Truck driving is an exciting, although sometimes tiring profession. If you’re a truck or fleet owner then you might not have first-hand experience of driving trucks from point A to point B, but experienced truck drivers will tell you that it’s no easy feat. Add in long-distance drives into the mix then it becomes a recipe for a tiring ride.
If you’re a new truck driver and nervous on your first ever long distance drive, don’t be. This article will help you get over the nerves by providing you with all of the information you’ll need to be comfortable during the drive. In this article, you’ll read about long distance trucking tips from drivers who have already gone through the same thing.
Trucking Tips from Experienced Drivers
Here’s how you can prepare for long-haul drives on your truck for your peace of mind and overall safety.
Do some serious planning ahead of time
Any experienced trucker knows that planning ahead and preparing for long drives is crucial for survival in the truck-driving industry. Before accepting a load, you should first check out the distance of the trip and take note of the expected delivery date. Find out the weather forecast of the areas you’ll pass on your route so you can prepare for any delays brought about by weather disturbances. Calculate the time you’re going to spend on driving, eating, and sleeping. To be safe, always add in a few hours as leeway to make sure you’ll still arrive at your destination on time despite any delays. Planning ahead is essential; it will help your trip go smoothly and lessens your anxiety about the trip.
Check all of your equipment
A rule of thumb you should always go by before going on a long-distance drive is to check all of your equipment to make sure they’re all functional. Doing so significantly reduces your chances of experiencing a vehicular malfunction out of the blue. Checking your truck’s condition before going on the trip helps make your long-distance drive successful and stress-free. It will also help you catch potential problems before they worsen and cause accidents. Aside from checking your truck’s parts, you should also have with you a survival kit.
A survival kit can have any combination of the following:
- First-aid kit
- A tool kit for emergency repairs
- Tire gauges, tire thumpers, tire plug kits, jumper cables, air hoses
- Extra fuel, replacement headlights
- A chain or thick towing rope
- Electric charger wire
- Flashlight
- Screwdrivers and wrenches of different sizes
- Bungee cords
- Pliers
- Hammer
Preparing and storing this kit before your drive ensures your safety on the road no matter the circumstances.
Have emergency numbers ready on speed dial
Lastly, it’s okay to admit that you really can’t prepare for everything. After you’ve prepared all the necessary kits and tools for your safety, the only thing left you can do is ensure you can call for help when you need to. Have emergency numbers of the areas you’ll be passing through on your route and have them on speed dial on your phone. You should also consider contacting trusted roadside service and repair shops nearby if the need ever arises.
NEED HELP WEATHERPROOFING YOUR TRUCK?
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