Newbie FAQ

GPS is just a tool... like a good map... but you still need to check that Truck Atlas!! Just to make sure that GPS isn't taking you the illegal long way around!!

 

Another tool you might think about, and a lot cheaper than a GPS, is a compass. Less than $10 for one that sticks right on the windshield. A GPS is a good tool, but you should never, ever plan a route with one.

 

I went to school, graduated, went with a company called CRST, stayed only the first mo. and have not been on the truck for 3 years. Its expensive to pay for a refresher course. I would like for a company to help me with tuition. I'm thinking on this one company but they only offer a driver test or back to the drawing board. What can I do to hurry and get back started?

 

First thing always look at your signs.I have a GPS but only use it when i'm getting close to the customer.If you're having trouble planning your route with an atlas,ask your company for assistance or even another driver.

 

Direction sense isn't important, reading road signs is. If someone told you to take I 95 north through conneticut and you were using a compass you'll create quite a disturbance. A gps is an awesome tool if used with caution, it will help you not miss exits and give you a detailed local map... I wish i had one back in the day. But ***YOU ARE THE DRIVER*** not the GPS, so make sure you are attentative to the signs and your surroundings primarily with the gps chirping suggestions in your ear. Keep an atlas handy, incase of gps failure and to double check anything you get a hunch the gps is being hanky about.

 

How accurate would you say a GPS is? 95%, 75%, 50%. 95% would probably still be more accurate than my map reading along with the accuracy of the maps.

 

I would say GPS is maybe 90% accurate. It's good for when you get close to the customer (city streets especially). Now, if you are not good at reading maps and planning your own route, I would suggest a different line of work. There are not many places to turn a 60-70 ft long truck and trailer around if you make a mistake.
My company gives me a route to follow...I still check it against my Rand McNally atlas and also with my Rand McNally GPS and common sense. Then I check on Google earth to get the layout of the facility I am going to (driveways in and out, docks, etc). I always have a written set of directions handy for every pickup and delivery.

 

absolutely if you can't read a map go do something else! Not being mean here it's just when you see so many people lost in a neighborhood with a truck and they have that deer in the headlights look its just too scary. ask someone to teach you how to use an atlas. but if you can't do it don't drive. A gps is dangerous in a truck as it has no clue how tall or how long you are.

 

I use the Rand TND 510. It has other functions besides the map. I will set it up even for a route that I'm very familiar with, just to use the other features (speed, timers and logs), as well as just simple reminders as to the distance to the next change, such as exit ramps.

You want to see just how much that GPS does not know? Drive a route that you know the way, that has several other possibilities you know you don't want to take, like gravel roads. It gets comical listening to thing constantly recalculating, trying to route you down some of the roads you really don't want to go down.

Quick example, after being loaded with 52k of material which puts me grossing 85.5k, for delivery west, I run a county blacktop road known as Old Highway 50. (About 40 yrs ago it used to be US-50 hwy. ) I-35 parallels it about 500 ft to the south. I can't run loaded on I-35 due to grossing more than 80k. Now I'm running west, I-35 is to the South, my left. So my GPS is constantly telling me to turn Right on county roads, to get me to I-35. I know those county gravel roads it wants me to turn right onto. I used to work as a county deputy sheriff in this area, and know that a "big truck" is not going to do well going down some of those roads, especially weighing 80+ thousand pounds, or being 60+ feet long.

Like Okieron stated, they do not know how tall, long or how much you weigh, even though you can enter that info. I have all that entered into mine, the weight being 85k, the length ect., and it still trys to navigate me down roads that no big truck should be on.

 

I have the Rand TND 710. Exact same issues!!!! It is just another tool in the toolbox. The DRIVER still has to drive the truck.