GPS or not

Gsmalls · 03-24-2021, 01:49 AM

I've read many articles about whether or not to get an RV GPS.
For those that have them, what brand is your favorite?

If you do not have one, what do you use(Waze,etc)

Thanks and have a great night
g

Pete'sMH · 03-24-2021, 02:17 AM

I have a Garmin 770RV mounted atop my dashboard and consider it essential. It has a number of worthwhile RV specific features and I leave it in the coach ready to go. I like my phone well enough but this is bigger and better for the purpose. Well worth the significant price.

**EA37TS** · 03-24-2021, 02:42 AM

I had the Rand McNally which IMO was garbage. Routed me down too many narrow streets even though RV parameters were set.

I now have the Garmin and have had no problems with it.

Pete'sMH · 03-24-2021, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

I had the Rand McNally which IMO was garbage. Routed me down too many narrow streets even though RV parameters were set.

I now have the Garmin and have had no problems with it.

X2. My coach came with a Rand McNally GPS built into the radio and it was really terrible. Also difficult to update and frequently froze. I pitched it and went back to my Garmin.

Down South · 03-24-2021, 04:03 AM

Waze, Google maps and other apps are designed for regular vehicles. Waze brought me into a campground on the wrong road once. The road was full of sharp switchbacks. Once I got to the park, one of the rangers commented that I was way too long for that road and should have used a different road.

After that, I bought a Garmin RV GPS. There are several models to choose from and any of them should serve you well.

rynosback · 03-24-2021, 05:34 AM

I have a Garmin DEZL 770 truckers GPS. Will not tow the rig with out it. As you can program heights , weights and on board hazards. But I tow a 40’ 5th wheel that is 13’6” tall. Has not gotten me in trouble once in 6 years of full timing.

CHS · 03-24-2021, 11:17 AM

Would highly suggest using an RV GPS. Traveling unknown roads can lead you into bridges that may be too low for your RV.
I use the Garmin 770. I would love to get the newest 890, Lots more features.
That said, I also use my phone with the route in Google maps. Google maps is the best for knowing if there is a traffic jam ahead, leaving you time to adjust and reroute. Yes, the GPS has a traffic feature but no where near as real time as google maps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82tcHq84KTU

JamieGeek · 03-24-2021, 11:26 AM

I don't use an RV specific GPS but I do review our routes prior to leaving.

I'll go through the routes via google and streetview on a laptop. Could I miss something? Sure but we tend to stick to roads that are well travelled (i.e. interstates) for the most part and thus the review can be for smaller specific non-interstate parts of the trip.

I primarily do this to make note of landmarks where the turns are and to familiarize myself with the roads (this also removes a lot of the "unknown" about the area as I'll feel like I've been there before).

Sometimes I'll pop on our VR headset and look via an app that uses streetview to make it look like you're standing at that exact spot.

Of course not all roads are in streetview....

Newf026 · 03-24-2021, 11:29 AM

I use the Truck Map app on my iPhone. It's VERY truck oriented and has never given me a problem or put me in a bad situation.

TripleGGG · 03-24-2021, 11:33 AM

I've been using the app Sygic Truck North American RV version for over a year now and have been very pleased. They offer a 14 day trial period. I run it on a Samsung S4 tablet.

Bob Denman · 03-24-2021, 11:40 AM

I have a Garmin that was included as standard equipment in my Kenwood.

But if it wasn't there: I'd have the latest RV version of a Garmin system on the dash.

witthuus · 03-24-2021, 12:07 PM

I use the Garmin RV890 - an awesome unit with a huge display. It is pricy ( $500) but well worth it. I was lucky and got it during a sale Garmin had and paid $400

Bob Denman · 03-24-2021, 12:25 PM

It's true that they're not cheap...

But if they keep you from damaging your roof with a low-hanging branch or overpass: how much do they save you?

JamieGeek · 03-24-2021, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It's true that they're not cheap...

But if they keep you from damaging your roof with a low-hanging branch or overpass: how much do they save you?

I would be really impressed if they had every low hanging branch marked on the GPS's map!!

Bob Denman · 03-24-2021, 12:58 PM

That WOULD be pretty impressive!

But instead of that: how about a laser-equipped satellite; that can clear the way for you?

JamieGeek · 03-24-2021, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

That WOULD be pretty impressive!

But instead of that: how about a laser-equipped satellite; that can clear the way for you?

Just one on the top of the RV shooting forward, works for jerks on the road too

Bob Denman · 03-24-2021, 01:15 PM

That could ramp up the road-rage severity exponentially...

JamieGeek · 03-24-2021, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

That could ramp up the road-rage severity exponentially...

How would they know? Infra-red laser would be invisible. All they would know is that karma is a b*** and they had a blowout and the most inopportune moment.

I haven't thought this through at all

Bob Denman · 03-24-2021, 01:56 PM

I can see the delicious logic in that!

Travelin' Texans · 03-24-2021, 03:49 PM

Full-timed 10+ years towing a 40' 13'4" high 5th wheel using Google maps on my phone, the truck GPS, when I one that was equipped with it & a Motor Carriers Atlas (a truckers atlas with all hazards listed by state in the front of the atlas & all roads suitable for trucks were highlighted). Always checked my route with Google & the atlas, if a truck could go so could I, never once got in a bad situation following either of those.
Since have tried the Waze app & that is the absolute worst GPS programming I've ever used, it'll have you zigzagging all over town to cross the street.

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