Question:
I'm in the process of buying a few of the guarenteed neccesities and most of the flash lights I looked at today seemed cheaply made. The larger Mag Lights looked pretty well made but I thought why not ask the experts at Truck.Net?
While I'm at it I may as well ask for a couple of other recommendations:
1. Flash light (brand/size)
2. Crow bar (size)
3. Hammer (type/size)
4. Sleeping Bag (type)
5. Motor Carrier's Atlas (publisher)
If there are any other basic things like these, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
Go with the Mag-Lite. The two-cell (D-cell) is more than adequate. I've got 2's, 3's and 4's and, frankly, the added weight of the big ones just becomes a pain in the butt.
Crowbar - whatever fits in the side box. I assume you're going to pull a skateboard? Not much use for one otherwise.
I use a 16 oz Estwing framing hammer (straight claw - steel shaft) but larger wouldn't hurt. I used to carry the 26 oz Estwing when I hauled flats.
Rand McNally. There are other useful guides available (Truck Stops, Exit Guides, etc.) but the Rand McNally Motor Carrier's Atlas is the baseline.
BOL.

Answer:
get the biggest damn flashlite you can find, I have a 4 cell mag-lite and use it to thump tire with, or it's good for those times in dingy t/s where you may be afraid of getting mugged, once knocked a cow out with it, it will drop a scumbag in a heartbeat.
crowbar?
hammer, i've got a 3 lb. ball pein type, very handy for tire thumping or just repairs, but I also carry a 12 lb. spliting maul,use it to chop ice from around trl. tires to freeing frozen brakes.
general purpose coleman sleeping bag and an old flannel blanket
Rand McNally atlas is the only way to go, buy them now b/c they are on sale at most T/S, get the 2003, you don't need a 2k4, not much is updated every year
left lane for large cars

Answer:
I have a mag-lite/holds 7 c-cell batteries and is almost 18" long.It doubles as a tire thumper and will thump a good size knot on the head of a would-be mugger.A small carpenters wrecking bar/nail puller.A two pound shop hammer and a small ball peen hammer.A Coleman sleeping bag and a couple thermal blankets in case it gets really cold.I also carry a small hand held propane torch to thaw out frozen locks/its not much bigger than a butane cigarette lighter.A Leatherman multi-tool and a small toolbox with socket set and misc.hand tools.
The Governor.
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_________________
Arguing with a truck driver is like wrestling with a pig in the mud;Sooner or later you figure out the pig enjoys it.

Answer:
Originally posted by apple:
I'm in the process of buying a few of the guarenteed neccesities and most of the flash lights I looked at today seemed cheaply made. The larger Mag Lights looked pretty well made but I thought why not ask the experts at Truck.Net?
While I'm at it I may as well ask for a couple of other recommendations:
1. Flash light (brand/size)
MAG LITE + either the 2 or 3 D cell model.
2. Crow bar (size)
Min 12 inch. 18 inch even better. I also use mine as a tire thumper.
3. Hammer (type/size)
small sledge or a med sized ball peen type hammer.
4. Sleeping Bag (type)
What ever trips your trigger. Light or med weight is usually suffecient. Do reccomend carrying an extra blanket or two none the less
5. Motor Carrier's Atlas (publisher)
Rand Mcnally. Reccomend getting the laminated version. Seem to hold up much better. $30 new in most truck stops.
If there are any other basic things like these, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
A few basic hand tools: Multi bit screw driver, small socket set, pliers, duct tape,.
The tools do not really worry about until you are in your own truck.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
_________________
Vernon Vipers BCHL Junior A Hockey

Answer:
And don't hesitate to purchase the Mini-Mag with the Nylon Belt Holster if you are a real Trucker.
They can also be used for self defense against any midget muggers.
The best light is the one that works. I always preferred the Rubber Yellow ones tradesmen use.
Cheap to buy/replace if lost,damaged or stolen.
Mike
_________________
Mike

