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The amount of kit you carry wit vary according to
Page 59
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which of two categories of driver you fall into. Drivers who have the luxury of driving the same truck have some definite advantages over those, including agency drivers, who don't know what they'll be driving next.
However, any driver who goes to work without a holdall containing a selection of essential kit is asking for a long and potentially uncomfortable wait on the side of the road. Bear in mind that the life expectancy of a vehicle occupant on a motorway hard shoulder is on a par with a Second World War bomber crew. You don't want to be there any longer than you must.
Below is a list of essentials for any truck driver who has to venture out of town. Many of these items are compulsory in certain countries.
Torch: Two things are almost certain when you break down — it will be raining and it will be dark. A decent lamp with an amber flasher won't stop it raining, but it will provide some extra protection at night. Thanks to cheap LED technology, headlamps are an effective way of seeing what both hands are doing.
Fluorescent jacket: Carry it in the cab and put it on before you leave the cab. Site rules mean that you probably have one anyway.
Warning triangle: Carry one, or even two, and make sure they are deployed far enough up the road to be useful Alternatively, if you are driving in Turkey, build a mound of rocks in the middle of the road.
Spare bulbs: If you regularly pull the same type of trailer, a spare set of lamp lenses are also a good idea. Otherwise, you'll have to do what the last bloke did: nick someone else's.
Fire extinguisher: Last week's CM investigation into truck fires graphically illustrated why you should carry a fire extinguisher.
Roll of tank tape: If all else fails, there is virtually nothing the magic tape can't fix. We've even heard of someone using eight layers twisted together to tow a 3.5-tonner.
Overnight kit: Experienced drivers never assume they are going to make it home at night. A small bag containing a lightweight sleeping bag, washing gear and a bottle of water could make even a few hours' wait for help more tolerable.
Winter: Given the UK's currently unpredictable weather, if there's an R in the month, it might be safe to assume that you will be spending the night stranded in a blizzard on the M11. If so, upgrade your kit to include at least some decent outer clothing and footwear, and a flask containing a hot drink.