I was on the road today in my car and a question popped into my head....Do trucks still use CB radios today with all of the tech available? Is it a good option to add along with an RV GPS for newbies?What say you?

On the back roads that we travel it was useless. No one else around. On an interstate in the east it was just a lot of B.S. talk.Took mine out.

Truckers still used them yes sometimes the language is salty but it's still nice to find out about accidents traffic etc.... I have mine on when I travel.

I have a CB in our Southwind. Normally it's turned off If I'm in a traffic jam or heavy traffic I turn it on to check on local road conditions.If it breaks, I don't know if it will be replaced. It's really not that important, to me, for traveling.

They do use them sometimes. I dont have one...that's so seventies! And my doctor says "less salt," camping.

I have one in the truck but it's hardly ever on. We use VHF handheld 2 way radio's to communicate when camping. Not FRS, no range. VHF range is 10 miles in an urban area, lots farther in the boonies. A license is required.

CB Radio??? | Good Sam Community

Isaac-1
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
I have one in the motorhome, the spring mounted antenna over the drivers seat makes a great feeler for low hanging limbs before they hit the air conditioner cover. Also mine has a weather alert feature, great for traveling in tornado alley, though weather apps on phones are also helpful...
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
I added a hand held CB unit to my arsenal just as an added security/emergency.

1. Came in 'real' handy for a head on collision with multiple deaths ahead of me. It gave me the instructions what lane to buy to try and get thru before they shut the interstate down. And several traffic jams as to where to get off.

2. Also it has weather radio in real time, where you are at. Save me from heading right into 2 tornadoes over my travels.

3. And I figured if I got stranded somewhere with no cell I could summon help because you can take it with you.

4. Has an optional mag antenna, but never had to use it. I just threw the CG with its antenna on the dash and it always worked. No installation, no holes drilled into the MH dash or roof needed.

5. Kept the squelch turn down real low so I didn't have to listen to the truckers. Who as time has passed are REAL nasty now.

IMHO one of the better things I have purchased for the MH! :C

Cobra Road Trip
MarkTwain
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
CB Radios-
I always drive with my CB on. The antenna is more important than the CB. I use a Wilson antenna which is about 4' high. Short antennas might not be as obtrusive but not nearly as effective. Reason for using my CB:
1. I always contact truckers on the current Road conditions/accidents/ closed lanes. The truckers will also suggest alternative routes when the freeways, roads are totally congested or temporarily closed. If I see another RVer who has tire problems. and they have a CB antenna, I will try to contact them and warn them.
2. I have heard as much fowl, obscene langauage on a typical High school campus as I heard on any CB from truckers. When I hear objectionable language, I just reach down and turn the squelch up to block the cussing.
3. For those of us who are human and sometimes aren't paying attention to how fast they are driving, I use the CB and ask the truckers "breaker, breaker, what did you leave on the road behind you" which translated means, did you see any bears or Calif. Highway patrol cars. Truckers will tell you how many "Bears" and their locations they saw. This gives you time to slow down and avoid tickets. I also would not drive without my Radar (Valentine) on to warn me of "Bears" within 1/4 of mile around me. :).
4. CB channels---On the west coast, truckers use channel 17. Other states use channel 18 generally.
5. CBs are great for helping you back up into sites. Just buy you partner a hand held CB radio and they can talk to you directly and hands free to guide you into your site.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
MarkTwain wrote:
CB Radios-
I always drive with my CB on. The antenna is more important than the CB. I use a Wilson antenna which is about 4' high. Short antennas might not be as obtrusive but not nearly as effective. Reason for using my CB:
1. I always contact truckers on the current Road conditions/accidents/ closed lanes. The truckers will also suggest alternative routes when the freeways, roads are totally congested or temporarily closed. If I see another RVer who has tire problems. and they have a CB antenna, I will try to contact them and warn them.
2. I have heard as much fowl, obscene langauage on a typical High school campus as I heard on any CB from truckers. When I hear objectionable language, I just reach down and turn the squelch up to block the cussing.
3. For those of us who are human and sometimes aren't paying attention to how fast they are driving, I use the CB and ask the truckers "breaker, breaker, what did you leave on the road behind you" which translated means, did you see any bears or Calif. Highway patrol cars. Truckers will tell you how many "Bears" and their locations they saw. This gives you time to slow down and avoid tickets. I also would not drive without my Radar (Valentine) on to warn me of "Bears" within 1/4 of mile around me. :).
4. CB channels---On the west coast, truckers use channel 17. Other states use channel 18 generally. The CB will also give you up to date Weather conditions like hurricanes/storms etc.
5. CBs are great for helping you back up into sites. Just buy you partner a hand held CB radio and they can talk to you directly and hands free to guide you into your site.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
Spade Cooley wrote:
I'm thinking about putting mine back in service after people yelling at me that I had a problem. I blew two tires on my last road trip across Hwy 80. Rather than the hand motions or flashing of lights a radio transmission might have been quicker.

I also recommend putting a sticker on the rear of your RV with the CB channel you normally use.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
I just got one given to me, I just need and antenna and it is going in my TV. Handy when traveling, after 22 1/2 yrs in the Navy, they cannot come up with something I have never heard (or said) It is just nice to know what is ahead.
jkwilson
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
I've had them in my trucks for a long time. Fishing and hunting trips with multiple vehicles it's nice to have a little conversation, and before cell phones it was important to be able to let the others know you needed to stop for gas or were having a problem.

As far as road conditions and police, Waze does a better job of letting you know what is coming up, though the CB is better for things like finding out which lane is actually moving.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Sep 22, 2017
jkwilson wrote:
I've had them in my trucks for a long time. Fishing and hunting trips with multiple vehicles it's nice to have a little conversation, and before cell phones it was important to be able to let the others know you needed to stop for gas or were having a problem.

As far as road conditions and police, Waze does a better job of letting you know what is coming up, though the CB is better for things like finding out which lane is actually moving.

I travel the same route sometimes camping and NOT camping from PA to VA,, I love using Waze, but do not listen to the alternate routes when towing. I have had it take me some strange ways that a camper would NEVER make it, or allowed.. So basically I use waze for police, accidents, objects on road, ect ,. . .
mowermech
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
As some are fond of saying about nearly anything, "It is just good insurance!"
It pays to remember that there are many areas of the country where cell service is spotty at best, non-existent at worst. Do not believe those maps where the cell company has an entire state painted in, particularly here in the West! It might not be entirely accurate!
As a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, I have an all-band, all mode 100 watt radio in the truck. If I had room (without hanging it from the roof) I would also have a CB in there! Maybe I'll get the one that has the box under the seat, and all the controls are on the mic.
Blutoyz
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
Thanks for all the replies...salty language isn't an issue for a submariner so no worries but it may be smart to add one just for the road conditions discussed

:W

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