Must-Have Accessories for Commercial Truck Drivers

Hours on the road can cause semi drivers to develop a long wish list of items they want to bring along with them. Get ahead of that packing list or find gifts for the truck driver in your life by choosing these commercial truck driver must-have accessories.

We’ll assume you have all the essentials, like a well-stocked first aid kit and emergency supplies (flares, water, tools, a high-visibility vest, flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, and extra fuses, etc.). Don’t forget a pair of quality sunglasses.

The must-have semi-truck driver accessories we’re talking about here are little extras that make your life on the road more comfortable and healthier.

Dopp Kit and Shower Sandals

There’s only so much that a plastic bag can do in terms of functioning as a carrier for your toiletries. Let your loved ones give you a nice Dopp kit for your birthday. Dopp kits (named after their inventor, Charles Doppelt) are toiletry bags, often made of sturdy, good-looking leather, that contain your shaving gear, comb, nail clippers, sunscreen, deodorant, and a flat pack of disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer.

Make sure you have a good pair of shower sandals. No matter how often they’re cleaned, truck stop showers are warm, damp environments that welcome the growth of fungus and bacteria. Sanitize your sandals after every use.

Gloves for Work and Warmth

It may be the middle of the summer, but if you’re headed over a mountain pass, it may still be below freezing. Keep a pair of warm gloves in your cab when you encounter big temperature swings or freak summer snowstorms.

Leather gloves are indispensable for roadside maintenance tasks or just to protect your hands when you’re placing chocks behind your wheels or securing loads.

12 V Universal USB Outlet and Dashboard Phone Mount

Chances are you have a lot of battery-powered truck driver gadgets. Keep a 12 V USB charger with multiple ports in your cab to charge several gadgets at once.

Hands-free is the only way to go with a phone in your cab, for safety reasons and legal compliance. Put your phone in a dashboard mount and use Bluetooth to answer calls with the touch of a single button.

Comfortable and Supportive Seat

If you’ve been riding on the same seat for years, it may be more broken than broken in. Air ride seats for semi-trucks are worth the investment. In addition to air suspension, you’ll need adjustable dampening, lumbar support, and memory positioning. These seats also have available heating and cooling controls and comfortable armrests.

Mini-Fridge and Cooker

Making your own food on the road will be healthier than eating every meal out or stopping for fast food three times a day, and it helps cut down on trucking costs. As a long-distance trucker, you probably have the basics in your cab, including a good mattress and a mini-kitchen area. Make sure your fridge is stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables, and quality meats you can prepare in an electric slow cooker as you drive.

As you rack up the miles, you’ll think of more truck driver essentials and accessories to ease your life as a commercial truck driver.