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It is a fact. The right gear, gizmo, or gadget can make life on the road more comfortable and even much easier. There are many must-have accessories for truck drivers, ranging from practical hand tools to creature comforts.
What accessories for truck drivers do I need on the road? The list of gear can be expansive. Trucker accessories might range from cleaning supplies to keep a tidy cab to a high-visibility jacket to stay safe on the road. Other basic accessories for truck drivers include:
Let’s break down some of the essentials you’ll need for life on the road, as well as some creature comforts, that will make truck driving comfortable and enjoyable.
Let’s get back to basics. Some of the most important truck accessories are simply essentials that will come in handy over the long haul. Here are a few things every truck driver should have on hand.
Work gloves can be a trucker’s best friend. The right work gloves can make or break your time on the road. Anyone who’s ever been stuck making a repair on the side of the highway or had to unload at a terminal knows that gloves play a crucial role in comfort.
Sturdy work gloves come in both leather and synthetic styles. Utility and multipurpose work gloves work well for truckers, as these gloves are designed for many applications. Truck drivers might look for a pair of gloves that are impact-resistant, allow for dexterity, and provide abrasion resistance.
Keep your cab tidy and organized is essential. One way you can stay on top of everything is by taking advantage truck driver paperwork organizer tips to keep your paperwork secure. A file folder, like an accordion file or similar, is something every truck driver needs.
The right file folder system will help you keep essential documents like Bills of Lading, your logbooks, reports and receipts, pre-trip inspection logs,accident report forms, and other important information at your fingertips so it’s ready when you need it.
Life behind the wheel takes you all over the open road -- sometimes even to remote areas out of a cell tower’s reach. When you’re location extends beyond service, your GPS might not be as reliable as you’d like. This is where a printed road atlas can come in handy.
Rand McNally publishes a printed road atlas for truckers every year. The company boasts that their guide contains the most up-to-date information about highways and trucking information. Routes along designated highways by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) are clearly marked. You’ll always find your way with the right atlas on board.
No matter whether you’re an over-the-road driver or home every night with a local trucking job, you’ll likely find the occasional crumbs or spill in your truck. A small handheld vacuum can help you keep things nice and clean.
You might choose to keep your semi-truck cab clean with a battery-powered or rechargeable handheld vacuum model. A crevice tool can also come in handy for getting the nooks and crannies. You might even opt for a wet-dry vacuum in case of drink spills or even leaks.
Flashlights come in handy in many situations. Imagine being broken down by the side of the road. You’ll likely want the best and brightest light available to keep you illuminated and safe.
LED flashlights are bright, energy-efficient, long-lasting, compact, lightweight, and even impact resistant. They can be easy to store and make life on the road a lot easier. Truck drivers will likely want one or more LED flashlights on board as cab accessories.
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There are a few tools of the trade you’ll need for a professional trucking career. Even though your skills are behind the wheel, a little mechanical know-how and the proper hand tools for the job will go a long way in keeping you moving right along.
First off, you’ll need a toolbox. The right toolbox is small and can easily fit in the cab of your truck. Some truckers find that fishing tackle boxes are a solid option and can help keep things organized with many compartments.
Six tools you’ll want to have in your trucker tool kit include:
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There are a plethora of other useful items for truck drivers that can come in handy when you’re on the road. A few useful items you’ll want on every trip include:
Having these useful items on hand will help ensure you’re armed with the right supplies in almost any situation.
No list of accessories for truck drivers would be complete without sharing some cool gadgets. Of course, truck drivers will always have their trusty ELDs handy, but other gizmos can make time on the road more enjoyable and even more productive.
Trucker-friendly tech includes a handful of devices that will come in handy. Take a look at some of the cool gadgets for truck drivers on the market today.
A dashboard camera, also known as a dashcam, can be a lifesaver on the road. No matter whether you’re an owner operator or a working behind-the-wheel for a fleet, a good dashcam will document your time behind the wheel and provide an indisputable record in case of an accident.
