Truck Driving with Your Partner: What to Know

Truck driving is likely one of the few careers the place you have got the prospect to work along with your partner. There are benefits and drawbacks to this feature, and issues you are able to do to make the expertise extra fulfilling. Right here’s what that you must know earlier than taking the plunge into truck driving along with your partner. 

Benefits of Truck Driving along with your Partner

Extra Cash

One of many large benefits of driving collectively is that you’ve got the prospect to earn extra money. With the present HOS rules, a solo driver can solely drive for 11 hours a day earlier than they should take a 10-hour break. When there are two drivers within the cab, one can sleep whereas the opposite drives. Because of this staff drivers can cowl about double the quantity of floor in the identical period of time as solo drivers.  

Time Collectively

One other apparent benefit of truck driving along with your partner is the time you get to spend collectively. Truck driving is a singular career which takes you away from dwelling for lengthy durations of time. OTR drivers have it significantly robust as they might see their household for only some days earlier than getting again on the street for weeks at a time. Having the ability to drive along with your partner eliminates this challenge. 

Much less Want for Dwelling Time

Dwelling time is a vital issue that drivers contemplate earlier than accepting job provides, as many drivers want to steadiness their work and residential life. In case you’re truck driving along with your partner, this adjustments the equation fully.  

You don’t must take a neighborhood or regional job that could be decrease paying in an effort to have extra time along with your partner. As a substitute of your trucking profession being a detriment to your private home life, it might present the prospect to cut back loneliness and renew your marriage. 

Suggestions for truck driving along with your partner

Relying on the way you deal with it, driving along with your partner can assist you reconnect or can drive you additional aside. Listed here are some ideas for drivers who’re contemplating hitting the street with their partner. 

Have You Labored Collectively Earlier than?

In case you two have had any earlier expertise working collectively in different professions; what was that like? Did you discover your earlier expertise to be optimistic?  

Even in the event you didn’t work collectively, you could have labored on shared initiatives collectively at dwelling. How is your work model whereas sharing home duties? Did you have got a giant argument about which furnishings to purchase, or tips on how to rearrange the kitchen? 

In case you’ve had optimistic experiences whereas making joint selections, it’s an excellent indicator that you simply’ll be snug working collectively behind the wheel. 

Make Alone Time a Precedence

Irrespective of how a lot two folks love one another, they will get on one another’s nerves in the event that they spend an excessive amount of time collectively, particularly in cramped quarters. Be sure to each deliver loads of books, music, video games, and different actions that can be utilized alone or in tandem.  

Whereas your partner is driving, you might wish to be collectively a part of the time, relaxation for one more half, with the choice to interact in a solo exercise when wanted. 

Nonetheless Take Time Off

Truck driving along with your partner doesn’t must be all work and no play! In case you’re fortunate sufficient that the association works for you, be sure that to get essentially the most out of it. There can nonetheless be date nights and lazy afternoons although you aren’t at dwelling.  

Because you’re already on the street, get out of the truck and ensure to discover. There are lovely scenic spots all throughout the nation, and new cities and cities to discover collectively. You may even doc your travels by way of images and scrapbooks or interact in a brand new passion collectively.  

Additionally, don’t neglect the significance of days off. Simply since you’re collectively extra typically and get extra relaxation, doesn’t imply you don’t want time away from work. 

 

We spoke with Angela, a CDL driver who drives along with her husband, Larry. Angela informed us about what it’s like driving along with your partner, and what she likes essentially the most and least about it. 

How lengthy have you ever two been driving collectively?

Larry and I’ve been driving collectively for eight years.  

What do you want essentially the most about driving collectively?

Our youngsters are all grown and, within the navy, so now we are able to spend time collectively and see the nation. 

What do you just like the least?

For Larry, it’s the shortage of high quality sleep as we sleep whereas the truck is transferring. For me it isn’t seeing our grandkids sufficient. 

Do you have got any recommendation for {couples} who’re eager about driving collectively?

Communication and persistence are the keys. Being collectively 24/7 means you’re going to have tough days. Give your self house even when it means going into the again of the sleeper and shutting the privateness curtains. Notice that there shall be days if you’ll be working so exhausting, you’ll barely see one another. Simply all the time preserve the strains of communication open and also you’ll be superb. 

Any fascinating tales out of your time on the street collectively?

I’ve received a number of completely different tales, however my favourite is about my dad and mom. They retired a number of years in the past and received an RV to journey in. My mother and Dad have by no means seen me drive a semi earlier than and my mother stored saying, “I do know I’m going to a see you on the market on the freeway at some point!” My dad would inform me that she would examine each semi-truck that seemed like ours. Sooner or later I’m driving down the street exterior of Tucson and this white van is beside me. Instantly, I observed this girl hanging out the window waving at me. At first, I’m like “What’s that loopy girl doing?” After which I noticed that loopy girl was my mother! Fortunately, we had been seven miles from a relaxation space, so all of us pulled over so they might get a tour of the truck. My dad for the primary time in a very long time was holding again tears as a result of he was so happy with me. 

General, truck driving along with your partner can provide unimaginable benefits in case you have the chance to do it. Being ready for it and having the best perspective could make the distinction between a rewarding expertise or a irritating one.