We recently asked our Truck Drivers USA community: “What’s a random item you have in your truck right now that would confuse non-drivers?” The answers revealed a mix of humor, practicality, and personality.

Tools of the Trade

Many drivers mentioned specialized equipment that is second nature to trucking, but would leave most non-drivers scratching their heads.

Benjamin Rickel: “Fittings for unloading hopper trailers.”

John Oyer: “Glad hand grommets. Haven’t driven since April 1992, but had them.”

Roger Hershberger: “Tire thumper.”

Valerie Lewis: “Tramec Slone Quick-Fix and installation tool.”

Kirby Keene: “A tire gauge.”

Raymond White: “Caging bolts.”

To non-drivers, these items might look like random parts or gadgets. But to truckers, they are essential for keeping freight moving safely and efficiently.

Old-School Gear That Still Matters

Even in today’s digital world, some drivers keep traditional tools that newer drivers might never touch.

Jon Miles: “Rand McNally trucker atlas and a CB. That would confuse a lot of new drivers, too!!!”

Susan Miller Ratcliffe: “A CB radio and mic. Or, just ask, what’s your handle?”

Clint Frank: “A map.”

GPS may dominate modern trucking, but seasoned drivers know the value of a physical map or a CB radio when technology fails.

Personal Touches on the Road

A truck isn’t just a workplace; it’s a second home. That is why many drivers bring along items that add comfort, entertainment, or a sense of self.

Shelly Sparrow: “Disposable camera”

Victor N Jessica Castillo: “Taylor Swift CDs.”

Will Lavander: “MY BIBLE.”

Patricia Peck: “Crochet hook.”

From favorite music to hobbies to faith, these little details show how truckers personalize their time on the road.

Why These Items Matter

What might look strange to outsiders often makes perfect sense to drivers. Specialized tools keep trucks running, old-school navigation ensures reliability, and personal belongings bring comfort during long hauls.

These responses remind us that every cab tells a story. Behind each wheel is not just a driver, but a person with unique habits, preferences, and ways of making life on the road feel like home.

The post What’s the Strangest Item in Your Truck? Drivers Share Their Surprising Answers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The answers? They paint a vivid picture of grit, resourcefulness, and a kind of unity that’s hard to come by today. Here’s what our drivers had to say.

Maps, Payphones, and Handwritten Directions

Before GPS and smartphones, trip planning was a skill—and a serious one. Many drivers recalled flipping through a Rand McNally atlas, deciphering handwritten directions, and hoping they didn’t miss a turn.

• Clayton Willard said, “Running multiple log books and how an Atlas works.”
• Shauna Alfred echoed that: “HAVING A MAP… AND ACTUALLY KNOWING how to read one.”
• Donna Marie Csontos added, “GPS was fairly new when I started 13 years ago and you had to use both [map books and GPS]. Plus some common sense.”
• Dan Richards and Chris Olson both remembered the road atlas as a crucial tool—Chris noting, “Try 40 years ago with a road atlas, a roll of quarters, a notebook and a pay phone.”
• John Shakkar Settineri reminded us of another time-tested habit: “Calling dispatch from a payphone.”
• John Taylor said, “Buying a calling card. Waiting for the pay phone.”
• David Williams added, “Pay phone rooms, or waiting for a table in the restaurant that had a phone.”

Brotherhood and Respect on the Road

One of the most common themes in the responses was camaraderie—a bond many drivers say has faded over time.

• Harold R Magoon said, “Drivers actually worked together and saw it as a brotherhood.”
• Lori Sheridan shared a heartfelt memory: “A driver could be on the side of the road, on the radio asking if anyone had a simple tool, say vice grips… another driver stops to help fix the problem, and both go down the road to have coffee together before running together on their route.”
• Troy Tidmore added, “Drivers helping out each other more.”
• Scott Krauss reflected on the days of “CB use, The Truckers Brotherhood… sharing of the road and road info.”
• Mark Ryan noted the “respect for the road and the fellow truckers,” and even gave a nod to the “camaraderie” many now miss.
• Freddie Sturdivant reminded us: “If you got on the CB radio and asked for local directions, you would get help.”
• Shelly Sparrow summed it up: “Log books, family, CB, hazardous work but appreciated, respect.”

Life Before Screens and E-Logs

Several drivers talked about a time before everything went digital. That meant paper log books, real conversations, and fewer digital distractions.

• Jack Ables said, “I ran two or three different log books… only way to make money in the 80s and 90s.”
• Jeff Fowler echoed: “Running two log books.”
• John Durrell brought up another detail: “Loose leaf.”
• Harold Dorsey said it best: “Literally anything that doesn’t involve a screen of some type.”
• Claude Venable offered a more humorous reflection: “Also the English language.”
• Kevin Petersen noted the difference in “what it took to communicate.”
• H. Kline shared, “People actually talked to each other when traveling.”
• Dan Hakala remembered CB chatter fondly: “Some real comical characters out there, and for the most part the language was civil.”

