Stay connected
Subscribe to our Inside WEX blog and follow us on social media for the insider view on everything WEX, from payments innovation to what it means to be a WEXer.
"*" indicates required fields
Trucking fleet
Truckers: 5 life hacks you need to know
Trucking isn’t just a job for truck drivers, it’s a lifestyle. A truck is your office, bedroom, and recreational space, and the distinction between work and life can sometimes feel like it blends. When you drive a truck, efficiency, safety, and well-being are the cornerstones to success. With a goal of smooth highway navigation, seasoned truckers use invaluable life hacks for a safer, more comfortable, and more rewarding journey. Here we provide some life hacks for anyone just starting out as a truck driver that we got straight from the source: truck drivers themselves!
1. Make the space in your rig yours
Personalizing your workspace can provide comfort and helps create an environment that feels motivating and productive. By making your truck yours, you can infuse it with elements that reflect your unique personality, and have a happier work experience. A few inventive tricks turn your mobile office into a comfortable living space.
With some innovative thinking, YouTuber, “Alex the Trucking Guy” (link to his channel is below), turned his truck bed into the ultimate gaming setup. Some additional advice he gives truckers to making the most of their space is to:
- Hang up lights to help create the desired ambience. From simple LED strip lights to fairy lights, and even holiday lights, the lighting can help separate work time from downtime.
- Invest in a comfortable mattress and driver seat cushion. These two additions to your truck can keep you sitting upright and comfortable behind the wheel, and sleeping soundly at night.
- Hang up motivational quotes and images to empower you to reach your goals.
- Strategically place small towels to prevent items in your pantry or minifridge from creating audible clatters while on the road. This is a simple yet essential trick for maintaining your sanity while driving.
2. Keep an emergency kit on hand in your long-haul truck
Emergencies, while often unforeseen, can be managed with a well-prepared emergency kit stocked with essentials. Beyond the basic repair tools, this kit should include inventive solutions for any issue a driver may face. Common items are often multi-purpose; toothpaste, for instance, proves handy for defogging headlights, while soda can be effective in getting rid of stubborn rust. Additionally, carrying spare toilet paper in your long-haul truck or even kitty litter can save the day when a bathroom is out of reach. Be proactive by assembling an emergency kit – it’ll bring you peace of mind and ensures readiness in addressing potential troubles and averting desperate circumstances on the road.
3. Meal prep ahead of time for good meals on the road
Truckers frequently encounter limited options while browsing truck stop aisles, scouring the stores for anything resembling a proper meal, often having to settle for unsatisfying, unhealthy meals. The solution to this can be simple: meal prep at home beforehand to bypass the struggle of finding last-minute dinner. Seasoned truck drivers also recommend setting up a convenient kitchenette in the truck. Equip your truck with compact, portable appliances for easy meal preparation and storage, ensuring healthier and more satisfying meals on the road.
4. Use the seatbelt hack for extra safety while driving your long-haul truck
Safety is key when driving a truck for a living. Truckers frequently find themselves spending the night at truck stops. Beyond their vehicle’s door locks there’s often no added layers of security. To safeguard against potential risks, experienced truck drivers recommend being proactive. Consider investing in security cameras and alarms. Opt for parking in well-lit public areas and employing tricks of the trade like what is known as “the seat belt hack.” This technique involves looping the seatbelt through the arm of the door before fastening, effectively preventing the door from being opened in case of a break-in attempt.
In this TikTok video, female truckers at NFI Industries demonstrate the seatbelt method which they attribute to helping keep them feeling extra safe at night: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8UW3k4t/
5. Use the right technology out on the road
Sometimes generic navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps fall short when it comes to effective truck navigation. Some specialized trucker apps or GPS systems consider truck-specific routes that will strategically avoid low bridges, restricted roads, and provide real-time traffic updates. Using technology dedicated to anticipating obstacles impactful to truckers helps long-haul truckers avoid wasted time, effort and unnecessary stress. Certain apps can also help with finding convenience fueling stations and fleet management solutions. WEX offers a trio of apps – WEX CardControl, EFS CarrierControl, and Fleet One CarrierControl – to simplify navigation, streamline communication, and manage fleet cards all from the convenience of your smartphone.
WEX is a leading, global fintech solutions provider, simplifying payments and back-end business processes in the fleet management, benefits management, and corporate payments areas. To learn more, please visit the company’s About WEX page.
If you’re managing a fleet of drivers, learn more here:
All fleet cards are not the same, and different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View WEX’s fleet card comparison chart to see which fleet fuel card is right for you.
Editorial note: This article was originally published on January 11, 2024, and has been updated for this publication.