GPS

I thought the Rand McNally GPS used the same maps as the atlas?

All maps have the roads in the same places. Therefore all gps units have the same maps. It is the ROUTING that is critical. Always check the gps routing against your RM Motor Carrier paper atlas. The front of the atlas has invaluable information for Truck Drivers. If you don't have one, GET ONE! Spend some time going through the information to farmiliarize yourself with it. Ask your Trainer to see his!

Sorry, I couldn't resist that comment. I doubt he even owns one from the way you describe him.

Also, just because I a route is truck legal, does not mean that it is truck friendly. It might be friendly for a class B, or a day cab pulling a pup or 48' trailer. But a truck like mine with a 280" wheelbase, 53' trailer and spread axles..... Well, You get the idea.

I thought the Rand McNally GPS used the same maps as the atlas?

All maps have the roads in the same places. Therefore all gps units have the same maps. It is the ROUTING that is critical. Always check the gps routing against your RM Motor Carrier paper atlas. The front of the atlas has invaluable information for Truck Drivers. If you don't have one, GET ONE! Spend some time going through the information to farmiliarize yourself with it. Ask your Trainer to see his!

Sorry, I couldn't resist that comment. I doubt he even owns one from the way you describe him.

I thought the Rand McNally GPS used the same maps as the atlas?

All maps have the roads in the same places. Therefore all gps units have the same maps. It is the ROUTING that is critical. Always check the gps routing against your RM Motor Carrier paper atlas. The front of the atlas has invaluable information for Truck Drivers. If you don't have one, GET ONE! Spend some time going through the information to farmiliarize yourself with it. Ask your Trainer to see his!

Sorry, I couldn't resist that comment. I doubt he even owns one from the way you describe him.

I have the 2019 version. I have never seen him use one, he relies on a RM GPS. Then tells me not to follow it, LOL

Mario H just gave the worst advice about GPS i have ever seen:

But in most cases, following GPS is a best idea.

Do NOT follow this advice.

Blindly following GPSs has put drivers in lakes, on beaches, on historic bridges above truck weight limits, and even in residential driveways. Following a GPS can slam you into a low clearance bridge or through a residential neighborhood with kids and dogs running around.

And yes, Im talking about the Truck GPSs.

Mario H just gave the worst advice about GPS i have ever seen:

But in most cases, following GPS is a best idea.

Do NOT follow this advice.

Blindly following GPSs has put drivers in lakes, on beaches, on historic bridges above truck weight limits, and even in residential driveways. Following a GPS can slam you into a low clearance bridge or through a residential neighborhood with kids and dogs running around.

And yes, Im talking about the Truck GPSs.

Use everything, motor carrier atlas, GPS, satellite photos(showed me how to approach sites, where the docks are), and most importantly, common sense...😎😎

Grumpy Old Man....

It is possible the trainer knows the roads and doesnt need the atlas for MOST routing or loads.

I travel the same routes so often that I pull it out for local driving, and US routes, not.interstates. I have been at this long enough to know many US routes also.

So i understand what he is doing. I also know the highway and exit numbers for many truck stops along the routes. I mainly use my GPS to give me the distance to the truck stops while my company NavGo for the customer.

Using both this way helps me determine how far i need to drive in a shift and where i can park.

It comes with time and experience.

Rainy wrote...

Mario H just gave the worst advice about GPS i have ever seen:

But in most cases, following GPS is a best idea.

Do NOT follow this advice.

Blindly following GPSs has put drivers in lakes, on beaches, on historic bridges above truck weight limits, and even in residential driveways. Following a GPS can slam you into a low clearance bridge or through a residential neighborhood with kids and dogs running around.

And yes, Im talking about the Truck GPSs.

So incredibly true. Rainy is “spot-on”.

Case in Point; there is a Walmart and Sam’s Club in a town near Reading Pa called Tremple. PA 222 and PA 61 are the major intersecting highways. For years when exiting the Sams to head north back to the DC, the Navigo (truckers GPS) would route onto a road called Heller Rd. Heller has an overpass marked for 10’.

Whomever blindly followed the GPS provided route was very quickly confronted with a very low bridge.

Use all of the tools and do not rely 100% on any GPS. Doing this is a huge mistake.

Rainy wrote...

Mario H just gave the worst advice about GPS i have ever seen:

But in most cases, following GPS is a best idea.

Do NOT follow this advice.

Blindly following GPSs has put drivers in lakes, on beaches, on historic bridges above truck weight limits, and even in residential driveways. Following a GPS can slam you into a low clearance bridge or through a residential neighborhood with kids and dogs running around.

And yes, Im talking about the Truck GPSs.

So incredibly true. Rainy is “spot-on”.

Case in Point; there is a Walmart and Sam’s Club in a town near Reading Pa called Tremple. PA 222 and PA 61 are the major intersecting highways. For years when exiting the Sams to head north back to the DC, the Navigo (truckers GPS) would route onto a road called Heller Rd. Heller has an overpass marked for 10’.

Whomever blindly followed the GPS provided route was very quickly confronted with a very low bridge.

Use all of the tools and do not rely 100% on any GPS. Doing this is a huge mistake.

Like when Apple came out with there maps function and it was screwed up..women followed the GPS into a desert when she was suppose to be near homes and ran out of gas, and another women drove down a boat ramp following the gps/map function...😂🤣😆

Grumpy Old Man....

It is possible the trainer knows the roads and doesnt need the atlas for MOST routing or loads.

I travel the same routes so often that I pull it out for local driving, and US routes, not.interstates. I have been at this long enough to know many US routes also.

So i understand what he is doing. I also know the highway and exit numbers for many truck stops along the routes. I mainly use my GPS to give me the distance to the truck stops while my company NavGo for the customer.

Using both this way helps me determine how far i need to drive in a shift and where i can park.

It comes with time and experience.

That is true, he has been to all these places before. I just wish he wouldn’t tell me to follow the GPS and then yell when I do.

Haha. My PSD instructor set rhe GPS for the Gworge Washington Bridge from NY to NJ at 1700. I went the Tappen Zee. He was yelling and pointing.. THAT WAY. i was like "nope! This way is safer and the GPS is a tool". lol