when does a gps cost $1000?

that is the key right there. I've heard stories about a newbie company driver running into a vet co. driver in a truck stop, and the newb asks 'how long you been here?' and the veteran says he just got here. the newb says that his DM is requiring him to take a 34 restart. Vet looks at the newbs logs and sees why. He logs 15+ hrs a day driving, then after 7 days, just zeros out the running total and gives himself a fresh 70. The vet asks the newbie if he knows where the terminal is, and his reply is no. The vet asks him for his Motor Carrier Atlas, and the newbie says he dont have one, dont know how to read it, but he has GPS so he's fine.

what i dont understand, is how many drivers who have been running the same route for 80 years gets so upset with others using GPS. Just the other day, i picked out 20 trucks at random that pass me. i take a look in their truck, and over half had GPS. about a third had both GPS and XM Radio (sirius), and a quarter of them didnt have anything....from what i could tell. I've got a problem with a driver using GPS 100%, but i dont have a problem with a driver using GPS, who CAN plan his/her trip with a map regardless, and who can use everything available to him to do his job easier and faster.

before i got my GPS, i would drive along a 35mph road at 20mph looking for street signs at night. Now tell me that wasnt dangerous......GPS would have helped out TONS.

 

How to use a GPS device:

1. enter coordinates into GPS. GPS will give you an ETA and distance. Make sure its in TRUCK MODE!!!
2. open road atlas.
3. call shipping/receiving and get their working hours. While you have them on the phone, GET DIRECTIONS!!!!

If your logbook is in good shape, you should know how many hours you have to work with.
4. Tell the shipper/receiver your ETA. This is super important if you have to be unloaded with a crane.
5. Keep your left door shut and cover some miles.

Time management is part of the pre-trip. It hits you in the wallet to miss out on getting loaded/unloaded by 30minutes to an hour and have to sit overnight or all weekend just because you trashed around a half hour too long. Time is more important than money.

 

Pizza shops also.

 

A gps is only a tool, and only as smart as the person using it. myself do not care for them. But see many drivers with them, like i said they are only a tool, not the answer for lazy drivers who cannot take the time to glance at a map or restricted route list.

 

I love my GPS even though she tries to get me to run streets with 11 foot bridges. She likes to tell me to turn on gravel roads even though a state highway is 2 miles down the road. She has a wicked sense of humor.
She will show me on her screen what street I'm coming up to, beats stopping and hitting the high beams at 2:00 in the morning and searching for that teeny little sign on the farthest corner from me.
I use Mapquest, Qualcomm directions and the big ole atlas, even the CB.

I love her for telling me what truckstops I can get to before my 10 hour break, for telling me of traffic delays along the way.
I really love her for telling me my exact speed, so that I don't have to rely on that truck speedometer that's 3 MPH off.
If you catch me on the Natchez Parkway, I'll sit quietly in my pickup while you write me a ticket.

 

You do know that you can change the navigation parameters on a GPS, dont you? Keeps you off those gravel roads, and toll roads if youre an owner operator.

 

i have the copilot truck specific gps software,i use it all the time,although its not really a substitute for common sense.copilot doesnt mean autopilot.

 

Gravel Roads, low bridges, and just plain stop using GPS. Maybe you need to scroll through the options and tell it that your a truck rather than a 4-wheeler. Keep that setting and I am going to be watching you on www.youtube/trucker-why-not-to-use-GPS-moron.

 

I've got Microsoft Streets and Trips. Why? Well for one....it only costs $80 with a GPS receiver, without it, it is nothing but a glorified Mapquest program. Why S&T? Because i saw no reason to spend $600 for a 'truckers' GPS, when even with all the "truckers" gizmos turned on, it will STILL lead you down roads with 12' bridges. Figure i'll save myself the money, get something for exactly what i need it for....since i dont follow it to the letter anyway, and the only reason i use it, is to tell me how far i'm going on I-80 before i gotta turn south on Hwy 65s. Or when i do get close to my drop/shipper, it tells me what the next street is i'm coming up to.

What i do....if the route S&T gives me is completely different than what my fuel route is....i plug in the route into S&T exactly how it shows on my fuel route.

pretty easy...and i save myself $500.

 

truck specific gps isnt completely fool proof,no matter how you set it,as youll find out when you graduate to the bottom bunk,hope not the hard way,and that was my point in the post,you still need to pay attention,i know how to set it as well,i run an ltl route...do you know what that is jerry reed?