TOP 5 TABLET MOUNTS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

Mounting a tablet in a semi truck is not the same job as mounting one in a passenger car. You are dealing with a bigger cab, more vibration, ELD compliance needs, and a driver who may need to remove or reposition the device several times a shift. Before picking a mount, it helps to know what mounting surface you are working with, how big your tablet is, and how the mount needs to perform once the truck is loaded and moving.

What to Verify Before You Choose a Tablet Mount

A tablet mount that looks right in a photo can still be the wrong choice for your cab. Check these points first:

Mounting surface: dash, windshield, console, seat rail bolt, or a flat interior panel all call for different base types.
Vibration level: a loaded semi on rough pavement puts more stress on an arm and cradle than a car does. Rigid metal arms and latch-style cradles hold up better than spring clips over time.
Device size and case: measure the tablet with its case on, not just the screen size on the box.
Charging and cable routing: plan where the charging cable will run so it is not pinched by the mount or in the way of the driver's hands.
Removal frequency: if the tablet comes in and out of the cab daily, a suction cup or cup holder mount makes more sense than a permanent drill base.
Security: if the tablet stays in the truck unattended, a locking cradle protects against casual theft.
Arm and ball compatibility: iBOLT uses a 1 inch / 25mm / B size ball on most arms and an AMPS hole pattern on most bases, which matters if you want to swap a cradle onto a different base later.

Mounting Surface Options for Semi Trucks

iBOLT builds tablet mounting bases for the mounting surfaces you actually find in a truck cab:

Suction Cup Mounts for windshields or dashboards
Drill Base Mounts that work on any flat surface
Cup Holder Mounts that fit small to large cup holders
Seat Rail Mounts that attach to the passenger seat bolt
Industrial Adhesive Mounts for a permanent mounting solution
Seat Wedge Mounts that slide between the passenger seat and center console
Locking Tablet Mounts to keep the device secured to the base

Choosing the Right Tablet Holder for Your Device

Universal tablet holders. The TabDock and TabDock 2 series fit 7 to 10 inch tablets and open from 4 to 8 inches wide, so a slightly larger device, such as an Apple iPad 8th Gen at 10.2 inches, may still fit. Insert the tablet horizontally, lock the rear clamp, then rotate to a vertical or angled viewing position. Because the holder locks with a latch rather than spring tension, it holds steady in higher vibration cabs.

Locking tablet holders. The LockPro and Dock'n Lock cradles are also universal fits for 7 to 10 inch tablets, opening 4 to 8 inches wide and accommodating tablet heights from 7.75 to 11.25 inches. Both lock with included keys. A limited XL version of the LockPro cradle is available on request for larger devices.

Spring-loaded tablet holders. The TabDock Universal Slim fits a much wider range, from 7 to 18.4 inch tablets, covering devices like the iPad Pro, iPad Air, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Google Nexus, and Asus VivoTab Note 8. It ships with 10 adjustable support legs so side buttons and ports stay clear. For larger tablets, use 2 short legs on top and 2 long legs on the bottom. For smaller 7 inch tablets, use all 4 short legs.

Measuring screen size. Measure the screen diagonally, the same way you would size a television. Also measure width, height, and depth with any case installed, since a thick or rugged case changes the fit. Most cases work fine in iBOLT holders except hand-strap style cases on the back, which is why the Universal Slim includes XL legs as an option for those thicker builds.

The Top 5 Tablet Mounts for Truck Drivers

#1 THE iBOLT TABDOCK BIZMOUNT AMPS

IBBZ-33921

Our most frequently ordered fleet mount. This is a drill base solution with a dual ball mounting arm using a 1 inch / 25mm / B size ball joint and an industry-standard AMPS pattern base, so it accepts vehicle-specific brackets and other AMPS adapters. Verify your mounting panel is flat and thick enough to hold the included hardware before drilling.

