Keeping your fleet on the road is the number one priority when it comes to making money and keeping your clients happy. Sometimes, you’ll run into a bump in the road, though not literally, but a light could appear on the dashboard for reasons you can’t figure out on your own.
With the best heavy duty truck scanner options in mind, you can spend some time deciding if it’s worth a trip to the shop or if you just need to conduct a simple reset.
Quicklook: Best Heavy Duty Truck Scanner
- Best For General Use: CanDo HD Code II
- Best For Mobile Devices: CanDo HD Bluetooth Mobile Scanner
- Best For Trucks and Other Vehicles: NL102 PLUS
- Best For Detailed Readings: Autel ML529HD
- Best For Fast Results: KZYEE KC601
5 Best Heavy Duty Truck Scanner Options
Without further ado, here’s what you need to know about the 5 best heavy-duty truck scanner options!
CanDo HD Code II
The CanDO HD Code II is an easy-to-use overall great choice for any shop or trucker. It comes with any connection you need whether it be 6-pin, 9-pin, or OBDII. Its large screen and easy explanations are perfect for any user to understand.
Best For: General Use
Supported Protocols:
- OBDII
- CAT construction and industrial
- Class 4-8 HD, medium and light-duty truck
Warranty: Not Listed
Power Source: Truck Battery
Vehicle Types Covered:
- Class 4-8 HD truck coverage
- Caterpillar
- International
- Hino
- Isuzu
- Hybrid HD trucks
Special Features:
- Can screenshot
- Free yearly updates
Benefits:
- Easy interface
- Automatic protocol search
- Easy online updates
Disadvantages:
- Has had issues with certain truck models
Pricing: $236.99
CanDo HD Bluetooth Mobile Scanner
With the CanDo HD Bluetooth Mobile Scanner, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth and monitor or diagnose everything about your truck with ease. Since this mobile scanner will be on your phone, you can read and interact with the scanner so easily. Plus, it is built with all users in mind.
Best For: Mobile Devices
Supported Protocols:
- CAN
- Mode 6
- OBDII
Warranty: Not Listed
Power Source: Truck battery
Vehicle Types Covered:
- Light to medium duty coverage
- Caterpillar off highway coverage
- Class 4-8 coverage
Special Features:
- Free updates
Benefits:
- View live data
- Automatic protocol search
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
- Can be left plugged in
Disadvantages:
- Has had issues reading trucks not made in North America
Pricing: $499.95
NL102 PLUS
The NL102 Plus from Nexus is a great choice for people who work with all sorts of vehicles. The programming it comes with is perfect for almost every type of vehicle made after 1996. It’s easy to use and great for use anywhere and with its DTC lookup you’ll never be left wondering what the codes mean.
Best For: Trucks and Other Vehicles
Supported Protocols:
- J1587
- J1939
- J1708
- Class 4-8 trucks
- OBDII
Warranty: Not Listed
Power Source: Battery
Vehicle Types Covered:
- All cars
- Mini truck or light duty from 1996
- Trucks appliance:
- Cummings
- Detroit
- Maxxforce
- Caterpillar
- Freightliner
- International
- Kenworth
- John Deere
- Peterbilt
- Sterling
- Mack
- Paccar
- Western Star
- Volvo
- Scania
- Man
- Renault
- ERF
- Foden
- Seddon-Atkinson
- Iveco
- DAF
- SISU
- STEYR
- ISUZU
Special Features:
- Free updates
Benefits:
- Force DPF regen for Cummings
- DTC lookup
- Sensor or service reset for certain engines
- User-friendly interface
Disadvantages:
- Has had issues with certain engines:
- DD13 engines
- DD15 engines
Autel ML529HD
The Autel ML529HD has been regarded as being one of the best and most extensive diagnostic readers available. It provides detailed information for the reader and if there are any issues that it can’t list you can always print out a copy of the report to show to someone who can read it.
Best For: Detailed Readings
Supported Protocols:
- OBDII
- J1939
- J1708
Warranty: Complete 12-month guarantee from the date of sale provided from Autel Headquarters
Power Source: Truck battery
Vehicle Types Covered:
- 1996 or newer American, Asian, and European vehicles
- Light trucks
- Heavy duty trucks
Special Features:
- Enhanced readings for the following:
- Ford
- GM
- Chrysler
- Free updates
Benefits:
- Print your readings to show mechanics
- DTC Lookup
- Comes with a carrying case
- Eliminates the manufacturing defects
Disadvantages:
- Small screen
- Has shown the wrong code for the model of vehicle
KZYEE KC601
The KZYEE KC601 is one of the more efficient options out there for diagnostic readings. Get fast and accurate results every time you plug it in. However, be sure not to disconnect while it is powered as that can lead to issues with it in the future.
