A few random questions from newbie

My phone lives in a cupholder on the charger. It's only there so I can receive calls on my headset. I have satelite radio for my music/talk shows.
I have a Rand McNally 720 and I reference to my MC atlas. Call the customer for local directions. I have a Acer 720 Chromebook to do internet stuff.
If you don't want to run the A/C use a fan or open the vents/windows when you can. Trucks suck at retaining temperature though. If your company specs trucks with an APU take advantage of that.
An APU is basicly a small generator that runs the climate control systems and provides electricity to the truck.

 

Congratulations and best wishes.

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I have used them for many years. They make custom fit, easy to install device holders for just about every electronic device and vehicle. I currently use one for my Note 3 in the car and truck, as well as one for an iPad in the truck.

You can use Google maps and some other GPS software on your Note 3, such as CoPilot Truck or other cheaper GPS software. As a newbie, I would recommend also purchasing a Rand McNally Motor Carrier atlas to help you better learn the roads you may travel and look up truck restrictions and low clearance locations. A GPS unit is convenient for drivers who know most of the roads they are on and can use good judgement because even truck based GPS units have flaws and can sometimes guide you improperly.

 

Congratulations on your start in the industry.

I'll probably get flamed for this one, but you said you wanted to be safe as possible with no distractions, then launched into cell phone and GPS holders.

Plan your route and tape it to the dash, and turn your cell phone off. I recall having enough to deal with when I started without either device.

The company would likely be thrilled if you bought them an APU unit, but I'm not sure how long it would take for you to recoup the cost in fuel bonuses.

 

I use this for phone, very cheap too! View attachment 65638 GPS is rand 510, love it! Use apps on phone instead of laptop, JMHO, as I find it easy to use sitting on dash. Google maps is huge! I live being able to look at a new place, see best way to enter facility and what to expect when I get there. My other favorite apps are Open Coops( tells me what's open or closed) and MyRadar so I can track bad weather and find tornadoes so I can chase them!!!!

 

For your directions and gps/map, get yourself one of those big Rand Mcnally atlas books, you don't need a new one every year, they have everything you need. GPS - don't waste your money on that truck-specific overpriced ones. I like Garmin and the style of the programming. Hate the ones that come installed in the truck dash. Plan your route. The atlas will tell you if there are road restrictions for height. DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR GPS. Read the road signs for detours/construction.

The fuel/idle issue: your "bonus" for fuel mpg will likely be pennies per mile. Do not ever spend any money on the truck that you do not own, unless it is something simple like replace a headlight and you will be paid back for it. Try to idle as little as possible, but remain reasonably comfortable. You do not need to spend money on an APU. If the company really wants to save money on fuel, they will buy one for you. This is definitely NOT your expense as a company driver.

Other than that, welcome to trucking, and hope you enjoy the scenery and things go well for you. Keep us updated.

 

I have a RM 720. Pretty darn good but still need(ed) to use google maps once in a while 'cause it would occasionally choke on the address that was supplied to me.

I would say the gps was accurate 99% of the time tho. Google maps will get 'ya there but it may take you down car routes.

My gps and I have a love/hate relationship.

Having the digital speed indicator is great plus the speed limit warning. I never did get the traffic add-on.

Something I would suggest if you go with a gps is to get it mounted rather close to you on the dash.

Most drivers mount the gps on the windshield but when 'ya have to interact with it you have to lean way-forward and that's not good.
At least for me.

My last truck was a cascadia. It had a space on the dash that I could mount the gps and have it at arms length. About the same distance as the qualcomm sat but closer to the steering wheel.

It sat just to the left of the qualcomm.

It was easier to reach than the radio and heater/ac controls.

Some trucks, like the cascadia, have a plastic dash that the suction cup won't stick to.

I had to purchase $5 worth of stuff from wallmart tho. If 'ya want to know how to do it, I'll explain. No drilling required. Still uses the factory suction cup mount.

 

I like GPS's. They are going to be what everyone uses in the future. Atlases are nice but they take too much time and don't do you good once you get into the city. A GPS will take you right to the address. Using it along with google maps will take you where you want to go. Just be sure to update the maps.

As to cell phone holder, I put industrial strength velco on the back of almost everything in the truck. Cell phone included. My cell phone attaches to the dash. I have a tablet right next to it. I run Big Road logs on it. My laptop is in the workstation behind me. I have Co Pilot on it. I also carry a road atlas but rarely use it. I like it when I am trying to figure out multiple stops but really for me it wasn't a good investment. There are times when you enter an address in your gps and it cannot find the address. That is when I go to the laptop and use google maps. Sometimes you find a different address then what is listed on the bills. Using all your tools together you will never get lost.

As to fuel bonus. You get that by staying at 62 mph or lower. Get in the highest gear you can as fast as you can. Skip gears when you are upshifting and keep your rpms below 1400 if you can. Do not let the rpms drop below 1000 however as this is harmful on the engine.

An APU is something that the company will put in your truck. It does multiple things. It powers through and inverter your microwave and such. It also can keep your batteries charged. It will run an AC unit or power a bunk heater. I would not own a truck without it. You may also have a truck with shore power. Get a good outdoor extension cord and you might be able to plug your truck in and run the AC through it. Do not ever add anything to a company truck. It could void warranties and the like. Also if it is part of the truck, it becomes theirs.

As you work with the company, keep your eyes open and ask yourself why do they do things that way? As you move along in your career you will see that the big companies do things that you would want to do when you become an owner operator. Learn and move on.

Welcome to trucking and remember to ask for help before you really screw something up.