Listed below are the essential tools that I use in my box truck. They are divided into two categories, essential and must-have. Essential meaning that these are the items you must include in your box truck to ensure your success. Box trucking “must-have” means that you may be able to live without but still play a significant role in the success of your business.

These items are listed as essential.

Best Garmin truck GPS – Garmin Dezl OTR700

  A trucker’s GPS is not only essential, but it can also be the difference between staying safe or losing your roof to a low bridge. The Garmin DEZL OTR700 is the perfect navigator for truck drivers. With a 7-inch touchscreen display, it’s easy to see and follow directions. Plus, custom truck routing and load-to-dock guidance help you get where you need to go quickly and easily.

---

BlueParrott B450-XT Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headset

Box trucks are extremely loud, especially when driving on bad roads. As a dispatcher, there is nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from a driver that is using his speakerphone or headphones. It’s like talking to a bulldozer. Once you are over the road, you will see almost all truck drivers using a headset. These things have noise-canceling and eliminate the truck noise. It literally sounds like you’re talking in a closet.  

---

 

5500-Lb. Capacity Pallet

5500-Lb. Capacity Pallet – A box truck without a pallet jack is like a screw without a screwdriver, it can create problems. This pallet jack can handle up to 5500 lbs., making it perfect for moving heavy loads.  

---

10 Pack E-Track Ratchet Straps 2″ x15′ 4400 lbs Tie Down

Again, a box truck without straps is like, well, you know the rest. If you can’t secure the cargo, then you won’t be in business very long. These straps have standard E-track fittings, making them compatible with most trailers, cargo vans, and more.

---

Moving & Packing Blankets Moving blankets are a must. They serve multiple purposes. Most brokers require them to be able to book freight from them, and you’ll need them to protect freight from damage. Most loads won’t require them but some do. I also use these as a wrap for my load bars, so they don’t scratch and damage the freight.

---

Swissgear Sion Softside Luggage 29 Inch

You will be living out of your suitcase while over the road. You will need something that is compact enough to fit in the cab if needed but also holds a ton of stuff. I am able to pack and be out on the road indefinitely with this suitcase.

---

 

Wireless Car Charger, CHGeek 15W Qi Fast Charging Auto Clamping Car Charger Phone Mount.

The shaking from the box truck will shake your phone holder to pieces. This will cause your phone to fall and leads to a lot of cracked screens. You will need a good cellphone mount that will stay strong during a rough ride. This is the one I use. It has worked well for me and has wireless charging. You will need to make sure your phone has wireless charging. Another good thing about this phone mount is that it automatically closes when you place the phone on it.

---

150W Car Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 3 AC Outlets 2 Quick Charger 2.4A USB Ports Cigarette Lighter Socket Charger Adapter

These things are great for plugging in small devices and charging your phone. I use this to charge my phones and tablets. You can also use this to power a small fan. One thing to remember is to always unplug this every time you get out of the truck. These power inverters have a fan that always runs, even when the truck is off. Never leave anything plugged in when you get out of the truck.

---

USB Type-C Cable 5pack 6ft Fast Charging 3A Quick Charger Cord

The cellphone charger cord can and will break. Your phone is your lifeline on the road, and the last thing you need is for your charging cord to break. These things are cheap and are important to have extra on the road.

---

 

Cigarette Lighter Adapter 3 Socket Cigarette Lighter Splitter

These cigarette lighter splitters are great. Most box trucks come with one cigarette lighter, and this will allow you to expand it to three. I use mine to plug in my heated lunch box, and Garmin GPS. Always remember to unplug everything when you are not in the truck.

---

30 ft Tape Measure Make sure to have a tape measure in your truck. Shippers love to pack as much fright as they can into trucks, and this will come in handy. Just put it in the slot of the door, so you can find it when you need it. Make sure it measures at least 26ft.

