When Not Driving, What Do Y'all Do To Pass The Time?

With all the entertainment options available to drivers, perhaps the most important thing for drivers to do while not driving is to sleep. No, being in the bunk watching TV or playing video games does not have the same restorative power as good, old fashioned sleep does.

When I drive by a truck roll over or a truck in a ditch, my first thought is if that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Sleep is perhaps the number one safety practice for all drivers, old and new.

Back when I was driving OTR was about the time I started geocaching. It was really cool to be able to go anywhere in the country and find them if they were close enough to parking. I’d get the truck parked and look to see if anything was around then go for a walk to find them. Great way to get some exercise and see the area. That was way back before smart phones so I had to use my laptop with a magnet GPS antenna to see where I was and try to find them via satellite photos. Nowadays you can do everything on the phones (and watches if it’s Apple) and it’s a lot simpler. There are many videos on YouTube about it and lots of info online too. Here in VA, VDOT won’t allow any to be placed on their property (ie. rest areas, park and rides or directly along their state routes) but other states usually have some in the rest areas and close to the exit ramps for easy on-off “park and grabs”. It’s also a great hobby for the family but I made my start on the road.

With all the entertainment options available to drivers, perhaps the most important thing for drivers to do while not driving is to sleep. No, being in the bunk watching TV or playing video games does not have the same restorative power as good, old fashioned sleep does.

When I drive by a truck roll over or a truck in a ditch, my first thought is if that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Sleep is perhaps the number one safety practice for all drivers, old and new.

I'm older than you Kiddo and sleep is important, but apparently you haven't experienced weird sleep cycles as you age. I can turn out the lights and try to sleep and not get any for a couple more hours. Or I can sleep for 3 hours, then wake up and end up awake for a couple hours and then maybe get a few more hours of sleep. Fun stuff getting older!

Laura

Back when I was driving OTR was about the time I started geocaching. It was really cool to be able to go anywhere in the country and find them if they were close enough to parking. I’d get the truck parked and look to see if anything was around then go for a walk to find them. Great way to get some exercise and see the area. That was way back before smart phones so I had to use my laptop with a magnet GPS antenna to see where I was and try to find them via satellite photos. Nowadays you can do everything on the phones (and watches if it’s Apple) and it’s a lot simpler. There are many videos on YouTube about it and lots of info online too. Here in VA, VDOT won’t allow any to be placed on their property (ie. rest areas, park and rides or directly along their state routes) but other states usually have some in the rest areas and close to the exit ramps for easy on-off “park and grabs”. It’s also a great hobby for the family but I made my start on the road.

Funny you mention that, as a bunch of the guys were into that awhile back; Turtle was our Pioneer !!

Here ya go: The Geocaching Thread of Trucking Truth.

The kids and I got into it here locally for a short while; just wasn't much going on in our rural area. It's awesome, though, plenty of exercise to be had, too. Especially during Morel Mushroom season...extra rewards~!

Wonder why VA DOT wants to be such a killjoy ?!?

Someone should actually raise up that old thread, be fun~

~ Anne ~

I set my TV sleep timer. If I'm on a ten, I'm usually out before the opening credits are finished. Weird day, with a split SB, and unable to sleep? Sure. Tv or switch games.

After not having dedicated internet on my truck, and getting carona, the sheer boredom of 7 days quarantine and limited mobil hotspot tethering, I don't care if I only use it ten minutes a month. It's still going to be there!

With all the entertainment options available to drivers, perhaps the most important thing for drivers to do while not driving is to sleep. No, being in the bunk watching TV or playing video games does not have the same restorative power as good, old fashioned sleep does.

When I drive by a truck roll over or a truck in a ditch, my first thought is if that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Sleep is perhaps the number one safety practice for all drivers, old and new.

I still go geocaching, although not as often as I would like. It's one of my favorite hobbies.

Chief Brody will often find himself up in my area, and he likes to invade my territory by peeing all over everything; aka finding and signing geocaches in my turf. So I have to run around as I can to re-mark my territory. There are several caches in my area with both of our signatures on the log.

I'd invite anyone else to do the same. Geocaching has adventure, stealth, fun and exercise all wrapped up into one short trip.

How big is your TV in your truck? Very interested in this aspect of it.

I had a 32 inch tv in my Kenworth t680. It was a little big for the mount and I had to bend the mount a little to make it work and it didn’t yuck back 100% the way it was supposed to but it worked fine. I had my Xbox and laptop with me in the truck too and used my Verizon hotspot on my phone and it worked great

I do not need to be entertained. After 12.5 - 13.75 hours on duty and 10 - 10.75 hours driving, I will go for a run or a walk - usually between 1 - 5 miles. Then, I eat, talk with my wife, and shut out the lights. That's my week, M - F. Very rarely, I work on a Saturday and I usually drive between 2500 - 3000 miles/wk.

However, since you asked, I just purchased a Harmonica. I've always wanted to play one. So, I'm setting aside 15 minutes/day every day during the work week.

I remember someone here talked about playing the drums and had a video too. Pretty cool!

What do you do?

What are your favorite things to do when you aren't driving/sleeping on the road?

What do you have in the truck to keep you entertained?

Yezir!! I go for 7, at least!

With all the entertainment options available to drivers, perhaps the most important thing for drivers to do while not driving is to sleep. No, being in the bunk watching TV or playing video games does not have the same restorative power as good, old fashioned sleep does.

When I drive by a truck roll over or a truck in a ditch, my first thought is if that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Sleep is perhaps the number one safety practice for all drivers, old and new.

Currently I'm working on a mirror for backing assistance.

Before that, it was a mirrors setup so that I could lay in my bunk and view the "Red/Green" dock lights without needing to get up every 10 minutes to look.