GPS recommendations

I like my rand McNally 720. It does the job. Nothing is perfect. You should really start out using a map/Atlas for a few months then go to a gps. It's really easy to become reliant on 1 and that could end up getting you in trouble

 

I use Smart Truck Route on my Android phone to guide me around. It works well most of the time, but once in a while it's telling me to turn where there is a big sign that says no trucks. You need to learn the routes out here first and foremost and a GPS could get you into trouble if you rely on it without knowledge of how to get around the country and what to look out for in cities, like maybe a 12' underpass or something equally as troubling. You need to work with the Atlas to check these things out and make sure you are not getting into trouble or you could end up in a VERY embarrassing moment.

 

Get the newest Rand McNally gps. The 530LM or 730LM. They are fantastic. Set it up correctly- weight both empty and loaded (yes it matters) and your height, your axle count (should be 5 obviously) and hazmat or not along with a couple other such as width (should be 8'6") and you shouldn't have a problem 99% of the time. Obviously you still need to use common sense and your eyes and if a road doesn't look "truck friendly" then don't turn there. The gps will recalculate and find a new path to your destination.
I will say if you follow the first route it calculates 99% of the time you won't have any problems. It's when you start making your own route then it has to recalculate and find a new path that you might get in screwy places.

 

I have the RM 730, BBuy had it for 369 and it is really quick and does a good job, although it isn't perfect. It has sometimes taken longer routes, has told me to turn on no truck street a couple times, but for the most part it does the trick fairly well.

 

The 720 has outdated maps that Rand McNally has no immediate plans of updating. Stay away.

 

copilot. on sale for $100. works on any android or iPhone.

for all other goodies. there's a free app.

 

I run 2 Garmins with very little issues.
I have and old Big Rig 680 which has been updated that still runs wonderful.
I bought a new RM 720 but could never get the weather to act right.

 

My garmin 560 gets me around cities pretty well.

You learn to ignore the bogus length restrictions and no trucks allowed dings like if in anywhere in Kansas city.

Only use the GPS for city driving. Get abit of traffic and the thing will recalculate in car mode and screw up your waypoints. No way to turn ur off ethier. Only ##### I have about it.

I'm old school index card

My route + the alternate in ()
Ex :
I65 (us31-rt9)

That way you aint flipping your map on the steering wheel ya know...

I drove My first 3 weeks without a GPS and relied on company directions and map.....that was fun.... Not.

No smartphone
No internet
No nuthin
A lot of yelling out the windowHl heeeeeeyyyyy and gas station stops.....lol. ...hey I found em all.

 

After reading all this, I'll stick to the shipp/rec directions, the atlas & the C.B.