The 5 Necessities of the Road

Ever been in the truck and thought, “Darn I wish I had my...” You can fill in the blank with whatever you’d like there. We know you have, we all do it. It’s called Murphy’s law. And as a trucker, it’s one you should be especially familiar with, because on the road you understand that “whatever can go wrong will go wrong.” We know—it’s deep. But no worries, that’s what Truck Services of North America is here for, to prepare our friends in the Trucking Nation for what lies ahead. Take a look below at the five necessities of the road.

Emergency Package

One of the most important things you can have on the road, and not-so-ironically, the most useful, is an emergency kit. On the road, you never know what's going to happen, so it’s always best to be prepared. Some things to include in your kit: first aid supplies, extra food (non-perishable), water, reflective clothing (in case you need to work on your truck on the side of the road in the dark), and some chains for your tires. While you may not ever actually have to use any of these items, you should be familiar with the saying “better safe than sorry”—and trust us, it’s true.

Tool Kit

This is another necessity for emergency purposes, since you never know when your truck is going to require some quick maintenance or have a minor issue while you’re driving. So be sure that your truck is always stocked with tools so you can make the quick fix yourself if need be. The last thing you want is to have sit and wait on someone else to find and help you. Sometimes if you need something done quickly and efficiently, the best method is to do it yourself.

Electronics

Yeah we know, just saying electronics is a little vague. But give us a minute to explain, because as trucker you need all the electronic devices you can get. First and foremost, your smartphone is an incredibly useful tool. In the case of an emergency, you don’t want to have to rely on your CB radio if you need to contact help. Plus, with a smartphone/laptop/tablet (basically anything with Internet access) the entertainment options are unlimited. You can play games, stream movies or TV shows (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime), and even watch live sporting events (ESPN3) when you aren’t behind the wheel. And if you like knowing exactly where you’re going, how long it’s going to take to get there, and receiving live traffic updates, then a GPS is an essential tool for you, too.

Sidekick

Ever been bored on the road? We know you get to see a lot of interesting things and a lot of beautiful scenery as you travel about the country. But hey, sometimes there’s no replacement for some actual company. Lots of truckers bring their significant others or furry friends along with them on the road. So don’t be afraid to ask your wife/husband to join you on the road for a trip, or let your furry friend ride shotgun. Just don’t let them in the driver’s seat!

Comfortable Bed

When your truck is essentially a home on wheels, the bed better be comfortable, right? So take the necessary steps to ensure you’re sleeping on a cloud. An egg crate is a sure-fire way to make that bed a little bit softer. Like your bed extra soft? Add another on top, the more the merrier. After all, ‘tis the season to be merry, right?

While we may have already listed five things, since temperatures are dropping across the country, you can also try purchasing a mini space heater for your cab. Even if your bed isn’t comfortable, with a nice toasty cab you sure will be.

Be on the look for more tips from your friends at TSNAmerica. And remember, friendly tips aren’t the only thing we’re good for. We’ve got a slew of services we offer just for truckers, so take a look, give us a call, and let us take care of it for you!