Best dash cam for truckers

Dash cams improve safety, reduce collisions and help fleet owners reward good driver behavior. The cameras record inside and outside the truck, allowing anyone to feel as if they are in the truck. This footage has many advantages, but some semi dash cams are better than others. Explore our choices for the top dash cam for truckers in the list below. 

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Quicklook: Best dash cam for semi trucks

• Best for long hauls: KDLinks X1
• Best for large fleets: Garmin 55 
• Best for short hauls: Rexing V1 4K
• Best for night drivers: Vantrue N2S 4K 
• Best for safety: Samsara CM32

5 best dash cams for truckers

A trucker dash camera is an important investment, but important doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. This relatively small investment can save you money by reducing accidents and providing footage to insurance companies. So, what’s the best dash cam for truckers?

We have reviewed numerous trucker dash cams to discover the five best choices for your vehicle. Let’s examine some of the most highly-rated dash cams for semi trucks on the market.

KDLinks X1

The KDLinks X1 offers 1080P high resolution video that records at 30 frames per second. And if you want more than just video, this handy trucker dash cam also records audio. It performs well in harsh weather conditions and the motion detector captures anything on the move. The dash cam’s night vision feature makes it easier to detect people and objects later in the day. Buyers can get a complimentary one-year warranty and pay extra for a two- to three-year warranty. This dash cam is the perfect companion for semi truck drivers. 

Best for: Long hauls 

Special features

• High-performing night vision
• Wide dynamic range (WDR) camera 
• 110 mAh battery 
• Audio recording 
• Charging port

Benefits

• Wide view of road for better safety 
• Works well in extreme temperatures  
• Hear what the driver hears in case of a robbery or other incident 
• Ability to transfer data to PC

Disadvantages

• Software warranty not included 
• Repair warranty only for hardware 
• Wi-Fi not included

Pricing: $119.95

Garmin 55

When you’re monitoring a large fleet, it’s important to have a semi truck dash cam that’s dependable and easy to use. The Garmin 55 is a simple, small device that protects your fleet while they’re on the road. The mobile app and camera itself are user-friendly, so even the least tech-savvy member of your fleet won’t have difficulty operating this trucker dash camera. Fleet owners can review footage through the mobile app. This Garmin dash cam features G-sensor, a perk that automatically records footage during any impact. This footage will help your case with insurance if another vehicle bumped into your truck.

Best for: Large fleets

Special features

• Compact design
• Mobile app 
• Memory card included 
• G-sensor 

Benefits:

• Camera is discreet and unobtrusive  
• Download and review footage from mobile devices  
• Record hours of footage without interruption 
• Detects incidents and saves to another location to avoid it being overwritten

Disadvantages

• Small battery 
• Limited control through app 
• A bit pricey

Pricing: $199

Rexing V1 4K

To those looking for an affordable trucker cam from a reputable dash cam brand, the Rexing V1 4K is the one for you. This single-lens dash cam works with both Android and iOS devices so you can utilize the supporting app. The Rexing V1 4K is a reliable piece of equipment that will give you the basics, making it perfect for shorter trips.

Best for: Short hauls

Special features

• Wi-Fi included 
• Supercapacitor 
• Gravity sensor
• Parking monitor

Benefits

• Connect to apps easily 
• Reliable in extreme weather conditions  
• Detects collisions and locks the video for future access
• Automatically turns on and records when vibrations detected

Disadvantages: 

• Records at 24 fps and may produce choppy video
• GPS tracking requires $30 accessory purchase 
• Memory card not included
• Wide field of view (FOV) makes objects look further away

Pricing: $99

Vantrue N2S 4K 

This dual dash cam lets you record what’s happening inside and outside the semi truck. The Vantrue N2S 4K comes with an 18-month warranty and built-in GPS. The high-quality night vision combined with the wide-angle interior lens captures all the information you’d need to file an incident report. The Vantrue N2S 4K semi truck dash cam uses four infrared lights to keep the cabin illuminated in the dark.

Best for: Night drivers

Special features

• 24/7 parking mode 
• Super high-resolution 
• GPS 
• Advanced WDR technology

Benefits

• Detects motion or collision when parked 
• Footage is exceptionally sharp and detailed  
• Route and speed tracking 
• Optimum performance in any lighting 

Disadvantages

• No mobile app 
• Expensive 
• Records at 25 fps 

Pricing: $199.99

Samsara CM32

When safety is top of mind, the Samsara CM32 is your best option. This trucker cam comes with a host of features designed to reduce accidents and keep road costs down. With hands-free voice-controlled operation, this semi truck dash cam lets drivers stay focused on the road while adjusting the settings. The dash cam’s artificial intelligence (AI) lets it detect distracted driving, blown stop signs and other characteristics of bad driving. 

