NAPANEE, Ont. – Many hours on the road away from home is an inescapable part of a truck driver’s life. And that’s likely why many drivers go out of their way to bring a taste of home with them when they’re on the road. The truck’s cab serves as not only their office but also their kitchen, bedroom and living room and a few homey touches can make all the difference.

Truck News visited the Flying J Truck Stop in Napanee, Ont. to ask truckers how they make their cabs homes away from home.

Rick Cramer, an owner/operator from Avalon, Tex., said he is usually too busy working or sleeping to enjoy the television he just installed in his cab.

“The only thing that I have in my cab is my cell phone. I usually talk to my wife almost every hour, so it’s a good thing I have one of those long-distance plans that lets me talk all I want,” said Cramer.

“I have a television and a VCR, but I listen to the XM radio much more than I use my TV,” said Mohamed Abdin, an owner/operator driving for Quebec-based Logitrans.

“The XM is spectacular. I get all the channels I want, so I keep up on the news. It’s like I’m home flipping the channels. It’s great.”

Abdin said he has family photos in his cab. He also has a fridge, a coffee maker and a hot plate so he can enjoy his home-cooked meals.

Trevor Brown, who hauls cattle for Brian Siddall of N.S., said he doesn’t decorate because he gets home every week or two.

“I do get home more than some of the guys out here, so I really haven’t decorated the cab at all,” said Brown.

“I do have a TV and VCR and I do try to enjoy those when I get the chance.”

“I’m just driving a straight truck so there is no real cab there. Also, there are about three drivers sharing the truck so we all just clear our stuff out at the end of the day. We don’t really have anything that stays in the truck,” said company driver Jorge Gawlik, who drives for Alliston Creameries.

Toby Brooks is a company driver for Wilmot Farms Trucking, based in Lakeville, N.B. He said he is never on the road for longer than four days at one time, so homey touches in his cab are at a minimum.

“I have a TV and VCR, but I guess I’m one of the lucky ones because I don’t stay out too long. I can see how some drivers, who stay out longer than I do, would want to make their cabs more like their homes.” n