Do I need to buy a GPS?

Three such places come to mind.. The Sam's D/C in Bloomington, Minnesota, the Walmart DC in Johnstown, NY (miss it and i 18 miles before you get a place to turn around) and Kraft in Avon NY. My GPS told me to turn NOW.. I did haha

 

Mine is not a truck GPS, but still works as a tool, just as my atlas is. I like it just to know how far to go to destination as much as anything. Also, if delivery is after dark it helps find the corners a little easier. You still have to use your brain, I occasionally have to have a little argument with my GPS.

 

I spoke with a wrecker driver the other day and he told me that he probably gets more calls from drivers who have gotten into trouble with a GPS than any other thing. You don't want to become too reliant on technology. I may buy one when they perfect the technology. At this point they are not 100% accurate. I can see some advantages in having one, but I prefer the old Rand McNally. I can read road signs and follow directions, so I don't think that I need a GPS telling me how to get somewhere when the GPS isn't completely accurate.

 

HAHAHAH Nice to know I am not the only one... My GPS will tell me a Weigh Station is a Truck Stop... Well technically it is, but....

 

You would have to be a real tool to allow a GPS to get you into trouble.

Try exiting a nice interstate on a rainy foggy night right onto a busy two lane highway. Your directions tell you to go 3 miles and make a left turn onto Industrial road. Have fun doing 10 miles an hour and slamming the brakes every time you think you see your turn.

It's just a basic guide. Save your money and buy a cheap GPS, Truck GPS's are expensive and not worth it IMO. I run the some routes about 75% of the time and use mine solely for the "at a glance" ETA but I have no problems using when finding new addresses. Just add 12 hours for a 10 hour break and an hour two too shower and fuel to your ETA and that's when you will be there.

 

So far I hane not needed one, I now have it available on my phone but probably wont spend the cash for the subscription. My qualcom has directions that take me from the nearest interstate and I always call the reciever for directions also. I have the new atlas, but I do get lost sometimes. example, last thursday I got confused in Albany GA. 10 miles down the road I stoped and got turned around and found I read a sign wrong. Oops! I always try to give myself time and allow for mistakes. There are times that a gps would help, but honestly I prefer to use my brain as opposed to having a computer do my work for me. That does not make my way right and your way wrong, it's just how I want to do things. If, you feel that you would prefer to use gps, then, by all means aquire one. The tools you use are your choice. The main thing is to do what you need to be as safe as possible and if a gps allows you to pay more attention to driving your truck then its a good tool. I dont mean to sound like I am some guy that knows it all, after two months on my own I learned enough to know I have so much to learn that I'll never learn it all. Do what works best for you.
Stay Safe.
B

 

I bought a relatively inexpensive GPS to use as a supplemental tool. In my opinion, any tool that you can use to get you to your destination safely and efficiently is a good thing. I mainly use GPS to give me ETA, miles remaining, and upcoming lane changes. It can also prevent you from making wrong turns or for going past your destination. For primary directions, I use the information that my company provides via Qualcomm.

 

YES! Screw the map! learn to read it and use it, but to do this job without a GPS in 2011 is just plain stupid! Remember a map will get you to the town or maybe close to it, but the GPS will get you door to door



American Trucker

 

Most of the big companies, that as a student you'll end up at, give you a routing sol, that you are expected to follow. I have the cheapest Garmin that you can get, non truck specific, that is ok for doing eta's with, and is great for at night, when your trying to find a street, otherwise, the maps work great.

 

the map wont tell you where all the Truck stops are or where the scales and rest areas are.....

My GPS gets me door to door from Big citys to BFE, and is always dead on with my eta.

From conover, nc to east st lous, IL is 11 Hours 685 miles, I takes me exactly 11 hours to do it every time I've done that trip 20+ times always the same thing every time.

Rand McNally GPS is the best thing ever made for truckers....PERIOD!





America Trucker