Over-the-road (OTR) trucking jobs can take you all over North America. You’ll see incredible sights, meet friendly people, and benefit from a great rate of pay. And after you’ve completed a few of these long routes, you’ll get the knack for making your sleeper berth a comfortable home away from home. Use these packing tips to get started.
Clothes
You’ll need more than jeans and T-shirts for your OTR assignment. Bring comfortable, seasonally appropriate on-duty and off-duty clothing, steel-toed work boots, comfortable sneakers, and shower shoes. You should always bring a jacket and a raincoat. Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses with broad-spectrum UV protection.
Personal Products
Create a shower kit with everything you’ll need for bathing, including:
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Washcloth
- Towel
You’ll also need these items:
- Comb
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, if applicable. Additionally, some truckers wouldn’t think of taking an OTR route without a portable toilet.
Cleaning Products
Your truck will be your home while you’re on the road, so bring everything you need to keep it clean. Disinfectant wipes are a must-have, along with an all-purpose cleaner and paper towels. Bring a handheld vacuum cleaner too, and don’t forget the laundry detergent!
Entertainment
Depending on where you’re parked on any given day, your entertainment might include visiting local attractions, hiking nature trails, or enjoying beautiful scenery. But you’ll also want a few items to keep yourself busy in the truck, like an e-reader, music player, tablet, or laptop. You could even bring along a game console and a small TV. Bring reading materials, crossword puzzles, or Sudoku booklets for some non-electronic entertainment as well.
Students at Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss receive exceptional career planning and job placement assistance. We start the process while you’re still working your way through our CDL training program, and after you graduate, you can have unlimited job placement services! Call (877) 206-8344 today.
