Updated: 06/23/2021
Editor’s Note: this article was contributed by David Clark from California. David drives for GrubHub and has great recommendations for essential gear.
Often times while I’m out and about, other drivers ask me about the bags I carry. I always see them using the stock GrubHub bags. No knock against GrubHub, but the free bags don’t always cut it. I always tell people I found my stuff on Amazon, and they get this look on their face like they never thought of that. They get even more surprised when I remind them that buying things for work is tax deductible (everything on this list will be!). I think it’s time we talked shop about the things we use to make our work easier. So, without further ado, here’s a list of delivery driver gear.
In the Car
Let’s start in the place we all spend most of our time. Depending upon your driving situation, you want to make sure everything going on in the driver’s seat is fluid and increases your safety while driving.
The first thing you’re going to need is a phone mount. If you’re still storing your phone in a cup holder while driving, it’s time to step up your game.
There’s a variety of mounts available that vary in size and grip, but I recommend you think about what will work for your workflow. If you prefer something that will make it easy to grab your phone and go, get on that has a magnetic mount.
Alternatively, there are some good choices for making it easy to look over at your screen while driving. Some are made to attach to your windshield. If you have some dashboard space available next to your steering wheel, I recommend the one I own. It also has a quick release grip that is more secure than the magnet mount.
Keeping Charged
Using your phone constantly while on shift can kill your battery, especially if your phone isn’t brand new. So, how do you make sure your phone doesn’t die in the middle of a delivery?
The first thing you’ll need is a charging cord. Most newer cars have a USB port that you can plug into conveniently. Depending on its location in the car, I recommend getting a length that will reduce cord clutter as much as possible. My port is in the in the front of my center console, so a 1.5-foot cord is perfect.
If you have an older car, don’t fret. There are still plenty of options for charging your phone on the go. If you need a Bluetooth connector for your car, you can find one with USB ports for charging.
Not delivering with a car? Do a lot of walking? Don’t feel like charging in your car (for some reason)? Don’t worry, I’ve got a couple of options for you. If you’re into your phone being a brick, you can get a phone case that has a battery built into it. If you want to have a cord hanging out of your pocket, here’s a great portable external battery from Anker.
Making Deliveries
Depending upon which company you drive for, the bags you receive to get you going my be different. The small bags you receive when getting started with GrubHub or Postmates are fine and great for single orders. But for GrubHub’s big bag I received at first was no good. It’s flimsy, awkward to carry, and I got rid of it immediately.
So what’s a good alternative for big orders? I’ve actually come up with a great set up.
First, you’re going to want to grab a big that is sturdy and easy to carry. I found this bag on Amazon and it is perfect. It fits plenty of food (even most pizzas, although I recommend grabbing a separate pizza bag) and is almost as easy to carry as the small bags.
Still have more bags after filling this up? I’ve got you covered. Grab some of these insulated food delivery boxes. They fit easily in a trunk alongside your bags, and they’re great for separating orders or temperatures (one for hot, one for cold).
Finally, one of my biggest pet peeves is drinks. Sometimes, you get orders with more drinks than you can handle. You only have two hands, and your car only has so many cup holders. The solution is getting a couple of these portable cup holders. They’re easily storable and getting two will make any huge drink order smooth.
Extra Gadgets
To round out your arsenal, there are a few extra goodies that will help make your workflow smoother.
If your car has keyless locks and trunk release, then a key lanyard can be a lifesaver. If you’ve got a huge order and need to set down bags just to get to your keys in your pocket, having this can make it super easy to click your unlock or trunk opener so you can set everything down.
If you’re big on stacking orders, sticky notes are a must. These make it easy to put names on bags, drinks, boxes, and everything you need to separate.
If you’re ever in a restaurant and board, or if you get a call while carrying bags, think about investing in wireless earbuds. This is by far the most optional item on this list, but I got this wireless single earbud on Amazon and it’s pretty nifty for discreetly watching YouTube videos while waiting a while at restaurants.
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