Changing Gear: Tech trends from ALK, Mitchell 1, Winegard

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Updated Nov 6, 2014

Technology always seems to be evolving and getting better and easier to use, and the world of trucking is no stranger to this nonending evolution. A few companies have announced technology upgrades to keep trucks running the right way and in tip-top shape, as well as products that can help make those rest hours a little more enjoyable.

ALK CoPilot

You can be sure your maps are taking you in the right direction now that ALK has updated its CoPilot Truck mobile GPS navigation app for iOS and Android. The company says the update, v9.6.2, includes a revamped and restyled user interface and a full map update for PC Miler commercial routing with truck-specific attributes such as height restrictions, hazardous materials restrictions, truck-related points of interest, state mileage calculators and more. CoPilot Truck’s new ActiveRoutes feature calculates routes using average road speeds at the exact time of day and day of the week a driver is scheduled to travel for precise routing. An integration with DriveWyze’s PreClear weigh station bypass app, available separately from Drivewyze, allows drivers to bypass weigh stations while following CoPilot Truck guidance.

Mitchell 1

When it’s time to change the oil, make sure you have your truck maintained at a shop equipped with Mitchell 1’s suite of Web-based software programs for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The company recently announced updates to its online guides, providing repair information, trouble code procedures and labor time estimating for model year 2014 vehicles. The Tractor-Trailer.net, Medium-Truck.net, Repair-Connect.net and TruckLabor products provide technical information, including mechanical labor hours, required to diagnose and repair all makes of Class 4-8 trucks. Mitchell 1 says it keeps its software current throughout the year with running changes and adds data for the latest model year vehicles for which information is available; ubscribers automatically receive new information as it becomes available.

Trucking Rayzar Amplified

When you pull off the road for a relaxing rest, make sure you’ve got a nice picture on your TV screen. Winegard announced its expanded TV antenna collection for the truck market. Through a partnership with DAS Distributing, Winegard’s lineup will be at more than 500 truck stops with a combination of portable satellite and/or over-the-air TV antennas directed at professional truck drivers for entertainment on the road. The antenna lineup includes the Pathway X1, Carryout G2, Rayzar Amplified and Razar Mini.

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