Truckin’ Tips: Part II
Copyright Sandy Long
Here are some good ones.
Truckkeeping:
A child sized broom, found in the toy section of some stores, makes it easy to sweep out your truck if you do not have a vacuum.
Your rubber mats will really shine if you clean them with spray tire cleaner.
Furniture polish works great on dashes and vinyl interiors. It does not attract and hold dust like an oil based polish.
Put your vents on recirculate once a month…spray an antibacterial spray thickly in your truck and get out and let it run for about 15 minutes to sanitize your vent system and the whole cab.
Keep the antibacterial spray next to your seat. Spray your floor boards and pedals every couple of days.
Keep a small bucket, soft bristled scrub brush, rags and antibacterial cleaning product on the truck. Most truckstops have tall sinks somewhere that you can get hot water to wash down the interior when you have time.
Spray window cleaner will clean cloth covered interiors. I prefer the aerosol foam window cleaner that comes in the can for this.
Cheap paper towels clean windows better than expensive ones do.
If you smoke. Spray the empty ash tray with antibacterial spray and shut it up when you are getting out of the truck. It will help cut down on the smoke smell and will take it out of the inside of the dash. Don’t forget to wash the ash tray once in awhile.
Personal:
§ Carry spray disinfectant in your shower bag…spray the floor of the shower before you take off your shoes.
§ Spray a little antibacterial spray in your boots or shoes periodically before you go to bed. Then put in a little antifungal powder before you put them on.
§ No reason to be dirty on the road even if there is no shower available. Babywipes and fresh clothes will keep you looking good.
§ Carry a couple of towels on the truck. Some service plazas on the toll roads have free showers but they do not provide towels. Some truckstops will let you shower for free late night if you have your own towels.
§ Put your jeans under the mattress. It will keep them creased.
§ Keep a small box of baby wipes by the driver’s seat to wipe your hands after fueling and before getting in the truck to move forward.
§ Try to avoid using pay phones. You will not get the flu or colds as often.
§ Buy your necessities ie: Shampoo, deoderant etc. while at home. These items are expensive in truck stops.
§ Put your shampoo, liquid bath soap, hand lotions(anything in plastic bottles and your tooth paste) in zip up plasic bags. If you keep your shower bag under the bunk in the winter, the contents will freeze and come out of the bottles. If you are going over mountains at any time of year, the bottles will pressurize and force the contents out of the bottles.
Laundry:
F Carry some sort of laundry stain remover with you. If you get grease or oil on your clothes, pretreat the spot when you take your clothes off and put them in your laundry bag.
F Coke in the wash water will help to take out grease spots.
F Grease removing dish soap will help take grease out of clothes.
F A colored pillow case makes a great laundry bag.
F Carry laundry soap and dryer sheets from home, it is cheaper and the type you are used to. Truckstops usually only carry one or two kinds.
F Make sure that you carry at least a couple of wire hangers. They come in handy if you need to make some repairs or bend one to reach something fallen between the bunk and the cabinets.
Backing up:
ð If the dock is blocked from view, throw a glove or other non breakable object that you can see down out in front of the left bumper of the dock where you can see it beyond the blockage, to show you your pivot point.
ð If you are having problems getting straight with the dock, estimate where the left side of the nose of the trailer should be and put something on the ground where you can see it in your mirrors…align the trailer up with the object.
ð Turn on your marker lights when backing up even in the daytime, it helps you to see where the end of the trailer is and you can soft bump the dock better.
ð Back up at idle speed. If you do hit a trailer or truck you will not do as much damage.
ð If you get frustrated. Stop, take a deep breath and a sip of water and start again.
ð If you cannot get it in the dock or in a tight situation. Don’t be a hero! Ask someone to watch your blind side or for advice.
ð A wise driver said, “It don’t matter how long it takes, or how many pull ups ya gotta make…a good back is where ya don’t hit nothin’!”
ð If you see someone backing in…back off and patiently wait on them to get done. Don’t crowd them.
ð If you see someone backing in and they are having trouble…get out and watch their blind side for them…it will be your turn to have a bad backing day someday.
Miscellaneous:
§ Dish soap on the sliders will make your tandems slide better.
§ Carry an ace bandage on the truck. You never know when you will sprain a wrist or ankle.
§ Baby wipes will work to clean the truck with in a pinch.
§ Dilute dish soap and put in a spray bottle. When you know you will be hitting rain, spray the frame, tires and wheels, the rain will clean them for you.
§ Carry a finger splint and medical adhesive tape on the truck.
§ A laminated atlas makes a great table when laid on the steering wheel.
§ Clean your laminated atlas with baby wipes…the aloe helps keep the plastic coating from cracking.
§ Keep some sort of envelope on the truck to keep receipts in.
I hope my Truckin’ tips help make your job and life easier. You will perhaps add to them as you go along down the road. Share them with your brother and sister drivers, you will more than likely hear some others in return. Take care and be safe.
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