Question:
Hi,,,
Ok,got my first ? ,now that he is a OTR werner driver(lol)
He is doing his first solo run today!!!
He would like any info,on what kind of laptop to get?And is there a good program out for mapping,,,,,innercity,addresses,(to make delievery less stressful), that can be used in a laptop.
Also like to know,,if a driver gets dispatched out of i.e. Omaha,with load for a differend time zone i.e. florida,,,,,,and delievery time is i.e. 8:30 am,,,,,would that be local time or Omaha time????
There is so much to remember!!!!
thanks for any info.
stay safe,,
sandy

Answer:
If you use Mapquest On-line keep in mind the driving time estimate is for automobiles not trucks.
I use PC Miler on my laptop with Streets 98. PC Miler works great for city to city and Streets 98 fills in the details for in the city.
Keep in mind some cities such as Chicago have low bridge clearances and the low bridge clearances won't appear on any mapping program. A good Motor Carrier's Atlas should list all low clearances.
The delivery time is usually stated in the time zone where you're delivering.
John Q.
"If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers"If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
I didn't know Werner pays Newbie's that well to afford a laptop. You can count on spending a minimal $850. on a good, new laptop, or try your luck at a pawnshop. As far as map program, the best I have use and like is Microsoft Streets.

Answer:
He'd better have his Motor Carriers Road Atlas by now.
Delivery time is i.e. 8:30 am,,,,, that would be local time, may or may not be the same as his logging time. BOL

Answer:
of companies out there give pick up and delivery times for the time zone where the pickup or delivery is made. They also want ETA's given for the time zone you are going to.
Laptops.....you can expect to spend $800-$1200 on a new one.
A decent refurbished lap top you can expect to spend $400 and up.
Try Tiger Direct for some refurbs. There are other places online to buy them. I have bought other items from Tiger though and have always been pleased with the quality and the service.
Mapping programs.....Microsoft streets and trips is a good program for all purpose routing...though it is designed for cars and you need to always check for low clearance with your map. It is also always a good idea to call the shipper or reciever direct to verify directions. Truck routes may come into play as well as detours due to construction that you wouldnt know about if using old directions from the company or a mapping program.
Rand Mcnally and truck miles make a truck routing program that will route city to city but does not give directions to addresses. Both sell for around $200.00
Truck miles
Rand Mcnally Route tools
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
All those programs discussed are great for four wheelers or hikers, but they don't take into account a rig that's 70+ feet long and 13'6" tall. They'll guide you the shortest distance, regardless of clearances. It's real expensive, about $500, but tell him to get Co-Pilot Truck 2003. It's designed with the professional trucker in mind.
Werner dispatches for pick up and delivery by local time at the pick up or delivery site. All other times, like logging and other communications are Central Time Zone, where Omaha is.
Semper Fi,
Wayne

