trucker wife here
Posted by intellegent_wolf06@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 55 comments
hello truckers! My husband is an owner operator. He drives regionally and locally , and he has recently gone through a lot of repairs to get his truck in tiptop shape. He will be paying off his truck next year and is currently working for a great company who gives him benefits, even as an owner operator. I came here to ask truckers what you guys wish you had in your sleepers that you don’t. I’ve gotten him a few things, but I was wondering if any of you guys had any recommendations of anything I could get to make his truck more comfortable. Also, any recommendations on a toolbox that includes everything he will need to fix mudflaps, air hose, fifth wheel, etc..
PunchClown@reddit
Probably you :)
Maly_PLn@reddit
Quality mattress
TGP42RHR@reddit
Son is a owner/operator, I'm here to get ideas for his upcoming B-day
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
the visor organizer is my top pick so far! for his cab card, med card, other papers for troopers
Wizofsorts@reddit
Med cards are going digital.
Dense_Particular3134@reddit
Yeah sure....... how many years have they been working on that
Wizofsorts@reddit
It's live this year.
FierceKiss_sk@reddit
Its taking time though!
Electrical_Ad_9668@reddit
The mattress topper is a great idea, I love mine. But for me, the inverter and microwave are invaluable. Makes eating on the road so much better, nutrition and money wise.
King0Horse@reddit
What does he wish he had in his truck?
You.
You, full stop, case closed, answered.
If he can't have that because you're home taking care of things, then the answer is family. Do you have kids? He wants them there with him.
He can't have them there with him because shippers don't like random kids in the truck? Common AF.
The next best thing is to just answer his calls. He knows what time you and the kids are sleeping. "He knows*. He's not going to call unless he needs someone to answer.
When he needs someone to answer, be that someone.
You can set your phone to DND at specific times of night, but you can also set specific phone numbers to get through that DND.
Answer when he calls. Whatever time it is. He won't wake you up if he doesn't need to.
But knowing that the entire reason I'm doing what I'm doing, the late nights, the grease and dirt, the minor injuries, the traffic, the roller grill hotdogs, the shippers who ordered something then act surprised that it showed up, all of it, knowing that if I need to vent and tell someone that this kinda sucks sometimes...I know, I know that my wife will answer that phone. I won't call unless I need it, but if I call, I need it.
Nod sleepily, say "uh-huh" and "wow that's crazy" if you have to because you're sleepy.
But answer the phone.
That got heavy. Sorry.
Short answer: a good headset and someone worth talking to on the other end of it. Even asking the question about what he needs sounds like you got half that covered. Research what headsets are useful, legal and safe to use. Get his input. Then get him the one he needs, and answer if he rings.
FierceKiss_sk@reddit
I’ve been working with truckers the past five years in different capacities. There was a time I was the GM for a small trucking company. 15 trucks, around 20+ drivers. I always answered their calls. I knew they wanted their family, or just to talk. I used to just stay on the phone with them, as long as they wanted, as long as I could. I would tell them they matter too. As much as the people living in their homes, they also want their driver to allow themselves to LIVE even if they’re far away. I would incite them to treat themselves. You guys deserve it. You work for your family, for your own, but also for the whole community, for the country.
Thank you for your heartfelt response. I wish you well!
Technical-Usual7059@reddit
god damn, that brought a tear to my eye.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
well this is true. we do have a newborn actually, and he loves having him in the truck while i’m at work. so i appreciate this! i always answer his calls and we normally talk majority of the night but he broke his trucker headset ( as i call it ) and i wanted to get him a new one along with other things to congratulate him on his new position.
Gigglesticking@reddit
Get a blue parrot headset. I've had mine for a decade and I can't believe it still works! I drive on a road that destroys everything!
King0Horse@reddit
Oh damn this an easy one then.
Please research and include him in the decision making process. He needs a good headset.
Over the ear, not in it, like old-school Walkman headphones but with only one ear covered (two ears covered is actual illegal) and a boom mic, like a microphone that is on an arm that he can flip down into position in front of his face so he can be heard, but also flip it up out of the way while not in use.
You've got your head on straight it's already clear.
He'll bring the world home to you so long as you keep reminding him where to bring it to. Just keep being the reason he's coming back home.
Tiburon712@reddit
A mattress topper has changed the game for me.
mindsunwound@reddit
I ditched the shitty mattress the company provides us, and put a hybrid mattress in, it's the Leesa brand, but I'm going to go with a big fig one if they are still around when it is time to replace it.
forkystabbyveggie@reddit
Yeah let me second you here.
Mattress toppers can only go so far.
I got a ultra plush pillow top. No problem getting 7-8 hours. I've slept as much as 10 on it on days where I was unable to get much sleep the night before.
Like a comfy marshmallow. Expensive but worth every penny
Wicell@reddit
I got an Odyssey hybrid. It was well worth it!
