Do I really need a CB in the truck?

You really don't have to have one, I run a Connex 3300hp that i seldom use anymore. There's alot of trash talk on the air anymore, I still get a decent conversation every now and then. Even a simple question for directions will get you 3 or 4 different answers, most of the time leaving a driver more confused than he already was. Some companys use a cb to call you in, a Cobra 19 is cheap and will get the job done, but they will walk all over that radio on the road. Start cheap and go from there.

 

You need one when you are waiting for a dock to open up so guard can contact you.

For example you have 0600 appt at consignee for live unload. You check in with guard he's likely to look at your paperwork tell you to park in a staging area set your CB on channel 3 (or whatever channel they use) and he will call you when it's your turn. At some places (especially grocery warehouses) you may have to wait 3-4 hrs after your appt time to be called into a dock. Many guards are unwilling to call your cell phone so if you don't have a CB you either have to wait at the guard shack or try to get another driver parked near you to listen for you and bang on your truck when called.

It's a good idea to have one even if you rarely use it. Drivers look out for each other and a CB is a good way to let someone know if there is a problem he's unaware of when driving. Last week I was headed to Buffalo and a driver alerted me to the fact my air hose suspension spring broke and was dragging on the ground sending sparks up under my trailer. I couldn't see the sparks in my mirrors and was thankful the driver told me so I was able to make a quick temporary fix before the DOT wrote me up.

 

I won't suggest any brand of CB, but I WILL certainly suggest that you have one.
So that shippers/receivers can contact you, but most importantly, for receiving/asking for road conditions, routes around back-ups, and/or emergencies.

 

I am not going to suggest a brand many post here already on many models that will work well.. as the other poster will suggest you have one.. Anybody who suggest that you don't in my opinion is just a steering wheel holder and does not take their job serious..

Road condition, traffic reports, cops at times try to contact you for various reasons/ as well you may need to try and contact a passing cop, Shipper/Receiver it is very common to have them contact you by cb to tell you what door to enter/this will save you time as well because you will not have to wait for the yard dog to come hunt you down when he gets around to it, truck stops/finding an m/t parking spot/ many times after circling the lot and not finding an open spot use the cb and ask if anybody is getting ready to leave, something may be wrong with your truck or you see something wrong with another drivers truck drivers usually let the other driver know, Directions to shipper/receiver are not always right and if you have a cb you can ask another driver if they know where it is.....

I could go on and on where a cb is important to have as a truck driver..

You don't have to spend a lot of money.. Cheapest I would go would be a cobra 29 and start up from there..

Bottom line
CB is an important TOOL to have as a truck driver

 

Not having a cb in a truck is like the mail man without his mailbag.It will save you more times than you will ever know.The responses before this one were good and you can believe you will wish you had it.Believe me when a trucker pulls up beside you and blows the horn at you because he thinks your on the cell phone and he wants you to know you got a flat, he sure cant yell it to you when you roll your window down and i doubt he is gonna know your cell #.Its just part of trucking.

 

ONLY used one for ROAD conditions, especially in the winter months and for emergencies is all.

 

A CB is not necessary but a cell phone is. There are too many truck haters out there with CBs so directions or detours around traffic issues are at best iffy. Cell phones at least have the security of being able to get back to the person you talked with if they for example send you down a street with a 12' bridge. The part that kills the CB is that you cant get the police to respond, making a cell phone much more use-full.

 

YES, you need one. What if you break down with NO cell signal? You need to listen for a door or check in. Maybe ask about traffic. Maybe late at night, a nice chat to keep you awake. You really need one. Backing into a slot at a truck stop, I have directed people into their hole without hitting me. They are a very nice tool, when you need it. If you don't want it for talking or listening, you still have it in an emergency. Make a smart choice, even if it's the cheapest thing out there.