Answer:
"Streets" judging by routes I've tried to map in the Chicago area is without a doubt the worst program there is for even fourwheelers.
Mike
Answer:
Originally posted by RABELAM:
"Streets" judging by routes I've tried to map in the Chicago area is without a doubt the worst program there is for even fourwheelers.
Mike
Maybe because there is no good way to get around in the Chicago area.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Maybe because there is no good way to get around in the Chicago area.
Well you got me there.
Seriously any of the free mapping sites are better
than Streets as far as Chicago goes.
My advice like yours is to call shipping for directions. If asking directions on the CB have an address,not just a Company name.
The Interstates here can be confusing,they don't run exactly as they say.
Mike
Answer:
...... learn what the orange highlighted routes are for, how to read the charts on states weights and size restrictions, both on those approved interstate and federal highways, and the states other routes where state length and width laws still apply.
Learn that restricted Routes means NO commercial trucks, and not simply that size limits apply (a common misconception).
Here, and in many other states, the length law is 65' bumper to bumper, if caught off those highlighted routes, and it's not a state approved access route, it's "overlength" at minimum (fine, no points), and if the truck is found on a posted section where he has passed a sign (they are big signs) that states something like "TRUCKERS" in big black letters across an orange background (the "attention getter") and then below it is something is a message a white background (the "enforceable" part) that says, for example only, "Tractor Trailers over 65 feet total length prohibited on rt 151 south", it's a ticket for "fail to obey highway signs", ($30 fine, $54 court costs, and 3 points on MVR).
The mapping programs for laptops do not take into account the size of the tractor trailer or state length laws. They treat all the same. On thsoe approved interstate and federal routes, length is regulated by trailer length without considering tractor length. Once you leave those highlighted routes, the method changes as it falls under the state length law. I have yet to see a laptop program that recognizes this, and I have sent querries to several map program suppliers and their response usually states something like "At this time, there is no program that differentiates in this reguard, ours is as good as theirs" (competitors).
And if that's not enough .... There are many state approved access routes where the longer trucks may operate, but that info is obtainable only by contacting the individual states through a contact number lkisted under the state contact info chart in the front of "R-M's Trucker's Atlas" ..... usually under "size & weight", it's how a driver would find the only legal way to get a 53' trailer with a long nose into Big Island, Va. for example.... unless he had been stopped by a trooper and gotten proper instruction.
Always compare Company / QualCom / etc routing instructions to "R-M's Trucker's Atlas", if not in agreement and they have roiuted the combo over routes not approved for the size, understatnd that "The Company / Computer / etc sent me that way" or that "It's the shortest pay route" is not generally accepted as an excuse or defense.
The computer programs make a lot of things easier much like calculators and math (and why many can't add or subtract, much less devide and multiply, on thier own any longer), but they have limitations, and until drivers and companys demand better programming, they won't get it. The info is out there, but so far, I've only seen it in written form. A calculator (see above) helps as well as a real world estimate on travel time (average speed). If the limit is 65 mph, 55 is a fair average, and allow for fuel/food stops.
If he's averaging 65 on a trip leg on 65 mph highways, he's what we call "seed".
I mention all this as Werner ("dave's woman's" husband's co.) trailers usually are 53 feet long and have a "hood" out front and so, are usually 70+ feet long total length.
Hope it helps .................
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...
[This message was edited by Crystal Pistol on August 28, 2003 at 14:45.]

Answer:
Crystal Pistol gave you some good advice. I suggest you get a "National Truck Stop Directory". You can pick one up a some truckstops or www.truckstops.com
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In general I suggest you stick mostly to interstate highways. Use the US highways sparingly. Just enough US highways to connect the interstate highways to get to your destination within the allowed mileage. I avoid state roads unless absolutely required.
.
Check your route with the state maps in the National Truck Stop Directory. If you are going to use a road that does not have a large truckstop for miles and miles, I would look for another route. Large truckstops are located on heavily used truck routes. Hint,hint; got the idea.

Answer:
Uturn mentioned Randy McNally Route Tools. This is the one I want. You can update it from their website, and it can route you around construction, plan your trip around particular truck stops you prefer, takes into consideration of 48' and 53' trailers, etc.
Rand McNally Trucking
RouteToolsTM Professional Driver Edition keeps your unique needs in mind and helps you to improve profits load by load. Beginning with our outstanding proprietary databases and an easy-to-use graphic interface you can:
Run routes quickly - use either Quickest Route or industry-standard Household Goods (HHG) parameters.
Steer clear of accounting discrepancies - obtain mileage for billing purposes using Quickest Route or HHG Tariff Mileage Guide 18.
Ensure compliance on the road - run routes by truck type (48- or 53-ft. single, double, or triple). RouteToolsTM software will provide details of non-compliant routing so that adjustments can be made.
Reach your destination on time - use RoadWorkTM, Rand McNally's proprietary road construction diagnostic program, to identify delays or provide alternate routing. RoadWorkTM construction data is updated with current data every two weeks and downloadable with the click of a mouse.
Use only truck stops that meet your needs - create your own fuel network by identifying amenities you require from thousands of truck stops nationwide.
Cross-reference your route - use the page and grid number reference to the Motor Carriers' Road Atlas 2003.
Get software help quickly - use the embedded Help Tips to find the answer.
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