Tricks of the trade.....

But would i need an internet connection..on the lap top to get gps???

 

No. There is a little GPS receiver that you buy that plugs into USB. It works with copilot truck to provide the GPS signal.

 

I keep a metal coffee can with a lid, 2 inches of kitty litter in the bottom and a couple of those big dollar store candle stuck into the litter in the can and a pack of matches in there as well as some lighters won`t work in the cold. Might get into a situation where truck is broke down and cold, get in sleeper close curtains and light the candles and they will create some warmth that just may be a life saver.

 

dr5169: we have been using Magellan gps for five years, we are on our third dashboard unit. Last Christmas I received a WorldNav as a gift with a camera for looking backwards. Instead of chucking one in favor of the other, we now use both similtaneously. Neither are perfect, it helps to have the atlas nearby. WorldNav has some serious issues: in daylight it is hard to see the screen. It recalculates routing frequently, often just as we approach an intersection and really need it's directions, the audio cues do not capture our attention in time to take the turn. That said, it does have hazmat routing, truck routing and so far that has been reliable. So we use them both and never miss. Cannot imagine trucking without gps.

 

Thanks for the info... i will try the truck co pilot and see how that works...

 

That's a good idea....I remember doing that when I was a kid riding in the car....

 

Don't believe any of what you here and very little of read, only part of what you see.

 

No, the GPS receiver has nothing to do with the internet.

 

Everything I read is good or makes me think what i will need driving. Thanks to everyone that submitted.

 

I haven't read the whole thread but I'll make a few comments to the #2 post which was a great post buy 2 things I'll address below the quotes!

I prefer a tool that has more than 1 use and dosen't take up so much room as this and other "puller" tools do!
Get a pair of "Original" Vice grips. They work a lot better than anything China has come out with! Then go to a tarp supply or trailer supply house and get 10' 1/2"of "rubber" rope (used on hopper trailers) and the ABS plastic pieces that make loops in the ends. You will clamp the vice grip to the side of the trailer above the pin handle. hook one end of the rope over the handle and then pull the handle out as far as you can and then loop the rope around the vice grip and back around the handle until you get to the other end and hook it to either the vice grip or handle. Then rock the trailer back and forth and listen for the handle to "pop" out or watch the rope fall to the ground in the mirror. Go back and pull he handle out and slide the tandems! If you have one of those pull up handles then clamp the vice grip on the flange of a cross member slightly forward of the handle and do the wrap deal! The chain type doesn't work on these unless you got the one that has a tube body and will sit on the ground!

The vice grip has a ton of uses and the rope can be used to secure tires to the spare tire rack if there isn't a chain on it or things to the catwalk behind the sleeper or to secure your doors if in a bad neighbor hood! Both are multi use tools! AND don't take up so much room!