GPS for truckers

November 22, 2006
I've received multiple requests from my loyal blog readers for help in finding a GPS solution that works well for truckers. The problem with standard GPS solutions is that they were designed with regular vehicles in mind and not 18-wheelers or other large vehicles, including my beloved Garmin StreetPilot 2720. 18-wheelers often cannot go down certain roads or on certain highways due to restrictions, such as low underpasses. Using a standard GPS solution the mapping software typically doesn't allow you specify that you are driving a large truck. I checked the settings for my motley of GPS software/hardware solutions I have including Destinator 3, TomTom 5, Garmin StreetPilot 2720, and an old version of CoPilot. None of them had the ability to set your vehicle type to a large truck or to avoid roads that are restricted to truckers. They had some avoidance options such as avoid toll roads, but that was it.

So I set about to see if I could find a good GPS solution for truckers. One solution I found is from CoPilot called It uses the National Network Routing based on the federal government-designated highway system for oversized vehicles. In addition, this GPS software supports expanded HazMat routing options including General, Explosives, Inhalants and Radioactives. Though if a trucker driver is transporting radioactive materials and doesn't know which road to take, then we all have bigger problems.

In any event, CoPilot CPT9US-BT Truck Laptop 9 also has a 53' Trailer Routing feature that incorporates state governments' legal road designations for 53' trailers. One nice bonus feature for truckers is "Lane Change Warnings alerts" that warn you of upcoming left exits, ensuring that you have plenty of time to safely get to the proper side of the highway.

There is another model called the CoPilot CPT9US-USB CoPilot Truck Laptop 9 USB which uses a wired GPS connection over USB, but if you're going to buy this product, may as well go with the wireless Bluetooth model.

Another interesting product is from TourSolver. Truckers often have complicated routes often cross-country and spanning multiple stops. TourSolver Version 4 is a fleet-management software, which they claim significantly reduces logistical costs and operates more efficiently overall. Essentially, the software is a route-optimization solution. Major savings and benefits include reducing driving distance and the number of resources used and making better use of working time while considerably improving customer service.
 
Magellan Ingenierie expanded TourSolver's functionality to industries with more complicated routing problems. This version includes a new, activity-focused approach ideally suited to maintenance, service, and after-sales service staff. This addition can manage long site visits spanning several days, and the automatic incorporation of overnight stays away from home based on the distance of the work sites.

Early on, the software incorporated legal driving time requirements for road transportation companies. Transport and logistics professionals will appreciate the new enhancements such as "Delivery Pick-Up" for managing delivery and collection activities as part of the same route; and "Multiple Depot Management, making it possible to distinguish between a company's address, the sites of its various warehouses and possibly the home addresses of the drivers. TourSolver can also handle even the most complex journey scenarios and automatically takes account of the closest warehouses for each trip. Choice of road travel options include the use of main roads as a priority, the avoidance of toll roads, and more.

TourSolver 4 also has an updated the route calculation engine. This new technology guarantees better use of the computer's memory, and allows the possibility to optimize routes over larger areas, covering the entirety of North America.

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Comments to GPS for truckers


  1. Gregori Metzger :
    February 2, 2007 6:46 PM

    I am glad you had looked into this I myself am using microsoft streets 2007 and Delorme streets atlas 2007.. I was planning on buying the CoPilot laptop 9 anyways but you have helped me make up my mind...Thanyou


  1. Jeff Wainwright :
    August 14, 2007 10:59 PM

    Truckers versions need to have the ability to type exits and get a satelite veiw of the the area, this would allow them a better visual of exits especially in large citing with multiple interchanges. As well dead end streets would be helpful, as well a lot of routes have absolutely no road signs of any kind to let you know if you are on course, or the road may have a local name but not the name that appears on your gps mapping; which can confuse you when suddenly the road name changes and doesn't match the gps mapping some land marks would be helpful here. And a added bonus high crime areas and automatic notification of high crime areas and automatic re-routing of trucks to ensure that truckers avoid these areas.


  1. Fearless Ferrell :
    October 15, 2007 1:56 PM

    Why can't one of these gps navigation companies like garmin, magellan, tom tom, design a gps gig for truckers just as they do for automobiles? Screw mounting a laptop where you have to keep looking to the right which is where it's more likely to have to be mounted unless you want it up on your dash blocking view of mirrors and traffic or somewhere by the shift. How can you watch the road and pay attention to detail if you have to look away to follow it?


