When it comes to clutter, some say it’s nothing more than postponed decisions. Others say for every minute spent organizing and reducing clutter, an hour is earned elsewhere in your life. If you’re a trucker, you can probably relate to both of these points whether you already maintain an immaculate cabin - or just wish you did. So in the interest of organized truckers worldwide, we’re devoting this article to examining 6 types of must-have interior organizers. Ones that really do make it easy to stay organized and clutter-free on the road.
Mobile Office – Desktop & Filing
Recordkeeping is essential for any trucker. Keeping a log of start and end points, trailer identification info, miles travelled, specific dispatch instructions, and any unique circumstances ensures you get paid properly. Naturally, this requires organized collection of any receipts for tolls, fuel, fluids, mechanical repairs, or other expenses. And labeling receipts with relevant details ensures you’ll remember why they were saved and what expense you were planning to write off – because you won’t remember come the end of the month.
Organized storage of receipts while you’re on a trip allows you to accurately gather and file things later. That’s important down the road when you need to fight an incorrect pay stub, or deal with audits by the IRS (or even your own company). Plus, you won’t overpay when doing your taxes because you forgot about certain expenses.
Excellent logging and filing on the road means a laptop computer and organized file folders are your best friends. To this end, we offer you “mobile offices” that make using these things much easier.
In our Mobile Office subsection, you’ll find compact desk assemblies designed for placement on the steering wheel, and on the passenger seat next to you. Plus, we’ve got individual file folder totes for additional recordkeeping. In short, compact desks are a must-have for any trucker. Not only do they provide an ergonomically comfortable surface to use a laptop computer, they include a dedicated section for hanging file folders. In many cases, compact desk assemblies can be ordered with power inverter outlets and a choice of fitted mounting stands for cellphones, laptops, tablets, GPS devices, printers, and other equipment.
As a trucker, you’re required to deal with all kinds of paperwork and keep it easily accessible so documents can be presented quickly upon demand. Bills of Lading, daily logs for driving and sleeping, maintenance, fuel & oil expenses, toll receipts, specific delivery instructions, and personal papers are just some of the documents that can easily bury the unorganized. Delays caused by searching for these kind of papers is time you’re not making money. Based on feedback we’ve received from customers, the time savings generated by file folder desk assemblies allows them to pay for themselves quickly.
For complete compact desk assemblies, we’ll start with a best value – the AutoExec Filemaster Efficiency Desk with trim, compact dimensions. The AutoExec Reach Desk features similar dimensions but adds a laptop mount that slides an additional 23 inches out from the desk.
Several desks such as AutoExec’s GripMaster Desk and GripMaster Elite Desk offer compact size with an additional slide-out tray for your laptop that effectively doubles the surface area. The “GripMaster” moniker refers to a rubber, non-skid material that covers some or all desktop surface areas. For those that prefer a larger, fixed desktop plate, check out AutoExec’s Roadmaster Truck Desk.
If you prefer a simpler, less expensive way to create a desktop surface for a laptop and paperwork when you’re parked, we’ve got the AutoExec WheelMate Desk - a simple desk tray that slots onto the steering wheel and stays in place by friction. Choose simulated woodgrains, solid colors, or camouflage patterns.
We’ve also got portable totes with multiple storage compartments for electronics, hanging file folders, or anything you need to group together and organize. Choose the larger AutoExec File Tote (17"L x 14"W x 10.5"H) or the smaller Mini File Tote (14"L x 8"W x 10"H).
Mounts For Electronic Devices
Life as a trucker is much more enjoyable and safer when you have a proper mounting station for each of the electronic devices you use regularly. In our Mounts & Chargers section, you’ll find cleverly-designed mounting stations for laptops, GPS devices, phones, and tablets. Additionally, the mounts we offer can be attached inside your vehicle in a number of ways – to the windshield, dash, cupholder(s), floor, vents, or power dock.
Laptop Mounts
Whether it’s navigation, log entries, communications, or entertainment, a laptop computer is another essential must-have on the road. If you pilot the same truck regularly, a permanently affixed adjustable laptop mount (stand) may be worth your while to invest in. Not only will it prevent an expensive computer from sliding around and becoming damaged, it ensures the screen is always right where you need it to be – without taking up space on the passenger seat or floor.
The majority of the laptop mounts we sell are designed to be bolted to your truck’s floor in a location of your choosing – so they will require drilling. Other laptop mounts use the existing hardware of the passenger-side seat rails for installation instead of drilling new holes. However, some may require temporary removal of the passenger seat for this process. In other cases, the seat does not need to be removed because the mounting base uses a bolt(s) that’s accessible with the seat in place.
No-drill laptop mounts we offer include the RAM Pod III Laptop Mount, RAM No-Drill Laptop Mounts, and the Bracketron Laptop Mount – ideal for truckers who regularly switch between rigs. If you’re a fleet manager of multiple trucks, note that many of the laptop stands offer the option to purchase additional bases. Equip a base in each truck, and the rest of the stand can be transferred as needed.
GPS Mounts
Most GPS mounts we offer attach to your windshield via a suction cup, but some feature a base that’s designed to fit into a standard cupholder or mount on a horizontal surface. Check boxes under the heading “Mount Type” allow you to narrow your search to mounts that secure your device with magnets, a cradle style clip, or swivel ball that fits into a round socket attachment on the GPS device.