Available Here

#2 THE iBOLT TABDOCK FIXEDPRO 360 - DRILL BASE MOUNT

IBBZ-33768

The FixedPro 360 uses an 8 inch multi-angle aluminum arm with three adjustment points, giving you more control over viewing angle than a single-joint arm. The rigid aluminum construction keeps the tablet steadier on rough pavement compared to lighter plastic arms.

Available Here

#3 THE iBOLT TABDOCK BIZMOUNT SUCTION - SUCTION CUP MOUNT

IBBZ-33754

If you are not ready to drill into your cab, this suction cup mount is the removable option. It uses a heavy-duty reusable adhesive suction cup for a secure hold on windshields, dashboards, or other flat surfaces. If your dash has a textured or curved surface, the included adhesive dash disc creates a flat spot for the suction cup base.

Available Here

#4 THE iBOLT TABDOCK FIXEDPRO 360 SUCTION - SUCTION CUP MOUNT

IBBZ-33943

This is the suction cup version of the #2 drill base mount above. It carries the same 8 inch adjustable aluminum arm with three adjustment points, but installs directly on the windshield, dashboard, or another flat surface without hardware, which suits drivers who need to move the mount between trucks.

Available Here

#5 THE iBOLT TABDOCK BIZMOUNT CONSOLE - CUP HOLDER MOUNT

IBBZ-33784

This cup holder mount adjusts to fit small and large cup holders, which makes it a practical choice if you switch trucks often. It includes a 1 inch / 25mm dual ball mount arm that extends 3.75 inches, for a total arm length of 6 inches from the base, and rotates to set your viewing position.

Available Here

Locking Mounts for Added Security

If the tablet stays in the cab when the truck is parked, a locking cradle adds a layer of protection a standard clamp does not.

#1 THE iBOLT LOCK'N DOCK BIZMOUNT AMPS

IBBZ-33993

The Lock'n Dock BizMount AMPS is a locking tablet cradle built from heavy-duty composite material. The cradle locks in back with the included keys, and all visible knobs can be swapped for the included hex key security hardware so the mount cannot be loosened by hand.

Available Here

#2 THE iBOLT LOCKPRO BIZMOUNT AMPS

This is a metal locking cradle solution built around an aluminum 38mm / 1.5 inch arm, an aluminum locking cradle with keys, and hex key security hardware to replace every knob. It is the heavier-duty locking option of the two when you need a metal build rather than composite.

Available Here

FAQ: Tablet Mounts for Truck Drivers

What tablet sizes do these mounts fit?
The universal and locking cradles fit 7 to 10 inch tablets. The TabDock Universal Slim spring-loaded holder covers a wider range, from 7 to 18.4 inches, for larger tablets and some rugged devices.

Do I need a locking mount for an ELD tablet?
Not for compliance, but if the tablet stays mounted when the truck is parked and unattended, a locking cradle such as the Lock'n Dock or LockPro reduces the chance of it being taken.

Suction cup or drill base, which should I pick?
Choose a suction cup mount if you move the tablet between trucks or do not want to drill into the cab. Choose a drill base if the mount will stay in one truck long term and you want the most rigid, lowest-movement setup.

Will my tablet fit if it is in a rugged case?
Most cases fit iBOLT holders without an issue. The exception is cases with a hand strap on the back, which add bulk that the standard legs are not built for. The Universal Slim mount offers XL legs for that situation.

Can I move a mount between different trucks?
Cup holder and suction cup mounts are the easiest to relocate. Drill base mounts are meant to stay installed, though the cradle itself can often be swapped onto a different AMPS base if the ball and pattern match.

How do I know if an arm or cradle will fit a base I already own?
Check the ball size and hole pattern. Most iBOLT arms use a 1 inch / 25mm / B size ball, and most bases use the AMPS pattern, but confirm both measurements against your existing hardware before ordering a replacement part.

Outfitting a Fleet

Still not sure which mount fits your cab, or need to equip more than one truck? Contact iBOLT and register for a business account for tiered pricing, a dedicated solutions specialist, and fleet discounts.