Personal Hygiene Concerns

Every year I drive my car down south to visit family members in GA & FL. The last time I went, I made a conscious effort to visit truck stops and check out some of the various facilities knowing that one day I may be OTR myself. I visited a place called stuckey's which had a truckers lounge and a restaurant inside. I was starving so I hit the restaurant and ordered a burger. While sitting down eating my food there was a trucker sitting two tables away. The stench coming from this guy was so bad that I had to leave half my food and tell the waitress to bring the check asap. I left the restaurant and proceeded to the convenience store part of the truck stop to buy a bottle of water and a bag of nuts. While waiting on line there was a trucker ahead of me that stunk worse then the guy in the restaurant. I tried not to breathe, payed the cashier and quickly got back on the road without seeing the shower rooms. Are the shower rooms equiped with toilets as well? Is there a time limit? What is the fee?

One of my main concerns about trucking is personal hygiene. I need to shower and brush my teeth daily before I hit the road. Will a trainer find my cleanliness annoying? Are trainers clean conscious? I cannot spend hours in a cab that smells like a kennel.

From what I understand, trucking can take a toll on your health and that's why eating healthy and going for walks on down time will be a priority for me on the road.

I tend to over-think and create problems that don't exist in the first place. should this even be a concern?

Some people just lack in personal hygiene whether a truck driver or not but I think we've all experience pigpen out there running around. As far as showers go, get rewards cards for all the major truck stops, one fuel stop will get you a free shower and points add up for freebies as well. If you just pay out of pocket they're around $12. Remember too that shower timing is everything, they get busy and sometimes you might have to wait. Brushing my teeth is almost OCD for me, if i feel they need brushed, I've been known to brush them while driving lol.

In regards to your trainer, if they didn't let me at least have the time to freshen up every day I'd be concerned, hygiene is a big thing with me

Most of the everyday things people take for granted are more difficult and tedious when you're on the road, including things like exercise, shopping for food, doing laundry, and showering. But it's all totally doable if you're willing to make the effort.

The thing is, you're isolated for 21 hours a day in the truck and always surrounded by strangers anyhow so there are some people that get lazy about it and stop caring. If you care about it and you put in the effort you'll be able to stay clean and eat healthy the overwhelming majority of the time. I hesitate to say 100% of the time because there are no guarantees in life.

I'd even add in truck hygiene. Building hot rods and show cars for many years left me with the absolute bat s**t crazy habit of cleaning. My personal cars always stay clean as well as the straight truck I currently drive. My company vehicle once I start driving the big boys again will be no different. Winter makes it rough but the inside and windows at the minimum are always clean and now that the weather is getting better, I'll spend a few hours giving the ol girl a coat of wax and time with a buffer. It may seem extreme but it definitely helps the life of that portion of the vehicle as well as making cleanup much easier. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

There's also the fact that a clean truck makes you a bit less of a target. Law enforcement sees a truck that clean and well kept and it says the driver pays attention and cares.

Dominic, I think most of us realize your concerns. Like Brett and others have said the ability to get a nice hot shower and brush our teeth is important to most drivers out on the road. There is a small element of drivers that are not so fond of soap as most. Unfortunately there are days where getting a shower is just not in the cards but that doesn't mean I don't want one. Most weeks I have a shower about 5 out of the 7 days. On those days where it's just impossible I carry a gallon of water, anti bacteria fresh wipes, soap and deodorant. I find a clean rest stop and have a marine bath. Not the best solution but manageable til the next day. Alway have toothpaste and floss on the ready. Brush twice a day at least. Before you set out with any trainer or co driver ask them what they do for showers ( how long in between ). Most major truck stops Pilot,Loves,and Petros have great clean modern showers that rival better hotels. Also ask to see your trainers truck on the inside before you start training if you have an issue ask for a different trainer. My trainer and I are cleaning sweeping and wiping down the interior constantly. We also disinfect the steering wheel and shifter before we change over.

Dominick, this career is filled with the most diverse group of people that you will ever come across. Many drivers are retired from prior careers and because of that you will come across a wide variety of very interesting people. There are always a few schmucks like you described out here, but there are a lot of people out here who share your same concerns. You will find that often times you will be waiting in line to get your nice hot shower because of the fact there are other truck drivers there who are filling up those shower spaces enjoying their time of freshening up after their day of giving it their all.

FYI, for the most part if you go to the major truck stops you will find nice clean shower facilities with a private toilet and a sink and counter with a mirror for your use. Here is a typical shower room at one of the major truck stops.

Thanks for the info ... Much appreciated. Is their a time limit?

Thanks for the info ... Much appreciated. Is their a time limit?

Not that I'm aware. Now if you were in there for 45 minutes to an hour, they might knock to make sure you didn't fall over dead lol

No time limits, but you want to be considerate of the fact that there are others waiting to get in for a shower.

How do you know they were truckers and not some type of farmer? Stuckey's "eat here and get gas" :) maybe it was stuckeys that was stinkin?

I took a shower at a truck stop in Louisiana one time while travelling for fun... don't remember the truck stop but it was a nice shower. i just couldn't understand the language very well eventually figured out the guy was telling me he was from Baton Rouge, took about 5 minutes the same sentence over and over and over. I think he was messing around with me though...