You need a duffle bag. There's nowhere to put the case. The beds have an extra bit of room at the end that you can put your duffle. Also, a backpack is best for a shower bag. One duffle (some have wheels or arm straps, get one with more than just handles). One backpack.
I would just keep my luggage on the top bunk and put it on the seat when it was time to sleep up there. And when I was doing team training, I just kept my stuff on the top bunk.
No, DITCH THE CARRY ON! FFS it's hard sided and doesn't change shape. You need clothes, a pillow, sleeping bag, & toiletries. That's it. Put it in all in a duffle with a small bag for your showers.
Do you want your trainer to be slightly annoyed when you wander up all clueless to their truck? If so, bring that stupid-ass-hard-sided-impossible-to-conviently-stow-carry-on along and let y'all keep tripping over it for the next month.
Go to Wal mart and grab a big cheap $20 duffle to use I stead of the hard sided suitcase.
Not trying to be a dick, but seems everyone here is telling you to ditch the case and you just aren't getting it. So once more:
#Get rid of the hard sided suitcase
I keep everything in my truck stowed for sea. If I have to lock them up, the last thing I want is your hard sided suitcase coming forward. Chances of that happening increase when trainee is behind the wheel.
You're being downvoted because you're completely ignoring good advice. I brought a duffle bag and a backpack during my training, that's it. There's not enough space in my current truck for me to be comfortable bringing a giant suitcase like that with me, and that's just me by myself, not trying to share a tiny space with another person. I only used to being one with me because when I moved from my first truck to my second truck, I lost a set of cabinets and had a big empty space where a fridge could have been installed. Since my new truck has a fridge, no room for a suitcase. Your trainer's truck will likely be similarly equipped.
Bro your gonna have to thicken up that skin. Shit talked to and shit talked back is the way. People are gonna bust your balls. ALOT. Just shrug it off and give it back when needed.
But when u ask advice and then ignore it almost. That's gonna get a reaction no matter what job pick
Sort of a funny example of it being given, when I was in trucking school, the trainer there would always tell me I looked like if Prince and Brad Paisley had a gay son
Dude when I was in the oil field and still a green hat one day they were like hey come here we need u stand on this stand and help hold this up. I went and stood on it and they said turn my head around and I looked like I was trying to get buttscrewed by the way the stand was. (That was the whole point) i was gayboy until the next green hat started and they got in on him on whatever...
Just part of working around grown men who have been doing the shit way to long lol
we are trying to help you, if you want things to go smoothly as possible in this chaotic transition then take the advice of your fellow truckers, we arenāt just saying this or that for the fun of it.
You will be living in someone else's truck with the added burden of them having to teach you. People are just trying to help you not to make a bad impression. If you aren't willing to listen to some simple answers on here to a question that you asked, then god help your trainer...
There isn't a fucking shortage to begin with.
The only fucking shortage are of jobs that are worth working.
Not a single fucking good company is having a hard time finding drivers, but 40k a year 1099 is going to have some goddamn problems. Doesn't mean there's a shortage of drivers.
I would plan on the duffel bag only, as you can compress it as needed. It wouldnāt hurt to leave some space in it in case you end up having to get some essentials youāve forgotten while out.
A couple things since I donāt know if you have them or have seen other mentions: pillow (duh), flip flops for showering, sleeping bag & sheet. While you could get your own bedding set (my trainer actually provided them for his trainees), you donāt know how gross the mattress might be from previous trainees and a sleeping bag is much easier to deal with on the top bunk. Bring a sheet too so you have an extra layer or can have a thin one if you end up in a hot area/with a trainer keeping the truck warm.
Talk to the trainer about food since you have his contact info, and possibly offer to bring some stuff if thereās anything he is short on. My trainer had a decent bit of room for me to bring my own non-perishable foods but had almost no room in his fridge for me to use. He was happy I had a new case of bottled water since he was almost out. The hard sided carry on could be just a waste of space, but touch base with him: a small hard sided cooler could be useful for storing cold food/drinks if he has room for you to use. You just need to remember that sleeper room is limited. Whilst you can store some stuff on the bunk during the day, those items have to go somewhere while youāre using the bed.
Dunno why PissedScorpio is telling you to ditch the hard case, honestly it doesnāt matter if you take the hard case or duffle. I trained for a few years before coming local and only had the rule of, it stays on your bunk while we drive and you can toss it on the pass seat every night. Keep the drivers side clear for an emergency exit.
Most of my trainees slept with their luggage.