AaronTuplin@reddit
Any twin bed will fit but a twin XL will fit better
Cucaracha899@reddit
Hell yeah same here. The factory cascadia bed is super hard. Hurt my side and back
shadowmib@reddit
Same here. Even with a mattress topper o can only lay in it about 7 hours before getting a back ache
Defiant-Kale-3916@reddit
Seconding mattress topper! They are amazing. Never realized how many times I would wake up through the night until I got one and slept a full 7 hrs straight.
TruckinTuba@reddit
A good table setup. Not all trucks have them
AAB1996@reddit
Few extra piss bottles for those locations with no public bathrooms
5Pervysage@reddit
Lot lizard repellent
Texanakin_Shywalker@reddit
My husband and mother in-law (both drivers) hang bras. It's not a miracle cure but helps somewhat.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
this is crucial!!!!
5Pervysage@reddit
Oh and heavy blanket
duhrun@reddit
An electric grill not a foreman model, high output fan, solid metal one piece hammer, headlamp light, portable lights of any kind, upgrade microwave maybe a dual function air fryer, bottle of lotion with you wearing victorias secret pic stuck on it.
trabv@reddit
A good mattress is something that changes your life on the road. I prefer a medium firm memory foam, no springs, 10-incher.
I like to play video games on my laptop, but the sleeper isnt really setup for that. I use a nice padded folding chair I can put behind the passenger seat and an hdmi cable to push my laptop to the tv for gaming. Works great with a small wireless mouse from walmart for 10-12 bucks.
I also use the mouse with my ELD, connecting the usb dongle thingy and the mouse works so much better than touching the screen.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
this is such a good idea! & the mattress is crucial ofc! thank you
elernius@reddit
And don't get an overpriced low-quality "truck" mattress. Measure the bunk and go to an actual furniture store.
LordRaven74@reddit
Ft. Wayne, IN has Wolf Mattress Company. They manufacture the mattresses right there. I'm sure you can take measurements of your current mattress and they will custom make one for you. That's what I plan on doing next year when it's time to get rid of the Peterbilt mattress. Sure, it might cost more, but, a good night's sleep is worth it.
New_Assignment_2341@reddit
I had a Galanz microwave/air fryer combo and a IceCo fridge/deep freezer. Was a game changer for me!
The deep freezer/fridge was pricey ($1k) but it was big enough to store a months worth of meat and etc in it for me out on the road.
Novel_Top_3260@reddit
The Galanz microwave is also a game changer, you can bake, airfry, and microwave with convection settings as well. Make anything ya want without having to pay those "convenience " prices. Sold at Walmart for $100. Outside of my matress the best thing I have gotten for my truck, hands down!
Waxitron@reddit
Ded gonna get me one if those freezers. Keeping meals for a week or two at a time in my company truck has been a challenge. Especially with a 44in sleeper on a Pete. Barely any room wt all in the damn thing! The best option ive found locally is one of those powered coolers, but thats just for keeping things cool like a fridge.
That iceco setup looks skookum as hell. 😁 thanks for mentioning it.
New_Assignment_2341@reddit
It's dope. Can set one side as a fridge and other as deep freezer.
I would just strap it on the top bunk.
Waxitron@reddit
No top bunk in mine😅
Just gonna let itnrattle around in the floor space betwen the bunk and chair, screw it.
spyder7723@reddit
A few years ago when Indiana custom trucks went out of business they had all their inventory at a huge discount. Was a great time for truckers to pick up real fridge/ freezer combos built for a truck.
Few-Chemical-5165@reddit
As for the toolbox, an air hose fitting kit, where it has dozens of different sizes and types for fixing airlines. Those common more handy than you could ever imagine.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
okay! this is something i was wondering about. thank you
LividImagination5925@reddit
during your conversations with him, did he says anything he wants, needs, wish in the truck? any complaints regarding the truck? if he does then pick which one you can give.
Honest-Ad7763@reddit
Plug in crock pot, hot plate, coffee pot, foam mattress topper. A case of beech cliff sardines with chili peppers
deezkeys098@reddit
Have you tried getting him flip flops for when he parks for the night he can wear them around the cab? They are all the rage in trucking right now.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
we are a croc family! so he has lots for shower, cab, even the railyard 🫣🤫
JeepingTrucker@reddit
🤦🏻♂️ OP missed the joke
Waxitron@reddit
Because it wasnt funny.
Jdublzilla@reddit
This ☝️☝️
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
i think bc it wasn’t funny and i’m a grown woman looking for genuine advice. thank you
Safe_Bad_8958@reddit
I love my electric blanket
aarraahhaarr@reddit
A single 4x8 sheet of 5/8 plywood, a circular saw, a box of 2 inch wood screws and this picture.
acidpro1@reddit
A good GPS
Im_Grinning@reddit
One thing that my dad always had that I only recently got that turned out to be really nice was a mini center console organizer.
Basically a hard plastic organizer that has a few cup holders. It rides in my passenger seat with me holding all kinds of quick access items, medicine, tools, glasses cleaners. Super nice.
Visor organizer was also very nice for holding my fuel cards and medical card and other little paper items.
intellegent_wolf06@reddit (OP)
just ordered both thank you!