Answer:
Home Depot has pretty good prices on the Maglites, better than Wally World anyway!
I also used them to guide me into dark loading docks at night. They do take a real good beating, as well as giving them!
I like the Estwing myself, though I have two different sizes. Sometimes the large one is too large and the small one is too small. They also take a good beating.
As for other tools, I don't know what you will be hauling or what a company might want you to do as far as emergency repairs on your truck. Some companies will not allow you to effect any repairs yourself while others want to know why you could not replace a broken belt or hose.
I met one guy struggling to climb Texas Canyon on I-10 in AZ. His fuel filter had clogged and he could hardly move the truck, but he was trying for the pickle park on the top where he would at least have a bathroom and vending machines while waiting for the repair truck.
Several drivers offered him filters, but he said his company would not allow it. (Would have only taken a few minutes to replace them instead of who knows how long till the service truck arrived.)
As an O/O, I carried a whole tool box with me 'cause you never know when you might need something. Alternators go all the time, as do belts and hoses and a number of other small things I can fix on my own instead of paying the outrageous shop rates and waiting endless hours until the work is done.
I bought a mud flap at the Petro in Weatherford, TX one time and headed out to replace it. There was another guy there with the same problem, but was complaining that the shop wanted $25.00 for the labor and he would have to wait for over an hour before they could get to it. I offered to let him borrow some tools but he told me the same thing the guy in Texas Canyon did, his company did not allow him to do any work on the truck and this included mud flaps. Besides, they did not pay him for the work, of course they only paid him for down time after two hours!
«"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."»

Answer:
Carry a set of "Vice Grips" -- the original ones, mid-sixed. They come in real handy when you have to hold something. Werner drivers use them to keep the dam tandem handle out enough to pull all the pins back far enough -- since the spot where the factory scored the handle is frequently too far out, or becomes too far out as the tandem mechanism starts to bend and wear.

Answer:
I have been waiting for the new LED flashlights to get more plentiful which are far more superior to regular lights. You know how much better LED lights are on the truck! Bulbs and batteries will last 10 times longer than regular flashlights!
Be ready spend more for an LED flashlight, but it will be worth it!

Answer:
Get a good flashlight. A big Mag-Lite is the best, since it is heavy, durable, metal, and can be used in defense. LED would be good if you can afford it.
As for the sleeping bag, that is more needed in training than when you are on your own. I would say use regular bed sheets on a good mattress in the back of the truck, and your sleeping bag can be used as a heavy warm blanket in the winter months. I recommend this because it is easier to wash a set of sheets in a regular washing machine than a sleeping bag. I had a Coleman sleeping bag, and it worked well.
Crowbar - large and heavy. If you drive a van trailer, you might use it to pry up nails from the trailer floor or for defense.
I'll second the WD-40 or Slick 50 for sliding tandems that don't really want to slide.
For an atlas, make sure you get one for Motor Carriers and I highly recommend one with laminated pages in spiral-bound. This will last much longer in the truck than a regular paper page-type. The motor carrier atlas (with Rand McNally being the best in my opinion) has truck routes, low bridge clearances, weight and bridge requirements, and locations of DOT scales. This will be very important as you plan your trips. And get a new atlas about every year. New roads are built every year and exits are re-numbered. You will need to keep current.
One more thing - buy yourself a truckstop directory book at any truck stop store. This has all the truckstops listed per state and a list of the services each provides. Also very important as you plan your trips. Company paperwork and atlases do not give you a full listing of the places you can stop with a big truck.

Answer:
You may want to try to get a "miners light", it will leave you hands free to work without tying up a hand.
A miners light has a battery pack that clips to your belt and the lamp is hel on your head with an elastic band. Can't remember where I got mine.
Framing hammer and crow bar are excellent recommendations for pulling nails to remove dunnage. BOL

Answer:
What the other guys told ya is good advise. I like to carry a 3lb. single jack for persuadin the locking pins on stubborn tandoms.some of them get pretty rusty. If you are going to Cali, then you`ll have to slide them. Also, along with the 4 cell mag lite,I kept a small maglite in a case on my belt. It sure came in handy.
fishman