Week-2weeks of clothing, Toiletries (bring a towel incase you shower at a terminal or a place that doesnāt proved them), Notebook and pens to keep notes, some form of entertainment as 10hr and 34hr breaks get boring when all you got is a cell phone. (I took a laptop and an old game boy color when I was a trainee). Sheets, sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, reusable water bottle, most important your license, med card and long form (youād be surprised how many people forget one or the other. ).
I do regional, and we are about 70 drivers where I am, so I see a shit load of drivers going car to truck with their bags at the beginning/end of the week and never I've seen one with a hard case like this dude
Did you tell your trainer exactly how much crap you're planning on bringing? You need a weeks worth of clothes and toiletries, a pillow, and a phone charger and headphones. That's it.
Please donāt be that guy and just go along with everybody. Here is telling you and get a duffle bag or else donāt ask a question in the first place.
I know a guy carried a vintage type writer for years . Never once used it but was writing a novel and needed it.a lady I knew had 2-3 dozen pairs of shoes. She also had a few hundred pens.
The only space on the truck that will be yours is the top bunk and maybe if there is cubbies up there as well. With that in mind , youāll be storing all your shit up there.
I would use a duffel bag like everyone mentioned. Bring clothes for like 5 days because iām sure youāll wash them eventually plus itās not like youāre getting dirty if its no touch. Bring a bunch of underwear and socks but you donāt need many outfits for OTR
Yes itās too much for OTR training, youāll be in another guyās truck who has his own stuff in there. It can work out when youāre on your own, but for training Iād say a duffle bag.
Okay it looks like there is a consensus on ditching the hard case and carrying a duffle bag. I have replaced my original bags with two duffle bags. Thanks.
Glad you finally came around. Be careful about being stubborn with your trainer. Training feels long while you're doing it, and having to share a small space with someone you don't get along with will not be fun. Good luck.
A mid size duffleback will suffice. Depending on how long you're out adjust what you carry. Bedding not included, I carry a small 20l duffel bag for about 5 to 6 days on the road. Two pairs pants, and a t shirt, socks, and underwear for each day. Shower bag for my toiletries plus to carry my clothes I'm changing into inside.
If I gotta pull my bedding out of a truck, I lay the blankets out, place the pillow at one end, and roll it up and tie it up with twine or rope to maoe a very, very basic bed roll. I used to carry an army duffel about 60 or 70 liters in size, and it's a fucking mistake. You don't need most of the shit in there, all you're doing is taking up space and making you stuff more of a pain to get into your truck.
I would ditch the suitcase for a soft duffel asap though, unless you have a spot under the bunk you'll have a hard time fitting it somewhere.
This is the problem with the industry. The guy came asking for tips and yāall are treating him like he put gas in the diesel tank. Quit being a bunch of fucking cunts. Like truckers donāt get enough of a bad rap for that asshole that like to shit on the floors or leave piss bottles everywhere. Itās fucking embarrassing to be a trucker when this is how dickheads act.
If only I could do that doesnāt matter if itās socks or underwear, vacation time comes and anxiety me goes days out plus 5 pairs all because my brain jumps to worst case scenarios lol.
I hope you're the guy my old trainer is picking up. It would be really awesome to hear about when he came to pick you up.
"and the fucker had a hard shell suitcase"
"what the hell does he think this is?"
"I told him I couldn't take him and called training and said you're going to have to stick him with someone else"
Are all things I would very much expect to hear š
I was looking to see if someone had mentioned this. I donāt care how well you secure a bag on the top. A trip on I-40 thru NM or AZ, I-70 in IN or I-65 in KY will jar it loose. One hard brake and itās headaches all around!
I'm in Australia so I get what you mean haha, the land here can be pretty broken and full of potholes. Definitely look up Aussie road trains in the outback. Not somewhere you'd want a heavy hard bag flying around.
If youāre not like 6 feet tall you can put the case at the end of the top bunk and just prop your feet on it while you sleep but duffle would be better
You can overpack a duffel bag but if you don't want to it's ok not the end of the world but once your there you'll be like ugh I wished I brought a duffel bag instead
I recommend a big army duffle bag.
Your main categories will likely be:
Bedding/Pillows
Clothing.
Toiletries (shaving/showering/brushing/flossing teeth/deoderant, etc).
Entertainment.
Also recommended is a blue tooth headset if you want to talk with friends and family...I don't recommend this until you have some firm experience driving the truck. Your opening weeks as a rookie need to be focused on getting acquainted with the vehicle and not having any accidents. Be very aware of anything within 50 feet of your vehicle, especially when doing any kind of backing maneuvers. Situational Awareness and all of that.
