I'd say so! :wink:

 

This is very important:

Throw what the dispatchers give you out the window.


lol Actually I am kidding but that's what I'd like to do with their directions. They get my highway connections all messed up. If I followed their directions I'd go off route by about 25-100 miles every trip easily (depending on how localized the directions are Interstate scale or small residential neighborhoods etc.).

I use all of the above as given by other drivers.

1) write down all your trip and route neat and orderly in a way that you can understand it. I break mine down by section 1 shipper, stop, fuel stop, and consignee depending on what is required (usually shipper, fuel stop and consignee). I rigged my dash visor to hold halved college rule paper. I write down all the essentials: company trip number, bill of lading, trailer picking up or getting loaded, load seal and any other important digits like a customer pick up number which may be different from the bill of lading. I put all that in the header (usually 4 lines) on both halves. I space down and inset brackets on the columns and stick my highways in there the way I need to drive them. Before I started using GPS I would attach notes above the highways like mile markers where they intersect and the townships/states of each connection. Then I space down and write down the address, phone and dispatch directions for that shipper/customer. Fuel stops usually just get a line with highway, exit and town/state plus how much fuel I can get.

2) When using a GPS it is essential to make certain that you walk through the GPS route and see if you can match it to the dispatcher's. Mine has Truck routing, but sometimes it has taken me places I didn't want to be. Learning from experience can leave a nasty stain on your seat. I don't recommend it. lol That doesn't really happen, but the image is now burned firmly in the mind. Just don't do it (assume) always know.

3) Between the dispatcher and the GPS trying to get us all killed there is also the Rand McNally Trucker's Atlas. It is a life saver. When a dispatcher neglects to tell you that I99 connects to I40 via US220 it helps to see that I99 never connects to I40 directly and prevents off-routing into possible low clearance bridges. Yep, that essential piece of equipment won't tell you that the dispatcher sent you down a road where trucks aren't allowed, but it will tell you anything from what highways are restricted, what highways have dangerously low bridges, highway exits and the names of various locations you are trying to find (maybe even how far away it is if you're lucky).

There are times when all 3 will fail you and you must use your intuition and pray you get lucky. I had that fun experience trying to find a Lowes that not even the employees who I contacted by phone could help me find (it was under renovation and no one left the big light up sign turned on for me).

Between the Atlas and writing your stuff down you should be alright.

Always get a second opinion when asking for directions and most truck stops are best for that unless you get a real dick who thinks it's funny to send you the wrong way not realising you might wreck or kill someone by accident, but that's actually pretty damn rare. Most other trucker's will hear it and set you straight. This is also why you want to turn on that CB at all times. Yeah, there's tons of shit talk, but in times of crisis and panic it can get you the help you need when off route, knowing that the dispatcher sent you confuzled up directions, or the people at the address you're trying to find can't find their seat warmer with both hands but think they can give you accurate directions.

 

i now know why the Chinese are working on being able to shoot down satelites, with the military and everyone else relying on their electronic crutch (gps)they will have us by the short and curlies if they shoot down our gps satelites. Map reading can be learned even though some of us do have problems taking a two dimensional tool and interpreting it into a three dimensional world. Just keep practicing.

I quess I have always had a map fetish though i even have a topographical atlas of the US which I have been known to use when going to remote jobsites in the boonies where the last commercial vehicle road is twenty to fifty miles behind you.

Oh yeah if a road gets really squiggly on a normal map it aint because its swerving around anthills.

 

Ain't that the truth!!!

I gotta tell you.... I like millions of others who have done this job... learned to do it the hard way. With a map, a pencil and paper. Learn it that way. You'll be all the better for it. DO you really think that you will gain the necessary overall knowledge being the machine that turns the wheel and pushes pedals upon commands from a GPS unit??? Nope, not gonna happen.

I won't use one. And I'm a "bluewater sailor". I use it on the water, but you know...the funny thing is that my Garmin when first turned on has a "disclaimer" that comes up first when the instrument is turned on, and it says that the GPS is an "aid to navigation" and is not intended to replace "charts".

That says it all.

