Nights Out in a Truck Tramping Essentials

Truck Driving is a profession that comes in many shapes and sizes, but from time to time you may find yourself long-distance driving and do nights out in a truck, What can you do to be prepared for your shift? Below I have listed some Truck Tramping Essentials.

Essentials Built Into The Truck

Firstly let’s look at what the truck itself will provide for you when spending a night in your truck.

Nights out In a truck can be at a service area or parked up in a lay-by so the truck’s built-in tools will really help you out when having to sleep in your truck.

  • Night heater – providing truck drivers with a controllable temperature especially handy during winter months.
  • Power Supply Ports – 24v/12v power supply points for powering devices and items you may require during your night out.
  • Bunk – A sleeper cab is fitted with a bed area and generally comes with a mattress for comfort.
  • Fridge – Most modern trucks are fitted with a fridge compartment for keeping food fresh
  • Lighting – Interior lighting is essential for nights out and modern trucks even have ambient lighting for your comfort.
  • Radio – The radio/CD Player is a way of entertaining yourself during a night out and also keep updated with news and traffic reports.
  • Curtains – Sleeper cabs are fitted with curtains that pull around the side and front windscreen so you can have privacy within the cab area.

Tramping Essentials Required for Nights Out in a Truck

So your boss tells you “I need you to do a night out tomorrow” you will know what features your vehicle has but what should you take to work with you?

Trust me preparing yourself properly will make sleeping in a truck a more pleasurable experience, there is nothing worse than running out of tachograph hours and having to park in a lay-by without the items you need as a driver.

Below is a list of essentials for spending the night in a truck

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Pillow
  • Torch
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Change of Clothing
  • Mobile Phone with Charger
  • Washing and Shaving Kit including towel
  • Plenty of water
  • Cooking equipment for a hot meal
  • Waterproof Clothing
  • Portable toilet and loo rolls (just in case)

Note; It is always a good idea if you are parking for the night in a lay-by to try and find services somewhere on route before parking the truck, use their toilet facilities and freshen up as needing the toilet in a lay-by is never a nice situation to endure.

Great Products For A Night Out In The Truck

Sleeping Bag

Sale
Active Era Professional 300 Warm Mummy Sleeping Bag - 300 GSM Double Layer Filling - 3-4 Season for...
  • ULTRA-WARM 3-4 SEASON: This sleeping bag has been designed with a 300GSM (2 x 150g/m2) double-layer filling making it perfect for use in 3-4 seasons. Whether you are camping, hiking, or travelling...
  • COSY MUMMY DESIGN: The figure-hugging mummy design tapers in at the leg, this design is more efficient in keeping you warm in colder temperatures than regular rectangle sleeping bags. A built-in hood...
  • FOR ADULTS, TEENS & CHILDREN - This single sleeping bag measures 220 x 80 x 55 and is perfect for all ages. Compression bag included for easy carrying.
  • WATER RESISTANT & MACHINE WASHABLE: This Active Era sleeping bags for boys and girls is treated with an invisible water-repellent layer to ensure it keeps you dry in damp weather whilst remaining...
  • UPGRADED ZIPPER & INTERNAL POCKET: Our advanced zipper design ensures your zip never gets caught when opening or closing the sleeping bag. Keep your valuables safe overnight by using the internal...

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pillows

Sale
Slumberdown Anti Allergy Pillows 2 Pack - Soft Support Front Sleeper Pillows for Neck Pain Relief -...
  • SOFT PILLOW - Designed for front sleepers, helping to support your head and align to your body so you can enjoy a comfortable night's sleep.
  • ANTI ALLERGY - Our pillows are specifically made with an Anti Allergy filling to help reduce the build up of dust mites and bacteria. Tested and approved by leading experts Allergy UK, so you and your...
  • WASHING MACHINE and DRYER FRIENDLY - We want to make life easier for you, that’s why our product is washing machine and tumble drier friendly, so it can be back on your bed as quickly as you need...
  • NON-ALLERGENIC - Our pillows do not contain materials which are likely to cause allergies.

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Torch

No products found.