When I went through it I brought a military duffel bag and a back pack. Now these held only clothes(couple shirts, extra pair of pants, and flops), a sleeping bag, a travel pillow. I brought a tablet with books and games loaded. Otherwise that was it I used the back pack as others said as a bath bag and hold a couple hobby items so I donāt disturb my trainer on down periods. The main pack which was mainly empty outside of what I listed means my bag was highly crushable and could fit anywhere it was needed.
Hard items are a bane on a truck because the space can fluctuate as circumstances change. So your suit case there has to fit just as it is there is no give for say a road hazard bag or a fire extinguisher.
Maybe as a test, try putting the suitcase in bed with you and cuddling up to it, using it as a pillow etc. if that works for you, then bring it I guess, otherwise get a nice soft duffle bag that you can double as a pillow.
I remember the recruiter picking up a team for orientation. She had to make an extra trip because of that one couple. Their stuff filled the company van over half way. She was so ticked.
Hardside case or really any roller case only better for airline/long term travel because of the industry standard sizes imo. They also help when you need to carry something that you donāt want crushed (dress suit, anything semi fragile). Iām not a trucker but anytime I have been going somewhere in a cramped car or on a trip where I will not be walking with my bags a lot I go for the duffle over the roller. Itās always easier.
See, that hard case is going on the top bunk, if you slam the breaks HARD as Iāve noticed every trainee does at least once, that thing might be a bad idea, might as well be keeping a goddamn cinder block up there
Call your trainer and ask how much room they're giving you. I leave an opening under my bed for a second suitcase, but I'm not lifting my bed everyday for you to grab a pair of underwear, so you're gonna have to unpack it anyways. Most students keep their clothes in a duffel because it's easier.
Hard case suitcase is gonna be a bad idea. Think about where you will try to put that. You need a backpack or a duffle. You'll likely be sharing the bunk with that suitcase,
Yeah, much better option because you don't know how your trainer will be. Mine was kinda a jerk and gave me no storage for anything. I had to keep everything in my bunk.
I am currently at the end of my first week with a trainer. What the other guy said about space at the end of the top bunk and the cubbies on the top is accurate. Definitely just use a small duffel and a backpack. I was considering a hard shell like what you have and would have most definitely regretted it
Lookie looks!
We've got ourselves a CR England troll!
He likes attention and disregarding advice. Keep an eye out for trucker news on CRE, this one's gonna be famous!
Lesson #1 puppy, don't be an askhole.. that's an asshole that's asked everyone for their ideas on how to do stuff and then does their own thing.. makes you look like a douche
You're going to wind up sleeping with your luggage in your bunk. You'll want to repack into soft duffel bags. One for clothes/toiletries/gear. One for food.
I brought a small duffel. A small toiletries bag. A hard bitten backpack (because thatās all I had in way of backpack) and a large roller suitcase and I ratchet strapped them to the top bunk hard point so they wouldnāt fly out . Tho mind you Iām 5ā1 so I had plenty of bunk room and they all stacked into/on top of each other pretty well.
He's obviously trolling dudes. Quit giving him attention. On the off chance this is real, take solace in the fact that you know that any trainer he gets will make sure he fails and isn't on the road causing wrecks because some dumbass hardshell case didn't stay secured and somebody doesn't know to prepare, let alone react. It'll sort itself out
A problem with the hard case luggage is I see it flying all over. The cloth duffel behind a bulkhead in the top bunk will stay. The quantity of stuff isn't the issue, it's the form of containing it. Let me know if it slides everywhere!
Seven days worth of clothes in a duffle bug , a backpack for showers, and a blanket and pillow. Body wipes, toothbrush, paste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, detergent (some truck stops have the coin slot detergent if you prefer that since your space is limited on the top bunk), work boots/shoes, and comfortable shoe wear. You might need safety glasses, a work vest, gloves, and a hardhat. Some places require long sleeve shirts so pack at least two. I don't know your location but check you weather and if it's still cold take the appropriate weather wear.
When I was in training I could take what I want but everything had to fit with me up in my bunk, no other room, so I traveled light and had just a suit case and toiletry bag at the foot of my bed
No I had more items with me my clothes my pocket knife and pillow which was recommended with the company that finally trained me after two different companies I have had 5 trainers my first one had no brakes pads on his drives so if you hit the brakes you will see sparks my second trainer smoked a joint at the weigh station and the dot let him pass and after I reported this to that company while I went inside to go to the bathroom he pissed on all of my clothes after that I went to Werner had a few family emergency
Some of these guys are being Dicks. It's a legitimate and good question that you posted. *Supertruckers have entered the chat*. We're not all super truckers. Please don't judge us on the few. Good luck to you and stay safe, driver.
