RV specific Map/navigation apps

[Archer Pilot]

I’ve heard that there are navigation apps that are RV specific and you can input data such as length, width, height, weight, etc., and the app will taylor directions to your RV data. Has anyone used an app like this? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Archer Pilot

[16ACE27]

Same as the last time this question was asked, probably a dozen threads on here with the same answers and opinions. They also include RV specific GPS units.

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Archer Pilot

I’ve heard that there are navigation apps that are RV specific and you can input data such as length, width, height, weight, etc., and the app will taylor directions to your RV data. Has anyone used an app like this? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Archer Pilot

Yes there are apps but, the last time I checked none of the apps I found can work with Android auto which was a deal breaker for me. There is also a Garmin RV specific GPS unit I think the newest version is:

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Naviga...0-5ec63b24bcb5

There are less expensive versions also available.

Personally, I chose to install an RV navigation system, the Kenwood DNX775RVS Truck /RV navigation radio. The allows you to program Hight, Weight, and Length and it will avoid any restrictions it knows about. It does work, near my house there is a 5 ton bridge on an old road leading into a new subdivision. The bridge is the shortest route into that subdivision. The only route around I knew about was a 5 mile detour to go in from the opposite direction. The DNX775RVS found a much shorter detour around that bridge.

I get that some people do not want to get into messing with installing a radio. The biggest drawback to an installed radio is that it will eventually become obsolete and need to be replaced. With a standalone unit all you need do is buy the new upgraded unit. Easy replace. Mu problem with the standalone unit is that there is no good place to stick a holder in my class A motor home. On my last trip before I installed the Kenwood I used Google maps for navigation. The biggest issue I had was that the holder kept coming lose. It happened about every other day and always just when I needed the guidance. Most of the available add on mounts are intended to stick on the inside of the wind shield which puts the unit out of reach from the driver's seat. The only place I could find that would remain stuck to was the driver's side window which made the screen on my phone nearly impossible to see when traveling with the sun in the drivers side.

[Archer Pilot]

Dan: Thanks for the information.

AP

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Archer Pilot

I’ve heard that there are navigation apps that are RV specific and you can input data such as length, width, height, weight, etc., and the app will taylor directions to your RV data. Has anyone used an app like this? YES Any recommendations? Garmin RV890

Thanks.

Archer Pilot

Lots of threads but this is my plight https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f1...aze-32855.html

I use Garmin 890 & Waze and love them both. My Garmin RV890 is a lot better to me today than when I 1st guy. It has some issues, a little quirky to learn, but is worth the Refurbish price. I think why it is better is that they have fixed a lot of issues and my Garmin Connect to the phone seems to always connect and stay connected to bluetooth now.

If you got questions, search or use an existing threads and you will get a lot more responses. I may need to update a few things because I recently had two long trips and my Garmin RV890 put on a show, it was wonderful. It did some things that I didn't even know it could related to weather etc. Keep in mine I am a Waze Nut By far the #1 App on my Phone. In fact; I can't even name another App of my phone

[Jimbo56]

I’ve used a Garmin 870 RV separate GPS pasted to the dash. Set your height, weight, width, towing. It’s gotten us thru most of the Southeast for 4 years with no issues. Recently took a 3 month 22 state trip out west. No issues whatsoever. Now we don’t boondock on BLM land. We usually route on main roads. But I could tell it to avoid toll roads and/or highways. Never tried. The Axxera head unit is junk. The cameras are awful. So .I just don’t use em. I’ve got an iPhone mounted on the dash next to the Garmin. It monitors tire pressure. Stream to headphones for music. Don’t answer calls or texts when driving. The Garmin unit works great for us. And we got free lifetime map updates.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Currently traveling through Missouri. Garmin sitting on dash... just using map as reference... no route plugged in. Google Maps on wife's phone with route. I have RV Trip Wizard on my phone.

Garmin just does some funky routing sometimes with no rhyme or reason. Google Maps always tries for the quickest time. NEITHER is ideal for me.

Trip Wizard and Google Maps agree on our current trip, but Trip Wizard calculates time a little slower, probably due to settings I have put in.

So far pretty happy with RV safe calcs of Trip Wizard.

The Trip Wizard web interface needs some work. Would love to have a conversation with their development team after we get back home to Ohio.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Currently traveling through Missouri. Garmin sitting on dash... just using map as reference... no route plugged in. Google Maps on wife's phone with route. I have RV Trip Wizard on my phone.

Garmin just does some funky routing sometimes with no rhyme or reason. Google Maps always tries for the quickest time. NEITHER is ideal for me.

Trip Wizard and Google Maps agree on our current trip, but Trip Wizard calculates time a little slower, probably due to settings I have put in.