I can promise you that the "mapping" in those units is not 100% correct. There will be streets on them....that aren't really there, and their data maps will be a year or two old. SO, in my estimation....they rate to be used strictly as a "tool". Not the gospel. Were I you, or anyone else, I would read and re-read what "mightymouse" said and put it to use. Very good information and advice 8)

I can promise you....that if you miss a turn and that critter does an automatic adjustment to your route.....at some point in time the ultimate outcome of that "adjustment" to your route is going to cost you far more than the GPS did.....and will you survive that adjustment? Its bad enough that it may put you on a road you cannot legally use, but what if it sends you down a road with a bridge that can't hold you, or one with a low clearance....in the middle of the night :shock: :shock: :shock: Right about now I wish I could link that picture of the idiot who tried to take a rig across a wooden bridge... I wonder if he had a GPS?

How about this one: You're hauling a load of hazmat, rig weighs 79,800 lb, you miss a turn....its rush hour, it reroutes you...puts you in a "residential neighborhood" with an school....and you're on a road with a 20,000 lb load limit.....and then you look for a way out....but there's a low 12' railroad trestle in front of you.....and coming at you is a LEO!! You're about to have a real bad day...unless you are a real smooth quick talker, and convincing as well.

Yes, they can be fine tools to use as an "aid".....but they are hardly infallible.... "Caveat Emptor"!

 

Something to said for trip planning, know were you're going before you get on the big road.
Short or long trip, I've planned my routes down to the letter, you can't depend on the cb.

 

One thing I always do when heading to the east side of the US where it can all look a little jumbled on the atlas(roads going in every direction imaginable) is I stop at the flying J and use the multi-purpose kiosks they got there(you know the ones that you can use for faxing and the sort.) Rand Mcnally has a routing program on there for big trucks. you can get your route in practical miles, HHG, or both. It only costs 2 bucks for a practical mile routing and it can make things ALOT easier on you when you look at the map to plan your trip. I don't use it as the gospel, but it definately will point you in the right direction!!

 

Nothing is infallable, including your Atlas. Refusing to use a GPS unit is putting limitations on yourself. Everyone who uses one states that they are a tool and to verify your route by another means. When I want to heat my coffee I don't pull over to the side of the road and put together kindling and strike a match, strike that, use a bow and friction stick to start a fire, I put it in the microwave. Why put limitations on yourself?

 

I'll just throw my .02 in here.

The biggest thing is don't get in a hurry.You've been sitting somewhere for 3 or 4 hrs waiting for a load and finally you hear the beep.YES!!!!! finally a load.You look to see where your heading and just take off.I know how that goes.So your travelling down the highway,map in one hand,qualcomm on the steering wheel,looking back and forth trying to figure it out.Let me tell you it's alot easier when your sitting still.

Just starting out you'll save yourself some headaches by writing down pretty much every turn you need to make.Like others have said,look at the map.It'll get you in the vicinty.It's a good idea to call the place where you are going and get directions from them,just make sure you specify you need directions for a truck.

Something else,I don't think anyone mentioned this but,when your given directions like turn west or south,just remember the direction your going.If you need to turn west and your travelling north that's gonna be a left,east would be a right,if your going west and need to go north that's gonna be a right.That will work most of the time.All though there is a few places where you gotta turn left going west to go north.

And then you gotta watch out for those roads that change direction.

 

AHHHH I know this reading this gets tired, I use Microsoft Trips and Streets. Great thing about this software is it will go down to STREET LEVEL!

My point is this, Get you load(BEEP) Write down info for trip ship/con/load# etc. Get directions from your qual or from dispatch. Input start/dest into Trips and Streets. Check against qualcom, dispatcher directions. Double check against atlas. Any further questions call Con and or Shipper.

Using the street level side of T&S I can route my self around NO TRUCK ROUTES. Can talk to SHIP/CON to learn about local no truck roads, bridges etc. Total time to plan trip including any fuel or misc stops. Approx 5-10 minutes. I'd say easily 95% accuracy this way. As usual you will have times when everything is screwed up and you miss your exit, turn, light.

If I've had success with a route T&S has made for me or that I manually put in, I'll save it, use it again. 9 out of 10 times I'll leave the same ship towards a con. Eventually you'll learn the route and won't even need the atlas/GPS. Though still good to have either or out in case of traffic or detours.

For the record my GPS is just a tool, an EXTREMELY HELPFUL tool, but will never rely on it solely. Unless I'm in my car :lol:

 

It will pay big dividends if you remember that! The CB may help but DO NOT depend on it. Lots of guys like to talk without really know what they are talking about.