13 Must-have Cab Accessories for Commercial Truck Drivers

Commercial truck driving puts you in the cab and over the road, but your trip never has to lack comfort. Even if you slip in and out of day cabs, never in the same cab twice, you can take plenty of accessories with you to make the ride enjoyable and uniquely your own. If you lease your own tractor or have a dedicated route, you can customize it to your heart's content.

Dress it up: must-haves for truck drivers

To avoid eating into any fuel bonus your company offers, avoid unnecessary weight. Consider items that make your daily drives easier without bulking out the scales:

• Sunglasses. A good pair of polarizing sunglasses prevents fatigue, headaches, and eyestrain. Expect to go through a dozen or so a year.
• Work gloves. You go through almost as many work gloves as sunglasses, so always keep a few pairs around. Many drivers prefer leather, but not tight racing gloves; breathable cowboy-style leather gloves give a more comfortable fit.
• First aid kit. Trucking companies usually squeeze a stock kit into the cab somewhere, but you may not know how old it is. Keep a quality first aid kit on hand whose contents you know and can trust.

Whip it up: cooking on the road

Truckers have a reputation for poor diets, and it is easy to see why. Wacky schedules, irregular mealtimes, and unpredictable roadside food make eating well on the road a challenge. Bring meals with you:

• Slow cooker. Food you cook yourself almost always tastes better than what you buy. Stock it with fresh vegetables and a roast in the morning, and lunch is ready a few hours down the road.
• Mini-fridge. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand for healthier eating, hold onto leftovers to avoid waste, and keep cold drinks cold.

Heat it up: accessorize your comfort

An electric blanket is great for overnight comfort, because even the best auxiliary power unit cannot completely banish a winter chill when you are parked overnight in the high country.

Pump it up: protect your investment

Tire monitoring systems are partly cab accessory, partly tire equipment. Sensors mount on the tires and the monitor sits in the cab. By knowing the temperature and pressure of every equipped tire, you can prevent high temperatures, blow-outs, and costly delays. They are not cheap, but they prolong expensive tires and reduce how often you replace them.

Clean it up: your image matters

A shower kit is useful, not just for comfort in close quarters, but for conveying the right image of the company whose name is on your truck. A small kit of toiletries and grooming aids takes minimal space and keeps you fresh through long, hot summers.

Crank it up: stay entertained

The downtime of mandatory rest periods is easily improved with connectivity:

• Over-the-air digital TV antenna. One of the best, least expensive accessories. Tap into free HD signals for life.
• Game console. Stay in touch with family by playing video games with your kids, even from across the country.
• Mobile wireless hotspot. You need not rely on a truck stop's iffy Wi-Fi if you carry your own.
• Laptop mount. Your livelihood depends on accurate records and up-to-date information. A no-bolt laptop mount keeps your machine nearby and off the floor.

A few smart, lightweight accessories go a long way toward making life on the road more comfortable and more productive.