So far pretty happy with RV safe calcs of Trip Wizard.

The Trip Wizard web interface needs some work. Would love to have a conversation with their development team after we get back home to Ohio.

If you are in Missouri, an argument could be made you are lost

Press HOME button on your Garmin sitting on Dash. You will be fine

The biggest beef I have with two systems is when one will re-route; usually the Waze and you struggling to determine which to trust. But again; Garmin just does so much more to well overcome it's issues. I would not want just my Garmin RV890 though. Waze is undisputed #1 for me for directions.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

If you are in Missouri, an argument could be made you are lost

Press HOME button on your Garmin sitting on Dash. You will be fine The biggest beef I have with two systems is when one will re-route; usually the Waze and you struggling to determine which to trust. But again; Garmin just does so much more to well overcome it's issues. I would not want just my Garmin RV890 though. Waze is undisputed #1 for me for directions.

Nope not lost! Cruising US-60 east. 65mph speed limit... avoids the chaos of heavy truck traffic on I-70.

We ALWAYS pre-plan before leaving on a leg. Browse the route on Google Maps to get a feel for type of roads, rest stops, gas etc. I never blindly put in a destination in Garmin and hit start. Too many disasters!

We spent about a half hour over dinner last evening planning/routing this leg. One more overnight campground, then an overnight in a Cabela's before the final leg home on Saturday.

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Currently traveling through Missouri. Garmin sitting on dash... just using map as reference... no route plugged in. Google Maps on wife's phone with route. I have RV Trip Wizard on my phone.

Garmin just does some funky routing sometimes with no rhyme or reason. Google Maps always tries for the quickest time. NEITHER is ideal for me.

Trip Wizard and Google Maps agree on our current trip, but Trip Wizard calculates time a little slower, probably due to settings I have put in.

So far pretty happy with RV safe calcs of Trip Wizard.

The Trip Wizard web interface needs some work. Would love to have a conversation with their development team after we get back home to Ohio.

I do not think any navigation system avoids funky routing. Both the fully updated Nav system in my Jeep and Google Maps tend to route me to the back door when I am trying to get to an unfamiliar Lowes or Home Depot. On my trip this spring I got totally misrouted on a highway change in Joplin MO. Yah, I know if you're in MO. you are lost. Google maps also tried to route me on a "detour" over a dirt road around construction on US30 near my home. I knew better than to take the detour and really the road itself was done all the was going on was shoulder work. A few days later my son was driving along the same route an took the Google detour and ended up getting his Chevy Malibu stuck in the mud on that detour. Tow truck driver told him there had been a constant string of stuck vehicles on that road. My son learned a valuable life lesion that day. Add to that on a number of instances Google maps has tried to take me off onto an exit ramp only to put me right back on to the highway. I think most of the problem is that all the navigation system use the same source data for the maps so everyone has the same garbage as input.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Nope not lost! Cruising US-60 east. 65mph speed limit... avoids the chaos of heavy truck traffic on I-70.

We ALWAYS pre-plan before leaving on a leg. Browse the route on Google Maps to get a feel for type of roads, rest stops, gas etc. I never blindly put in a destination in Garmin and hit start. Too many disasters!

We spent about a half hour over dinner last evening planning/routing this leg. One more overnight campground, then an overnight in a Cabela's before the final leg home on Saturday.

That's the best way. We don't normally have that much time so I am always on fastest path to where ever it I am going. I drive 10 extra miles to save 5 minutes when I can. I feel like I drive 65mph too but my speedometer is always saying 75mph.

The only thing I preplanned is the end destination for the night. I use Waze for that. My Garmin may start with the same destination but mid trip we will talk to RV890 via voice and find other places to go or stop. It has been great to ensure we maximize very clean rest areas, restaurants and planning for cities coming up in the journey. It is an Adventurer for us because of the unknown. If we did not always have to get back for work, we would do some things differently.

[Lt Keefer]

I'm still a big fan of a road atlas. I like the spiral bound versions that are sold to truckers. You can get a current edition on Amazon for less than 30 bucks, a laminated version is around 100 dollars. They have route restrictions, low clearance bridges and more.

[MLP]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

If we did not always have to get back for work, we would do some things differently.

I thought four letter words like this could not be used on this forum!
That being said, I have used GPS units that I now use for backup with bridge clearance warnings in it. Waze on a IPAD for my main GPS routing. I do have and use maps prior to a trip. My GPS unit is loaded with Low Clearance Data and it saved me twice going across country.

[ArcticGPS]

I use Google Maps/Android auto on the Axxera to nav. I used it to navigate from the Midwest to Alaska and it worked great.

