pick them up at truck stops, but they're about 5x what you'd pay online.

For getting started and going out on the road with a trainer, you probably have what you need already. When you progress from student to driver you can start to think about what bells and whistles you want. You definitely need a back scratcher and a fly swatter right from the get go.

A fancy hammer to bang tires, the main part of pretrip :-)