The best dashcams provide clear and sharp video and have long-lasting capacitors or lithium batteries. You’ll find that the best dashcams work in all weather and temperatures, even as the sun beats down in your dashboard.
Life as a truck driver means most things happen behind the wheel. You’ll take calls on the road and much more. Many states have hands-free laws that make it illegal to hold a cellphone as you drive -- and this applies to truckers, too.
A good Bluetooth headset will let you make and take calls while keeping your hands on the wheels. Look for a model that provides both great audio and great battery life. You’ll even find many models on the market specially designed just for drivers.
Staying in shape on the road is hard. Driving is a sedentary job and many truckers have trouble meeting the minimum activity required for good health. This is why fitness trackers are on the list of cool gadgets for truck drivers.
A fitness tracker can help you make sure you’re getting enough steps per day, sleeping well, and even connect with others for health challenges. Many fitness trackers on the market, like the AppleWatch or FitBit, let you set your own goals and provide gentle reminders to help you meet them.
Staying connected is a must. WiFi hotspot is a cool gadget for truckers because it will provide internet access from almost anywhere. Even though most truckstops offer free WiFi, it is not always secure. Additionally, sometimes you’ll need to stay online even on the highway.
You might choose a WiFi hotspot through your cellphone service provider or a pay-as-you-go company. You’ll likely even find the extra connectivity can help cut back on cellphone data expenses and more. You can find a hotspot to work with your cellphone, dashcam, laptop and other gizmos you have on the road.
These aren’t the only devices truckers rely on to get the job done. Other cool gadgets and electronic accessories for truck drivers include things like e-readers, item trackers (like those made by Tile or Apple’s AirTags), WiFi boosters, and wireless charging pads.
Access to cool gear is one of many great things you'll find in a career on the road. Check out our article on truck driver benefits.
Some folks live by the motto “look good feel good.” Others feel like comfort is king. Combing through driver forums like Trucker Truth proves that you’ll find all kinds of outfits on the road, from professional dress to pajamas.
Drivers for a company that provides a uniform don’t have much choice in what they wear. Owner-operators and others have more options. Let’s look at some truck driver gear and attire to help you stay stylish and comfortable on the road.
Other attire and gear truckers need on the road include reflective vests, pajamas, work gloves, and sunglasses. The right truck driver gear and attire will help you stay comfortable and confident as you get the job done.
You’ll find accessories for truck drivers all over the place and in a variety of markets. Let’s look at some of the places where to buy accessories for truck drivers.
Truck stops are a great place for trucker accessories and gear, as you’ll find everything from in-cab goodies to electronics for sale.
Amazon is a behemoth of an online retail destination and is another great place to look for accessories for truck drivers. A search in the Amazon app for “truck driver accessories” yielded more than 3,000 results, ranging from creature comforts like pressure-relieving seat cushions to stainless steel mugs to seat organizers. No matter when kind of accessories you’re in the market for, you might find them on Amazon.
Looking for chrome and other aftermarket gear for your truck? Consider Raneys. This family-owned business provides all kinds of truck accessories, from LED lighting to seat covers to chrome hood ornaments. Show off your personality and sense of style by decking out your truck.
Other sources for accessories for truck drivers can vary by the items you’re seeking. Consider checking out Best Buy for electronics and gadgets; professional outfitters for great workboots; hardware stores for versatility, multi-purpose work gloves; and more. Sharper Image is another great source for trucker accessories and will let you find all kinds of trucker-friendly gear like heated blankets, UV-sanitizing wands, travel air purifiers, and more.
All in all, you can find great accessories for truck drivers at all kinds of brick-and-mortar and online retailers.
The right gear and accessories for truck drivers can make or break your time on the road. Another important factor in enjoying life behind the wheel? Driving for the right company. ABCO Transportation is seeking drivers for over-the-road, regional, and even local routes.
Let us count the ways:
In fact, ABCO Transport will even let you drive with your dog. Check out our article about the best trucker dogs and why a passenger pooch can be a great benefit to your time on the road.
Does ABCO Transportation sound like your next employer? Reach out to us today or even apply online now and get ready to drive for the best in the business.