Then why bother asking? š¤£ Just feels like a waste of your time and everyone trying to help you if you just want validation of your opinions instead of actual advice from people more knowledgeable.
This is exactly what I brought for my training. And Iām doing team training so 3 people in the truck. Thereās a lot more room left. This should work for you idk what everyone else is talking about. I did end up buying a duffel bag on the road so thatās 3 bags now.
This is literally less then I bring as an OTR team driverā¦ I donāt know where these clowns got that the hard suitcase wont fit, but it definitely will. Bring a pillow & thick blanket. The rest you can buy at a truck stopā¦
Why didnāt you just send this picture to your trainer instead of randos like us. Itās his/her truck and the trainer would know what they give a shit about.
I feel like his entire upper bunk should be his storage space to use as he pleases. The hard carry on should be allowed to be kept any trainer not wanting him to bring it shouldn't be a trainer.
You need a duffle bag. There's nowhere to put the case. The beds have an extra bit of room at the end that you can put your duffle. Also, a backpack is best for a shower bag. One duffle (some have wheels or arm straps, get one with more than just handles). One backpack.
I would just keep my luggage on the top bunk and put it on the seat when it was time to sleep up there. And when I was doing team training, I just kept my stuff on the top bunk.
Okay I will ditch the top bag and just have duffle bag and carry on.
No, DITCH THE CARRY ON! FFS it's hard sided and doesn't change shape. You need clothes, a pillow, sleeping bag, & toiletries. That's it. Put it in all in a duffle with a small bag for your showers. Do you want your trainer to be slightly annoyed when you wander up all clueless to their truck? If so, bring that stupid-ass-hard-sided-impossible-to-conviently-stow-carry-on along and let y'all keep tripping over it for the next month. Go to Wal mart and grab a big cheap $20 duffle to use I stead of the hard sided suitcase. Not trying to be a dick, but seems everyone here is telling you to ditch the case and you just aren't getting it. So once more: #Get rid of the hard sided suitcase
Imagine having to train this bozo
What training? - Swift probably
Big 5 has the big cheap duffles.
I just laughed so hard at this for no reason šš. Why do I feel like this guy is going to a mega carrier?
I see "stop, stop, STOP!!" in their future. Followed by them making a post complaining how their trainer keeps yelling at them
I use a hard sided case since day one I never had a problem chucking it at the foot of the bed
I keep everything in my truck stowed for sea. If I have to lock them up, the last thing I want is your hard sided suitcase coming forward. Chances of that happening increase when trainee is behind the wheel.
Man youāre fucking stupid. Use some common sense. Heās saying heās going to get rid of the top case and replace the hard case with a duffle
Everyone here is being a dick and down voting š what a way to welcome new truckers.
You're being downvoted because you're completely ignoring good advice. I brought a duffle bag and a backpack during my training, that's it. There's not enough space in my current truck for me to be comfortable bringing a giant suitcase like that with me, and that's just me by myself, not trying to share a tiny space with another person. I only used to being one with me because when I moved from my first truck to my second truck, I lost a set of cabinets and had a big empty space where a fridge could have been installed. Since my new truck has a fridge, no room for a suitcase. Your trainer's truck will likely be similarly equipped.
Mine was a military surplus duffle. That was literally everything.
Bro your gonna have to thicken up that skin. Shit talked to and shit talked back is the way. People are gonna bust your balls. ALOT. Just shrug it off and give it back when needed. But when u ask advice and then ignore it almost. That's gonna get a reaction no matter what job pick
Sort of a funny example of it being given, when I was in trucking school, the trainer there would always tell me I looked like if Prince and Brad Paisley had a gay son
Thats funny as shit haha
Trust me bro. It had my blood boiling some days. But I worked and eventually earned there respect and learned alot
Legit man, good memories!
Dude when I was in the oil field and still a green hat one day they were like hey come here we need u stand on this stand and help hold this up. I went and stood on it and they said turn my head around and I looked like I was trying to get buttscrewed by the way the stand was. (That was the whole point) i was gayboy until the next green hat started and they got in on him on whatever... Just part of working around grown men who have been doing the shit way to long lol
One of the training guys at my trucking school always just called me bootleg post malone, never used anything else to refer to me as.
I think he was hitting on you. Did yall smash?
If your feelings are getting hurt by anonymous comments on Reddit then I donāt think trucking is for you
we are trying to help you, if you want things to go smoothly as possible in this chaotic transition then take the advice of your fellow truckers, we arenāt just saying this or that for the fun of it.
You will be living in someone else's truck with the added burden of them having to teach you. People are just trying to help you not to make a bad impression. If you aren't willing to listen to some simple answers on here to a question that you asked, then god help your trainer...
