Tech Stuff

So I'm a tech geek, I love gadgets. I was wondering what everyone likes to use for trip planning? I like maps as well and think I might go buy an atlas just to study and run practice numbers on planning. I assume coverage is spotty so I wouldn't want to rely on something online but I imagine there is some programs or apps out there that could help with planning. Starting with maps I saw a YouTube video of bigrigtalk doing some planning with "streets and trips". It had a few neat features like being able to say the first day you plan to drive 8 hrs and take 30 minute breaks every 3 hours. Then it would show on the map where those would work out, just a baseline. Then he could see what's around that 8 hr mark to plan where to stay that night. I can see where that would be cool, it was stored maps too so no internet required. I could also see where sometimes you just don't have time to sit down and plan like that. Does anyone do something similar?

Next up I was thinking about weather and traffic, is there anyway to track this better than just paying attention to the radio, etc? It would be cool if you could plot your route and see what kind of weather to suspect around the times you would be in that area. For example the night Daniel pushed through the pass and it closed behind him. If you had some way to see what time you were estimated to hit the pass vs the time the storm was going to hit maybe you want to hurry up or slow down to avoid it. The same could be said for traffic, aside from the obvious rush hours of major cities to avoid. That would be more local and sorry distance but does anyone use any programs for these instances? Or any other tools of the trade?

Sure there are apps that can do this stuff you are wanting done problem is you can't use your phone or iPhone or any other computer while driving or it could cost you $2750.00. The fine for distracted driving while in control of a commercial vehicle. Not worth the risk.

You can plan your trip out as long as you go the way the company wants you to. They will most time give you directions.

I was going to post a long smart a$$ answer but decided to be nice. Forget technology to a certain point. Just use the GPS and an atlas to trip plan. It's all you need. Maybe a pen and paper to write down notes. See how LOW tech trip planning is?

I would not depend on any tech unless you first know how to do without it. I am serious. Trip planning. Planning your day. All can be done without tech at all.....

But if you can't do without tech and really have to have it then I would go talk to Bigrigtalk and ask what he uses. The most you will get around here are a few truck stop apps. GPS's. Maybe a locator or two but that's about it. There is not an app that can trip plan for you. You have to learn how to do that yourself.

Now I am not anti tech. I have 2 laptops, 3 GPS units, 2 smart phones and 2 Samsung PRO 12.2 tablets on the truck with me. I know tech. But none of it is really useful since your not supposed to use any of it while driving.

Lol thanks. Yeah I know you can't use it while driving, just seemed like a cool way to get a "rough draft" plan maybe while you are getting unloaded to look ahead at the next load. If you've never been to an area how do you plan ahead where you will be in say 4 hrs or do you just drive and start looking for parking when time is close?

I've said it for years but tech gets a bad rap for distracted driving. $300 if I use an app on my phone to do it all for me, but I can look at an atlas then cross reference that with the truck stop list and then check the back index for mileage to certain towns? Lol. I know people that can't even talk and keep their eyes on the road, I'm sure one of these days every vehicle will have dash cams that also include a camera facing the driver and try to keep everyone "honest".

Oops got off on a tangent. What about weather and traffic? I'm just brainstorming and day dreaming while I compare schools :)

Daniels thread was awesome for seeing that being the scenes thinking. I've always been analytical and a numbers guy so I'm looking forward to figuring this all out. That software just looked like a great way to get a snapshot of your trip and stops in about 5 minutes on the laptop. It was just a baseline but it showed the approximate Mile post you would be at the end of X hours so it would give you a chance to look at the map and see what's in that area and then you could compare everything else(factors I'm still learning like where the scheduled fuel stop is etc). I've worked out in the field for 17 years so I know all about the "best laid plans"and Murphy's law lol. It looked like a cool tool if you had the time in the sleeper to check it out.

On the map book thing: Be sure you invest in a map book that is for Motor Carriers. I just bought a really neat-o, cool-o, bad-a$$ Rand McNally Deluxe (gotta' be deluxe if you're gonna be a geek/nerd) Motor Carriers' Road Atlas at a Sapp Bros truck stop the other day. Every single page is laminated and it has everything you need: low clearance locations, bridge weight limits, weigh stations, DOT inspection list, fuel taxes, stuff about laws in every state, city-to-city distances, highlighted state and national designated routes, etc. US, CA, and Mexico stuff. It's the bomb. It cost about $36 but worth it.

I know there are lists of truck stops and their locations on the internet, too.

-mountain girl

OK Jay B. Everyone has there preferences and I like to use the Rand McNally 720 GPS unit. For a baseline like you are talking about I can put in the start and end places and fill in the entire trip with fuel stops and possible rest break areas for the 30 minute break and end of day break in about 5 minutes. It's really that easy and fast and all done on a device that the DOT accepts as a tool of our trade and they don't look twice at it.

Computer programs are useless. If you want to see the area your going to use Google maps on your phone. Takes less time to fire up and you get the same satellite imagery as a computer.

The only other thing that could help you is something you can not buy. Experience. I have been doing this for 16 years. I have been on almost every road in the US except a few of the back roads and a few roads I will never admit to being on but after a while you will remember area that you have been to before and you can start doing a lot of trip planing in your head without the aide of a computer or GPS.

But yeah once you get some road experience you can just take off and go and plan while you are driving down the road.

Yeah for sure mg! I've already got my eyes on that exact atlas :)

Aw! Crikey! She's a beauty! ...(Steve Irwin voice and accent)

-mountain girl

Thanks Guy, I didn't realize the GPS was that advanced, guess it does most of that already.

Do most of the drivers have a phone mount, is that allowed? Or do you put the phone completely away out of sight?

Aw! Crikey! She's a beauty! ...(Steve Irwin voice and accent)

-mountain girl

At least your safe. That Atlas does not have a tail that can sting ya so you should be fine unlike Steve the Manta ray molester. Yea I went there.