A GPS is a must for any semi-truck driver. A good GPS will allow you to navigate through optimal trucking routes that provide real-time traffic updates, consider hazmat routes and height restrictions zones, and also warn you of speed limits.
Here we take a look at what to consider when purchasing a GPS for your semi-truck. We also look at the popular GPS brands and the best-recommended GPS for truck drivers.
Here’s a Short Answer to What is the Best GPS for Semi-Truck Drivers:
The Garmin Dezl is one of the best GPS for semi-truck drivers. It provides excellent quality in a well-designed package and gives you real-time traffic updates, bridge heights, and other road hazards. It also has a directory of truck and trailer services to help plan a trucker’s break.
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Here are the Best GPS for Semi-truck Drivers:
| Model | Store | Link |
| Garmin Dezl 780 LMT-S | Garmin Store | Amazon |
| TomTom Trucker 600/20 | TomTom Store | Amazon |
| Rand McNally TND Tablet 85 | Rand McNally Store | Amazon |
| WheelWitness HD Pro Plus | WheelWitness Store | Amazon |
| Garmin Dezl 580 LMT-S | Garmin Store | Amazon |
What GPS is Good for Commercial Vehicles?
Garmin Dezl 770LMTHD is a GPS that is good for commercial vehicles. This device will regularly update its technology.
It has a 7-inch touchscreen display, 2D and 3D maps, and the optimal route for truckers and trailers.
What GPS do Most Truckers Use?
The most well-known truck GPS manufacturers are Garmin and Rand McNally.
When choosing between Garmin and Rand McNally for the best truck GPS units, most truckers are split 50/50.
But the best value of Garmin Dezl 580 LMT-S stood up among the rest because it’s packed with useful features to assist truck drivers in finding the most effective route to fulfill their demands.
Truckers can use truck parking data to locate accessible 18-wheeler parking places at truck stops and rest stops.
Do Truck Drivers have a Special GPS?
Yes, truck drivers have a special GPS for route planning and navigation. As a result, many GPS hardware units and apps are intended explicitly for truck drivers.
Garmin, Rand McNally, and TomTom primarily manufacture special GPS units. Otherwise, numerous digital GPS apps are accessible on AppStore and Google Play.
Can a Truck Driver use a GPS used by Car Drivers?
No, it is dangerous for truck drivers to use a GPS used by car drivers because a car GPS device can find the fastest and shortest routes, but it can’t find truck-only ways or roads with weight, height, or hazardous cargo limits.
This is risky since they rely on systems with insufficient truck route mapping.
Truck drivers who follow car GPS directions may be diverted onto parkways not designed for trucks.
These parkways are frequently crossed by bridges shorter than the standard truck box height. A truck’s roof is occasionally torn off, or a vehicle becomes stuck beneath an underpass.
Do all Semi-Truck GPS come with Hazmat Routes?
Yes, these satellite navigation systems typically have significantly larger screens than ordinary GPS systems, allowing you to see your device from across the cabin and displaying far more information at any given time.
They usually have multiple screens, so you can see your route to your destination and other information like the weather, your current speed, the speed limit, and even the grade of the slope you’re driving down simultaneously.
In addition, because overnight semi-truck stops are unlikely to be visible on a regular GPS device, the points of interest databases in semi-truck specialist versions will be different.
Features to Consider when Choosing a GPS for your Semi-Truck:
Choosing the proper semi-truck GPS gadget might be difficult since you must select the one you can trust and put your life in its hands.
A semi-truck GPS navigation system will calculate the optimal route for you based on factors compatible with your semi-truck dimensions.
Size
Look for screens larger than 6-inches because they are easier to read, especially when mounted on your vehicle dashboard.
Larger screens are also more convenient to use, particularly when wearing gloves.
Display and Resolution
You don’t really need to be too technical when it comes to screen resolution. The most important aspect when it comes to resolution is to be able to see the graphics and text clearly, and not be a nuisance to the eye.
Additionally, the display light should be bright enough for daytime and nighttime viewing.
