What Is a Truck Hiker and Why Are They Important?
Answering your frequently asked truck hiker questions
When trucks need to be moved from one location to another, companies often rely on truck hikers. While the title may sound unusual, truck hikers keep trucking fleets, rental and leasing operations, and transportation businesses running smoothly.
Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions we get about truck hikers.
What is a truck hiker?
A truck hiker is a driver responsible for moving trucks and other commercial vehicles from one location to another. Truck hikers help ensure vehicles are available where they are needed, whether that's a rental branch, maintenance facility, customer site, dealership or warehouse.
What does a truck hiker do?
Unlike long-haul drivers who transport freight, truck hikers primarily move the vehicles themselves. Hikers’ duties can include moving vehicles between locations, delivering trucks directly to customers, returning equipment to maintenance and repair facilities, and repositioning vehicles to meet changing demand across a region.
Is a truck hiker the same as a truck driver?
Truck hikers are drivers, but their primary responsibility is moving vehicles from one location to another rather than hauling freight. While some truck hikers operate large commercial vehicles, they may also move smaller classes of vehicles.
Why are they called truck hikers?
The term "truck hiker" comes from the practice of "hiking" vehicles between locations. In the transportation industry, hiking refers to repositioning trucks and other commercial vehicles rather than moving cargo. Truck hikers can use several transportation methods, such as ride-sharing or public transportation, to reach the equipment they need to move.
What qualifications do truck hikers need?
Requirements vary depending on the employer and vehicle type, but most positions require a valid driver's license and a strong driving record. For jobs involving larger commercial vehicles, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) may be required.
Do truck hikers drive tractor-trailers?
Not all truck hikers drive Class 8 trucks, but many do. Truck hikers operate a wide range of vehicles, from light-duty trucks and box trucks to refrigerated vehicles, straight trucks and tractor-trailers, depending on their experience, qualifications and licensing.
What industries use truck hikers?
Any company that needs to move vehicles between locations hires truck hikers. This includes truck rental companies, truck leasing companies, trucking companies, logistics providers and vehicle manufacturers.
What is a typical day like for a truck hiker?
A typical day may involve traveling to a vehicle pickup location, performing a vehicle inspection, transporting the truck to its destination, completing delivery documentation and arranging transportation to the next assignment. For most truck hikers, no two days are the same, which is why many of them like the job.
How far do truck hikers drive?
Distances can vary widely. Some assignments may involve local deliveries, while others may require regional or interstate travel. The distance typically depends on business needs and the geographic footprint of the fleet.
What inspections does a truck hiker have to perform?
Hikers have to ensure vehicles are road-ready and safe before they hit the road. Truck hikers typically conduct a thorough inspection, including checking tire condition, verifying fuel levels, recording mileage, inspecting lights and safety equipment, and documenting any existing damage.
Is truck hiking a good job for retirees?
Many truck hikers work part-time, which makes the role attractive to retirees, especially retired professional truck drivers.
Why are truck hikers important?
Truck hikers play an important role in helping companies maximize fleet utilization. By relocating vehicles between branches, maintenance facilities and customer sites, truck hikers help ensure vehicle availability, reduce downtime and let companies respond quickly to changing operational needs.