In the confines of your cab, you have a finite amount of space to store everything you need as an OTR truck driver. Here you have a sleeping area, kitchen, entertainment zone, and makeshift restroom. At the same time, right around to the front, you have your office and workspace as a truck driver. How can you make these tight quarters feel more like home? Start by maximizing the amount of area you have to work with using these tips for scoring extra space with storage ideas for small space.
Remove a Seat
If you are a solo over the road truck driver who does not have a passenger, then you may not need a passenger seat. Truck drivers who are independent contractors have the freedom to remove this seat outright. If you own your truck, you can remove your seat without concern. Use this space for a mini fridge or for storage and greatly increase the capacity of your cab.
Install Storage Units
Make smart use of your small cab space by installing storage units or container system. Focus on storing those essentials—clothing, food, tools, and cleaning products—in these cabinets. Those items you can’t live without are best stored out of sight to free up the rest of your space. Plus, when you have a storage system where, say, socks belong only in one drawer, you save yourself time. No more frustrating late starts because you can’t find (fill-in-the-blank).
Minimize Paperwork Clutter
Don’t let your invoices and shipping documents take over your cab. The last thing you want to do is have a bed full of work stuff to deal with at the end of a long route. Consider automizing your documents using apps to scan in paperwork. Also, have a small expandable file in your truck where you store those vital documents you need for every trip.
Then organize and file these documents in your house when you come in for home time. This way the office in your truck stays contained and your stress level remains minimal through a smarter organization system.
Think of Home
While you are at it, remind yourself that your truck is your home away from home. So instead of looking at it as an office that you are organizing, take the perspective of making your truck comfortable and cozy. Whether that means focusing on using storage for extra DVDs and paperback books to help you relax, or keeping a spartan sleeper is your cup of tea, you do what works for you.
Another way you can take control of your trucking life over the road is by choosing to drive for a company that works for you, too. Here at CRST International, we offer trucking jobs for company drivers and independent contractors. Contact CRST today for more information about trucking jobs and small space tips.
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