GPS before orentation

I once thought i needed a seperate GPS unit too. Thats what my trainer had, 2 units (if u include qualcomm navigation) running full time... 2 female voices talking over themselves. Sometimes slightly different routes. After training I had my wallet ready to shell out $200-400 for the highly reliable and very popular Rand McNally GPS unit. Then I first tried using only the qualcomm that my truck had free right on it. It actually works great! Your DM pre-loads the stops so all u have to do is select the next stop in the order they put them (fuel, shipper, fuel, consignee). Easy. Hasnt "failed" me yet. No wrong routes. Its quick and instantly ready. Im not saying you still dont need to open your eyes and check for bridge heights and dangers as you drive. i caught a low bridge one time by just looking at all clearance signs. I never just drive willy nilly. This bridge was on a city street in st louis. So use your eyes too. But I do say if your company slready has Qualcomm with free navigation, try it first. Your phone also probably has google maps with street view if you need a backup plan or need to peek ahead at the loading area access. Save your money for food and supplies. Jmho.

 

Copilot.

 

Get you a good rand mcnally road atlas. It won't lead you astray like those high dollar electronic junk called GPS.
My motor carriers road atlas and a phone is just as effecient as a gps. 28 years and never had a problem. Besides the motor carrier atlas has valuable information inside, like bridge laws, low overpasses, restricted routes, phone #'s for highway patrol, hazmat information, fuel tax rates and more. What gps has that information. Don't rely solely on a gps. Learn to use a road atlas

 

Verizon navigator truck setting where works great

 

You'll need a Rand McNally motor carrier Atlas and assuming you're going with a trainer you'll have time to get a GPS. Likely your trainer will have one and if you like the way his works get the same one. Shop around while in training and buy it when it goes on sale. I have used a Garmin dezl 550 for past couple years and it works good.

 

You're like I was, rarin to go. But wait till you get out on the road to see what you're going to need.. You can go broke buying things you won't need. For instance, the atlas is definitely important to have but my school gave one to each new graduate. You might buy a pair of shoes only to find out that you need safety toe boots. Etc. Pick your trainer's brain--you'll have plenty of time to talk.

 

I went my first six months without one. Then purchased a rand McNally tnd

 

Lol

 

Agreed. No matter what technology you have.... Get an atlas