You'll only smell and look like trash if you persobally decide to neglect your basic hygiene. It's not a bad gig. I have a childhood friend that was a felon and struggled to get work. He's been driving for a little over three years (OTR) and is pulling great money, albeit hes,at home maybe 45 days total out of the year. My great uncle drove trucks for 33 years and drove for Mclane for the final 17. They pay incredible, though you have to manually unload your freight. He averaged roughly 82k - 90k per year and peaked at around 103k. He was also home every night. He retired nicely.
If you're single w/ no kids and/or obligations, you can make decent money after a solid year of experience and a clear driving record if you're willing to haul for long distances. With 5+ of experience and good records, you can make great money. Companies are always hiring and you can find one that fits. Theres also the o/o option once you figure out the business and what you want from it. It's really what you make of it when it comes to trucking.