Cold Weather

Days 4, 5 & 6 with a trainer, I have experienced some challenges of working in below zero temps. Trucks take a long time to heat up (if they even start). Trailer brakes can freeze up & if you drag the wheels, the tires are ruined (I did not actually do that btw, just learned about it). The grease on the trailer legs gets crazy thick and it's really, really hard to turn the crank - dropped & hooked 7 trailers today, and my biceps and shoulders are toast. I got tired of putting on and taking off my coat, hat & gloves repeatedly - too cold to do anything outside without 'em, and too hot & bulky to drive with 'em. Working in the cold makes you more tired. Everything takes longer.

I can't drive with my coat on either Deb so I am in the very bad habit of just getting in and out of the truck with my gloves on and doing what I need to do. I wear at least 2 pair of long underwear and at around 20 degrees shouldn't be a biggie right? WRONG!!!! Today I jumped out of my truck to go get my BOL since I had a green light that I was loaded and good to go. I grabbed my keys, locked my door, and jumped out with no coat or gloves, and lo and behold, I grabbed my personal car keys and not my truck keys!!!!! There was another driver from Roehl at the same shipper and with his help and our maintenance department I was able to get in but not before I was a Popsicle!!!! Today has not been a great day, but tomorrow starts a new year so I am praying it's better!!!!

I will say to anyone reading that hasn't started driving solo, get some basic tools to keep in your truck! I have been holding off buying too much because I wouldn't be able to deduct them in 2014. Lucky for me I have found some very helpful drivers to help me out, but I will be going to the hardware store this weekend! Having my own tools wouldn't have helped me today because I can't get into my side box without my keys, but there have been other things come up that I can see where they are handy....maybe just to help another driver!

Winter Driving Tips & Items To Bring

Oh, Jolie - BRRRRRR!!!!

I have also held off on any purchases so that everything can be deducted in 2015. I've already got a good collection of tools from years of home renovations, but there are still plenty of truck items to get.

I will say to anyone reading that hasn't started driving solo, get some basic tools to keep in your truck! I have been holding off buying too much because I wouldn't be able to deduct them in 2014. Lucky for me I have found some very helpful drivers to help me out, but I will be going to the hardware store this weekend! Having my own tools wouldn't have helped me today because I can't get into my side box without my keys, but there have been other things come up that I can see where they are handy....maybe just to help another driver!

Hey, Gals... I am just starting driving school... looking for all good advice. Can you be specific about which tools you would want to have with you? Any special equipment? All advice is gratefully accepted. Thanks.

I will say to anyone reading that hasn't started driving solo, get some basic tools to keep in your truck! I have been holding off buying too much because I wouldn't be able to deduct them in 2014. Lucky for me I have found some very helpful drivers to help me out, but I will be going to the hardware store this weekend! Having my own tools wouldn't have helped me today because I can't get into my side box without my keys, but there have been other things come up that I can see where they are handy....maybe just to help another driver!

Hey, Gals... I am just starting driving school... looking for all good advice. Can you be specific about which tools you would want to have with you? Any special equipment? All advice is gratefully accepted. Thanks.

Hi Lynn! The very first thing I bought tool wise was a pursuader. What is a pursuader you ask? It is a hammer that looks like a small sledge hammer used to pursuad things that are rusty or frozen to move or release! My trainer called it that and the name is truly appropriate! I use mine almost daily. A few screw drivers of different lengths and widths, maybe a pair of channel locks for tandem arms that font want to stay in place, although I am going to get me a piece of wood that is about 10 to 12 inches long to see if it will work. Get you a flashlight that has a direct beam so you can check to make sure the locking jaws are securely around the pin so you don't drop a trailer. Get a good pair of work boots. I got mine at Red Wing shoes and they have been worth every penny I spent on them. They keep my feet warm and dry which is important! I'll think some more on this but I am unloaded so got to go. Good luck!!!

Tools? You mean yall arent worried about breaking a nail????!!!!!!! Lmao yep even break down knows I dont mess around with tools;-) Glad to see yall ladies havent turned to Icepops yet! Hope I catch yall out here.