Respect, Presentation, and Hard Work

Respect for the craft and each other was a running theme.

• Sandra Willoughby recalled when truckers “were dressed to impress the customers and proudly represent their company.”
• Robert McNeely, Tony Byrne, and Marvin Kelly each pointed to a single missing value today: “Respect.”
• Charlie Arnold noted the “hard work and stern discipline” that defined the era.
• Bill Garrett summed it up with some humor: “You had to know how to grab gears and didn’t wear flip flops.”
• James Benedict said simply: “Work boots.”
• Cynthia Morse added: “Common courtesy.”
• Robert Piaczynski threw in another lost virtue: “Patience.”
• Deborah Merrin Goodall and Pedro Diaz both mentioned another fading skill: “Driving a manual.”
• Will Lavander emphasized the “clutch pedal and stick shift.”
• Donald Pearrell added: “No air conditioning and only manual transmission.”

What We’re Missing Now

Some drivers went beyond specific memories to reflect on what’s been lost over time:

• Mary Miller said, “Why mom always read a road map…”
• Rena Vance put it simply: “You had to find a location with nothing but written directions, no GPS!”
• Claude Venable and others gave a shoutout to the CB radio—a lifeline and a community builder.
• Gail Lohoff may have said it best with just one word: “Freedom!!!!!”

Times change. Technology evolves. But listening to veteran drivers reminisce shows just how much heart, skill, and community once defined life on the road. For the next generation, these stories serve as a reminder: trucking isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s a lifestyle built on independence, hard-earned respect, and real connections.

What do you remember about life on the road back in the day? Share your stories with our Facebook community.

The post What Today’s Kids Will Never Understand About Life on the Road appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Case for Silence

For many drivers, silence isn’t just about peace—it’s a necessity. Alma Stapleton prefers silence so she can stay fully aware of her surroundings. Similarly, Cindy L. Robinson listens to her engine closely to catch any potential issues before they become major problems. Julia Wojdacz has been driving in silence for years, and Bobby Johnson says he’d take total silence any day.​

Some drivers find silence calming, like Kimberlain O’Driscoll, who says it helps her think, and Pearl Zepeda, who finds it relaxing. Alexandria Hartman acknowledges that silence on the road isn’t truly silent, but it’s still her preference. Others, like Allen Gerdes, joke that they can create enough noise in their minds to keep entertained.​

For some, it’s about nostalgia and experience. Donald Pearrell recalls his driving days without a radio at all, proving that silence was once just part of the job. Valerie Lewis also drove for years with a broken radio, and before cell phones were standard, silence just feels natural.​

Then, some embrace the sounds of the road itself. Steven Scanlan enjoys the hum of a big V8 engine with a jake brake, and Devan-jodi Guillaume prefers the static of a CB radio.​

The Case for Music—But Not Just One Song

While some drivers might endure a single song on repeat, most agreed that variety is key. James L. Hutchinson, with over 46 years of driving experience, evolved from silence to burning CDs filled with hundreds of songs. He never had satellite radio, but he made sure to have plenty of tunes to cycle through. Craig Noftall enjoys switching it up—sometimes he listens to ‘50s radio classics, other times it’s ‘80s hair bands, Howard Stern, or just the sound of the wind.​

Michael Wildner and Chris Montoya have done both silence and music, depending on their mood. Brett Robinson and Timothy M. Taylor agree that their choice varies by the day. Jason Lawrence and Art Holden say it all depends on the song—some are worth repeating, others not so much.​

Then, of course, some drivers find an alternative altogether. Jennifer Rose Kast prefers audiobooks over silence or repetitive music. Steven Clark also opts for audiobooks, bringing a different kind of entertainment to long drives. Maverick Kinslow keeps his focus by reading his Bible in silence.​

The Outliers

Not everyone took the question so seriously—​Glen Thornton humorously declared himself “out of service ‘til the stereo is fixed,” while Gary Giguere joked that since he’s married, listening to the same song on repeat is nothing new.​

And in case you were wondering, Gustavo Urbina-Barahona wants nothing but mustard on his hot dogs—though we’re not entirely sure what that has to do with music preferences!​

The Verdict? It’s All About Mood and Preference

At the end of the day, there’s no one right answer. Some drivers crave the quiet, while others need music, talk radio, or even just CB static to keep them engaged. Whether it’s the sound of silence, an audiobook, or Cyndi Lauper on repeat (shoutout to Mike Jamieson), every driver has their own way of making those miles roll by.

Join the Conversation!

Want to be part of more discussions like this? Join the Truck Drivers USA community today and connect with fellow drivers who share your experiences and insights.

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