Like any navigation system, you have to know the nuances to make it effective. You can put parameters in to avoid tolls etc. You can also add extra points or just tug the route over to one you prefer. It has rerouted me to a much better traffic situation in real time.

I mange field software and GPS applications for a biological research firm and the best system is the one you will invest time in learning and practicing with. If you use anything only occasionally, you will have a harder time of it than something you use all the time. Pick something then use it to navigate to the grocery store or some other location you go all the time. It will help you understand how to interface with the system to be successful.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by MLP

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkoldman View Post
If we did not always have to get back for work, we would do some things differently.

I thought four letter words like this could not be used on this forum!
That being said, I have used GPS units that I now use for backup with bridge clearance warnings in it. Waze on a IPAD for my main GPS routing. I do have and use maps prior to a trip. My GPS unit is loaded with Low Clearance Data and it saved me twice going across country.

My apologies, I meant to say "If we did not always have to get back to our Job, we would do some things differently.

This reminds me of Bob who always took exception when the MATH started running rampart in a thread.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by ArcticGPS

I use Google Maps/Android auto on the Axxera to nav. I used it to navigate from the Midwest to Alaska and it worked great.

Like any navigation system, you have to know the nuances to make it effective. You can put parameters in to avoid tolls etc. You can also add extra points or just tug the route over to one you prefer. It has rerouted me to a much better traffic situation in real time.

I mange field software and GPS applications for a biological research firm and the best system is the one you will invest time in learning and practicing with. If you use anything only occasionally, you will have a harder time of it than something you use all the time. Pick something then use it to navigate to the grocery store or some other location you go all the time. It will help you understand how to interface with the system to be successful.

In our SUV vehicles we run Waze/Android Auto; in RV we have to run Waze off the phone but it is connected via bluetooth for sound. If I ever get new radio, it will have to have Android Auto, but our Pioneer head unit is just fine. I think the takeaway for OP, is that have both Garmin and and another GPS is what a lot of people do. Garmin does some things really well that others don't do. But if just want Navigation, other GPS systems are more reliable. For the life of me, as many people crow safety in RVs, I don't understand why everyone does not use Waze It warns you about hazards coming up. When I hear "Object on the Road" I slow down to 60 - 65 until I see it before hitting my cruise speed again. I don't worry about getting tickets, but I like knowing where the speed traps are. I may be slow getting dowen to 40 mph in some sudden speed zones.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Overnight in a Cabela's tonight. I used Garmin re-routing feature (touch roads on screen to change) to go around Cincinnati... NOT up I-71 !!

But again I previewed the entire route so I know where the 4 hour route will take me.

You want fun? Use Garmin, Google Maps and RV Trip Wizard simultaneously... you get THREE WOMEN - FOUR if you include the wife - all talking at once!

But you certainly won't get lost!!

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Overnight in a Cabela's tonight. I used Garmin re-routing feature (touch roads on screen to change) to go around Cincinnati... NOT up I-71 !!

But again I previewed the entire route so I know where the 4 hour route will take me.

You want fun? Use Garmin, Google Maps and RV Trip Wizard simultaneously... you get THREE WOMEN - FOUR if you include the wife - all talking at once!

But you certainly won't get lost!!

AANNNDD none of them agree on what you should do next!

[atreis]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Overnight in a Cabela's tonight. I used Garmin re-routing feature (touch roads on screen to change) to go around Cincinnati... NOT up I-71 !!

Sure will be nice when the Brent Spence bridge project gets done... It's supposed to start next year and complete in 2030 according to the plan.

https://brentspencebridgecorridor.com/new-bridge/

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by atreis

Sure will be nice when the Brent Spence bridge project gets done... It's supposed to start next year and complete in 2030 according to the plan.

https://brentspencebridgecorridor.com/new-bridge/

We took the I-275 Cincinnati bypass/outer loop so we missed all the "fun" going through there!

Saturday morning traffic USED to be more relaxed... the closer we got to Cincinnati from Louisville - at 9:30 am - the more rushed. There was also NO speed enforcement between Louisville and Cincinnati. 20 miles south of Cincy was posted 65. Average speed was more like 75 - 80.

It's environments like this close to large metro areas that pre-planning is critical. Knowing exactly where you'll be exiting and choosing the proper lane ahead of time saves a LOT of consternation!

Unfortunately Google Maps doesn't allow fine grained route selection - at least on mobile devices AND nothing close to what you can do on Garmin. With Garmin I selected my EXACT route from a Cabela's in Louisville to our house. Again the pre-planning made all the difference. Had I selected "Go home" in Garmin, it would have been a white knuckle disaster!

On paper maps... I had every state map between Ohio and Colorado for this trip. They were good for general directions, but it's impossible to get fine grain detail on a large old-school map. Each has it's place and use.