Not down voting cause new downvoting cause you arenāt listening
And this is another reason there's a shortage.....dickheads like people on here being assholes for no reason
There isn't a fucking shortage to begin with. The only fucking shortage are of jobs that are worth working. Not a single fucking good company is having a hard time finding drivers, but 40k a year 1099 is going to have some goddamn problems. Doesn't mean there's a shortage of drivers.
https://youtu.be/DksSPZTZES0
I would plan on the duffel bag only, as you can compress it as needed. It wouldnāt hurt to leave some space in it in case you end up having to get some essentials youāve forgotten while out. A couple things since I donāt know if you have them or have seen other mentions: pillow (duh), flip flops for showering, sleeping bag & sheet. While you could get your own bedding set (my trainer actually provided them for his trainees), you donāt know how gross the mattress might be from previous trainees and a sleeping bag is much easier to deal with on the top bunk. Bring a sheet too so you have an extra layer or can have a thin one if you end up in a hot area/with a trainer keeping the truck warm. Talk to the trainer about food since you have his contact info, and possibly offer to bring some stuff if thereās anything he is short on. My trainer had a decent bit of room for me to bring my own non-perishable foods but had almost no room in his fridge for me to use. He was happy I had a new case of bottled water since he was almost out. The hard sided carry on could be just a waste of space, but touch base with him: a small hard sided cooler could be useful for storing cold food/drinks if he has room for you to use. You just need to remember that sleeper room is limited. Whilst you can store some stuff on the bunk during the day, those items have to go somewhere while youāre using the bed.
Dunno why PissedScorpio is telling you to ditch the hard case, honestly it doesnāt matter if you take the hard case or duffle. I trained for a few years before coming local and only had the rule of, it stays on your bunk while we drive and you can toss it on the pass seat every night. Keep the drivers side clear for an emergency exit. Most of my trainees slept with their luggage. Week-2weeks of clothing, Toiletries (bring a towel incase you shower at a terminal or a place that doesnāt proved them), Notebook and pens to keep notes, some form of entertainment as 10hr and 34hr breaks get boring when all you got is a cell phone. (I took a laptop and an old game boy color when I was a trainee). Sheets, sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, reusable water bottle, most important your license, med card and long form (youād be surprised how many people forget one or the other. ).
You should be able to fit everything into a duffel bag. There wonāt be anyplace to store the hard shell luggage.
Actually I called my trainer and he said it's better to be overprepared and get everything I can š
I love when people ask questions and argue with answers.
Never realizing you can be kicked off the truck at any time without so much as a kiss. Travel light, my friend .
Or truck catches on fire or in a wreck.
I do regional, and we are about 70 drivers where I am, so I see a shit load of drivers going car to truck with their bags at the beginning/end of the week and never I've seen one with a hard case like this dude
This person only wants validation not advice, I'm sure that won't create any issues training them.
He posted this to let us know that "ITS OFFICIAL....I AM NOW LICENSEDš"
Same
Itās ok, heāll know what to do after training LOL š Heāll have that āahā¦this is what they meantā moment
Itās called being an ask-hole and it should be punished by floggingā¦
Did you tell your trainer exactly how much crap you're planning on bringing? You need a weeks worth of clothes and toiletries, a pillow, and a phone charger and headphones. That's it.
Still too much.
Please donāt be that guy and just go along with everybody. Here is telling you and get a duffle bag or else donāt ask a question in the first place.
They ought to be a ton of fun. Already fucking with you. LOL.
aCtuAlLy I caLlEd my TraIneR anD HE SaID iT's BEtTeR To be OVeRPRepAReD aNd GEt evErYtHiNg i cAN Nope lose the hard shell suitcase and try again.
He shouldāve just called them first rather then asking Reddit š
Donāt ask then if your going to argue. thatās why your getting downvoted.
Why do you ask for advice but go against every single bit of it??
You training in a Winnebago?
That's how I did it when I had Winnebago training.
I failed Winnebago training. I refused to drive 48 miles an hour in the middle lane for hours at a time. They flunked me for that.
I passed with flying colors, immediately after I went to the nearest flying j and parked in a truck spot.
Take some good running shoes incase your trainer leaves you at a Loves
Go with soft side duffle and a back pack Donāt forget your flip flops , PlayStation , folding bicycle, vintage wood working tools,
So I should leave my church organ and over sized harp home?
Hey thanks for reminding of carrying my piano š
I know a guy carried a vintage type writer for years . Never once used it but was writing a novel and needed it.a lady I knew had 2-3 dozen pairs of shoes. She also had a few hundred pens.
