CR England Girl

Talk about a major oops!

Sitting for hours on end behind a steering wheel is enough to make anyone feel cramped and sore.  Here’s a few of my favorite produts that can make life a on the road a little more comfortable for truck drivers.

• Ever feel like that dagnum seat belt is choking you?  Well, no longer with a comfy sheepskin seat belt cover!  Not only are they inexpensive (somewhere between $15 and $25), but the can prevent the seat belt from rubbing, pulling, or chafing uncomfortably.
  
• A cheap and easy way to stay even warmer during those cold nights (without idling, of course) is using an electric blanket – simply plug into  your source of power (such as an auxiliary power unit) and you’ll sleep warm and soundly.
• If you’re one of the few who has yet to do so, get an iPod!  Not only can you upload and listen to your favorite tunes on the road, you can also put your favorite audio books on the iPod, as well as videos to watch during your downtime.
  
• To ensure correct posture and reduce back pain, consider getting an ergonomic seat cushion or support.  It’s much more comfortable and better for you than the standard driver seat.  Click here to shop for various seat cushions and seats.
  

The Trucker application for the iPhone (or the iPod Touch 2.0) is hands-down one of the best and most useful apps for truck drivers – it’s chock full of trucking news, videos, music, events, and more.  Need to find the nearest truck stop?  Want to know how much fuel prices are at your destination?  How about traffic and weather?  The Trucker app has it all plus much more!  And for just 99 cents, it’s one of the best investments for on the road that you can make!

The Casper Star-Tribune (a newspaper out of Wyoming) is reporting that the first half of a study being conducted to determine if tolls should be placed on Interstate 80 across southern Wyoming has been completed.  The second half of the study,which will be finished in September, will give lawmakers a better idea about whether the plan should be implemented.

The company conducting the study says 99% of the damage to the interstate is caused by big, commercial trucks and truckers are, predictably and understandably, against the bill.  In fact, trucking companies warn that if tolls are placed on the interstate, it’s likely that their drivers will use alternate routes which would deprive Wyoming of valuable fuel taxes used for state revenue.  They also say they will have no choice but to pass the cost onto consumers with higher prices for goods and merchandise shipped by truck.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation says that more than half of I-80 will need major, costly renovations or to be replaced completely due to the amount of damage incurred by heavy trucks.  And with likely no federal funding on the way, implementing tolls is one of the best ways to fund the repairs.

Learn how to stretch your dollar further and keep food fresh and tasty while on the road!

• The trick to having good food to snack on during a haul is picking food that travels well and won’t go bad within a few days.  Anything that’s individually wrapped or that can be resealed is ideal – crackers, dried fruit, beef jerky, pretzels, trail mix, fruit snacks, and nuts are all great travel snacks.
• Make sure you always have water to drink in your cab (it’s healthier than soda!).  Refill plastic water bottles or buy your own reusable water bottle and fill it up every time you make a stop.  It’s also a good idea to always have spare water also in case of an emergency and you get stuck somewhere.
• If you don’t have a small fridge installed in your cab, use small ice chests or coolers to keep perishable food cool – just make sure you eat it before it goes bad!  When you make stops, restock the coolers and fill them up with new ice.
• Keep everything organized by storing all non-perishable food in a clear plastic bin.  This will keep the cab clean and make it easier to reach for a snack when you’re hungry.
• Keep another box or bag full of utensils, wet wipes, napkins, a can opener,  salt and pepper, and other items you may need while eating on the road. 
• When you can, stock up on food at mass supermarkets such as Wal-Mart – you’ll be able to get a lot more for your money than at a small gas station or truck stop.