As truckers spend a major chunk of their time on the road, they often come across hostile car drivers, unfair traffic tickets, and other hazards on the road. In the event of an unfortunate accident, truckers have been at the receiving end of the wrongful judgment by state troops, insurance companies, and even courts. Dash cams in trucks can help provide valuable proof of information during such cases. As a result, using a dash cam on trucks and semi-trucks is becoming something of a norm these days. Not only does it save them from fraudulent claims, but also offers an extra set of eyes while maneuvering their vehicle. We will list some of the best dash cams for trucks and semi-trucks today.
Why Use Dash Cams in Trucks and Semi-Trucks
Dashcams can act as reliable witnesses while on the road by continuously capturing everything as it unfolds. Aside from providing the video evidence, dash cams offer other perks such as GPS capability, lane change assist, parking facilities, and other safety features. With dash cams, fleet managers can monitor driver behavior, track speeds, view live location, and other crucial information with ease.
When it comes to dashcams, the market on Amazon is becoming increasingly crowded. So, picking one that suits your needs can be a complicated matter. To narrow down your search, we’ve curated a list of the five best dash cams ideal for your trucks or semi-truck.
1. WheelWitness HD PRO
Video Resolution: 2K | Field Of View: 170° | Storage: Upto 32GB
WheelWitness HD Pro makes for a great dash cam for truckers. It boasts a state-of-the-art camera that can record videos either in 2560 x 1080 pixels or a slightly wider 2306 x 1296 pixels. And with the ability to compensate for light and dark spots in the frame, the dash cam can deliver sharp images making it easy to read even license plates. Also, there’s a 3-inch dedicated touchscreen that allows you to zoom in up to 4x while recording videos.
One of the most talked-about features of this dashcam is the built-in GPS. It embeds location coordinates in the video file itself so that you can view the map along with the video footage. On top of that, with the motion and shock detection, WheelWitness HD Pro can also act as a surveillance cam to protect against thefts and record common parking lot accidents.
The only catch is the maximum size of the SD card supported being significantly lower than its peers.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Built-in GPS
- Motion detector
Cons
- Only supports SD cards up to 32GB
- Expensive
Buy from Amazon ($160.00)
2. APEMAN 4K Touch Screen Dash Cam
Video Resolution: 4K/1080p | Field Of View: 170° | Storage: Upto 128GB
When it comes to dashcam for trucks/semi-trucks, APEMAN is one of the most reliable brands in the industry. For video, it houses a 4K-enabled main camera to deliver crystal clear images with excellent details, while the rear camera capture videos in full HD resolution. Also, the rear camera is waterproof and backed by a company warranty. Both the cameras come with 170 ultra-wide viewing angles to capture all that lies ahead of them.
Like its counterpart above, APEMAN 4K Dash Cam also features a 3-inch OLED screen that is responsive and has great viewing angles. And since it’s Wi-Fi enabled, you can view and share footage directly from your smartphone. It can automatically lock the footage whenever a collision occurs.
The only major quirk with this dash cam is its capacity to handle SD cards up to 128GB only. Especially, considering the amount of storage a 4K video occupies, it’s quite low.
Pros
- OLED 3-inch screen
- 170-degree field of view
- Great low light performance
- Parking mode features
- Water-proof rear camera
Cons
- Only supports SD card up to 128GB
- Mobile app needs work
Buy from Amazon ($139.99)
3. VAVA 2K Dash Cam
Video Resolution: 2K/1080p | Field Of View: 155° | Storage: Upto 256GB
We highly doubt that you can find a better mix of features and utility than VAVA 2K Dash Cam. It sports a cylindrical body housing a 2K road-facing camera and a 1080p cabin-facing camera. Both the cameras are equipped with Sony IMX335 sensors and 4 infrared LEDs to capture details even in low lights. On top of that, the dash cam is highly flexible with a 360-degree swivel to shoot videos from any angle.
VAVA 2K Dash Cam also features a 2-inch LCD facing the driver with four buttons at the bottom to tweak the camera settings. On top, it features a mini-USB power port and an SD card slot. For mounting, it uses a suction type and won’t have any problems on rough roads.
Aside from the above, VAVA 2K Dash Cam for trucks and semi-trucks comes with its very own app which allows you to adjust the settings and capture and share images and videos directly from your smartphone.Â
Pros
- Dual dash cam
- Sony’s image sensors
- Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- Extreme temperature resistance
Cons
- Small screen
- Expensive
- Poor cable management
Buy from Amazon ($169.99)
4. OldShark Dash Cam
Video Resolution: 1080p | Field Of View: 170° | Storage: Upto 32GB
If the steep pricing of the above dash cams for truckers is putting you off, you can check out this one from OldShark. The tiny-looking dash cam shoots in full HD and comes with an impressive white balance technology to adjust colors to the surroundings to get sharp quality videos even in bad weather. Build-wise, the dashcam is highly durable and can withstand severe temperatures ranging from -15°F to 160°F.Â
The camera also does a good job of preserving battery life by turning on and off automatically with the engine. Finally, the G-sensor triggers automatically on impact and saves the recording.
Our only major gripe with OldShark Dash Cam is its less-than-ideal battery life. Also, the mount is not of the best quality. That said, if you’re looking for an affordable dashcam for your truck/semi-truck, OldShark Dash Cam won’t disappoint you.
Pros
- Affordable
- Small footprint
- Temperature resistant
- Enhanced night vision
Cons
- Mount is less durable
- Battery life
Buy from Amazon ($54.99)
5. Aukey DR01 Dash Cam
Video Resolution: 1080p | Field Of View: 170° | Storage: Upto 128GB
Summing up our dashcam for truckers list is the Aukey DR01. It records in 1080p video at 30fps and 720p at 60fps, with an option to record in-cabin audio. And with the Sony Exmor sensor, it captures video with 170° field of view and also performs well for nighttime driving.
For mounting, Aukey includes both suction and semi-permanent sticky mounts, along with a few double-sided tape just in case. It also offers two USB ports, so you can charge your phone and other accessories.
Like most others, this dash cam comes with the standard loop recording feature. Although it lacks built-in GPS, there’s an option to add a $20 GPS unit.
Overall, Aukey DR01 nails the basics and works as advertised. If you want a simple camera that’s compact, affordable and delivers decent video quality, then the Aukey DR01 could be a great pick.
Pros
- Affordable
- Sony Exmor sensor
- Ultra-wide viewing angle
Cons
- No built-in GPS
- No extra safety features
Buy from Amazon ($62.99)
Wrap Up: Best Dash Cams for Trucks and Semi-Trucks
A dashcam is a vital piece of accessory that offers a lot of valuable features to both trucks and semi-trucks. And investing in one will provide peace of mind to both truckers and fleet managers of not being wronged by an unfair claim.
Among all the mentioned choices, the APEMAN 4K Dash Cam strikes a perfect balance between features and price and one that we recommend spending your cash on.
Also Read: 5 Best Webcams With Privacy Shutter
