Question:
Been making a list for stuff to take for training and first few weeks, and I know I will find this out in initial OTR training. If you use your own towel, which people recommend you carry, would like to know what is done with wet towel and washrag when you are finished? If you are in a truck with a trainer, I suspect there is little room to hang it to dry. Any help?
One thing I don't remember seeing here, which a long time trucker friend told me, is to take a couple of rolls of quarters with you, as washing machines etc. will eat them.
Thanks for any comments.
[This message was edited by OldMike on April 13, 2003 at 14:07.]

Answer:
People reccomend you have 1 towel with you is for those times when you go to a facility that does not provide towels for you to use (and the only time you will run into this should be at the trucking company terminal. If the place you are showering at provides towels use them and save yours. As far as how to deal with a wet wash cloth......think zip lock.
As far as carrying around a couple of rolls of quarters go. I wouldn't worry about it. Instead get yourself a jar or can with a lid and at the end of the day put all your loose change in there. More than likely by the time you go and do laundry you are going to have more than enough change to do it, and even if you don't, the truck stops have change machines and usually keep plenty or quarters on hand for just such a reason.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Yes, your are right about space and a trainer. My trainer was a neat/clean freak. He stopped at major TS's and we never had a problem with towels. uturn2001 is right about company terminal's ya need towels for that.
My two cent's. Sounds like you are training at a company school from your comments. So, after school try to request a trainer that somewhat matches your lifestyle. The biggest mistake I saw new students make was thinking that they had to take the first trainer the company threw at them. Not so. Reason: the company spent time and money on you. They really dont want to lose you after 1week of training. Just think, when you see the unknown trainer who weighs 450lbs and wears a grease stained t-shirt two sizes too small. You WILL have a bad impression.
P.S. dont get me wrong about large people, I know several 300+ people who are not slobs and can kick my butt in trucking. Point is, if your and your trainer are very different in living hygiene, then your hard work to get there will be very difficult. I have seen good students drop like flies because of this. During schooling, (if it is at a real terminal, alot are) start talking to drivers, find out who is a trainer. You will see real quick which one you would love to go with for 6wks.
Oh yeah, a week or so before you are done, try to request that perfect one or at least someone who is very compatible with you. Believe me, I had the time of my life and learned from a damn good professional trucker at the same time.
I hope to have a new page loaded in several days that gives more tips/tricks for rookies.
Goodluck
RookieTrucker

Answer:
There has been alot of info here about what to take. Do a search in the newbies and you'll have more than enough info.
As far as a towel goes I always carried 2 and 2 wash cloths. Mainly for use as stated above when there was no facilities. I spent lots of nights in rest areas and hate traveling feeling dirty. I also carried a couple gallons of water. One for drinking and one for cleaning up. You'll probably have room for at-least one gallon. If your towel gets wet as it will. I just drape it over something in the back and out of the way until it's dry. Use a hanger and let it dry out.
As for dirty clothes. I have a couple duffle type bags from Walmart. One with some clean stuff and one for the dirty. Their fairly cheap. A great place to store it would be under the bottom bunk. Secure and out of the way. Of course anything wet will not come out so well, So hang them to dry first somewhere in the back.
You can carry change for the wash machines but it most likely won't be needed. They usually have change machines or the desk will give you change. I did always have change and 1 dollar bills for rest areas. You sometimes need the right change to buy stuff.
BOL
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Another reason to carry a towel is to dry yourself off in side the trk when you get caught outside during a rain storm. You cant always wait for the rain to stop before you do what you have to do.
"A choice between doin' ten years, and takin'out some stupid !@#$,ain't no choice at all."
Mr.White (Reservor Dogs)