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Which trailer gps tracking is the best? Features?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Joeziah, Jul 29, 2023.

  1. Jul 29, 2023 #1
    Joeziah

    Joeziah Light Load Member

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    Jan 2, 2016
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    I drop my trailer at my customers and need to know when they move it to a door and then back to the yard so I can go pick it up.

    I have tried using AT&T's asset tracker, that thing was junk and the location accuracy was terrible, it would bounce all over a 400 ft area. They had a tool where you could have it alert you if it left an area however it never worked. It only updated the location every 6 hours as well, not acceptable.

    I use a t-mobile tracker currently, but I have to physically attach it to the trailer when I drop it and the battery only lasts about 4-5 days usually. Not a big deal but its annoying having to remove/attach it every time.

    So many of these "equipment trackers" are really inaccurate and do not offer high frequency updates.

    That or they don't have any way to track history of movement.

    What do you guys use? whats it cost (my t-mobile tracker is $5 a month)
     
    Joeziah, Jul 29, 2023
    Joeziah, Jul 29, 2023
    #1
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  3. Jul 29, 2023 #2
    JB7

    JB7 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 13, 2022
    Laurel, MD
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    5 Best GPS Trackers for Trailers - FreightWaves Ratings
    Verizon is $20 per month.
     
    JB7, Jul 29, 2023
    JB7, Jul 29, 2023
    #2
  4. Jul 29, 2023 #3
    DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2015
    Detroit, MI
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    How about an Apple Airtag?
     
    DUNE-T, Jul 29, 2023
    DUNE-T, Jul 29, 2023
    #3
    Joeziah and Long FLD Thank this.
  5. Jul 29, 2023 #4
    Vitkouski

    Vitkouski Light Load Member

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    Mar 6, 2016
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    Airtag can update location only trough nearby iPhone. So if no somebody with iphone in the Bluetooth range location will newer updated.
     
    Vitkouski, Jul 29, 2023
    Vitkouski, Jul 29, 2023
    #4
    Joeziah Thanks this.
  7. Jul 30, 2023 #5
    Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2017
    Kansas City, MO.
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    I have one in my trailer and it is out in the middle of no where. It gets updated on a regular bases because just about everyone owns an iPhone these days. Being it would be close to a DC I would bet it would have no problems getting pinged. Not sure how accurate it would be if moved a few feet but if across the DC area it should show.
     
    Siinman, Jul 30, 2023
    Siinman, Jul 30, 2023
    #5
    DUNE-T Thanks this.
  8. Jul 30, 2023 #6
    MacLean

    MacLean Road Train Member

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    Or wire a GPS unit and mount an ATV or Motorcycle battery somewhere. You’d be able to get more than 5 hours then.
     
    MacLean, Jul 30, 2023
    MacLean, Jul 30, 2023
    #6
    wis bang, Joeziah and Siinman Thank this.
  9. Aug 1, 2023 #7
    Joeziah

    Joeziah Light Load Member

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    Jan 2, 2016
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    I was thinking maybe someone makes a dedicated GPS that you can plug into a hotspot, then mount the hotspot to the trailer. Would also have the potential benefit of being able to mount a lightweight security camera accessible via an IP address where you can get a snapshot of the outside as well as mount a camera inside.

    I'm sure I'm not the only one that would benefit from knowing not only where my trailer is at, but also if its loaded and if so how full...

    I'll do some searching and update this thread with what I find.
     
    Joeziah, Aug 1, 2023
    Joeziah, Aug 1, 2023
    #7
  10. Aug 1, 2023 #8
    MacLean

    MacLean Road Train Member

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    Maybe a Deer camera with a Sim Card in it and mounted to the front inside top then you should get a notification when the doors open & close.
     
    MacLean, Aug 1, 2023
    MacLean, Aug 1, 2023
    #8
  11. Sep 12, 2023 #9
    brianv31

    brianv31 Light Load Member

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    Mar 5, 2010
    IL I-74 mile 149
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    We use PhillipsConnect on our trailers, and the accuracy is such that you could tell if its in a door or not. They also have a feature for the vans that indicates loaded/not loaded. Basically when the first pallet or two is in the front, it indicates loaded, so if your customer is in the habit of starting and then stopping before its completely loaded, that would only tell you if they've began to load and you won't know its finished until they move it out of the door.

    Reliability of these Phillips units is substandard in my opinion. We have a fairly small fleet of trailers (less than 50 total) and at any given time I have a couple that aren't reporting location for some reason, and several that in under 2 years of service have failed. Philips' state lifespan is 10-15 years, and so far I have 0 confidence we'll see that kind of lifespan.
     
    brianv31, Sep 12, 2023
    brianv31, Sep 12, 2023
    #9
  12. Sep 12, 2023 #10
    gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

    7,184
    19,263
    Jun 1, 2010
    0
    gentleroger, Sep 12, 2023
    gentleroger, Sep 12, 2023
    #10
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