Definite Don’ts While Driving with a Long Haul Partner

There are plenty of posts online about what to do in order to work well with a driving partner, but what they’re all saying is the exact opposite without being obvious. It’s more about what you shouldn’t do that is the worthwhile advice. A good example of this outside of driving is that you should always give flowers to your wife on Valentine’s Day- the impression being that if you don’t, you’ll catch hell. Therefore, the advice is really telling you what not to do- show up empty handed.

Driving with a partner is a kind of marriage in that sense, where two drivers work together towards a common goal. To reach it, they need to work smoothly as a team. This goal means more money at the end of the week in the paycheck, as a competent tandem team can keep on the road almost constantly, with breaks to fuel up and grab some chow. To keep this relationship going strong, there are a couple of things you don’t want to do.

Personal Hygiene

You most certainly don’t want to forget to take a shower whenever the opportunity arises. Guys have a code they won’t say something about another man’s stank, but if it gets bad enough, they’ll speak up by looking for another partner. Think about it from your own perspective- do you want to driver with a partner who travels with their own personalized Meadowland’s air freshener under their armpits?

Personal Space

Don’t forget that everyone has personal space, even if you’re driving with your best friend. If they’re reading a magazine, don’t pull it away to get a better look. If they’re scanning the radio, don’t push aside their hand because you think you can scan faster. And for the love of everything holy on the road, if they’re talking up a waitress at a grease pit, don’t get in the middle and try to help. One common courtesy is to consider if they really need your help with anything before acting. This is definitely a good practice to get into in order to stay best friends on the road.

Leaving it All Up to Them

Last but not least, don’t leave all of the decisions up to them, even if they seem to want to make them. Your driving team is a 50/50 proposition, where you both either succeed or fail depending on how you both do on the road. To that end, have your decisions spread out between you both, and keep your wheels on the road the way they should be- full time and making money.

Choosing a Team Truck Driving Partner

There are plenty of reasons for a long haul trucker to look to team up with a driving partner, but the most significant is the increase in pay. Team trucks can stay on the road nearly 24 hours a day, minus gas ups and inspections, making them a much sought after asset for shipping companies. Teams ‘hot seat’ behind the wheel, taking regulated down time while their partner is doing the driving. It can be a great way to boost income, but before choosing this style of driving, there’s a few things you should concern yourself with before shaking on a partnership.

Compatibility

A good driving team is on the road for long stretches of time together, kept close by the confines of the cab. Before picking a partner for the road, make sure you are compatible with them. Driving with someone who shares the same interests and you can get along with is a must, as conflicts between drivers can cause more headaches than just being late with a load.

Try out a run or two with a potential partner before forming a long term partnership to get a feel for how your other half acts on the road. It may be completely different than when they’re not driving, so don’t rely on having known them before a partnership begins.

Consideration

It goes a long way toward building a steady team partnership. Keeping to schedules, agreeing on meal times, and even driving style speaks volumes when it comes to being an equal partner and having consideration for them. When driving, good partners understand that their other half is sleeping in the back, and that sharp turns, hard breaking, and distracting personal behavior can cause a bad night’s sleep. Take time to learn your potential partner’s driving habits and get a feel for whether they are considerate of you and your needs.

Hygiene

A cab is about as close as you can get to someone, and a good driving partner will keep good hygiene. Showers, eating habits, and smoking are all factors to consider. If you’re a non-smoker, you might not want to be in a cab with a smoker. If body odor bothers you from other people, make sure your partner keeps clean and fresh. Eating in the cab is a necessity at times, and a partner who liters the floor with wrappers and food tidbits won’t easily change their habits.

If team driving sounds like a good plan for you, be sure to consider you partner wisely. Making the wrong choice could make the aggravation not worth the extra pay.