Water Container

Sale
5.5 L Water Container Tap Desktop Dispenser - by Bar Amigos Plastic PETG Fridge Beverage Tank Liquid...
  • GREAT VALUE Beverage dispenser by Bar Amigos that holds 5.5 Litres. Easy to carry and fill and will fit in most fridges.
  • SO MANY USES - Perfect for an office desk or to take with you on a camping trip. Universal plastic drinks dispenser can be used as an everyday home drinks container to hold water or orange squash in...
  • You can also set it up for a party to hold a cocktail or mocktail for guests to help themselves.
  • Material: Plastic - FDA approved transparent PETG Size 34.5 x 22 (20.5 excluding top lid) x 12.5cm. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TAP IS TIGHT BEFORE FILLING
  • IMPORTANT TIP: The Bar Amigos fridge refillable water dispenser is designed not to leak, so the tap and screwable lid are very secure. When you are using the product to dispense a drink of choice...

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Cooking Stove (store in an external part of the truck)

Campingaz Camp Bistro 2, Camping Stove, Portable Gas Cooker for Camping or Festivals, Easy Handling
  • Compact and powerful: Easy to use table cooker (2200 W) with Piezo ignition; the flame is individually adjustable; an easy-clean fixed enamelled pan support adds stability whilst cooking
  • Maximum safety: The enhanced cartridge safety locking system ensures safe and correct gas cartridge insertion - every time; sturdy plastic carry case included
  • Practical design and protection: Runs on Campingaz gas cartridge CP 250 which can be disconnected, even it isn’t empty and disappears in the integrated cartridge compartment during operation
  • Worldwide availability: Campingaz has a global distribution network for gas cartridges (in over 50 countries), dealer overview on campingaz/gasfinder website
  • Dimensions: 33 x 28 x 9 cm; gas consumption 160 g/h; running time 1 hour 25 minutes; weight 1.43 kg; not suitable for inside use

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Portable Toilet (for emergencies don't forget loo roll!)

Bivvy Loo Camping Toilet - Portable Toilet - Festival Toilet - Fishing Toilet - Campervan Toilet -...
  • Folds away flat for easy storage and transportation. Pops up in seconds
  • Strong steel axis frame supports over 150kg
  • Comfortable oval seat
  • Package includes 40 biodegradable wipes, 12 NEW Compostable liner bags & 12 sachets of waste managing powder to convert liquid waste to a manageable gel - Please note the amount of liquid converted to...
  • Use compostable bags within 9 months of purchase

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Other Items You May Consider

Staying out in a truck when you run out of driving hours can feel like a long arduous task but there are some extra items you can consider to make sleeping in a truck a much more enjoyable experience.

Having to do nights out on a regular basis can be made more enjoyable by adding some simple non essential items to your list of things to take with you.

When you park your truck and hit the Tachograph at the end of the day, you will know you will be there for at least 9 hours, and depending on hours worked and how many nights you have to spend in the truck, this could even be 11 hours parked on the side of the road.

Regular Nights out each week call for a bit more planning, so having some entertainment to keep you occupied will make your nights out in the truck much more comfortable.

Below are a few items that will make a night out really great!

Truck TV

Sniper 19″ SMART LED Camping TV – webOS – Bluetooth 5.0, Wifi, Freeview Tuner, Satellite...
  • 12V, 24V & 240V with all cables and adapters
  • 178 Degree Viewing Angle
  • Bluetooth Audio v5.1
  • 2 x HDMI Ports, 2 x USB Ports
  • 12/24 volt power lead for travel use plus mains adapter

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

TV Aerial

Sale
Maxview B2344/T Omnimax Pro Truck 12/24 V DC Omnidirectional UHF TV/FM HGV Aerial - White
  • The Omnimax Pro is an omni-directional TV aerial designed for HGV's truck and mobile vehicles
  • Receives all available digital terrestrial TV signals without any alignment
  • Designed and tested for outdoor use
  • Omni-directional - Receives signals through 360 degrees, the Omnimax Pro requires no manual directional alignment. Simply re-scan and watch TV
  • Application: HGV's, trucks and vans. Compatibility: SD, HD, 3D and 4K TV

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

TV Aerial Signal Booster

No products found.

