Getting into someone else’s truck can be the most anxiety inducing thing you’ve ever done, especially when you’ve never met this person before.
It is important that you pack and prepare properly, while also being mindful of the limited amount of space you will be given to live for the next month, or more.
I’ve been through this process, and worried my heart out trying to prepare for what was to come. I was not fully prepared, not even close. I’m hoping to save you the trouble that I went through getting things together for training.
Whether you are at home waiting for a trainer, or at your CDL academy preparing for a bus ride to where ever your trainer will be. I know you are incredibly nervous, and searching for anything at all comforting that you can find to set your mind at ease.
By the end of this article I hope I will have significantly lessened your fears, even by just a little.
I have compiled a list of the most common items you will need for your short stay on your trainer’s truck. I want to emphasize that it is important to pack light.
You may have to carry this all with you to your trainer on a bus across the country, or you may not get along with your initial trainer, and have to swap your things to another truck. I don’t mean to worry you, but the less things you have the better!
I’ve gone ahead and broken down the items into four categories to help you better idealize, and organize your things.
This should also help you figure out what you already have, and what you might need to get.
1. Self Care
You will be taking showers while you are living over the road. If you don’t, you might be kicked off your trainer’s truck, if you smell bad enough.
I compiled a list of items that you should be taking with you to the shower at the beginning or end of your shift.
Whether or not you use all these items every time is up to you, but keeping them together will make your life a whole lot easier.
The worst feeling is getting to your shower, and figuring out you have forgotten items you needed. If you are a girl you already know a few of the things you need to add to the list.
- Shampoo/ConditionerÂ
- Soap
- Hair brush/ElasticsÂ
- Wash cloth
- Baby wipes
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream
- Razor
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Floss
- TowelÂ
2. Clothing
I’d say that this section is a bit more flexible depending on the season, and the type of trucking job you are going into. I’ve geared this one toward my fellow dry van drivers, because that is what I am most familiar with.
Being a truck driver there are many days where we wear the same clothes. Carrying around loads of clothes takes up precious room in the truck, and just means more laundry.
That doesn’t give you permission to NOT keep up good hygiene.
If you are doing a more labor intensive job like flatbedding, or a dirty one like crude hauling, then you will need to plan accordingly to your time off, and need for clothes on the road.
This could also just mean more trips to the laundry. Make sure you develop a schedule that works for you. When getting on a trainer’s truck you only have a few bags, so you need to choose wisely.
I’ve made a list of what has worked for me, and other fellow drivers.
All You Need
I would bring only one pair of close toed shoes (these should already be on your feet, and you shouldn’t need to pack them), and a set of flipflops for the shower.
Bring seven T-shirts, one for every day of the week, and only three pairs of pants or jeans (they take up a lot of room, and you can wear them multiple times). I list bringing a set of socks and underwear that would last you everyday for 2 weeks incase for some reason you can’t do laundry for that long of a time.
Things happen so you can plan for the worst.
A lot of you guys out here need a belt. If your pants are going to drop on your butt when you bend over, please wear a belt if it prevents that. You need to be professional.
If it is winter season you will need a heavy jacket. These are really bulky items so just bring one, as well as a beanie to keep your head and ears warm.
- Flipflops (1)
- Closed-toe shoes (1)
- T-shirts (7)
- Pants/Jeans (3)
- Underwear (14 pairs)
- Socks (14 pairs)
- Belt (if you need it)
- Winter Jacket/Beanie  (if it is season)
- Work gloves
3. Bedding
You will more than likely get the top bunk on your trainer’s truck. It is your choice how you would like to arrange your sleeping quarters.Â
I personally wanted bedding over a sleeping bag, just because it was more comfortable, so I am giving you both options.Â
If you’d like bedding you’ll need twin XL sheets, they are super cheap at Walmart. You could also buy better ones if you’d like, because they will also fit your bed when you get your own truck.
You will need a pillow and pillow case regardless if you get sheets or a sleeping bag.Â
If you go the bedding route though I’d recommend bringing a blanket as well.Â
Some people sleep with their trucks off, and it can get unbelievably cold in the winter time, or if they sleep with them on then they could be cold in the summer. You never know so it’s better safe than sorry.
- Pillow
- Pillow case
- Twin XL sheets/Sleeping bag
- Blanket
4. Miscellaneous
This is just a list of extras I think everyone should double check that they have packed. Your life may be more challenging without a few of these items.
When you are sitting at a truck stop for the night, or waiting on a shipper or receiver there isn’t very far you can go and only so much you can do.
You will need to entertain yourself in some fashion so keep that in mind.
- Phone charger
- Entertainment (i.e. book)
- Laundry detergent
- Quarters
I just wanted to make a little side note here about food. You shouldn’t need to pre-pack any food although if you are about to go on a long bus ride stocking up on some snacks might be good.Â
Your trainer should stop by Walmart a few times throughout your trip. Also there is no guarantee that your trainer will have any way of storing cold products if you buy them before hand.Â
Not everyone has a refrigerator in their truck. Just be mindful or the things you buy beforehand.Â
Overall this is a very generalized list. If it is not a fully conclusive list for you I hope it has at least given you a good basis to start your packing. I can’t stress enough how important it is to pack as light as possible.Â
Don’t over pack it’ll just make your life very hard.Â
I’ve been there, and I’m hoping to keep others from making the same mistakes I did and to provide advice for others who might not even know where to start.Â
I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Congratulations on earning your CDL! This is only another hurdle and you’ve got this! Make sure to check out my article What To Expect On A Trainer’s Truck to read more on this topic.
If you have any suggestions or think I missed anything please feel free to shoot me an email or comment it down below.Â
As always thanks for reading!
