Guide · Driver life
Long-haul essentials for drivers.
The sleeper is your second home — 250 nights a year for many drivers. Here is equipment that makes every dollar count, without the gadgets.
The right equipment saves money and protects your health.
We have sold trucks to drivers for over 20 years and see the difference between a truck equipped for living and one where you merely get by. The eight items below are the ones our long-haul customers repeatedly say they would never give up.
No affiliate links or mandatory brands — just what works on Québec and US roads, including in winter.
The 12V compressor fridge
A real fridge, not a thermoelectric cooler that just “cools things a little.” A compressor fridge keeps food cold for a week and pays for itself: skipping two truck-stop meals a week leaves $2,000+ a year in your pocket.
The 1500–2000W inverter
Microwave, coffee maker, laptop and CPAP. Properly installed on the batteries with the right cable gauge and a fuse, not plugged into the cigarette lighter. It makes the difference between camping in your truck and living comfortably in it.
The dash cam (front + interior)
Your impartial witness. If a car driver tells a different story after a collision, the camera protects your SAAQ record, your insurance and sometimes your job. Choose a model with loop recording that survives −30°C.
A proper sleeper mattress
The original mattress in an eight-year-old truck is worn out. A good replacement mattress or quality topper costs a few hundred dollars — divided across 250 nights a year, it is the best-returning investment on this list.
Diesel auxiliary heating (or an APU)
A Webasto/Espar-type heater burns a fraction of a litre per hour compared with 3–4 litres when idling the engine. Comfortable nights without idling, less engine wear and diesel saved — while meeting idling limits. A full APU adds air conditioning and 110V power.
The basic kitchenette
A 12V/110V induction hotplate or truck slow cooker, utensils and containers. Eating well on the road means energy, health and more room in your budget. A fridge, inverter and hotplate turn the sleeper into a studio.
Connectivity: boosted cellular signal + a reliable ELD
A cellular booster such as weBoost keeps a signal in dead zones in the North and the US. A stable ELD avoids hours-of-service surprises — it is your permit to work.
The Québec winter kit
Truck-gauge booster cables or a lithium jump pack, air-brake antifreeze, a sturdy windshield scraper, spare gloves, a blanket and a headlamp. From Highway 138 to 109, winter leaves no room for improvisation.
Road equipment: your questions
What should I buy first on a tight budget?
Is an APU worth the cost compared with an auxiliary heater?
Does a sleeper need different equipment from a day cab?
Do you sell trucks that are already equipped?
Looking for a sleeper ready for the road? We have them in the yard.
Many of our long-haul trucks arrive already equipped with an inverter, fridge and auxiliary heater. Tell us your budget and we will show you what is ready to go.