Mack Trucks: Considerations For Living In Your Truck Full Time

Automotive Articles

If you're working as a full-time truck driver, there's a good chance that you spend more time in your truck than in your house. In the past, terms like "gypsy trucker" or "wanderer" were a negative way to describe truck drivers who lived in their trucks, but now there are an estimated one million truckers living in their trucks. If you've begun to wonder why you pay a mountain of bills for a house you rarely spend time in, a "home-free" lifestyle may be the right choice for you. In this article, learn about the benefits of full-time truck living and the most important things you need to think about when making the transition from living in a house to living on the road.

The Benefits of Living in Your Truck

Right off the top of your head you can probably point out some pretty obvious advantages to living in your truck full-time, such as no longer having to pay a mortgage or utility bills or being free of time consuming and expensive home repairs.

Additional benefits to living on the road include:

  • A more flexible schedule. Because you won't have to schedule trips and time at home, you will be free to take more jobs and earn more money.
  • Seeing the sights. The United States is a big country and there's a lot to see. Living on the road full time means that you'll have the opportunity to travel to areas that you'd like to visit. You can take jobs that will take you in the same direction as the sights you want to see or family and friends that you want to visit.
  • Less clutter. To live in a small space like your truck cab, you'll need to downsize and rid yourself of all the clutter in your life. You'll spend less time cleaning and organizing. Living more simply will allow you to focus on new experiences rather than on material possessions.

If you have a spouse or other loved one, living on the road full time is an adventure you can share together. You'll have more time to spend with each other, doing the things you both love, as well as a partner in your business.

Making the Transition from House to Truck

There will be a lot of preparation that you'll need to do before driving your truck into the sunset. Before you start your engine, you'll need to consider and plan for the following:

  • Smaller Spaces. Clearly, living in a truck cab is going to require you to downsize and organize to the fullest. Truck manufacturers are now offering a lot of different cab design options, but even a used or company truck can be a cozy home. You'll need to prioritize the items you want to take with you. Sell anything you don't need and consider renting a storage space for precious items you can't take along.
  • The Menu. Eating at truck stop restaurants can be expensive and less than healthy. If you plan carefully, you can save a lot of money and stay healthier by preparing meals in your truck. Make sure to shop at grocery stores rather than buying food at truck stops, where items are going to be much more expensive. Consider buying a quality toaster/convection oven and a hot plate, which are portable, easily stored and will give you a lot of cooking options.
  • The Closet. Because you may be driving in various weather conditions, it's important to pack clothing for any occasion. Plan to have enough clothing to last a couple of weeks without having to do laundry. Leave fancy, dress clothes behind – it won't be necessary on the road. Select clothing options that are very versatile and are of good quality.
  • The Mail. Without a house, you'll be down a mailbox. Rent a post office box in your home area – wherever you decide that is and plan to check it regularly. For any recurring bills like those for your cell phone or mobile internet service, select paperless billing so you can pay your bills online. You can also ask a friend or family member to check your post office box for you.

There is a lot to think about before making the transition from a house to your truck. Make sure that you start planning your move at least a couple months in advance so you don't miss anything important. It is also important to realize that transitioning from a static to a nomadic lifestyle will take some time to get used to – you'll probably learn a lot through trial and error. Be patient and enjoy the adventure.

Living full time in your truck will be a big change, but it can save you money, give you freedom that you've never before experienced and help you focus on living rather than on collecting material possessions. Do your research, click here to continue reading, start planning well in advance and enjoy the ride.

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14 May 2015

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