Driving a rig can be very demanding, whether you do regional trucking or haul goods across long, intercontinental distances. You are expected to be on the road for most of the day, which means that your truck is your second home — and you certainly want to make it as comfortable as possible and ready for any eventuality.
To help you make your truck an even better place to be, below, you’ll find some of the best accessories every truck driver should consider getting. From absolute necessities like spare parts and high-visibility jackets to useful gadgets that will make your time on the road a lot more enjoyable, we’ve got you covered.
Read on and learn about the essential truck accessories you should pack before hitting the road!
1. Spare Parts
If you are driving a truck, you need to be prepared to face any situation, including mechanical issues with your vehicle. Although you most likely serviced your truck before taking it on the road, it’s still a good idea to ensure that you have the proper necessities in case something breaks down.
Of course, the kind of spare parts that you need to carry with you will depend on the type of truck you are driving. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have a set of replacement lightbulbs, a spare tire, a small toolbox with the most important tools, and some jumper cables to help you charge your battery in the middle of nowhere.
You may also get some additional strap winches packed in. You absolutely need them to secure the commodities you will be carrying across the country or even beyond, so it’s always good to have some spares on hand in case your primary winches snap during your travels.
2. Portable Fridge
If you are on the road for long periods of time, you will need to have a way to store your food and drinks in a safe environment. You can always stop at gas stations to pick up some snacks, but there are better options than that if you want to eat healthy meals.
A portable fridge is an excellent addition to any truck driver’s arsenal. Most models are compact enough to fit easily in your truck and usually come with a plug that you can connect to your vehicle’s power source. Although they are not nearly as spacious as regular fridges, you should still be able to fit a lot of food and drinks in them — especially if you pack your food in space-saving containers that you can stack.
Just check whether your vehicle has the space to accommodate a fridge before buying one. After all, not all semi-trucks are created equal, mainly European models, which are often a lot more compact than their American counterparts.
3. Flip Flops
If you are doing long-distance hauls, you will probably stop at truck stops to take a break and rest your eyes. Most such places offer a number of facilities to truck drivers, including showers — which is certainly a very welcome sight if you have been driving for days on end.
However, most showers are shared between multiple truckers, so there is a risk of transferring germs even if you use your own hygiene products. You don’t want to get an athlete’s foot infection during your week-long journey across the country, do you? Carrying a pair of flip-flops to wear inside the shower is a smart way to protect yourself from nasty surprises.
4. High-Visibility Jacket and Flashlight
You need to be visible if you are driving at night or in poor visibility conditions.
Most truck drivers add reflective stickers on their vehicles’ sides, which is a good idea. Still, it’s not nearly enough. If you have to fix something on your truck or change a tire in the middle of the night, you will need much more than just a few stickers to keep yourself safe.
To ensure that other drivers on the road see you no matter the situation, you should always carry a high-visibility jacket and a powerful flashlight in your truck.
High-visibility jackets are made from reflective materials, which will light up like a Christmas tree when illuminated by a headlight. It is what you need to stay safe while servicing your vehicle at night in the middle of a highway.
5. Truck Mattress
If you are on the road for several days at a time, you must get enough rest. After all, if you are tired, you may make mistakes or even fall asleep behind the wheel, which could have devastating consequences.
Although most truck drivers prefer to stop at hotels and motels to get some sleep, this is not always possible.
If you need to sleep in your truck from time to time, you will certainly appreciate having a mattress on board. A good truck mattress should be comfortable enough for a long night’s sleep yet easy to store, as many semi-trucks have limited space.
6. Portable Gaming Console
Delivery hauls can be incredibly dull, especially if you are transporting goods that don’t require your constant supervision. As such, you might need something to unwind after a long day on the road. A portable gaming console could be the perfect solution.
Devices such as Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck take about as much space as a tablet yet can provide a much more immersive gaming experience. If you are a fan of classic video games, consider bringing a Nintendo 3DS or a PlayStation Vita with you.
If you prefer something more traditional, it might be possible to rig a 12-volt TV to a wall in your sleeping compartment and pair it if a true yet energy-efficient video game console like Xbox Series S.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the best accessories every truck driver should have while on the road. This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are plenty of other valuable items that you may want to take with you on your travels.
However, these six accessories should be at the top of your shopping list! With them on board, you can face any situation, whether it’s an unexpected breakdown or simply a sudden case of boredom that you need to deal with.
Good luck and safe travels on the open road!