Best for: Safety-conscious owners

Special features

• Intelligent AI and camera powered by computer vision 
• Built-in audio speaker 
• 30 fps 
• Harsh event recording

Benefits

• Analyze road conditions and driver behavior in real time
• Provides real time feedback promoting safer driving behavior  
• Smooth recording and playback 
• Coach drivers on hard braking, accelerating, turning, and other actions

Disadvantages

• Very expensive 
• Front lens not as wide as cheaper options 
• OBD port installation lacks portability 

Pricing: 

• $399 for device
• $600 annual licensing fee

Why is a truck dash cam important?

Dash cams do more than record the inside and outside of your truck. The technology has features that improve driver safety and behavior. Fleets that use a trucker cam report increased visibility on the road. Managers can use footage from trucker dash cams to train and coach drivers. They can show examples of bad behavior and reward good behavior through safety bonuses.

The trucker dash cam allows fleet managers to see exactly what the driver sees when behind the steering wheel, which makes it easy to identify and coach dangerous driving habits. Drivers are more likely to follow the rules and practice safe driving habits if the boss is watching. 

A truck dash cam can keep drivers motivated to perform well, especially if the company offers a safe driver reward program. The semi truck camera system footage can also determine who or what caused a road accident.

While footage of an accident can save you money when it happens, trucker dash cams provide immediate relief for your bottom line. Many insurance companies offer discounts and lower premiums if the fleet installs truck dash cams in the vehicles. The trucker cam lets the insurance provider know that you take the safety of your drivers and trucks seriously. 

Finding the right dash cams for semi trucks

Truck drivers and fleet owners can select from numerous truck dash cams. More choices provide more flexibility, but it can get overwhelming. It’s important to know what features you should look for in the best dash cam for semi trucks to improve your fleet’s overall performance. Let’s take a look at some of the standard features your truck dash cam should have.

Video quality

High-resolution video is critical for any effective truck dash cam. The sharper the video quality, the easier it will be to identify people and objects when reviewing the footage. 

The dash cam’s resolution determines whether the camera catches the most minuscule detail during a collision or whether the playback is fuzzy and objects are unable to be seen clearly. Fuzzy footage can compromise evidence that would have cleared your driver of the accident. Cutting corners on video quality can also minimize your ability to review drivers and make changes to safety. 

The highest resolution for a trucker cam is currently 4K, which is comparable to a high-end TV or camera. You don’t need 4K resolution, but it wouldn’t hurt. Keep in mind that a dash cam with high resolution will come with a higher price tag, so make sure it’s what your fleet needs before you make the investment. 

Lens type

A single-lens trucker cam captures the view of the road in front of the driver. These road-facing cameras match the driver’s perspective and increase visibility. 

Dual dash cams contain two cameras — one faces the road, and the other faces the driver. The duality can prove a driver’s innocence by showing they weren’t distracted during an incident. Fleet managers can also use dual dash cams to review a driver’s performance and provide coaching if necessary.

The multi-lens semi truck camera system provides the best coverage. These dash cams eliminate blind spots with a 360-degree view of the truck and surrounding road. The best features have higher prices, but this comprehensive view can keep drivers safe and reduce insurance costs.

Multi-lens interior cameras in the best semi truck camera system options monitor both the driver and cargo. The additional layer of security reduces instances of vandalism and theft, saving companies money and time.

Night vision

Research data shows the most serious accidents occur at night, so it’s crucial for a truck dash cam to have night vision that records clear and detailed footage. Many semi truck drivers make long hauls throughout the night. Night vision provides better evidence for law enforcement if an accident takes place.

This feature is especially advantageous when driving through areas with dim lighting or no streetlights at all. Night vision gets rid of the dark, and the picture comes through as if you were driving during daylight hours. Even when it’s pitch black outside, truckers will see objects and cars clearly in full color with the best dash cameras for truck drivers, adding an extra safety net to their drive. 

GPS

GPS tracking records the vehicle’s speed and location data. That information can help when filing an insurance claim to prove where an incident took place and how fast the driver was going. The information is also vital during a collision, as it shows street names, positions of other vehicles and driving speed just before impact. 

Memory (SD card)

Dash cams for trucks need quality secure-digital (SD) cards that don’t fail on them and have a high storage capacity. The 32GB SD cards record one hour to three hours of footage, which may be enough for shorter hauls. Some dash cams compensate by deleting old footage to make room for new footage. This isn’t a big deal for uneventful drives, but you will want every second of footage during an accident.

If you’re using a truck dash cam equipped with a parking mode feature, you’ll need at least 64GBs, which gives you three to five hours of recording time. If driving for longer periods, a 128GB SD card will provide six to 10 hours of material. 

Keep in mind that front-facing cameras use less space than multi-lens dash cams and are able to record for longer periods. If using a multi-lens trucker cam, you will find your SD card fills up faster, so you may need more than one. 

Increase safety and save money with the best trucker dash cam

Dash cams are worth the investment for truck drivers and fleet managers. These cameras provide critical footage that can reduce insurance costs, increase driver safety and help managers distinguish good drivers from bad ones. Knowing your specifications for a dash cam in advance will make the search process easier. You won’t waste your time with dash cams that don’t cater to your objectives and can hone your focus on promising choices.

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