By Sandy Long
One of the most popular topics for discussion on WIT’s Facebook Group is all sorts of tips to make drivers’ lives easier or better. The tips range from health, to safety, to making the truck homier, or adding storage.
Health: Seats are made either of vinyl, or a synthetic material for the most part. Either can generate heat and moisture to one’s bottom side. This can cause several issues, ingrown hairs and yeast infections for both genders, and some studies suggest, prostate issues for males.
Trying to buy seat covers that fit can be problematic, those pesky arm rests get in the way. The best seat cover is a sheep skin, a real one. Sheep skin allows air to flow under the body and prohibits bacteria growth. They are easily found online. Some people use high quality terry cloth large towels for seat covers. To hold either in place, use children’s sized suspenders.
Safety: All safety starts in the driver’s seat. A good driver remains as in control of their actions as possible while always being alert for possible dangers. Those dangers might be from other vehicles, or into an area one has gone. A driver needs to remain ready for plan B actions, this takes evaluating escape routes, shoulder width/composition, lane endings, nearest open business, etc. When parking a loaded trailer, one needs use anything to make it safer whether that be pin locks, glad hand locks, padlocks, or backing against a fence, light pole or other trailer.
Making your truck your home: Some drivers can be very creative in making their trucks homelike. They go way beyond just buying a bed in a bag that matches. Some utilize a motif, perhaps Southwestern, then use Navajo rugs and blankets, sheets in matching colors both on the bed and to hang on the sleeper side of the bunk curtain and make window coverings. They may hang dream catchers, or other feather work on the walls. They finalize the look with southwestern colored throw pillows. One’s imagination is the only guide.
Extra Storage: Unless you can afford a super sleeper truck, it seems there just is never enough storage for all the bits and pieces of a driver’s life. If it is a double bunk sleeper, and a solo or relationship team, the top bunk can provide extra storage space. Many use tubs to hold winter clothing, extra food, or paper goods, extra blankets, etc. The key is to secure the tubs up there so they do not become projectiles in case of sudden stops.
If one is handy, shelves can be built for the end of the bunk that fit down on the sides of the mattress, or plastic drawers can be secured together and placed there. Tension rods between the cabinet and the back wall can provide extra hanging room for clothing. Those hanging shoe bags work to keep small items such as socks. Some solos, place plastic drawers in front of the passenger seat.
In the side boxes, milk crates work great to keep oil, antifreeze, and windshield washer jugs upright. Milk crates can also keep tools, straps, or anything else organized and neat. In a pinch, for working low on the trailer or truck, they can be used as a seat saving one’s knees.
It’s amazing how a little common sense, thinking outside of the box, and a bit of this and that learned can make a driver’s life easier.