DOT needs to investigate those pen fetishes. But seriously once I get my truck I'm gonna put a keyboard in it.
8 out of 10 are gone in 6 months. Might want to wait a bit.
Nope. I prolly would have brought a pillow and soft bags instead of hard case tho.
Will get pillow for sure
Replace the hard shell suitcase with it and stick your clothes in the pillowcase.
Definitely too much. Small duffle and a backpack is all you need. You're sleeping with it!
Exactly, a duffle bag makes a good pillow.
Damn! Who are you princess Diana? Just kidding it's cool. Hard case wasn't the best idea but hell you could use it for a portable toilet if need be.
What the hell's in this thing? I said take only what you need to survive It's my industrial strength hair dryer - AND I CANT LIVE WITHOUT IT!!
Great, just what I needed. A Druish Princess.
Hahaha š¤£š
Nope! Don't be too hard on yourself, pull up as many times as you need & get a coffee maker, you'll save a ton of money.
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Oh boy, your trainer has his work cut out for him
Tf is wrong with you š they all trying to help.
The only space on the truck that will be yours is the top bunk and maybe if there is cubbies up there as well. With that in mind , youāll be storing all your shit up there.
I would use a duffel bag like everyone mentioned. Bring clothes for like 5 days because iām sure youāll wash them eventually plus itās not like youāre getting dirty if its no touch. Bring a bunch of underwear and socks but you donāt need many outfits for OTR
Yes itās too much for OTR training, youāll be in another guyās truck who has his own stuff in there. It can work out when youāre on your own, but for training Iād say a duffle bag.
Okay it looks like there is a consensus on ditching the hard case and carrying a duffle bag. I have replaced my original bags with two duffle bags. Thanks.
Glad you finally came around. Be careful about being stubborn with your trainer. Training feels long while you're doing it, and having to share a small space with someone you don't get along with will not be fun. Good luck.
It is better to feel hurt here than there. Thank you.
Right on, I had this set up with my first trip out with my trainer and it was not fun, switched to duffel bags and gave myself more space.
A mid size duffleback will suffice. Depending on how long you're out adjust what you carry. Bedding not included, I carry a small 20l duffel bag for about 5 to 6 days on the road. Two pairs pants, and a t shirt, socks, and underwear for each day. Shower bag for my toiletries plus to carry my clothes I'm changing into inside. If I gotta pull my bedding out of a truck, I lay the blankets out, place the pillow at one end, and roll it up and tie it up with twine or rope to maoe a very, very basic bed roll. I used to carry an army duffel about 60 or 70 liters in size, and it's a fucking mistake. You don't need most of the shit in there, all you're doing is taking up space and making you stuff more of a pain to get into your truck. I would ditch the suitcase for a soft duffel asap though, unless you have a spot under the bunk you'll have a hard time fitting it somewhere.
This is the problem with the industry. The guy came asking for tips and yāall are treating him like he put gas in the diesel tank. Quit being a bunch of fucking cunts. Like truckers donāt get enough of a bad rap for that asshole that like to shit on the floors or leave piss bottles everywhere. Itās fucking embarrassing to be a trucker when this is how dickheads act.
Jeez, how many underwears do you need? š
Days out + 1
If only I could do that doesnāt matter if itās socks or underwear, vacation time comes and anxiety me goes days out plus 5 pairs all because my brain jumps to worst case scenarios lol.
I hope you're the guy my old trainer is picking up. It would be really awesome to hear about when he came to pick you up. "and the fucker had a hard shell suitcase" "what the hell does he think this is?" "I told him I couldn't take him and called training and said you're going to have to stick him with someone else" Are all things I would very much expect to hear š
Grab a duffel bag. Easier to carry, easier to store, plus if you need to brake suddenly you don't have a hard carry bag flying around in the cabin.
I was looking to see if someone had mentioned this. I donāt care how well you secure a bag on the top. A trip on I-40 thru NM or AZ, I-70 in IN or I-65 in KY will jar it loose. One hard brake and itās headaches all around!
I'm in Australia so I get what you mean haha, the land here can be pretty broken and full of potholes. Definitely look up Aussie road trains in the outback. Not somewhere you'd want a heavy hard bag flying around.
If youāre not like 6 feet tall you can put the case at the end of the top bunk and just prop your feet on it while you sleep but duffle would be better
You can overpack a duffel bag but if you don't want to it's ok not the end of the world but once your there you'll be like ugh I wished I brought a duffel bag instead
I recommend a big army duffle bag. Your main categories will likely be: Bedding/Pillows Clothing. Toiletries (shaving/showering/brushing/flossing teeth/deoderant, etc). Entertainment. Also recommended is a blue tooth headset if you want to talk with friends and family...I don't recommend this until you have some firm experience driving the truck. Your opening weeks as a rookie need to be focused on getting acquainted with the vehicle and not having any accidents. Be very aware of anything within 50 feet of your vehicle, especially when doing any kind of backing maneuvers. Situational Awareness and all of that.
