In response to the hurricanes that have been greatly affecting people all over the United States recently, we’ve developed a handy emergency supplies checklist for truckers so they can be best prepared for the unexpected — you might not have thought of some of these items!
That’s why it’s important to make sure you have all these essentials in your trucking emergency kit — and that you HAVE a trucking emergency kit — so you’re prepared for any situation on the road.
Every trucker needs to pack these must-have supplies before their next trip
Paper maps still serve a purpose.
Even though it may seem like an old-school, or outdated item; packing a paper map ensures your ability navigate your way out of any situation. We’ve heard about people completely losing their cell service – or their phones dying after being unable to charge them during power outages. Point being, you can’t always rely on your cell phone’s service, electrically or battery-powered items, to help you navigate unknown territory.
See clearly, pack window cleaner.
It’s safe to say having a clear line of sight is essential in order to drive safely on the road. Keeping window cleaner wipes, or a bottle of window cleaner and paper towels, in your truck is never a bad idea. Especially if you hit a nasty storm where wind blows dust and debris across your windshield. You’d be surprised how many crashes are cause by people driving with dirty windshields that obscure their view.
Your hands are essential, so are gloves. Protect them by packing a couple pairs.
Two kinds of gloves should always be packed in your truck, a nice thick fuzzy pair to keep your hands warm and comfortable during the colder months; they can prove especially useful if your truck battery were to die and you get stranded in cold temperatures.
You’ll also want to pack thick work gloves in your truck. If you need to adjust your load or do any serious labor work on your truck you’ll need these gloves to keep your hands protected.
Shine a light on the problem. Tools and a flashlight are must-have supplies.
If you break down in a remote area, or in the middle of the night, you’re gonna need tools if you’re handy enough to tinker with your trucks mechanics. You’ll also need a flashlight to help you see better. It can also be useful if you need to signal an oncoming car for help. Try finding one with a high voltage that’s also compact.
This one speaks for itself — make sure you have a first aid kit on hand.
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think to pack away such a simple, yet essential, item before heading out on the road. In fact, only about 58% of people have some emergency supplies packed in their vehicles.
Add a thick, insulated sleeping bag to your list of supplies.
If you get stuck in cold weather with no power and a dead truck battery you’ll want an insulated sleeping bag that can help you stay warm by retaining your body heat.
Make some noise; pack a whistle or an airhorn.
If you’re in distress and need help, you need people to know it. Pack away a whistle or an airhorn to use if you’re alone or stranded and need to signal for help.
Keep yourself nourished; have a stash of water and non-perishables within an arm’s reach.
Ideally, you’ll never have to resort to using these items but it’s better to be safe than sorry when prepping for your next long trip on the road. Pack a case of water and a few days’ worth of non-perishable food in case you get stranded where you’re at for a few days’ time.
Let the sun provide your power; bring a solar-powered weather radio.
Going back to one of our previous points, you could end up in a severe weather situation where you have little to no cell service or electricity of any kind. That’s why having a solar-powered weather radio should be a key essential to pack when you’re prepping your emergency supplies to get back behind the wheel of your truck. What’s great is, many of the newer solar powered weather radios are also capable of charging your cell phone in addition to having a built-in flashlight – making this item a key emergency preparedness item for every truck driver.
BONUS TIP: Pack some safety tips into that brain of yours!
Lastly, read up on how to safely navigate through a variety of severe weather situations, whether you’re driving through strong winds or get stuck in a hail storm, you need to know the safest way to weather the storm without getting into an accident.
If you’re prepping for your next trucking trip, start by rounding up these supplies, along with anything else you may deem as essential emergency supplies for a trucking safety kit. If you already have a safety kit – way to go! But make sure you look through it and add any supplies from our list that are missing from your kit. Be prepared for your next trucking trip. Packing these essential supplies will help you navigate any sort of situation you face while on the road.
