What GPS unit does everyone use for hauling their trailer? My GPS finally needs to be replaced and I would like to get one that can take me on “truck routes” when I have the big horse trailer attached. It appears that some units you can put in your trailer size etc so it can make an appropriate route. I’ve always had a TomTom but Garmin looks like they may be a better choice for trucking. I would love to hear people’s experiences!
I just use the maps on my cell phone. I don’t see the reason to spend money on an item that is obsolete in a year or so.
Google Maps on my phone does a much better job than my GPS (a Magellan). Just be sure to have a cord to power your phone while driving and using GPS.
Out of curiosity I did a bit of looking at “trucker gps”'s. Unless your phone maps have an option for truckers, it clearly does not meet the OP’s fundamental request.
For a few hundred bucks there were a number of options out there and all of them came with free map updates for life. So old maps should not be a problem either.
I have a personal fear of getting a large rig stuck somewhere on a public road. (Yes, it’s irrational but I admit it). If I were pulling a bigger rig I’d certainly want to know the way to my destination that doesn’t involve tight turns and low overhangs. It would also be my duty as a motorist to avoid places my rig cannot pass.
Not surprisingly, truckers buy GPS’s and some of them run websites for other truckers. It takes just a few google seconds to land on a number of reviews for truck GPS’s. Seems like a great idea.
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[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;8540968]
Out of curiosity I did a bit of looking at “trucker gps”'s. Unless your phone maps have an option for truckers, it clearly does not meet the OP’s fundamental request.
For a few hundred bucks there were a number of options out there and all of them came with free map updates for life. So old maps should not be a problem either.
I have a personal fear of getting a large rig stuck somewhere on a public road. (Yes, it’s irrational but I admit it). If I were pulling a bigger rig I’d certainly want to know the way to my destination that doesn’t involve tight turns and low overhangs. It would also be my duty as a motorist to avoid places my rig cannot pass.
Not surprisingly, truckers buy GPS’s and some of them run websites for other truckers. It takes just a few google seconds to land on a number of reviews for truck GPS’s. Seems like a great idea.[/QUOTE]
Not an irrational fear if you have been send up a bike trail or pedestrian walk by your GPS…
Had it happen before. I trust my GPS for most parts, but double checking saves the day.
Having said that, I have not been in a rig in 4 years, a regular unit works for me - most times.
We use a low end Gammon. It, too, now comes with updates for life.
DHCarrotfeeder -
Thank you. I have seen several that come across and the reviews seem consistent on the ones that call themselves trucking GPS. I have seen a couple GPS units on Amazon under “trucking GPS” that I cannot find whether or not they actually have the trucking options. My rig is 52’ from front bumper to back bumper and I plan on going to bigger shows further from home this year so it seems like a good thing to consider - trucking routes - since I will not be familiar with the areas and I won’t know people who would know my routes. I also wonder if it would be better to get the trucking GPS or the RV GPS
I didn’t know they made RV GPS, but it makes sense. It seems to me an RV is the more apt comparison.
David
I ordered the Garmin RV 660LMT to give it a shot. Seems to have the best lay person reviews. Hope it works! If I like it I will let you all know
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I travel for work, so my GPS is my work partner! I won’t use anything except Garmin -have tried them all, and Garmin has the best maps by far. Phone GPS is less accurate, and TomTom and Magellan - are awful. They must buy their maps in China:mad: Once you get off the beaten path, you need GOOD map service.
I have the Truckers Path app on my phone. There are a few trucking GPS apps but I like the Truckers Path one. Only thing I dont like about it is the fact that you dont always get dropped off at the exact driveway.
It works well through the cities though when your regular GPS wants you to take car only routes or turns that cars can only make or really low bridges that you cringe going under or super steep grades. I hate normal GPS for all these reasons.
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MysticOakRanch - I am glad to hear you like Garmin. I got TomTom years ago for my job (drove to people’s houses about 1000 miles a week) and rarely have had any issues with it. I just am not familiar with the Garmin interface so when I use it I haven’t liked it simply because it wasn’t what I was used to. My unit is supposed to arrive today so I can play with the settings and hopefully like it better.
FLeventer - If the Garmin upsets me too much I will give the app a try. I just don’t generally like using my phone for directions because I like to be able to glance at my GPS and see where we are how much further to go etc and still be able to use my phone for phone things. Like making phone calls 
Truck stops generally stock “trucker” GPS…you can also check on apps for Trucker GPS for your given phone platform.
Just a heads up that this thread was bumped by a now-deleted spam post.
Thanks!
Mod 1
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Thanks for this question! I too have been looking for just such an app, as regular GPS often gives you a route suitable only for passenger cars. I’ll check out Truckers Path