---

Travel Luggage Organizers with Laundry Bag & Shoe Bag

These bags are extremely important when packing your suitcase. If you just pack your suitcase as most do, you will not have much room for what you need. I am able to pack two weeks of clothes with these. In most hotels, you will find washers and dryers, so I am able to stay on the road indefinitely.

---

Men’s/Womens Shower Shoes With Holes Dry Quickly Bath Slippers

These shower shoes are essential, NEVER get into a shower without them. Remember, you are using public showers, and people have a bad habit of urinating and doing other stuff in showers. The last thing you want to do is step on urine and other bodily fluids when taking a shower. Use the waterproof bag included in the travel luggage organizers, to keep them separate from your clothes.

---

Pouches with Zipper

I use these pouches to add my toiletries, chargers, and other stuff. By using these it allows me to add them to my suitcase. I use one bag for soap in a soap dish, shampoo, and conditioner. Another bag is used for my toothbrush, took paste, and floss. Don’t forget to get a case for your toothbrush, never place your toothbrush on a public sink.

---

Portable Garbage Bin

This is something most people forget but are going to need. Living in the cab of a box truck means you will produce a lot of garbage, and it can be very messy. With this collapsable garbage can, you can place it almost anywhere, and empty it out when you stop for fuel. I am able to fit mine under the gear shift, next to my right leg. Make sure you grab one because you will need somewhere to put your garbage.

---

Broom and Dustpan Set

Shippers can and will refuse to load you if the back of your box truck is dirty. Try to put this behind the e-track if there is room. Once you reach a Walmart, truck stop, or hotel, go in the back and make sure it’s clean. Don’t be that guy that deadheads 100 miles only to get rejected because of a dirty box.

---

Heavy Duty Pallet Jack Stopper 

Every truck should have one of these. I don’t care how careful one drives, if that pallet jack isn’t secured right, it will fly around the back and damage the load. You can put this chock under the wheels, and it will do wonders to prevent that pallet jack from moving. Also, make sure to tie up the pallet jack to make sure it doesn’t move. Damaged freight can put you out of business, so take all the precautions necessary to protect it. If you have to file a claim for damaged freight, then your premiums will go up. The last thing you need is a pallet jack running wild in the back, and damaging the freight.

---

9 Pockets Class 2 High Visibility Zipper Front Safety Vest With Reflective Strips, Meets ANSI/ISEA Standard Many shippers will not allow you in the building without a vest, so this is a must. You will be stopping at a lot of truck stops, so it will be a good idea to wear them while you are driving drive. There will be tons of trucks coming and going, so you want to make yourself as visible as possible. You will also need a good vest with pockets for your tape measure, pens, etc.  

---

Columbia Men’s Bugaboot III Snow Boot

You will need a good pair of boots to go over the road. I learned the hard way, destroyed new sneakers, and stubbed my toes hard. Trust me when I tell you, you can and will end up stubbing your toes with the pallet jack, and or the pallets. It’s not a fun experience, and they will probably end up ripping your sneakers. I use Columbia boots because they are rugged, waterproof, and can withstand cold weather up to -31 degrees below zero. You will still need a good pair of sneakers while you’re driving, or off duty but get a good pair of boots and keep them under the seat.

---

Columbia Men’s Rebel Roamer Rain Pant, Waterproof & Breathable

You are going to run into inclement weather over the road, that is a fact. Tires go flat, trucks break down, so you want to be ready. The last thing you want to do is be in the pouring rain while unloading or doing repairs. I keep this and a rain jacket under my seat. A good rain jacket and pants can save you from uncomfortable hours, trying to dry off while driving.

---

Columbia Men’s Watertight Ii Jacket

Rain pants are useless without a good rain jacket. I always use Columbia because they are reliable. They really know how to keep you dry or warm. Don’t be that guy walking into the shipper soaked and wet.

---

Carhartt Men’s Insulated Grain Leather Work Glove with Safety Cuff

There is nothing harder than pumping fuel or opening a lock with cold hands. Working with straps and a pallet jack means cuts, pinches, and smashed fingers. A good pair of gloves is vital to protect your hands. You need a good pair of gloves that will protect your hands, and keep them dry and warm.

