Today’s topic is tablet mounts for trucks and rigs. Mounting a device in a truck has unique requirements that differ from placing it in a car. A truck has a much deeper reach to the windshield so a basic suction cup mount will prove to be inconvenient.
Mount Analysis
Most car mounts that are sold for tablets are a few inches long and will not suffice for use in a truck. It’s difficult for a truck driver to reach forward that far so a suction mount that’s really long is what’s needed. I have also found that truckers are more receptive to bolting a mount to their dash versus your everyday car owner. Another unique requirement of a truck mount is it must withstand more vibration than a car mount.
First we will discuss the suction cup route. As already mentioned, we need a suction cup mount that is somewhat longer than a typical windshield mount. Ideally we want a metal support to minimize the shake and need it to fit our GPS or phone model. We also want it to be easy to install and remove and durable enough to do this continually. Be sure to place this somewhere that will not block your view of the road.
Mount Recommendations
The Arkon Large Tablet Long Arm Windshield Suction Mount fits the requirements outlined. It extends from 14 – 18 inches, the arm is made if metal and it includes the large universal cradle that we like a lot as it will fit large tablets up to a full size Apple iPad.
For smaller tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 or an Apple iPad Mini, the same company makes an Arkon Smartphone and Midsize Tablet Windshield Mount. This is a nicely made mount that also extends from 14 – 18 inches and includes a universal expandable cradle that fits phones from 4.4 to 7.5 inches high. This means it fits not only the most popular small tablets but even large phones such as the Apple iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6. This expandable cradle also will fit most protective cases such as LifeProof and Otterbox (my favorite). I have personally used this mount in my SUV and it holds very steady.
I mentioned that truck owners are a bit more receptive to bolting their mounts to a flat surface such as the dash. There are a wide variety of mounts available to do this. The criteria for a flat surface phone mount in a rig is a steady hold with a universal cradle. The cradle needs to hold your phone tightly but be easy to remove and install it. Unlike a suction cup mount, you probably will not remove the mount but will retain it within the vehicle and since it’s bolted on, you will not need to worry as much about theft of the mount. A good option is the Arkon Heavy Duty Tablet Flat Surface Mount. The base has pre-drilled holes for mounting. You just supply the bolts and a screwdriver. The mount itself is made of metal and can be adjusted in three different places.
Another good location for a tablet mount in a rig is the floor or seat bolt. This location is good when not needing to consistently look down at your tablet. It keeps it off your passenger seat and you don’t need to worry about it slipping between the seats. Unlike a mount for a car, you will need to select a mount that is taller, made of metal and includes an expandable cradle. The Arkon 22″ Seat Bolt Tablet Mount fits all of the criteria. The 22″ stalk is made of a flexible gooseneck so that you can bend it to the best angle for your viewing pleasure.
Summary
So that’s what we can recommend when it comes to tablet mounts for trucks and rigs. By the way, if you are interested in mounting a GPS or phone in your rig, take a few minutes to read our article on that topic here.