Best For: Fast Results
Supported Protocols:
- J1939
- J1587
- J1708
- OBDII
Warranty:
- 1-year warranty
- Lifetime technical support
Power Source: Truck battery
Vehicle Types Covered:
- Caterpillar
- Cummins
- Volvo
- Mack 4
- Mack Detroit Diesel
- Mercedes-Benz
- International
- Allison
- Eaton Fuller
- Haldex
- ZF Meritor
- WABCO
- Bendix
- TRW
- Freightliner
- Stoneridge
- Dana
- Ford Motor
- John Deere
- Kenworth
- PACCAR
- Peterbilt
- Sterling
- Wabash
- White Freightliner
- White GMC
- Navistar
- Isuzu
- GM
- Nissan
- Mitsubishi Fuso
- Hino
- Noregon
- Takata
- Advantage
- Actia
- PSI
Special Features:
- Free updates
Benefits:
- Live data
- Reads and erases fault codes
- Comes with carrying case
- Easy operation
Disadvantages:
- Small screen
- Has issues if not updated
What Is a Heavy Duty Truck Scanner?
A heavy duty truck scanner is a device that is made to connect with your heavy duty truck via the scanner port with the correct adapter. With a truck scanner, you can scan the computer to monitor your truck’s engine and diagnose any issues that arise. With the right scanner, you might even be able to reprogram or reset certain aspects within the engine.
How Do Heavy Duty Truck Scanners Work?
In order to connect your heavy duty truck scanner to your truck, you need to simply connect the device to the diagnostic port. This can be done from the driver’s side of the lower dash, generally below or to the lower left of the steering wheel.
Once the wire is connected, you can then use the heavy duty truck scanner to access the computer of the truck and take a look at errors or check the overall health of your truck.
What To Consider With Heavy Duty Truck Scanners
As with any other device or electronics on the market, there are certain aspects that you need to consider when searching for a heavy duty truck scanner.
Durability
With a heavy duty truck scanner, you will either need to take it on the road or keep it in a shop where it will be used often. In either environment, it will likely experience some heavy usage. You want to make sure that your scanner is able to be used often without running into any serious issues or malfunctioning.
User-Friendly
Reading codes from any scanner whether it be for a standard vehicle, heavy duty truck or off road equipment it can get confusing fast. You’ll want to be sure that your device is able to be used easily by all who need it.
A device that translates the codes for you, making it easy for you to understand, will save you a lot of time and minimize how much strain there is on your patience levels. One way to ensure the overall user-friendliness is by checking tutorials and looking at the manual of your device. You’ll generally be able to find manuals on the manufacturer’s website.
Warranty
If the durability and user-friendliness fail, it is always good to have a warranty to fall back on. Whether that be a manufacturer warranty or even just a return policy from the seller, you want to be sure that you don’t feel like you’re being tricked or taken advantage of if the device fails on the technical side or even physically.
Power Source
With a heavy duty truck scanner, it will obviously need power to be able to function and run the needed programs. For a busy shop or pretty much any environment, an internal battery that can be recharged or replaced is optimal.
If you have to have the device constantly plugged in then you’re going to be limited in its use. However, some scanners seem to pull their power from whatever vehicle they are connected to. If you have to plug it into the vehicle itself, it is possible to forget it and drain the battery of the vehicle so be sure not to forget.
Compatibility
With your heavy duty truck scanner, you want to make sure that you have the right connections for that truck. There are only three types of connections that a truck can have, including 6-pin, 9-pin, or OBDII.
The 6-pin and 9-pin connectors are the more common options out there. So, make sure the device that you have can handle those three connections and scan as many different types of vehicles as possible.
Save Money, Save Time
No matter which heavy duty truck scanner you end up selecting, you need to make sure it’s one that is specifically compatible with your vehicles. So, make sure you always check the compatibility of potential devices with your vehicles.
It’s smart to look through reviews for devices before choosing which one you want to buy. This can help you figure out if there are any glaring issues that could cause problems for you in the future.
Once you find the right truck scanner for you, you’ll be able to take care of your vehicle without spending unnecessary money at a shop for a basic fix. Get ready to keep your trucks on the road for longer and make more money as a result!
FAQ
The CanDo HD CodeII
It all depends on the diesel truck. Any diesel truck made after 2007 that weighs less then 14,000 pounds GVWR is required to be OBDII compliant.
It is very rare for semi trucks to use OBD2 since they are considered “heavy duty trucks.” Their standard connection is normally a 6 pin or 9 pin connection.
Sign up for a FreightWaves e-newsletter to stay informed of all news and trends impacting supply chain careers and operations.