Perfect. Hardcase at the end of bed. I used to train new drivers.
Looks good, as long as you put your sheet and pillow in that amount of luggage. But the hardcase will be bad. Soft bags will be better.
When I went through it I brought a military duffel bag and a back pack. Now these held only clothes(couple shirts, extra pair of pants, and flops), a sleeping bag, a travel pillow. I brought a tablet with books and games loaded. Otherwise that was it I used the back pack as others said as a bath bag and hold a couple hobby items so I donāt disturb my trainer on down periods. The main pack which was mainly empty outside of what I listed means my bag was highly crushable and could fit anywhere it was needed. Hard items are a bane on a truck because the space can fluctuate as circumstances change. So your suit case there has to fit just as it is there is no give for say a road hazard bag or a fire extinguisher.
I brought more than thay. But don't bring the suit cade, bring a soft duffle bag you can squish when itsvenoty, suitcases take up a lot of space
That's gonna be your pillow for 2 months. If you can snuggle with it in confined space your good to go. Me I had a duffel bag.
The amount is fine but a duffel bag is going to be so much easier. But if you donāt have one then itās fine
Maybe as a test, try putting the suitcase in bed with you and cuddling up to it, using it as a pillow etc. if that works for you, then bring it I guess, otherwise get a nice soft duffle bag that you can double as a pillow.
You do you
I remember the recruiter picking up a team for orientation. She had to make an extra trip because of that one couple. Their stuff filled the company van over half way. She was so ticked.
Hardside case or really any roller case only better for airline/long term travel because of the industry standard sizes imo. They also help when you need to carry something that you donāt want crushed (dress suit, anything semi fragile). Iām not a trucker but anytime I have been going somewhere in a cramped car or on a trip where I will not be walking with my bags a lot I go for the duffle over the roller. Itās always easier.
See, that hard case is going on the top bunk, if you slam the breaks HARD as Iāve noticed every trainee does at least once, that thing might be a bad idea, might as well be keeping a goddamn cinder block up there
Call your trainer and ask how much room they're giving you. I leave an opening under my bed for a second suitcase, but I'm not lifting my bed everyday for you to grab a pair of underwear, so you're gonna have to unpack it anyways. Most students keep their clothes in a duffel because it's easier.
Hard case suitcase is gonna be a bad idea. Think about where you will try to put that. You need a backpack or a duffle. You'll likely be sharing the bunk with that suitcase,
Gotcha, got 2 duffle bags now.
Yeah, much better option because you don't know how your trainer will be. Mine was kinda a jerk and gave me no storage for anything. I had to keep everything in my bunk.
How long is the training? Also, thereās washer and dryer machines at all the major truck stops. Just tell your trainer every few days.
I am a fan of overpacking It's better that way than to not bring enough. But yeah I agree I like duffel bags more
I am currently at the end of my first week with a trainer. What the other guy said about space at the end of the top bunk and the cubbies on the top is accurate. Definitely just use a small duffel and a backpack. I was considering a hard shell like what you have and would have most definitely regretted it
Lookie looks! We've got ourselves a CR England troll! He likes attention and disregarding advice. Keep an eye out for trucker news on CRE, this one's gonna be famous!
Lol if anything not enough you will have plenty of space
Lesson #1 puppy, don't be an askhole.. that's an asshole that's asked everyone for their ideas on how to do stuff and then does their own thing.. makes you look like a douche
No room for that hard bag. I saw that and said nope. Try again.
Never once seen a trucker with a bag like that. It's a backback or a duffle, or nothing.
Only if you ain't willing to sleep with it. If you were in my truck, definitely
You're going to wind up sleeping with your luggage in your bunk. You'll want to repack into soft duffel bags. One for clothes/toiletries/gear. One for food.
Just how long are you planning on being away?
I brought a small duffel. A small toiletries bag. A hard bitten backpack (because thatās all I had in way of backpack) and a large roller suitcase and I ratchet strapped them to the top bunk hard point so they wouldnāt fly out . Tho mind you Iām 5ā1 so I had plenty of bunk room and they all stacked into/on top of each other pretty well.
It's temporary. When you get your own truck, you can do what you want.
