10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

DECEMBER 2006 TRUCKER TALK
A TRUCKER’S GIFT GUIDE
By Writers and Owner Operators Rod & Kim Grimm

You’ve seen the traditional anniversary gift guides that tell you what gift to give for each year, so this month I’m going to share the “traditional” guide (with appropriate gifts for truckers) and also include a fun trucker’s gift guide. These gifts would be good not only for anniversaries but for Christmas, birthdays, and just something to say “I Love You” to your special trucker.

1st Anniversary – Paper (one of Bette Garber’s books or a truck calendar)
2nd Anniversary – Cotton (luxurious 600 thread count sheets for the bed in the bunk)
3rd Anniversary – Leather (a nice jacket or a leather-wrapped steering wheel)
4th Anniversary – Linen (a custom-made privacy curtain for your truck)
5th Anniversary – Wood (a wood steering wheel, shift knob or floor)
6th Anniversary – Iron (stretch out the frame of your truck for some more space)
7th Anniversary – Wool (sheepskin seat covers or wool-lined gloves)
8th Anniversary – Bronze (a license plate frame with your favorite saying on it)
9th Anniversary – Pottery (a personalized mug with a picture of your truck on it)
10th Anniversary – Aluminum (a full set of new Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels)
11th Anniversary – Steel (a set of new tire chains for your truck)
12th Anniversary – Silk (guys, use your imagination on this one)
13th Anniversary – Lace (the girls get new lace curtains for the sleeper)
14th Anniversary – Ivory (as in soap – take a relaxing bubble bath together)
15th Anniversary – Crystal (earn a Waterford Crystal bowl by winning a Best of Show trophy at a Stars & Stripes truck show event)
20th Anniversary – China (get out of the truck and take a vacation – to China)
25th Anniversary – Silver (chrome dash accessories from Rockwood)
50th Anniversary – Gold (truckers or not, everyone likes fine jewelry)
60th Anniversary – Diamond (really splurge and buy a whole case of White Diamond Polish)

Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let’s get to our special holiday gift-giving guide for truckers. Electronics and entertainment items are always high on the list for trucker gifts, and this year is no exception. Portable GPS systems, personal DVD players, satellite radios, flat panel monitors and TV’s, laptops (with a cellular card for internet access anywhere), hand-held 2-way radios, MP3 players, digital cameras and radar detectors are all popular this year. Want to spend a little less? Your trucker will love getting some DVD’s and/or CD’s, an LED flashlight or a 12-volt plug-in mug that keeps coffee hot for hours.

Some high-dollar items you might want to consider (if your trucker owns his own truck) include a generator, an on-board scale, a Pittsburgh Power Performance Computer, Double JJ brackets and single round headlights, a bow tie or drop visor, and larger stacks. Some other desirable exterior accessories would be a big bag of Lifetime nut covers, train horns, LED lights and/or light bars, fancy or personalized mud flaps, a custom engraved Valley Chrome bumper with a light box behind, a unique hood ornament, and custom vinyl tank or fender covers. Your trucker will love getting any of this stuff.

If your trucker needs some things to spruce up the interior of his truck, consider a set of heated leather seats, a billet steering wheel or armrests, chrome dash gauges and/or switches, a small microwave oven (if there isn’t already one in the sleeper), or a much-desired hard wood floor from Rockwood. If your trucker does not have a refrigerator, there are these cool 12-volt plug in coolers that keep your drinks and food cold and fresh. Or, instead of buying 12-volt appliances, get a power inverter so your trucker can plug in regular home appliances like coffee makers, lights, compact vacuum cleaners and toasters.

If your trucker happens to be a clean freak, a cleaning supply kit, filled with microfiber towels, cleaners and polishes, might be a good gift. And if you really want to score some points, offer to help use these products with your trucker. Other “cleaning” products might include an electric shaver, a shaving kit and a nice shower bag. And if your trucker needs to get organized, a nice leather briefcase, dayplanner or handheld PDA might make good gifts as well.

Some miscellaneous low-budget items that make great gifts for truckers include tire thumpers, tool kits, trucking-related T-shirts, calendars, posters, gloves, a set of poker chips, a stainless steel insulated mug, a leather logbook cover, and a truck logo key ring. There are also plenty of books out there that feature truck photos, history and driver features, as well as audiobooks on cassette or compact disc. Another unique gift is a personalized belt buckle, purchased with your trucker’s tastes in mind. How about a subscription to 10-4 Magazine? Your trucker might appreciate not having to search for a copy every month while out on the road.

Another neat idea is a personalized die cast model truck. These cool trucks are affordable and can be ordered in different makes, models and colors, and can also be personalized with your trucker’s name, photo and/or company logo on the trailer. Check out the ad on page 50 and then visit www.littlewheelsanddeals.com for more information. If you order by December 15th, the company will get your truck to you by Christmas.

Most of these gift ideas can be found at your favorite chrome shop, electronics store or online. If you really can’t decide (or if your trucker is very particular), most of the larger chrome shops offer gift certificates in various denominations.

And for you truckers that can’t always get home to get your special someone a gift, a lot of truck stops are now carrying some very nice cards and some have a special gift section. Being on the road gives us the opportunity to get gifts others might not be able to find at home, so take advantage of the unique things you find along the way. Happy Holidays and safe travels from our family to all of you and yours!