"Best" navigation for trucks?

One problem I have run into more than once is having a company give directions that lead me to either the employee parking lot or the company's main office parking lot (NOT shipping/receiving which is in the warehouse across town). If I am too dumb or frustrated to figure it out on my own I will call the dispatcher and he will either google map it or put me in touch with another driver who can give good directions. I am just to old fashioned (stubborn) to buy a smart phone.

Sorry OP, this was probably a completely useless response lol

 

Call customer for directions. They know the way in. Then check it via Google Maps to make sure no obstacles. Did this two years. Never had an issue.

 

No they dont. 2 years never got car directions.

 

Find a new company. Any company that forces you to use gps is begging for you to tear stuff up.

 

I always suggest using street view to get a "feel" of the area. It comes in handy, but again Google Maps is set for Car standards....

Note - The National Highway Act (STAA) allows a 53' trailer only 1 mile off the STAA route. IF you find you are having issue with getting a more direct route, then simply change the trailer settings to 48'/96" which is a Non-STAA standard as many of the roads are probable set in the map parameters for this the farther you get from the STAA routes.

 

Drove 3 years.. got a few... some did not even know how to give me directions. I was told by a lady in NJ that as a driver I should know every road in the US.

 

Why, the GPS has more features than simple routing. It is a great tool to plan your fuel stops, breaks, DOT breaks, it gives you a more "in depth" feel of the time/distance you are going to travel.

I have worked with Truck GPS's since 2008 and many of the features build in the driver does not use or does not know how to use. It is a powerful tool to assist you in trip planning.

 

I wouldn't even DREAM of doing this job without a gps.

Very seldom have i had to call for directions or break out the atlas. I paid $60 ( i think that was the going rate at that time ) for the atlas and didn't even get my money's worth. I don't feel like it anyways. But i wouldn't do the job without it.

BTW. i bought the GOOD laminated atlas with ALL the infor. Not just the basic cheaper paper atlas.

The atlas is good. But you all need to be realistic here. The atlas can ONLY get you to town. Once there It has no power to get you to your destination. Or away from. And in spite of calling for directions. English is a language that isn't spoken much anymore.

The igo primo gps app i think was built with the truckers tablet in mind. Couldn't get the app alone. And i think the truckers tablet is long gone. I don't think it ever took off. At that point and time one could buy a gps tablet and download gps software for much cheaper. That may not be the case now. Last week i was looking for a newer tablet. Couldn't find any of the cheaper models with gps chips now. Have to step up to the $300+ range. If they had it. It wasn't listed in the specs. Buying one through a cell carrier might be the way to go these days. MAYBE. Would have to do some hard research to determine the value.

 

Use any GPS you want to get you close, then look at Google satellite maps to locate the gate and the best way to get to it.

 

Y. O. U. YOUR MIND. And whatever it has been allowed to remember about where you are and where you are going.

NO Im dead serious here. Even today I drive without a GPS telling me what's what. IF there is a problem I'll figure it out. GPS is nice to have. But it never will be allowed to dictate to me and my tractor trailer what to do and where to go.

I WILL say when in battle and being lost is imminent GPS is helpful by expanding your map knoweldge into space and time itself. It's awesome. Other than that you must absolutely very be careful about this.