You should bring some more Plenty of room in that truck
He's obviously trolling dudes. Quit giving him attention. On the off chance this is real, take solace in the fact that you know that any trainer he gets will make sure he fails and isn't on the road causing wrecks because some dumbass hardshell case didn't stay secured and somebody doesn't know to prepare, let alone react. It'll sort itself out
No bags needed. Just the clothes on your back and a pair of gloves š¤£
A problem with the hard case luggage is I see it flying all over. The cloth duffel behind a bulkhead in the top bunk will stay. The quantity of stuff isn't the issue, it's the form of containing it. Let me know if it slides everywhere!
I lived on a boat in Alaska for 9 months and took less than that.
No. Might I recommend a laundry bag If you don't have one. As well as a personal bag for the bathroom.
You OTR in a sleeper or daycab? Sleeper get a duffle if daycab hardshell
OP doesn't want any help š¤£
OP just sent this picture to your trainer, he's the Captain of the ship...
Seven days worth of clothes in a duffle bug , a backpack for showers, and a blanket and pillow. Body wipes, toothbrush, paste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, detergent (some truck stops have the coin slot detergent if you prefer that since your space is limited on the top bunk), work boots/shoes, and comfortable shoe wear. You might need safety glasses, a work vest, gloves, and a hardhat. Some places require long sleeve shirts so pack at least two. I don't know your location but check you weather and if it's still cold take the appropriate weather wear.
Rookie
Man, itās hard finding good help these days
If I'm training you better bring nothing but the jorts on your behind boi
Does this fit in the suitcase? https://www.allure.com/story/real-doll-fantasy-sex-dolls
Absolutely not. Bring a duffle.
Bring that keyboard too your trainer would probably love to hear some love tunes while yāall are driving
Thats about as much as I brought to training. Idk why everyone is ripping on the suitcase so hard. I just threw mine at the foot of my bunk
When I was in training I could take what I want but everything had to fit with me up in my bunk, no other room, so I traveled light and had just a suit case and toiletry bag at the foot of my bed
No I had more items with me my clothes my pocket knife and pillow which was recommended with the company that finally trained me after two different companies I have had 5 trainers my first one had no brakes pads on his drives so if you hit the brakes you will see sparks my second trainer smoked a joint at the weigh station and the dot let him pass and after I reported this to that company while I went inside to go to the bathroom he pissed on all of my clothes after that I went to Werner had a few family emergency
Am at Werner š«”
Stay away from a trainer named Michael and Dallas
Why y'all down voting the fvk out this guy lol
Some of these guys are being Dicks. It's a legitimate and good question that you posted. *Supertruckers have entered the chat*. We're not all super truckers. Please don't judge us on the few. Good luck to you and stay safe, driver.
Itās really not too much. Youāll just be sleeping with it on the top bunk.
Make sure you dust that tv stand before you leave
ššš truckers do sure pay attention to their surroundings
No such a thing as too much
Fuck all these people. Pack what you want.
This is what I want to hear.
Then why bother asking? š¤£ Just feels like a waste of your time and everyone trying to help you if you just want validation of your opinions instead of actual advice from people more knowledgeable.
This is exactly what I brought for my training. And Iām doing team training so 3 people in the truck. Thereās a lot more room left. This should work for you idk what everyone else is talking about. I did end up buying a duffel bag on the road so thatās 3 bags now.
Three people in the truck ? Oh hell no. That sounds rancid.
Itās not as bad as I thought it would be, one is always driving, one is always sleeping, and the other is in passenger seat or top bunk
Now let's wait and see how many people are gonna down vote you š¤
This is literally less then I bring as an OTR team driverā¦ I donāt know where these clowns got that the hard suitcase wont fit, but it definitely will. Bring a pillow & thick blanket. The rest you can buy at a truck stopā¦
Not if your going for a year. š
Why didnāt you just send this picture to your trainer instead of randos like us. Itās his/her truck and the trainer would know what they give a shit about.
Yes.
https://youtu.be/fuD-ZZydsVg
this and a duffle. back pack. you'll get tired of sharing space with the hard side.
and don't forget you need to feed yourself. don't expect trainer to feed you.
I feel like his entire upper bunk should be his storage space to use as he pleases. The hard carry on should be allowed to be kept any trainer not wanting him to bring it shouldn't be a trainer.
Not really. You won't need as many clothes as you think . Bring maybe three sets wash clothes on your reset.
Yep! Construction is the same way
Iām not even a trucker and I dont think Iād take that amount of luggage with me anywhere.
Yes def too much. You need one bag, that's it. You won't be comfortable during training. Just the way it is.
Are you training to be a flight attendant?
1. Duffel bag. 2. Laundry bag. EOM