Tow vehicle- do you use GPS or just a compas and a map ?

I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy. I carry an atlas,a state map, a laptop running S&T and we each have a cell phone. If we are feel the need we will pick up an official local Chamber Map

Sextant for me
hold er steady honey ..........mark.

2oldman wrote:
I find GPS indispensible in finding places of business in a strange city. Map and compass? Don't think so.

I don't know what this has to do with tow vehicles.

Because when you're towing , many times you're traveling in areas you haven't before. You're on holidays traveling to areas unfamiliar. Many vehicles now come with GPS systems. We all need to know where we are going...particularly when we are towing large trailers down unfamiliar roads. I for one have found myself down a road (wrong road....poor directions) with a 30 foot flatbed...with not many options for turn around.

As you said and I quote you..."I find GPS indispensible in finding places of business in a strange city."

When it comes to GPS...I think it's fine, but I prefer a map and compass.

I find GPS indispensible in finding places of business in a strange city. Map and compass? Don't think so.

I don't know what this has to do with tow vehicles.

1st I'd verify my actual height when hooked up. 2nd I'd buy a truckers atlas from a local truck stop they are around $20 and they even have a large print addition and a plastic coated page version for around $50 you can grease pencil on and they last for years.

I'm about 12'6" (new A/C unit need to re-measure)and my "normal ride" is 13'6". Clearance is often an issue in the eastern part of the country. Some states like NY mark their bridges a foot low so it you hit it it's your fault. Unless it says "ACTUAL" then it really is what it says. Confused yet?

When you look at a trucker's map the truck routes are highlighted. There is a list of low clearances by state and route in the front of the book. There is also a list of weight limited bridges.

Running from the coast to coast I often took the US roads to see more of the country instead of being on bypass mode. By all means go explore but a little common sense goes a long way. We don't want to see you on YouTube ;)

GPS, but verify verify verify with either Google Maps or a plain old paper one....Dennis

I mostly use a GPS, but I like to have a map as backup.

We live in the mountains of WV. GPS and computer map sites don't understand mountains, and mountain roads. It is a fairly common occurrence around here to have a semi making a delivery get stuck on some mountain road that is too narrow and crooked for anything much longer than a pickup truck. The GPS may think it is the shortest way, but it is not suitable for larger and longer vehicles.

Also, they have a prejudice for federal highways over state highways. Around here, many the federal highways were built earlier than many of the state highways. Often the state highways are much better, because they were originally routed when modern earthmoving equipment permitted wider straighter routes to be selected. A few years ago, we had some friends come visit and the map program told them to cross the high mountains east to west on a US route, then re-cross west to east on another US route. We locals know, and a map will show, a nice straight (by WV standards) WV route straight down the valley. Shorter, faster, easier.

I've had my GPS try to route me across Forest Service roads which are on the map, but are gated closed to the public.

GPS is nice, but you need to understand its limits. I like having a map for checking/backup.

Wayne

A GPS is not perfect neither is reading a map. When I started driving I had a job of delivering parts to tree cutting crews on right of ways. All roads didn't have names a lot were route numbers so directions usually came by landmarks. For example. Turn left next to the texaco go a couple miles til u pass the butler home place that burned down a couple years ago and turn right. When you pass a row of trees we cut down last week turn right beside the white horse standing in the corner of the pasture.

Once enhanced 911 came along all streets and roads have a name and number in most areas.

I learned to read a map and form a route to get to the town where my directions would start.

I didn't always choose the best route but I could get to where I was going.

Just like with a gps giving you a wrong turn so were my choices on roads on a map they sometimes were dead ends.

Although the gps sometimes gets it wrong so does the human reader/ interpreter of f the map.

I use a gps now even when I know where I'm going just as a visual and time estimator Along with mine alerts me of traffic congestion from daily travel and accidents. It has kept me from long wait times in traffic by avoiding the area and it will re route me to avoid it so I don't have to stop and read a map.

If I wanna see the country I can set it to keep me off interstates or I can just use interstates as much as possible.

Most people that have issues with their gps takes it out of the box and starts using it never changing the setting to best suit them.

blt2ski wrote:
GPS?!?!?!?!

map and compass?!?!?!?!?!

I thought one use the shadows and where the sun is in the sky, then starts at night to get around.......hmmmmmmmmm.......

I must still be in them dark ages......hmmmmmm......

Marty

I've tried the GPS but I've discovered the best way is to use a sextant. A tried and true device. :)

Yay! Another GPS thread! lol....

I am a paper map person, but love using the GPS as it warns of upcoming exits / turns / route changes. I always compare what the map and GPS have for routes - most times GPS is fine, a few times I've found it to be wrong... from way to long routes, to roads (especially parkways) where my camper is not allowed.

I do think the dedicated GPS unit will vanish in just a few years (if not sooner)... as a few people have posted, basically all the phones now have GPS ability. I wouldn't be surprised if the "lifetime map updates" will also vanish, if the units aren't made anymore.

I've never used or even had a compass in my vehicles. Seeing as most of my driving has been in New England it is usually pretty easy to tell which way is which - and everything is close, compared to the distances out west.