For truckers, their cab functions as both their office and their home while they are on the road. Making this space feel comfortable is important. While the area is relatively small, it’s still possible to add a few personal touches and customize the area so it feels more homey.
Here are some tips for making your semi-truck sleeper feel like home:
Start With The Essentials
When you’re working with a smaller amount of available space, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need before you start adding more. For your first few solo trips, it’s best to start with the most essential items. This allows you to get used to organizing and storing these supplies and by the time you’ve gotten some more experience, you’ll have a better idea of what space is available. Additionally, part of feeling at home is having peace of mind that you have access to everything you need, so having these supplies is an important step in feeling comfortable on hauls.
Some of the key supplies for truckers include clothing, any prescription or over-the-counter medication you take, personal hygiene products, organizational supplies for storing key documents, and tools for maintaining your truck. It’s also best to have some healthy snacks and meals available to avoid eating too many meals at truck stops or restaurants. Water is also essential and you should have a good supply in case of any emergencies.
Consider The Quality Of Your Sleep
Sleep is essential for anyone’s health and wellbeing and for truckers, minimizing fatigue can lower your risk of getting into an accident. There are many simple steps you can take to make sleeping in your semi-truck more comfortable. One is to consider adding a mattress topper to your bed or upgrading your mattress. You can also get high-quality pillows, sheets, and comforters. Customizing these items can help you decorate your cab and make it feel more like your own space.
In addition to the bed itself, you can add small items to help you sleep. Some options that are small enough for a semi-truck include an essential oil diffuser, a white noise machine, or a portable fan. You can customize these based on what you know works best for helping you get to sleep. However, it’s best not to go overboard and add multiple items all at once. Instead, add one at a time and see if it makes a difference, then go from there.
Add Electronics and Other Entertainment Items
When you aren’t driving, it helps to have ways to keep yourself entertained. Your semi-truck’s inverter can be used to power small electronics such as a television or gaming system. Of course, you won’t be able to fit a big flat-screen in your truck, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have a small TV set.
You can also bring your laptop or tablet on the road as long as you have a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet. Many truck stops also have Wi-Fi available, but keep in mind that this isn’t always reliable or fast, and not all truck stops have it available.
Make Your Cab Your Own With Personal Touches
Even a few small personal touches can make your semi-truck sleep feel more like home. Items that you can hang up on the wall take up minimal space while boosting your mood and helping your space feel unique. You can hang up flags, posters, and/or photos of your family and friends.
Sharing Your Cab With a Pet
Trucking is one of the few professions where you can have your pet with you every day on the job. Bringing a dog or cat on the road can make your rig homier and gives you a companion to share your hauls with. However, it’s important to be aware that it takes planning ahead of time to bring a pet on your semi-truck. You’ll also need to have enough space for their essential items such as food/treats, bowls, water, toys, and supplies to clean up after them.
Interested in the Trucking Lifestyle?
Trucking is as much a lifestyle as it is a career and for many people, this is part of the appeal. If you want to enjoy the freedom of the open road while also earning competitive pay, you may want to consider becoming a truck driver. The first step to do this is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you do this in as little as four weeks.
