Abstract: A personal computer generally of the type commonly available under the trade name Palm Pilot™ is utilized on a heavy vehicle to obtain information. The information may be analyzed by software provided on the computer. The computer is removed from a docking module on the vehicle and plugged into a docking module at a headquarters base. Data can then be downloaded to the headquarters. At the same time, the headquarters can upload information into the computer which may be then downloaded into the vehicle when the computer is returned to the vehicle. The information taken from the vehicle to the computer may include trip information such as mileage, state line crossing, etc. The information uploaded into the computer may include trip information which can then provide instructions to a navigation system on the vehicle. Moreover, the system may also provide diagnostic analyses while on the vehicle.