Question for current and former OTR truck drivers...about supplies and saving money.?

Question

My husband is about to become an OTR and we know he will be gone most of the time (we are not worried about this, we have a very strong marriage) we are however in the dark about how to save money while he is on the road....for example what all should we buy him to have in the truck as far as refrigeration, cooking appliances, food (he is leaning towards healthier foods) any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Mrs G. Some companies allow a driver to have what is called an inverter in their trucks so that they can use 110 appliances, some don't.

What I would suggest starting out is a Coleman or Igloo cooler that can be found at walmart or some large truckstops. This cooler comes in different sizes and plugs into the cigarette lighter in the truck. I used one for many years and they are fine for keeping things cold such as leftovers from home, bagged salad greens, milk and such. The biggest one of these will cost $78-88.00

Also, I still use what is called a lunch box cooker. These look like the old black lunch box and also plug into the cig lighter. They heat to 300degrees and can heat a can of soup or vegatables and such in about 20 minutes or cook a roast in 2 hours. I use aluminum foil or aluminum foil bread pans in mine so I don't have to wash it...cook in it, eat out of it and throw the loaf pan or foil away.
Price for one of these is $29-39.00 Buy the foil loaf pans at walmart for $1.29 for 3 of them, they are $2.29+ at the truck stops.

There are also many other types of cooking pots and pans that plug into the cig lighter. Also a coffee pot. Same type of price as above.

I cook extra when I am home and freeze the leftovers into those foil bread pans or put like roast or chops into bags and freeze. Then I heat them up in the lunch box cooker. The cooler suggested above will keep these cold while thawing them so these types of foods should be eaten in 3-5 days max.

I carry lots of canned goods and heat them up. Everything from raviolli to roast beef and gravy. I also carry those pouches of tuna, crabmeat, salmon to have on salads or as sandwiches or with crackers.

One of my main food expenditures on the road is drinks. So going to the store and stocking up on sodas, juices and bottled water is a good thing. Buying stuff at the stores will save you half of what you would pay on the road.

Buy all of his personal items at home at the stores...things like toothpaste, shaving cream etc. Truck stops carry these things but the mark up is high. Also get him laundry soap and dryer sheets at the store. Also, paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex...and all of his cleaning supplies like window cleaner...anything is always cheaper at the store rather than the truckstops.

Some people, and I have in the past, carry those small BBQ grills with them for when they have time to cook out...also know some that carry those Coleman camp stoves to cook on.

If eventually, his company allows him to have an inverter installed, then he could graduate to a microwave and other types of 110 appliances such as a Foreman grill.

Remember to keep all of your receipts for the appliances you buy...and cleaning supplies, gloves, tools, containers and such...these are all tax deductions. The food is covered under the daily food deduction truckers are allowed so no receipts are needed for food items.

Hope this all helps your hubby. Good luck to him on his new career!

Answer 2

Depends. Some Trucking Companies not want you using Inverters. But, think of 12 Volt stuff. He can get a little cooler. Cups that plug into the cigarette lighter that can heat stuff. 12volt DC TV/DVD. Laptop w/wireless internet. Most of the big Truck Stops have stuff. Need to look and get the most for your money. Easy snacks like canned stuff and crackers, bread, fruits, raw veggies and peanut butter. He not want things that spoil quickly. But, every once in a while it good to pig out at a buffet. But, see if there a good Truck Stop close and the both of you can go look and enjoy doing it together. Then talk about some ideas you have. I wish I could tell more, but, it really depend on the company he drive for as to what he may be able to do, or, Hide so no one know.

Answer 3

Have a separate account that you cannot access using an ATM. Every time you get paid before you do anything else move a acceptable amount of money into that account and forget about it. Make sure the amount of money you are putting into the account is something you can live without but even $20.00 or $50.00 a pay is great at first. As your pay increases remember to up your savings. Also if you work for a company that lets you buy into a 401K retirerment savings and has some percentage matching... do it... the sooner you start the better but just do amounts you can live without.

Answer 4

u can get a ice check refrigeration plug in to a cigarette lite u can get a coffee pot to plug n the s way went u fuel up u can get a bath for free otr is very hand on a marriage the way it worker is 1 day off for 1 week out so if gone for 4 week u get 4 day off so u need to be yhe man and woman went he is gone went i was otr i eat 1 good meat in the truck stop i hope it wook out for u kept up with log book and i said get a lap top with a sprit air card asap so u can email

Answer 5

Get a mini fridge and shop at the grocery for things he can eat healthy from the fridge. Truckstops are very expensive. And he will be sick of fast food. You can help him by getting him healthy snacks, like a can of mixed nuts, vegetable sticks, etc. Also, buy drinks at the dollar store or healthier drinks like water or green tea, or milk, cuz he will pay alot for drinks too.

My husband has a microwave but I'm not sure he uses it much. Some truckstops have salad bars now.