GPS Question

LCTC - Load check, tire check. In flat bedding you have to stop in the first 50 miles/ 1 hr then every 150/3hr (DOT requirement). This is to make sure your securement is tight, which means you check your tarps, too. Some loads you will tighten the whole way. It is a nice excuse to answer nature's call and stretch the legs.

New to the industry and would definitely want to get a GPS unit. Now question is which one. I have narrowed it down to 2 of them. I know none of these are 100% accurate just looking for a nice one.

Rand McNally - intelliroute TND 720 7" GPS with Lifetime Map Updates

I can only comment on the 720 model like others said you still want to have the atlas handy but I really like the rand mcnally gps and use it every day driving. I alway do the compare routes when planning and trip and on longer trips I will rerun it as I go along to sometimes cut some miles off of my trip.

Make sure you accurately enter the address a lot of cities have many roads with same name but might be ave street or road after the same name.. you can enter the zip code instead of the city name which saves some typing. a lot of video information on rand's web sight.

But like someone else pointed out you can click for things along your route or near your destination to find stopping spots. you might have a shipper that does not allow parking ect ect so helps you plan your trips out.

Flat bedding we have to do the load checks which someone else pointed out very handy to find safe haven's to do that stuff at.

The other one you mention might do all that stuff as well I am not sure but the rand is very easy to do even going down the road. I do find roads that are not fully updated in recent construction areas but eventually they will wind up on them.

again this is a tool to go along with your atlas especially with towns that are not in the atlas. It will be very valuable in navigating the interstate system but can lead you astray now and then

If mine quit I can write the direction's on my wind shield and get by but would be buying another one quickly.. Randy

On a side note what does LCTC stand for? My first job that I start on the 4th is a flatbed job so that peaked my interest lol.

Thanks for your help

Load Check, Tarp Check is my guess, you have to stop occasionally and check the wind hasn't ripped a ring out or chafe sawn through a strap.

Ahhhh thank you.. Thank makes sense.

LCTC - Load check, tire check. In flat bedding you have to stop in the first 50 miles/ 1 hr then every 150/3hr (DOT requirement). This is to make sure your securement is tight, which means you check your tarps, too. Some loads you will tighten the whole way. It is a nice excuse to answer nature's call and stretch the legs.

Thank you. Learn something new everyday before I even start :)

New to the industry and would definitely want to get a GPS unit. Now question is which one. I have narrowed it down to 2 of them. I know none of these are 100% accurate just looking for a nice one.

Rand McNally - intelliroute TND 720 7" GPS with Lifetime Map Updates

I can only comment on the 720 model like others said you still want to have the atlas handy but I really like the rand mcnally gps and use it every day driving. I alway do the compare routes when planning and trip and on longer trips I will rerun it as I go along to sometimes cut some miles off of my trip.

Make sure you accurately enter the address a lot of cities have many roads with same name but might be ave street or road after the same name.. you can enter the zip code instead of the city name which saves some typing. a lot of video information on rand's web sight.

But like someone else pointed out you can click for things along your route or near your destination to find stopping spots. you might have a shipper that does not allow parking ect ect so helps you plan your trips out.

Flat bedding we have to do the load checks which someone else pointed out very handy to find safe haven's to do that stuff at.

The other one you mention might do all that stuff as well I am not sure but the rand is very easy to do even going down the road. I do find roads that are not fully updated in recent construction areas but eventually they will wind up on them.

again this is a tool to go along with your atlas especially with towns that are not in the atlas. It will be very valuable in navigating the interstate system but can lead you astray now and then

If mine quit I can write the direction's on my wind shield and get by but would be buying another one quickly.. Randy

Thanks for the info. Thats a big help.

I have used Garmin for years but not upgraded to the Dezl yet. That will be my next pick.

Nothing wrong per sa with the Rand. My two trainers both had the Rand 720. During my drive time, I used my older Garmin 465T. The very first trucker's GPS. I do have to say, the Rand made a few mistakes that my Garmin didn't make. However, the 465 is plagued with enough problems in it's own. It didn't need to make any more mistakes.

Several times the Rand warned us of dirt roads ahead. We were on a 4 lane interstate. And a couple of times it took us through residential area to make a pickup. We went past the entrance to an industrial park to take the back way in. Through the residential area.

I have used Garmin ever since I have been on the road and I just prefer it to others.

Both the Garmin and the Rand are top shelve. I don't think you will go wrong with either choice. They both have great ratings and they both work good from all reviews. Mostly when it comes down to choice of those two, I think the final choice is personal preference on the "bells and whistles" each will do.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S

I have used Garmin for years but not upgraded to the Dezl yet. That will be my next pick.

Nothing wrong per sa with the Rand. My two trainers both had the Rand 720. During my drive time, I used my older Garmin 465T. The very first trucker's GPS. I do have to say, the Rand made a few mistakes that my Garmin didn't make. However, the 465 is plagued with enough problems in it's own. It didn't need to make any more mistakes.

Several times the Rand warned us of dirt roads ahead. We were on a 4 lane interstate. And a couple of times it took us through residential area to make a pickup. We went past the entrance to an industrial park to take the back way in. Through the residential area.

I have used Garmin ever since I have been on the road and I just prefer it to others.

Both the Garmin and the Rand are top shelve. I don't think you will go wrong with either choice. They both have great ratings and they both work good from all reviews. Mostly when it comes down to choice of those two, I think the final choice is personal preference on the "bells and whistles" each will do.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S

Thanks Joe for your info. Im gonna prob go with the Rand first and hope I like it. Only gonna be making $375 a week during my training so that is the cheaper of the two lol.

I know all about not making much money.

I don't know how much your Rand will cost, but I found the Garmin Dezl 760LMT for $279.95.

I found it at http://g.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/17542/Garmin-Trucking-GPS-Systems.html

It is factory refurbished, but that is all I have ever run and I have not had any problems. You still have a new warranty as if it were new.

Keep it safe out here. The life you save might be your own. Joe S

I have the Rand McNally 720 and like it very much. A word of caution though...no matter which GPS you get verify the route it gives you. Recently I was in Albany OR and had to deadhead to pick up a load of lumber in Tillamook then run it to LA. I jumped in the truck and took off trusting the route the GPS gave me. BIG MISTAKE! Took me 57 miles across a dirt logging road....twists and turns and low branches. I had NO business being on that road pulling a 53 foot trailer. The route technically saved me about 7 miles, but took two hours longer.

Verify your route, no matter how short it is.

I have the Rand McNally 720 and like it very much. A word of caution though...no matter which GPS you get verify the route it gives you. Recently I was in Albany OR and had to deadhead to pick up a load of lumber in Tillamook then run it to LA. I jumped in the truck and took off trusting the route the GPS gave me. BIG MISTAKE! Took me 57 miles across a dirt logging road....twists and turns and low branches. I had NO business being on that road pulling a 53 foot trailer. The route technically saved me about 7 miles, but took two hours longer.

Verify your route, no matter how short it is.

Thanks for the info. Yeah definitely wont trust it 100% thats for sure.