Trucker GPS And Hazmat Routes

I need a trucker GPS asap. I'm looking at the Rand McNally. Does anyone know if these things come with warnings on hazmat routes and low bridges?

Yesterday, I was hauling 10,000 lbs of sulfuric acid (corrosive-8, iew!) in my front pup and non-hazmat in my rear pup. The hazmat didn't bother me as much as wondering whether or not I was on a restricted road while my 4-wheel GPS took me all over the place. Yikes. I made it back without getting stopped but may-an, the stress was so not worth it.

Hazmat routes and low bridge warnings on these GPS devices? Anyone?

-mountain girl

Most of the truck GPS units allow you to put in the truck specs, height, weight, width and such. Then you can pick other options for your routes as well and go from there. Another nice thing is that you can constantly change your options to accommodate various loads and such.

The Rand 730/530 (truck specific units) look pretty good.

I'm a big fan of ALK's "Co-Pilot" app on my phones and tables. The Trucking Version is $149 for iPhones/Ipads - and you can load it on both devices. ALK also writes the PC-Miler software that a good many of the trucking companies use for mileage and routing.

I've been using the car version of this for years on my iPad and iPhone.

That being said - you should NEVER DEPEND SOLELY on a GPS for routing - especially with doubles/HM loads.

Every try to BACK with a double, because you followed the GPS down the wrong street?

I remember a night in Louisville KY, when I was driving my tour bus and 15' trailer (managed a band) - 3AM after a gig, make a left down a residential street - street ended in a "T" with cars parked right to the corner - NO WAY I could get my rig around. Had to back 200 yards (and it's easier to straight back a TT and 53', than it is to back a 48' bus and 15' - let me tell you).

Rick

MG, you reminded me of something I keep forgetting to ask our P&D drivers. Do you guys get route guides? In linehaul , we get route guides to and from terminals / meet points. Wasn't sure how it was for P&D. In the company route guide, hazmat routes are given. And you can pretty much rest assured that the company route guide isn't gonna put you on a road with a weight restriction, low bridge, etc...

I have the Rand 720. Haven't really tweaked it to show hazmat routes. I've run into a few circumstances where the Rand has either given me a questionable route, or told me to go somewhere I shouldn't (like NOT taking the upper level on the George Washington Bridge when you're supposed to take the upper level in a CMV).

The Rand does have an option to pick if you are hazmat or not and it will adjust accordingly

Bought the new Rand 530 when it came out. I love it, BUT, they're still working on updating the bugs and glitches, so buyer beware. The price has begun to come down on both new ones (530&730). Actually had to send my unit back to Rand last week for some work. But it will do all those things you need as far as routing for specific loads. Just make sure you update the unit on their website whenever possible. Will be a great unit when all the kinks get worked out.

MG, you reminded me of something I keep forgetting to ask our P&D drivers. Do you guys get route guides? In linehaul , we get route guides to and from terminals / meet points. Wasn't sure how it was for P&D. In the company route guide, hazmat routes are given. And you can pretty much rest assured that the company route guide isn't gonna put you on a road with a weight restriction, low bridge, etc...

I have the Rand 720. Haven't really tweaked it to show hazmat routes. I've run into a few circumstances where the Rand has either given me a questionable route, or told me to go somewhere I shouldn't (like NOT taking the upper level on the George Washington Bridge when you're supposed to take the upper level in a CMV).

-6 string rhythm

6 string, I've never seen or heard of a route guide for P & D but if you guys get them, there's no reason we shouldn't. The P & D drivers decide on their own routes, once they're given their manifests from dispatch. I know there are some GPS features on the handheld but I've never seen anyone use them. I know you don't use the handheld but I'll still find out about it. I'm not fully qualified on the "blu" yet, and still writing paper logs till I am. I'm going to ask about route guides tomorrow though and I'll let you know asap.

And that George Washington Bridge, man. It's always had a reputation for being a pain.

I'm seriously considering the Rand 720.

-mountain girl

The Rand does have an option to pick if you are hazmat or not and it will adjust accordingly

-Eckoh

Thanks Eckoh!

... it will do all those things you need as far as routing for specific loads. Just make sure you update the unit on their website whenever possible. Will be a great unit when all the kinks get worked out.

-Weatherman

Right on, Weatherman. Love your Odie pic. That's classic.

Thanks Guys!

-mountain girl

MG, just to clarify, I don't know if P&D drivers get route guides. L/H does. I would be the same no matter which terminal.

And I didn't mean to be super negative about my Rand 720. I do use it every night, even though I probably don't really 'need' it anymore. I know what time it will be depending on what mile marker I'm at, but it's still convenient to just glance at the GPS and see how many miles to go. Plus, it's a nice back up tool in case I get detoured. Basically, I just use my GPS to confirm what I already know from the company route guide or my own map directions, and I use it to give me a head's up when a road is coming up, an exit off a highway, or a junction at a highway, etc... I never trust the Rand 100%, but it's a nice tool in the toolbox. Google Maps is an awesome tool. You could zoom in w/ satellite mode and see what your destination looks like.

Running P&D, you'd probably get more use out of one, but then again, the margin for error might be greater too.

The Rand does have an option to pick if you are hazmat or not and it will adjust accordingly

-Eckoh

Thanks Eckoh!

... it will do all those things you need as far as routing for specific loads. Just make sure you update the unit on their website whenever possible. Will be a great unit when all the kinks get worked out.

-Weatherman

Right on, Weatherman. Love your Odie pic. That's classic.

Thanks Guys!

-mountain girl

Welcome, but that's Bill the Cat from the Bloom County cartoon strip, not Odie.