9 Essential Tech Gadgets for Long Distance Moving Trucks
In America, the trucking industry is largely responsible for the majority of the freight movement over land and serves various industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing. The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) governs the driving hours of commercial drivers, along with regulating other rules regarding the safety of interstate commercial driving.
The FMCSA is a division of the USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) and works in close ties with FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). The trucking industry has immensely benefitted from developments in technology over the years.
According to a recent study by Business Insider, the US trucking industry accounts for more than 5% of all full-time jobs in America ad is worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
In order to put this into perspective, in 2017, the US trucking industry generated over $700 billion, and Wal-Mart alone employs more than 8,600 workers. With trucks moving around 70% of all goods around the United States, there is no doubt that the demand for better technology was met earnestly.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the best gadgets one should have while working in the long-distance moving truck industry.
Bluetooth Headset
Bluetooth headsets are great for those working in the trucking industry as it allows them to experience hands-free use, allowing you to keep your focus, and keep productivity levels high. Apart from its user-friendly features and low interference, Bluetooth headsets for drivers can allow them to attend important calls from head office or their heads of departments while driving.
The loss of concentration is quite low, and drivers can easily maintain their lanes while talking or feeling the need to reach out and grab a smartphone. Hence even in preoccupied instances, users can easily attend calls and continue on their merry way without causing a safety hazard while on the road. Some of the best Bluetooth headsets for truckers include BlueParrot B450-XT, Plantronics VOYAGER-5200-UC, and Mpow Pro Trucker Bluetooth Headset.
Charger for Smartphones & Other Devices
Smartphones and other gadgets are slowly becoming more of a necessity nowadays. Traveling without them obstruct your possible communication with everybody on the internet. Plus smartphones are a great way to contact authorities, make emergency calls, or even speak with a loved one during free time slots throughout the day.
However, trucking trips can be tiring, and the chances are that your smartphone or other small handheld gadgets may run out of juice. This is where a multipurpose charger may come in handy. This can include Multi-Use Vehicle Charges by Magnadyne and Aikenuo 6 Port Car Adapter. However, Raekken Multipurpose Portable Charger is a beast in this category.
Dashcams
Also known as dashboard cameras as well as DVR (digital video recorder) or EDR (event data recorder), dashcams are frequently used to record the pathways as well as the sides continuously. Dashcams are also equipped with other features to measure acceleration, deceleration, speed, g-force, steering angles, night vision, and even GPS data.
Since the majority of the times truck carry heavy loads and valuable items, in case God forbid such as an event of an accident, they can help to produce extremely helpful evidence. This can later be used to file for claims, loss, and other damages associated with accidents or unforeseeable events. Some of the best dashcams include Blackue DR900S 4K Dash Cam, THINKWARE U1000 4K Dash Cam, and VIOFO A129 Duo Pro 4K, to name a few.
Digital or Satellite Radio
Radios can help you get on the news while traveling, listen to your favorite tunes while on the road, and catch up on important weather forecasts or updates. In-vehicle audio technology has been found to improve focus (localization of sound), multitask (separation of sound), and improve situational awareness, as well as faster response and reaction times.
The best radios for trucks include the likes of Alpine CDE-W265BT, JVC KD-R970BTS, and Pioneer DEH-X6800BT, to name a few. Most of these also come in with a USB port to charge your devices as well as play media directly from your portable storage.
GPS Devices
Looks like managing a fleet of trucks can be quite a tricky business. This is where GPS devices can come in handy to track your vehicles. Trucks are not at all a cheap investment. Neither is the freight or the load they are carrying. But most of all, your employees are indefinitely more valuable than any other asset as there is literary no compensation for human life.
Hence to keep your fleet safe and under your watchful eye GPS can be a lifesaver at times. Some of the best GPS device options include Aspenta’s Vectu Portable Vehicle Tracker, MasTrack MT-OBD Live Vehicle Tracker, and SpyTec STI GL 300 mini Portable, to name a few.
HUD (Heads up Display)
Transparent displays the provide drivers without the need to look away from their usual viewpoints. HUD offers you the advantage of not needing to refocus while also viewing the outside parameters. They were originally invented for military aviation, but since then the technology has ventured into commercial usage including automobiles and passenger aircraft as well as other applications.
The best Heads-up Display for trucks includes Arpenkin Universal HUD, iKiKin OBD2 HUD, and LeaningTech Original Digital HUD, to name a few. Most of the HUDs offer you terrific viewing through screens that are easily viewable in any light conditions.
Power Inverter
Power inverters are a great device that allows you to use the vehicle’s battery to generate AC current that can be further used to power up additional devices within your truck. Owners of semi-trucks consider this a necessity where a lot of modern era technological devices can be powered through the inverter.
Some of the very best power inverters available right now include Energizer ENK1500, Samlex America PST-2000, and WEN 56200i, to name a few. Many students who study power inverters in their classes also hire a thesis writing service UK to get more acquainted with its overall concept and functioning behind its mechanism.
Smart Driving Applications
There is a range of driving applications available for both iOS and Android devices. Many trucks nowadays are also improved to provide functional compatibility with a smartphone and other digital devices. Students opting for Assignment Assistance are also using driving apps to master the art of driving long routes themselves quickly. Here are some driving applications for android devices that can pique your interest:
- Drivemode – responsive to voice commands, supports Google Maps, and comes with a Google Assistant integration.
- GPS Speedometer & Odometer – utilizes GPS technology to calculate vehicle speed, total distance traveled maximum speed, and much more.
- DriveSmart – provides metrics and information about your trips, obtain a certificate for your driving skills, and provides safer travel tips on the move.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Trucks are heavy-duty, and most of that load simply ends up putting tons of pressure on tires. With inadequate tire pressures, trucks can perform lower to their capacities and even run into all sorts of troubles or hazards.
This is where a tire pressure monitor can help you assure that you are all set to take the long road without meeting any inconveniences in between your long trips. Some of the best tire pressure monitoring systems include ACDelco13586335 Tie Pressure Monitoring System, EEZTire-TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and TireMinder A1A Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Equip operators with the proper tools needed and promote safety to help them avoid injury.
The OPNBar tool, for instance, can help avoid some injuries by providing an ergonomic means of opening shipping containers, checking for low-pressure tires, and aiding operators in releasing the tractor from the trailer.
Please be sure to read OPNBar Extended Instructions & Precautions
Safer Grip by OPNBar™️ are ideal work gloves for all-day use for light manufacturing, warehouse operators, and for use in maintenance areas. Safer Grip gloves by OPNBar are ideal multi-purpose work gloves for various applications like trucking and delivery, warehouses, maintenance areas, light manufacturing, and carpentry. They are also great for gardening, and various outdoor activities that require grip in wet conditions, like boating, fishing, hiking, and biking, and can help protect hands while providing extra grip when handling tools and materials.
Conclusion
There are still various tech gadgets out there that can be considered essential considering the obstacles that drivers come across during their long travel and tiring trips through hundreds of miles on the major road networks. I hope this list would help you get things sorted out. However, if you have any other devices which you think should have been mentioned, please feel free to mention them in the comment section below.
Author Bio Claudia Jeffrey currently works as an Assistant Manager for Research & Development at King Essay and Dissertation Assistance. This is where higher education students can simply pay for essay UK to acquire professional support from experts specializing in their field of study. During her leisure time, she likes to read sci-fi novels with works of George Lucas being her favorite.