If you prefer to install a typical GPS mount (with a round base) on a horizontal surface anywhere other than the windshield, we’ve got double-sided adhesive discs that make the process easy. These include the Rand McNally Dashboard Arm Adhesive Arm Mount Disc kit and the Garmin Dashboard Adhesive Discs kit. One side of the disc adheres to the dashboard, and the other side is used for attaching the mounting base to.
Phone Mounts
In our phone mounts section, you’ll find cellphone holders designed to attach to the windshield, cupholder(s), air vent slots, dashboard, or power port socket. Because these are portable, non-permanent installations, no drilling or bolting in place is required. We’ve got some interesting varieties of products – and we recommend going through this section when you have a few minutes to examine things closely.
Tablet Mounts
Tablet mounts feature the same basic designs as phone mounts, only beefed up to handle larger, heavier devices. Like phone mounts, you’ll find installation method choices include windows, dashboards, and cupholders.
Because size and weight of larger tablets can approach that of a laptop computer, we also offer floor mount stands for tablets. For example, the RAM Pod No Drill Vehicle Mount with X-Grip and the Bracketron Floor Tablet Mount feature long, bendable shafts that install easily using an already-exposed bolt on your passenger seat rail. Not only are these perfect for hands-free navigational use, they allow a large degree of movement when the tablet needs to be repositioned.
Storage Boxes & Cases
In our Storage Boxes & Cases section, we offer portable security lock boxes and disguised storage containers which can easily be carried between vehicles, or installed permanently.
The Tuffy Conceal & Carry Tote is a rugged, 16-gauge steel lockbox designed with the application in mind of securing and transporting a handgun. However, it can also be used to stowe other valuables instead. A soft, carpeted interior cushions stored items while a pry-proof camlock or pushbutton lock setup (your choice in Product Options) keeps them buttoned tightly. Also available is a welded steel mounting sleeve that permanently bolts inside the cabin if you’d like additional security for the box.
If keeping a computer tablet or small laptop secured is the goal, Tuffy’s Tablet Safe is sized to accommodate most 10” tablets (with 14.125” x 10.625” x 1.75” outer dimensions). Convenient pre-drilled holes allow the box to be mounted easily anywhere you choose.
And if a basic box is all you need, choose the slightly larger 16-gauge steel Tuffy Compact Security Lockbox with a pry-resistant locking lid and bare, unpadded interior (6.25” x 15.75” x 10.125” outer dimensions).
When you really want to hide things where no one will look for them, the AAC Nitrous Power Storage With Tool Roll & Bonus Lamp appears to be an innocent container of NO2. However, it’s actually an unsuspecting storage container that comes with its own light and set of tools.
Hooks & Hangers
You may not think hooks and hangers that fit over the back of your headrest can be useful, but they really are. They keep you organized by reducing the clutter of jackets and garments strewn around the cabin. And by using the otherwise-wasted space behind the seats, it’s as if they’re creating extra storage out of thin air.
If you prefer sturdy hanger assemblies that can be used for shirts or jackets, we’ve got the Rixxu Car Seat Coat Hanger, Pilot Headrest Organizer, and the Maxsa Car Butler Wood Hanger. For hooks, check out the AutoExec CarNap Napkin Holder, Maxsa Headrest Multi-Hanger, Pilot Handy Dandy Auto Headrest Hooks, and Maxsa Mini Hangers.
Holders & Trays
In our Bags & Pockets section, we’ve got an assortment of soft, collapsible containers that can prove useful in tight spaces where compartmentalized organization is needed. Separation barriers prove useful for multiple drivers on a long haul trip, trust us.
For high visibility of contents, the Highland 44” x 14” 3-Pocket Storage Net features three netted sections. If you prefer a solid, non-netted configuration, we’ve got the Pilot Trunk Organizer with 3 Totes, OxGord Black Trunk Organizer Caddy, Pilot Collapsible Trunk Organizer (available in solid or camo pattern), and Pilot Space Master Fold-Out Trunk Organizer just to name a few.
For all the quart-size fluid containers you need to keep in order to ensure all mechanical systems are in good order, we’ve got the Artec Industries 16-gauge steel Racing Quart Crate. Or, you might prefer the Smart Wax Chemical Guys Detailing Bag & Trunk Organizer with a zip-shut lid. Durable nylon construction effectively contains spills, and a carrying strap makes the container easy to lug around.
Trash & Recycling Containers
Keeping refuse contained out of sight is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your cabin stays organized, and we have some great products which make that easy.
First, we recommend a few cupholder-mounted mini wastebaskets with flip-top lids such as the VDP Cupholder Trash Can that can be set up in different places around the front and rear of your truck. Note that these can also double as holders for larger drink cups that wouldn’t normally fit in a standard cupholder.
For proper waste and recycling management on the road, you’ll also need several larger trash containers designed to slide over the headrest and be positioned on the rear of the seatback (or front if you prefer). To this end, we’ve got great choices such as the Janibell MotorMaid Portable Trash Disposal System, Rugged Ridge Removable Seatback Trash Bin, Maxsa Litter Locker, Highland Car Trash Keeper, and Highland No-Spill Trash Bin.
Now that you’re only a few clicks away from getting your cabin organized, we encourage you to check through other sections of our website where you’ll find a truckload of great products such as interior accessories, exterior accessories, lights & bulbs, mechanical repair parts, wheels & tires, tire chains, audio electronics, and more! If you have questions about anything on our website, we'll be happy to help on the phone seven days a week!