---

Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanie

You lose 50{5ada82a03a268e9d359e39ecef6ebc4c5e4bf8787ac00448d01279eff25f3597} of your body heat through your head so you will need a good hat for the road. Don’t be that guy shaking at the gas pump because you were too cool to put on a hat. Grab one that will also cover your ears.

---

Waterproof Cotton Duck Hooded Workwear Winter Coat We all know that the Fall, Winter, and early Spring can be brutal, but don’t get caught without a jacket in the Summer. You will be cutting through a lot of mountains, and deserts where it can be 100 degrees during the day, then drop to 40 degrees at night. The jacket needs to be warm, and not bulky so you can store it behind the seat when you are not using it.

---

First Aid Kit

This item is self-explanatory. Eventually, you will get your hands cut or pinched, even the BOLs will give an occasional paper cut. I just put mine underneath the driver’s seat by the fire extinguisher. These will come in handy for sure.

---

Important but optional

The items in this section are optional but make life on the road easier.  

Heating Lunch Box

This is a heated lunchbox that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Some of these can heat up to 200 degrees, chicken only needs to be 165 degrees to be considered safe to be fully cooked. On the road will notice many 400-500 pound truck drivers gasping for air because they mostly eat fast food. Truck driving is one of the deadliest jobs, and that because food-related deaths add to the accidents. If you can avoid eating fast food every day, it will extend your life. I usually plug this in and cook hotdogs and bake beans, then stop at a rest stop to eat and do my 30-minute ELD break. You can get creative with this, and come up with your own recipes. As always, make sure that you unplug it when you are not using it.

Aluminum Pans

You’ll need these to line the heated lunch box. You can cook, eat then throw them away, easy clean-up.  

---

6-Inch Electric Non-Stick Skillet

I also keep a small electric pan in the truck. I use this cook when I am in the hotel, especially during my 34-hour ELD reset. I’ve made chicken, with rice and beans in this thing. Space in the cab is at a premium so it has to be small, plus it’s the perfect portion size for one person. Remember to unplug it when you are not using it.

---

 

4-Piece Portable Travel Utensils Set with Case

I carried a sandwich bag full of forks and spoons, this was probably a better idea. Make sure to wash and dry them after every use.

---

Insulated Cooler Bag

If you’re going to use a cooler make sure it’s a small one that fits on the floor on the passenger side of the truck. I made the mistake of taking a full-size cooler, and it took up the passenger seat. One night I was in the mountains and couldn’t find a hotel. I had to sleep in the truck and had to sleep sitting up because I had nowhere to put the cooler. It was a rough night, to say the least. I had to ride with it for two weeks until I was able to drop it off at home.

---

E Track Load Bar

You don’t need to have these because you will have plenty of straps, but they are good to have. Two of these are stronger than straps and will keep a load in place, and are easier to secure. Metal against metal will scratch and cause damage, so make sure you wrap them with a moving blanket.

---

Cargo Control Round Tube Load Bar

These load bars are also optional but are very useful. You will find out fast, and not all loads come on pallets, and some are below the e-track. With a couple of these, you can run them across the baseboard, to hold low fright in place. These are metal so make sure to wrap them with a moving blanket, never use metal on metal.

---

Garmin GPS Case  If you have a Garmin OTR700, you can use this to keep it safe. This is not needed but make sure you always take your GPS with you. Never leave it in the truck or someone will steal it. Truckers know the value of a good trucker GPS, and will break a window to steal it. If that happens it will be a double whammy because you’ll lose your GSP, and be rolling down the highway with no window.

---

Steel E-Track O-Ring Tie-Down Anchors for E-Track Tie-Down System

These are not important but all good to have. I use them to tie down the pallet jack, and other stuff.    

---

(www.boxlyfe.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.