GPS for Trucks

Trucking GPS

7/28/2015

This subject area is for GPS units and GPS software specialized for Commercial Trucking.  The primary area of concerned for Heavy Haulers and their RV trailers is road height clearances.  A secondary area of concern would be roads with turns too tight for our rigs.  And finally, truck restrictions that we may avoid but should consider.  By definition, trucking GPS will be looking for road clearances of at least 13' 6".

There are three categories for trucking GPS; self-contained units, software for laptops and a new category for software designed to run on smartphones.
 

From Mark & Dale (Mark):
From a lot of research, I have uncovered that you can find negative reviews of all the units and software discussed here.  These negative reviews occurred primarily when the products were released. Most of the current reviews are positive on all these products.

Another observation is that all these products will still have a few negative reviews, even in the current offerings.  It appears that is not just a person problem because in most cases, that person will have success with a different product.  And vice-versa. My suggestion is to take the negative reviews with a grain of salt.

 

Self-Contained Trucking GPS Units

Garmin RV 760LMT

The Garmin RV 760LMT has the features of the 560 LT with a larger screen.  The LMT has a lifetime Traffic Update subscription.

The RV 760LMT also includes America's RV Parks Services Directory

Garmin gets the road database for the 760LMT from Navteq, a major providers of electronic maps to the transportation industry.

Garmin does road database updates via download using a unit-lifetime subscription.
 


 

Garmin dezi 560LT/LMT

The Garmin dezi 560LT has the features of the 465T with a larger screen.  The LMT has a lifetimeTraffic Update subscription.

Garmin gets the road database for the 560LT from Navteq, a major providers of electronic maps to the transportation industry.

Garmin does road database updates via download using a unit-lifetime subscription.

 


 

Garmin Nuvi 465T/LMT

The "T" denotes Traffic Update in the Garmin Nuvi 465T , not Truck.  This was the first Garmin unit with a height knowledgeable road database.  The LMT has a lifetime Traffic Updatesubscription.

Garmin gets the road database for the 465T from Navteq, a major providers of electronic maps to the transportation industry.

Garmin does road database updates via download using a unit-lifetime subscription.
 


 

 

Rand McNally

 

 

Model Screen Size
TND500 5.0
TND700 7.0

Rand McNally has been a major contributor to the commercial trucking mapping industry for 70 years.

It appears that the pricing model for the TND500/700 is free road database updates via download.  It looks like a major software change would be either be a new unit or a fee for the upgrade.
 


 

Teletype WorldNav

Current Model Screen Size
WorldNav 3300 3.5
WorldNav 5100 5.0
WorldNav 7300 7.0

Teletype has been delivering software solutions for 29 years.

The WorldNav road database is from Navteq, a major providers of electronic maps to the transportation industry.

Road database and software updates are delivered by SD card on a per-update fee or by annual subscription.
 


 

Trucking GPS Software Packages

 

ALK CoPilot Laptop 11 Truck

ALK is a 31 year old major software contributor to the commercial trucking world with their PC-Miler Fleet packages.  ALK maintains their own road database with input from several commercial sources and feedback from users of ALK software my submitting plots of their trips.

Updates to previous versions of CoPilot are done with new version releases for a fee.
 


 

ALK CoPilot Live v8 Truck

ALK CoPilot Live v8 Truck has been released but not delivered in the PC version.

Updates to CoPilot Live v8 Truck will be offered by download with a subscription.
 


 

Teletype WorldNav

Teletype has been delivering software solutions for 29 years.

The WorldNav road database is from Navteq, a major providers of electronic maps to the transportation industry.

Road database and software updates are delivered by SD card on a per-update fee or by annual subscription.
 


 

Smartphone Trucking GPS Software

 

ALK CoPilot Live v8 Smartphone

ALK CoPilot Live v8 Truck has been released and is deliverable for Windows Mobile Edition with versions for other smartphones to follow..

Updates to CoPilot Live v8 Truck will be offered by download with a subscription.
 

Some other references for GPS units for Truckers

Escapees Forum threads on Trucking GPS