  1. Steve :
    October 23, 2007 10:53 PM

    I bought copilot truck laptop 9.0 and first time I used it, it led me in the wrong direction. there service after the sale was terrible. leaving voice mail messages to be called back was fruitless. paid extra for overnite shipping and when it did not come when promised I was refused a refund for the extra shipping cost though fedex told me I deserved to get my money back. had to go thru my credit card company. an extra head ache I did not need. I would never recommend this company. very unprofessional service


  1. Peter :
    October 26, 2007 8:17 PM

    A laptop is not a GPS peroid. Microsoft streets and trips is beter then Co pilot. Its not designed for truckers, but at least it wont direct you in the wrong direction.
    I bought a garmin and love it, it can send you into a no truck zone, but so has my co pilot. You need to use your eyes and make sure the streets are ok for truckers.
    i do wish there were beter products out there.


  1. Jim Smith :
    December 12, 2007 9:30 AM

    Everyone will have their preferences regarding the program they like. Personally, I have used Delorme Street Atlas for 3 years now. Honestly, it has never gotten me lost. It has however steered me into some truck restricted areas on occasion (thankfully, no ill consequences!), but between it and my data connection card that lets me be online nearly 24/7, I do very well.

    I am involved with the openstreetmap project, which one day, hopefully, could be the solution to all the different mapping programs out there, much the way Linux is to Micro$oft. If you are willing to donate your time we would love to have the help! It will be several more years before the project is truly viable as a navigation tool, but the more people involved the faster it will go. And... no more "TIGER" data screwups and NO overpriced commercially sold databases and crippled, overpriced, commercial software! 100% free and (hopefully) 100% GPS accurate. We'll see.


  1. Russell Hank :
    December 15, 2007 4:44 PM

    I've been using ALK Technologies' program, "Copilot Truck Laptop 9" for several months and I have to say that my biggest problems with the program are the inflexible forewarning distances, inaccurate truck routes, unwanted checkpoint notifications (i.e. Stay on I-40 as County Road 426 splits off. Who cares about a highway that is not in their plan?), The inability to compensate for ALK's failure (I'm referring to the lousy text-to-speech (TTS) options) by incorporating the TTS voice of the users' choosing into the program, The color scheme for night driving, which does little to reduce unwanted light... I'm pretty sure I could continue past the limits of this page. In short I cannot recommend this program until ALK takes its customers needs into account and makes its program more useful than routing by a truck stop's free services.


  1. trucker :
    February 11, 2008 10:28 AM

    thanks dude for saving me some time or and money.


  1. Cyril Agnew :
    February 18, 2008 12:42 AM

    I am looking into becoming a trucker when I retire from the military. Because of this i am also going to invest in a GPS. I have found out that the Garmin Nuvi 650 has a "truck" option when you set it up. Using this mode should keep you to routes that you can drive your rigs on. Hope this helps those truckers looking for a "truck friendly" GPS.

    Cyril
    North Bay
    Canada


  1. Oleg Popov :
    February 18, 2008 9:02 PM

    Couple of days ago I got a new gps device from TeleType. WorldNav for Truck Routing.
    http://www.teletype.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=310060&Category_Code=WorldNav
    This unit has routing for semi-trailers and so far it is working very well for me.
    It is the first device that I see can really do a good job routing large trucks



  1. James Pierson :
    February 28, 2008 6:39 AM

    Hello. I would like to comment on the Garmin Nuvi 680 since I own and use one.
    While it is a wonderful device and I love using it, it is not the GPS holy grail for truckers. While it lets you set the vehicle type to "Truck" and the route does recalculate when you do so it will stil try to take you places you don't want to be in a big truck. Strangely, I have also had it try to steer me around a route that I know to be a good truckable route but if I switch to "Automobile" mode it will then bring me in on that route.
    I believe Garmin is coming out with a new model called the 880? and it has a larger screen and the ability to preplan your routes and insert via points to avoid truck obstacles you might find using the MCA or even Google satellite maps.It also will have dead reckoning to help with tunnels and tall buildings. Pricey though at $1000.00 plus.

    James Pierson


  1. Scott :
    February 29, 2008 9:20 PM

    I am new to the trucking industry and am frustrated at the lack of portable GPS mapping software. I did find this unit by WorldNav. Has anyone used it? It sounds like a good start to this issue. I like Jeff Wainwright's idea of a satellite view option. I have been using Google earth for that when I have internet access prior to my trip.


  1. Mary Leigh :
    April 24, 2008 8:45 AM

    Thank you for all the help! I am getting ready to buy my first, and have been having headaches over which would be the best. All of your info and the comments are helping me a lot. Thanks again.


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