Trip planning tools

I have tried many different variations of tools to try and get the same thing. I think too many variables exist that will make a "seemless" common sense route. Traffic, Truck weight, Height, etc... I have run the same route at different times and with different weights and come up with a DIFFERENT route each time. So how a GPS based system makes it's calculations, I am clueless to try and figure out... and yes I have gone thru ever single possibility of GPS options there are. It still doesn't make a difference .

The best thing I have learned is to use all my tools at hand (seems like you have as well) and run the GPS with the volume down so as not to annoy the crap out of me when I want to go a way it doesn't like, (Hence I call it my second wife!) and run the way you know... My GPS unit always catches up, but it just takes time for it to figure out that I'm ignoring it and going my own way.

This is also coming from someone who doesn't have the same route on a weekly basis.

Edit: I will also add that I do have a CB radio and will listen to it and make an "on the fly" detour and route change if needed. So common sense really does play a factor in real time trip planning.

 

I use a tnd80 tablet,their on sale for $399 at loves,I bought a cheap case at wally world and leave it on the passenger seat.
I don't like attaching a 8 inch tablet to the windshield.
Some folks use Velcro if they have room on their dash.
Tablet works great especially if you plan on running hazmat loads.
I bought a small car GPS and use it mounted on the lower left side of windshield so not to attract attention of dot...don't like a cluttered dash or window or floor,for that matter.
I'll listen to my truck GPS and use the car GPS visually,I like the Garmin basic display better than the complicated Rand.

 

The Rand tablet will compare routes and tolls and is pretty darn accurate.

 

GPS usually routes you the fastest route speed limit wise then the shortest route but you can change these settings..once you deviate and the route becomes the shortest distance the GPS will sync again.

 

I must caution that one type of "On the fly detour" aka the elephant walk, when let's use a example that I did one night.

They had closed 5NB truck lanes in our faces to a fatal and we all came off a ramp into what I think was Hollywood or very near there. Everyone was nose to tail at speed through the core streets ignoring redlights etc. Barreled through and back onto 5NB past the accident area before the rest of Grapevine.

Another type that is a potential for a problem is running in one direction until you hit a cross route that will take a turn back towards a interstate you just left a while ago to get around, another fatal that closed it. If you take off and run, others might follow you. That is where the CB comes in handy.

It's not often we get "Lost" but occasioanlly there is a low bridge that you cannot pass like happened once in New Haven. Knocked on a house, called the Law and they were more than happy to come out and corral traffic while you use like 4 front yards to turn around in. But they will tease and laugh, but it will happen again when the next trucker missed that particular 95 ramp which is easy to do. Just don't run into the bridge and break stuff.

 

Just remember that all these apps are "portable electronic devices" and as such is a $2,500 fine if you use it while driving. I.e. don't fiddle with it while moving, but set it up and put it in a cradle so one can see it, and not have to touch it.

 

Is that an app how's that work? I got the 540

 

It will take a bit more effort, but you can enter street intersections as destinations in the Rand truck GPS.

That means you are setting waypoints, and your trip will take you on the route you planned.