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Most truckers spend more time in their cabs than almost anywhere else, except maybe home. Life on the road is difficult, with long hours and nights away from home.
Your cab quickly becomes your second home on the road, and how you deck it out can massively impact comfort and productivity. The right gadgets can make the journey safer, more productive and, most importantly, more enjoyable.
18 Must-Have Gadgets and Accessories for Truckers
From nifty tools to safety accessories, these truck driver gadgets are guaranteed to improve your time on the road and in your cab.
1. Ergonomic Seat Cushion
Sitting for hours on end is uncomfortable, to say the least. It’s also not ideal for your back and hips. That’s where ergonomic seat cushions come in handy. These cushions are designed to release pressure points and improve your posture, reducing pain and discomfort on long hauls.
When purchasing ergonomic seat cushions, look for memory foam or gel cushion technology. They last the longest and offer the most support.
2. Travel Fan/Heater
Extreme weather is hazardous both on the road and inside your cab. Take climate control into your own hands with portable fans or heaters, depending on where your routes take you. Whether you’re navigating icy mountains or balmy desert highways, they’ll make your cab a lot more comfortable and ensure you stay clear-headed on the road.
3. Mini Electric Cooler
A mini electrical cooler keeps your snacks and beverages cool and within reach. Unlike coolers that rely on ice refills, these plug right into your truck’s power outlet, keeping your cooler on and the temperature of your food consistent no matter where you are.
4. Trucking GPS Navigation System
Generic GPS devices don’t cut it in the trucking industry. That’s why a GPS designed for commercial trucks is one of the most important gadgets for truck drivers. Truck-specific GPSs provide route guidance based on your truck’s size, weight and type of freight, helping you avoid low bridges, bad turns and dangerous driving conditions. Some GPS systems can also provide specialized parking information for truckers.
If you work for a fleet, your carrier has most likely equipped your truck with their own, preferred GPS system. However, if you’re looking for more features and maybe even a larger screen size, there are plenty of trucking-approved GPS systems on the market.
5. Dash Cam
Accidents on the road are an unfortunate and scary reality. Having a dash cam, which records the entire driving journey, can help you provide crucial evidence in the event of an incident. Dash cams can also serve as an extra security measure while you’re asleep in your cab, recording everything that’s going on around your vehicle.
Many new models offer features like night vision, loop recording, driver- and road-facing cameras and artificial intelligence — great additions to help improve safety and visibility. Even if your employer equips your truck with a dash cam, it’s a good idea to supplement their footage with a camera of your own so that you can easily access the footage in case of an emergency.
6. Bluetooth Headset
With a Bluetooth headset, you can stay connected without compromising your safety. Minimize distractions by keeping your hands free, accepting and making calls, and giving voice commands, all through your headset. As far as truck driver gadgets go, this one is a must.
7. Screen Mount
Purchase a screen mount for your phone, laptop or tablet to make working, route planning and entertainment easier during breaks. A sturdy mount can keep your screen safe and secure, allowing you to adjust the screen to the optimal position during your trips.
8. Power Inverter
With a power inverter, you can convert DC power from your truck’s battery into AC power to provide electricity for multiple devices inside your cab simultaneously. These must-have items for truck drivers allow you to plug in small appliances, such as laptops, microwaves, refrigerators and heaters, and ensure all your gear is charged and ready to help you make your trip safely.
9. Tire Pressure Monitor
A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 6% of commercial truck accidents were caused by tire issues. A tire pressure monitoring system can give you peace of mind while you’re driving by providing alerts if one or more of your tires is underinflated. Not only can a tire pressure monitor improve safety for you and those around you, but it can also improve your truck’s fuel efficiency, since it has to work harder and use more fuel when tire pressure is low.
10. Noise-Canceling Headphones
While it’s not safe to drive while wearing headphones or earbuds (and it may even be illegal, depending on which state you’re in), noise-canceling headphones are great for blocking out the usual hum at rest stops. Enjoy your favorite music or podcasts, and get some sleep in your cab like you would when at home without having to listen to the constant sound of trucks moving about.
11. Wi-Fi Hotspot
Stay connected on the road, and kick back and relax in your downtime with your favorite TV series with a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. These devices can provide internet access no matter where you are on the road for easy communication, streaming and navigation.
12. Portable Vacuum Cleaner
Truck drivers spend the majority of their time in their vehicle, and messes are bound to happen. A portable vacuum cleaner that plugs directly into your truck’s 12-volt auxiliary outlet makes it easy to quickly clean up crumbs, debris and dirt. These vacuums are compact and lightweight, and can easily be stored out of the way so that they don’t take up precious space in your cab.
13. Travel Exercise Equipment
Being on the road for hours on end isn’t great for your health. Fortunately, there are ways to engage your heart and muscles, even on the road. Exercise equipment like resistance bands, foldable yoga mats and compact hand weights are excellent for quick workouts at every stop.
14. First Aid Kit
Minor injuries on the road are common, so it’s best to be prepared. You can do this by adding a small first aid kid to your cab supplies. Include essential first-aid items like Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes and pain medication.
15. Travel Tool Kit
If you’re not prepared, minor repairs can be costly and leave you stranded. However, if you keep a travel tool kit with you, you can quickly and easily make repairs and get back on the road. Make sure to add a travel tool kit or a comprehensive multitool to your list of essential trucking accessories.
16. Collapsible Organizer
Keep your cab organized and your mind clear with collapsible organizers. These space-saving organizers can easily reduce clutter and organize your equipment and personal items.
17. Dashboard Mat
Keep items from sliding all over your dashboard with an anti-slip dashboard mat. These affordable mats are great for keeping your essentials in place and making your cab a neater space.
18. Telematics System
Telematics systems use a combination of GPS and onboard diagnostics to provide real-time access to all your trucking data. A suite of telematics devices transmits information to a dashboard where you can analyze everything from your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and route optimization to engine diagnostics and fault codes. Telematics systems can enhance productivity and reduce operational costs by giving you a comprehensive view of your vehicle and its performance.
Telematics Solutions from Rush Truck Centers
Hours on the road can be a chore if you’re not prepared. By equipping your cab with these essential accessories, you’re guaranteed to boost efficiency and make your time on the road much easier and more enjoyable.
Rush Truck Centers offers one of the most advanced telematics solutions in the industry. From telematics hardware devices like ELDs, dash cams, asset monitors and tablet mounts to remote diagnostics and monitoring services, we can improve your life on the road by providing you with the information you need to be successful. We can also customize a solution for your unique fleet and business needs, ensuring you have real-time access to the most relevant data.
Contact Rush Truck Centers Telematics Solutions today, or request a demo to see what telematics can do for you.
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