Trucker Forum - Trucking & Driving Forums - Class A Drivers

- New Truck Drivers: Get Help Here (https://www.classadrivers.com/forum/new-truck-drivers-get-help-here-102/)

- - Where's the freight? (https://www.classadrivers.com/forum/new-truck-drivers-get-help-here/36441-wheres-freight.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin0915 (Post 428599)

yeah, i know what you mean about the traffic around DC. I was unlucky enough to be going by DC when they had that stupid "celebration of peace" christmas tree lightning ceremony. traffic backed up for 10-15 miles going no more than 10.

Guess right now, my biggest problem is driving at night with the headlights i got. they suck...and i find it hard to read street signs in the city. I end up passing my turn, and end up going 15-20 min. out of my way to get turned back around. My next purchase will be a TomTom, if anything, simply to use it to read streets that are coming up, and so i can plan ahead of time. What i do now (probably should have BEEN doing) is calling the Final, and getting exact directions as to landmarks near where i need to turn. Been doing that the last couple loads i've had...and feel pretty stupid for not doing it earlier. work smarter, not harder...as they say.

I use a paint pen for glass, and write out my route in the upper left corner of my windshield. works pretty handy, then switch to the directions on my Q-comm. Truck stops dont really bother me at noon. I normally pull thru a fuel island up to the payline, run in and grab a bite to eat and run out. Don't take me more than 15 min. to get in and out. As far as truck stops at night, i dont even consider stopping unless the fuel finder booklet lists a truck stop as a "LARGE" parking lot. cause you know the small and medium size lots are already full by 7p

gps isn't 100% reliable. to my knowledge, there aren't any out there with strictly truck routes. i only use mapquest and its aerial view to find customers, and freeway entrances after leaving the shipper and/or cosignee. i also use google maps sky view for the same reasons. neither have ever let me down. when using them, i also make notes in a notebook about what street is before or after the street i'm supposed to turn on, and i take a peak of the surrounding areas for streets or places to possibly get turned around on. however, don't ever use either site as a routing tool. i only use them for what i mentioned above, and to confirm teh directions given, or to clarify any discrepancies. another thing, stay away from the macro 12 (maptuit) directions. stick to the macro 23 directions. they're more reliable.

dont think i have ever used 12. just 23. and i would never rely 100% on GPS. i've heard even Co-Pilot, even with all the truck tools turned on isnt 100%. I use mapquest now, just sometimes hate how slow it runs. i've got too many movies on my laptop......NO...not porn like some will probably ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin0915 (Post 428610)

dont think i have ever used 12. Just 23. And i would never rely 100% on gps. I've heard even co-pilot, even with all the truck tools turned on isnt 100%. I use mapquest now, just sometimes hate how slow it runs. I've got too many movies on my laptop......no...not porn like some will probably ask.

no porn!! Damnit man!!! I don't have enough!!! Sitting at a backhaul shipper waiting to get loaded watching porn is the best!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syncrosonix (Post 428607)

gps isn't 100% reliable. to my knowledge, there aren't any out there with strictly truck routes.

Now there is:
PC*MILER Navigator

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double R (Post 428630)

Now there is:
PC*MILER Navigator

i was actually just looking at that. however, for the almost $400 pricetag, i might as well buy a TomTom for $120, and just cross check the roads it suggests with the 'low clearance' section in my atlas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin0915 (Post 428636)

Check this site out:POI-FACTORY

I downloaded alot of custom "POIs" for my NUVI 350 to make it more "truck friendly". I think they have some for the TOMTOM also. Although my GPS has a "truck" option, I, like you, DOUBLE CHECK every route that it gives. The little sucker already tried to put me under a 13'2" bridge in Newark,NJ:lol:. Of course, I think it was mad at me because I refused to follow the route it suggested:lol:. It also quit speaking to me(I have no sound right now, it comes and goes)

POI Navigator is nothing more than CoPilot v11 running on a standalone device. The software is still garbage.

i hear co-pilot is coming out with a V12 after the beginning of the year. Might be interested in that, but i still cannot justify spending $300 for it when the TomTom will suffice. Thing that kinda annoys me the most, is products have truckers by the balls. They know due to our profession, we need certian things, and we are limited as to where we can go because of our size. I am sure if this 'co pilot' package was sold for hunters or for RV'rs it would be about half the price.

Either way, i will still plan my route with a physical map, and take the directions from my company. unless V-12 is going to run about $200, i dont see the need to spend that much on something 'just for trucks' that will end up leading you down a road with a 13'2" bridge anyways.

Where has the freight gone?

It's a little known fact--

the Mexicans & Canadians have built a network of underground freight tunnels under the United States-- the freight is moving 24/7-- financed by the Chinese and ran by Indians( remotely of course via the world wide web )

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double R (Post 428630)

Now there is:
PC*MILER Navigator

meh, i'll stick to mapquest and google maps. the only times i have to ask the customers where i can get back to the freeway without clipping a potentially low bridge is in the usual cities, especially shitcago.