Do I need to buy a GPS?

you might wanna check out the rand mcnally it WILL keep you on truck routes, and keep you away from low bridges (you tell it how tall you are), it will keep you off weight restricted roads/bridges (you tell it how much you weigh), and how long you are. It'll pay for its self REAL quick trust me.




American Trucker

 

I'm going to look into that one. I dont mind paying high dollar to get a good one But even still I'll be checking my atlat to it just to make sure. I saw and app on my android for a truck friendly GPS but it caught a lot of bad reviews.

 

well DUH this is trucking, no apps for this sheet! lol



American Trucker

 

Haha guess the phase should be, Yup theres "not" and app for that

i do have to give it tho the phone though. its a good source for internet media and weather conditions for when your out there. But I'm going to look into the GPS you referred It sounds like a good investment.

 

Still not a perfect system.

I run the Rand McNally GPS. I run a lot of very small towns, going to places only straight trucks and the occasional daycab might go. In the eight months I have been using this GPS, it has tried to put me under four low bridges. Reading signs allowed me to avoid every one of these, with no issues.

The common thought is to check this stuff in the atlas. However, what a lot of drivers do not realize that the low clearances in the atlas are only the ones on more major routes. None of these bridges that the GPS aimed me towards were listed in the atlas.

I'm a big fan of both this GPS and the atlas, along with local directions from shippers and other drivers, but none of these can ever be trusted to the point you can stop using your brain and paying attention.

 

Not at all. If you have a wife or girlfriend, have HER buy it for you. Of course you could always steal one. . .

GPS has been discussed endlessly on this forum. Some folks hate them some love them. Either way, they are just another tool in your bag of tools to keep you trucking.

Learn to read a map and get yourself a good trucker's atlas, whether you have a GPS or not.

 

I don't understand the stand point that a road atlas is better than GPS. Yes, a Motor Carrier Road Atlas is better for truckers than a regular GPS. The reasons for that have been hammered home.

But Rand McNally's IntelliRoute® TND™ 710 been has the same information as thier road atlas and is far more user friendly.

 

What model do you have? Every road or bridge restriction that is in thier atlas should be programmed inot the GPS as well.

If you find one the don't have, let them know and they will add it. That is what I read anyway.

 

i dont suposed you actully looked at the briged instead of just the sign did you?


I do LTL OTR so i go to small towns and big city. it will route you to a 13 foot bridge, BUT this is where you need to use your head, and look at it 99.99% of the time it will be an underrated bridge.


I go under 12' 11 to 13' 5 bridges ALL THE TIME lol Just stop get out and look. The GPS is allot smarter then you or I trust me (rand mcnally that is)




American Trucker

 

In my experience, what you are saying is correct. However, I have found that some of the bridges in small towns are not included in the atlas.

When I do come across one, I do send it in as long as I have the time to sit there punching stuff into the GPS without being a hazard. That's what sold me on a Rand McNally GPS and I try and do my part to make it better.