Travel Kettle

Moonraker The Famous Big Red Kettle MKII With Hella Plug
  • Stylish 24v Kettle (with connecting cable & hella type plug)
  • 1.5 Litre Capacity
  • Over heat protection
  • Robust Design

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Power Inverter

LVYUAN Power inverter 1500W / 3000W 24V to AC 230V LCD Dual USB voltage converter
  • Modified Sine Wave Output: Convert power of DC 24V to AC 230V. Provides 1500 Watts continuous power and 3000W (<10ms) peak power. Featuring dual UK AC sockets and 2 USB ports, for multi-purpose...
  • Effective Protection - The 4 x 40A fuses are mounted on the side and can be easily checked and replaced without dismantling the cover. Multi Protection: Overload / Short Circuit / Over heat / Reverse...
  • High quality components - this solar-modified sine wave inverter has a very compact and robust aluminum housing for easy heat dissipation. All inverters we manufacture have strict quality and control...
  • Intelligent LCD Display: The LCD display shows input voltage, output voltage, battery capacity and load capacity. Easy to know the battery status: full, normal or empty. Easy to know the loads'...
  • What You Get: voltage converter 24V to 230V modified sine wave 1500/3000 watt, battery connection cable approx. 50cm, spare fuses, manual. And we have 12-Months Warranty.

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Games Console

Nintendo Switch Lite - Turquoise
  • Note : If the console donot work : Power off the console and reset the AC adapter by unplugging it from both ends. Leave the AC adapter unplugged for at least 30 seconds.oWhile it is unplugged, verify...
  • Connect the original AC adapter to the console and then directly to a wall outlet.oWhen the AC adapter is first plugged into the console, the LCD screen will power on and the battery charging...
  • Allow the console to charge for at least 15 to 30 minutes, then press the POWER Button to boot it upThe Nintendo Switch console takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge when the console is powered...
  • Multilingual (Subtitle)

Last update on 2024-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How I Set Up My TV For A Night Out In The Truck

What Is It Like Spending The Night In A Truck?

My first experience of spending the night in a truck was awful! I was totally unprepared with items I had with me and also what the experience itself would be.

I was delivering goods in Gloucestershire around the Cotswolds and for all intents and purposes was supposed to be back home that night.

The phone rang in the cab, it was the office, “there is a change of plan after you deliver in Gloucestershire can you make your way to Tilbury Docks to collect a load first thing in the morning”. I was horrified because I was not expecting to be out in the truck all night, luckily I had my sleeping bag and a pillow which I always kept in the cab with me.

I delivered in Gloucestershire and started to make my way towards Tilbury, I decided to park the truck at Cobham Services on the M25, then I could set off early in the morning.

I parked the truck, put my tacho on break, and paid for the overnight truck parking, I got myself some food and a couple of bottles of water for the night ahead. 

I sat in the truck and eat my food listening to the radio, once I had finished my meal I made up my bunk ready for a relaxing evening.

I had no TV with me so it was radio only for me, which to be honest in my opinion does get a little boring after tea time.

I had a very weak signal on my phone so going on social media wasn’t much of an option as the phone was up near the skylight before getting a signal.

As the night drew in I lay back on the bunk turned on the night heater and hoped the radio would send me to sleep.

All was going well and I was dozing nicely when all of a sudden! A truck parked next to me with the noisiest fridge unit you have ever heard.

I could barely hear the radio never mind try and get some sleep.

Eventually, I did get some sleep but all night long it was disturbed by the fridge unit starting up next to me.

I woke the following morning as my alarm clock rang out, I slowly got myself dressed and went to get a coffee to wake me up.

Once I was fully awake I took my tacho off-break and started my morning vehicle checks, as I walked around my truck I noticed someone had slashed the curtains on the side of the truck.

Luckily I had some gaffa tape in my bag and made a temporary repair to the side curtain so that I could continue with my day, thankfully it was not too big a tear.

That was my first night out in a truck, totally unprepared, no knowledge of where I should try to park to avoid a fridge parking next to me, no entertainment in my truck like a truck TV, no kettle totally relying on the Service area, the only good thing was at least I managed to get to the services as a night out in a layby with no kit would have been a disaster.

I hope you found this article “Nights Out in a Truck Tramping Essentials” useful if you would like to comment please do so below would be great to hear all about your night out ideas and things you use to make sleeping in the cab better.