Stay Ahead Of Your GPS

Thats because you mainly run the west coast. Chicago, PA, NY and NJ are plagued with low clearance bridges and tunnels. If you dont know a specific area, the GPS on your phone will direct you as if you are a car. This can get a 13.6 truck into serious trouble on a narrow street with no where to turn around. Backing up 3 miles on a 2 way street in traffic and Amish buggies is no joke.

The other issues is weigh restrictions. Parts of PA is notorious for no trucks in towns and will impound your truck when caught. Boston, NYC, may other areas of Mass, Ct, Ri, Chicago etc have restricted streets. Google maps and phone GPS again will route as if a car. Fines can be $10k or more. Only way to get it reduced is to waste time in court.

Truck GPS is not with out its issues. But by far more accurate in routing a truck than a phone.

Hurst

 

The only thing I ever liked my Rand McNaly GPS for was how it had truckstop's integrated into the device. It also gave some solid ETA's so I could time out my runs almost to the minute and knew for sure I'd have some wiggle room if a stop was full or what not.

That said, once you exit the freeway trucker GPS is, well, finicky at best.

These days I just use Google Maps to look at cross streets or main thru-fares and plan from there. It should be noted that I am basically a regional route delivery driver, so I am already familiar with my areas. However, after learning to look at what is essentially a digital map and figuring out my plan of action from there I don't think I would do it any differently if I went back to OTR.

I used to be one of the guys arguing for the use of GPS as this new technology that was GREAT for truckers. I'm sure there is a previous post in my post history saying that. However, three years into this career I can confidently say I enjoy not having a GPS unit clutter up my windshield.

So is a GPS useful? Sure. Is it any better than looking at a paper or digital map? I'd say no. But that's just me.

unloader

 

You reminded me. My old McNaly would try and route me around the bridge that collapsed/was hit on I5 in WA for a low clearance way before it was hit. I remember when I heard it was hit thinking "well the 13 miles my GPS adds leaving the house might be right now".

Ok might not be funny or relevant but it reminded ME of a funny.

 

the only thing a map is good for these days.Is the 411 information it provides. And a general surveillance.

Everything else. There's gps. And i wouldn't even dream of doing this job without it. Makes teh job so much more faster and efficient. Provided your not using a certain brand that adds 25 miles in the city to your destination. Yep. I know 2 drivers that happened too. 3 of us going to the same destination. And It's not the first time i've heard that story.

I don't have to plan my trips. Find my way out of town. Find my way in to town. Make phone calls. NOTHING. I just input address and go.

There isn't nothing i hate about my gps. EXCEPT, for the state of california. Sometimes the 2 don't get along. Even google can struggle.

 

I hate when people try to give directions. Just give me the address and I'll get there every time. "Take a right where the school used to be, go down to jimmies house, take a right..." No, just give me the address.

 

Agreed... Between the GPS routing me there (not correct all the time) and a quick view from above using Apple/Google Maps "satellite view" to see where the truck entrance is... Works most of the time for me too.

That and I MUCH prefer graphical maps than a handwritten list of turns, etc. sometimes that is needed but I avoid it if at all possible.

 

I used my truck GPS only for Junction Views and speed

 

Google Maps is pretty much the gold standard. I've never used a "truck GPS" to blab directions at me as I'm rolling down the road. You'll get yourself in trouble doing it that way at some point. You do however need a paper version of the Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas to critique a route ahead of time that Google Maps will give you. Stay on the orange highlighted routes and cross reference for low clearances and restricted routes using the state lists in the front of the Atlas.

You can also use the Street View in google maps to spy on overhead clearances ahead of time if it's a route you've never been on before, just to be extra careful and put your mind at ease.

 

Any chance you can say what GPS you have??

Looking for a new one .I have the Rand McNally 520? And it sure gives some round about routes.

 

Proud to say i'am a truck driver, never used a GPS, never had one, never will. Somehow I've always found where I needed to go, safely.