For many truckers, the best tools aren’t found in an app store or behind a touchscreen—they’re tucked in the glove box, clipped to the dash, or stored in the backseat of a rig that’s seen a million miles. When TDUSA asked drivers to share the old-school gadgets they still use on the road, we didn’t expect hundreds of answers… but we got them.
From Rand McNally atlases to wind-up alarm clocks, these are the classics that still earn their place in the cab.
Paper Maps and Road Atlases
One thing was made crystal clear: GPS may come and go, but a map never loses signal.
- Deborah Davis keeps both a CB radio and Rand McNally Atlas in her truck.
- Elvis Johnson, Eric Campbell, Kim Sorrell, and Ron Baker all proudly named their road atlas as their must-have.
- Andrew Milley shared, “I have a distrust for Google and GPS. I like to look at the route and take notes before the exit I need.”
- Patrick Dixon carries an AM/FM handheld radio for local updates—because tech fails, but radio keeps talking.
- John Kingston simply said: “Me.” And that may be the most reliable gadget of all.
CB Radios: The Original Social Network
Long before apps and hands-free texting, there was channel 19.
- Maurice Williams Jr, James Wood, Jerry Blake, Will Titus, and Richard Gadget Greene all still ride with a CB radio.
- Garry Harrison customized his with a Connex board and talkback mic, while Joshua Ainsworth added an echo board.
- Lloyd Dailey pairs his CB with good country music—because some things just belong together.
Manual Transmissions, Clutches, and More
A stick shift isn’t just nostalgic—it’s how many truckers learned to drive.
- Tim Potter, Charity Edelmaier, and Lee Wagner are keeping it real with a manual transmission.
- Billy Graeber and Bill Eberhard both noted that they still use a clutch—a disappearing feature in modern rigs.
- Allen Coons? He’s working with a 13-speed.
Brains, Courtesy, and Common Sense
Surprisingly—or not—the most mentioned “gadget” was the one that can’t be bought in a store.
- “My brain,” said David Miller, Lisa Oscar, Joseph Brown, and Brian Miller, among many others.
- Bryan Vanartsen still reads maps and added, “My mind.”
- Mark Lucier noted, “Common sense, which isn’t so common anymore.”
- Lucky Taylor summed it up with “Common sense and courtesy.”
Everyday Essentials That Still Work
Some drivers kept it simple. Their go-to tools? Nothing fancy—just practical.
- Rodney Henry and Michael Challis both rely on a Rand McNally.
- Ronnie Easterly uses a wind-up alarm clock—no power needed.
- Richard Hohall? A pencil and notebook.
- Robert Joyner sticks with a tire pressure gauge, while John Evans uses a vacuum gauge to monitor fuel efficiency.
- Chris Sheridan brings his Leatherman.
Just Plain Old School (And Still Useful)
Some answers didn’t fall into categories—but they stuck with us.
- Jherhk Phillips carries a Walkman to get local weather updates when the digital signal drops.
- Nicole Hellstrom keeps an analog compass, a tape deck, and a map book on board.
- Nav Aujhla? “A compass—pointy one.”
Why It Matters
Technology changes fast, but experience doesn’t. Whether it’s an atlas, a CB, or just good instincts, these tools represent more than convenience—they stand for independence, preparation, and pride in doing the job right.
If you’re someone who still believes in doing things the right way—even if it’s not the newest way—you’re not alone.
Join the TDUSA community and connect with thousands of other drivers who get it.