A GPS with a high screen resolution such as 1280 x 800 pixels will provide you with crisp and clear graphics.
Connectivity
A handy feature is to have your smartphone connect to your GPS. Information such as text, calls, and locations, can be shared via an app-specific to your navigation device. Just ensure that your smartphone is compatible.
Mounting Type
The GPS must have a secured place on the vehicle to prevent it from dropping when driving. This is typically done by using a suction cup with a magnetic attachment or a robust and screw-down mount option.
In addition to the typical horizontal position, the 8″ and 10″ monitors can also be mounted vertically.
Voice Command
The voice assistant allows you to ask for instructions while keeping your hands on the wheel to make things even more accessible.
Camera
Some GPS devices are backup camera compatible. This means that you will be able to wire a backup camera to the GPS device and use the GPS device as your display screen.
Storage
It is advisable to have a GPS with a micro SD slot to store map data. GPS devices typically come with internal storage but this will be an inconvenience if your storage is full and you need to update the software.
Lane Assist
Look for devices with zoom images that allow you to zoom down to street level and use 3D Maps for roads and highways.
Allow your GPS navigation system to show you which lane you should be in at any complex interchanges.
Speed Limit Indicator
Your drivers will slow down if they know their speed is monitored. As a result, your drivers will not obtain speeding tickets, and you will not need to hire new drivers.
You’ll have a better set of drivers and reduced turnover.
Traffic Services
Nothing is more frustrating for a trucker than being detained in traffic and knowing that you are wasting money not getting to your destination and on to your subsequent work.
Traffic Alerts keep you out of the worst traffic congestion and, as a result, keep you moving.
Battery
Battery-powered equipment can operate regardless of the trailer’s power condition, but it must be recharged or replaced regularly.
Map Upgrades
Being updated with the latest road constructed ways is such an advantage when using a GPS unit with its feature.
Are there Any Subscription Fees for your Semi-truck GPS?
There are semi-truck GPS units that have subscription fees.
Considering the enormous cost of running such an extensive tracking system, it is difficult to find a GPS tracker that does not charge a monthly fee.
Some businesses advertise “no monthly fees,” but they need you to buy yearly subscriptions in advance.
If they don’t demand a monthly fee, they’re just a GPS logger with no real-time capabilities, which isn’t necessarily the most excellent option for managing your semi-truck.
Many of these “free” solutions have upgrade options that give you access to extra features. Because data must be transported, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a reliable GPS tracker with no monthly expenses.
Best Garmin GPS for Truckers
The best Garmin GPS for truckers is the Garmin 780 LMT-S model.
It has a 7-inch screen with capabilities such as map updates, traffic updates, and an extensive library of truck-specific information.
It also works with a Garmin eLog compliant ELD (available separately) for subscription-free Hours of Service (HOS) recording without using a smartphone or tablet.
Best Rand McNally GPS for Semi-truck Drivers
The best Rand McNally GPS for semi-truck drivers is the TND TABLET 85, which has an 8-inch screen.
It has truck-specific navigation devices that provide traffic alerts, directions, real-time weather, traffic, and fuel prices based on your route and truck POIs, advanced lane guidance, toll costs, warnings, and fuel logs.
Best Tomtom GPS for Semi-truck Drivers
The TomTom Trucker 600/620 is the best Tomtom GPS for semi-truck drivers, including a 6-inch screen that works without using a smartphone app.
MyDrive from TomTom allows you to plan routes, check live traffic, and store favorite POIs directly to your navigation device from your smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Semi-trucks are being kept out of prohibited regions by this GPS. Instead, it creates a less-than-ideal passageway for our massive commercial vehicles.
Best Truck GPS with Dash Cam
The best truck GPS with a dash cam is the WheelWitness HD Pro Plus because of its ease of use, reasonable price, and software capabilities.
The WheelWitness dash cam has an ultra-wide-angle lens with a field of view of 170 degrees, which means it can see and record a full A-pillar to A-pillar view of what’s happening in front of your car.
The camera has 2560 x 1080 pixels or a slightly wider resolution of 2306 x 1296 pixels.
