Trucker holiday gift ideas fun to functional

Updated Dec 9, 2011

Until truckers can give or receive the best Christmas presents, such as cheaper diesel or fewer road hassles, here are gift ideas costing $2 to $250.

Even die-hard traditionalists are praising e-book readers, which can download and store 1,000 to 3,000 books, depending upon the model. Users can buy or rent downloads or read zillions of free e-books available through numerous e-book or public library websites. Most models now have wireless connectivity, or if you pay more, 3G capabilities.

Black-and-white e-ink readers may cost $69 to $149 and color LCD media tablets range from $200 to $249.

Watching lesser known trucker movies on DVD could be fun, such as “Hell Drivers,” available online for $21.53. This 1957 British movie about truckers employed by a corrupt company features actor Sean Connery, who definitely is not driving a sports car as he did later in his James Bond role.

Truckers may enjoy seeing old trucks in “Classic Trucking Films DVD:1930s-1940s 18 Wheelers, Big Rigs, Truck Freight Driving Films Including Transportation & Safety Films.” This self-explanatory but cumbersomely titled DVD is a collection of vintage film clips and can be found online for $12.99 and up.

The collector’s edition of an old favorite “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977) offers extra features, including a short piece on making the movie. New DVDs are selling online beginning at $5.91 and $1.60 for used.

Those on your gift list might like branded merchandise available from truck makers online. Peterbilt, for example, offers clothing and gifts with the Pete logo at https://www.peterbilt.com/.

A practical gift of rolls of quarters and the convenience of laundry sheets might be thoughtful. Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets can wash 44 loads and retails for less than $10.

A cab fan can provide relief and is available online and at truck stops, including Iowa 80, headquartered in Walcott, Iowa, with additional other locations. An oscillating 12-volt clam-shell model is $29.99 and the 12-volt box fan is $72.99.

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Trucking business guides might be helpful such as Partners in Business’ Business Manual for Owner-Operators or CCJ’s Air Brake Book. Prices start at $12.95 for a digital download and printed book prices begin at $14.95, if ordering in bulk.

On the lighter side, Overdrive’s 50th anniversary commemorative T-shirts are $15 and Pride & Polish Custom Combos 2012 calendars are $19.95. The books, T-shirts, calendar and other items may be purchased at https://www.etrucker.com/store/view-all-products/.

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