|
09-27-2017, 01:06 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 371
THOR #8503
|
Trip planning?
Does anyone have any recommendations for trip planning software where I could input departure and destination locations with planned average speed and hours per day and it will recommend routing and show campgrounds?
__________________
Wayne & Jo Roe
Retired USAF
Thor ACE 30.3
FMCA #F479085
Good Sam #848205704
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 03:05 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
|
There are several. We use TripWizard combined with Good Sams, Allstays, RV Park Reviews and Google Maps. I am a planner - sometimes to the extreme but I don't like winding up into what I call rabbit holes (a place that is easy to get into and a real pain to get out of). Trip Wizard is an annual fee based tool that does all the things you mentioned - to include hazards (height, restricted tunnels/bridges, etc). While Trip Wizard, GS and Allstays will show campgrounds - I use and contribute to RV Park Reviews. We've avoided some real ugly places by reading reviews. Caution here though, the higher and more recent the reviews, the more accurate the reviews will be.
Hope that helps.
__________________
US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 03:15 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37GT
State: Florida
Posts: 809
THOR #5246
|
I'm with Ben on this one. When planning a cross country trip I will start by using google mapping to just get my approximate distances/destinations down. Then I will use our Good Sams book and the RVParky app to find campgrounds and look at their reviews. Once I locate a possible CG I will look at Google earth to see how difficult it looks to get into and how the surrounding area looks. I also consult my Trucker's Atlas if I will be venturing off Class I designated highways just to make sure I am not surprised by a 10' overpass.
__________________
Full Time in 2017 Newmar Ventana 4369
pulling a 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper/Harley/Kayak)
(traded 2014 Thor Challenger)
US Army 70-73 Retired LEO
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 03:15 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 371
THOR #8503
|
Good stuff, bigben. Thanks. I'll take a look at TripWizard.
__________________
Wayne & Jo Roe
Retired USAF
Thor ACE 30.3
FMCA #F479085
Good Sam #848205704
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 04:07 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 371
THOR #8503
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-FL
I'm with Ben on this one. When planning a cross country trip I will start by using google mapping to just get my approximate distances/destinations down. Then I will use our Good Sams book and the RVParky app to find campgrounds and look at their reviews. Once I locate a possible CG I will look at Google earth to see how difficult it looks to get into and how the surrounding area looks. I also consult my Trucker's Atlas if I will be venturing off Class I designated highways just to make sure I am not surprised by a 10' overpass.
|
Thanks, Joe.
__________________
Wayne & Jo Roe
Retired USAF
Thor ACE 30.3
FMCA #F479085
Good Sam #848205704
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 11:16 AM
|
#6
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
I use a similar procedure: Google maps to get the basic route down, RV Park Reviews to check on campgrounds, and occasionally I'll use Road Trippers and/or Roadside America to find interesting places to stop along the way.
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 12:31 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 37.4
State: Florida
Posts: 86
THOR #7274
|
I am rather ocd about planning, like others. I start with the Good Sams trip planner as I like being able to identify rest areas, flying j as well as campgrounds. Once I have the initial plan set there I start using other resources for reviews of campgrounds and have several phone apps for gas and such (RV Parky, Rvillage, Gas Buddy, Coverage? to name a few).
I got the new Garmin 770LMT RV gps and it also came with a trip planning software that I have as of yet not used extensively. I'll be taking a deeper look at that since I can move the trips onto the garmin from there.
__________________
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 12:36 PM
|
#8
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
I also take a look at Rand McNally's TripMaker...
(Multiple sources help to confirm things... )
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 12:40 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37GT
State: Florida
Posts: 809
THOR #5246
|
Just a side note about pre-planning when your destination involves CG's in larger cities you are unfamiliar with. When I bring it up on Google Earth I will also go down to the street view and check the surrounding area. I have looked at CG's before that may get 3 or 4 stars ratings but then I see where there is sketchy public housing or a huge commercial 24 hour factory of some type right on top of them. You can learn a lot by seeing a street view of the surrounding area and it only takes a couple of minutes. I also use crimereports.com to check an area. You type in the address and it shows all the crimes reported in that area. About 75% of the police departments reports are included in that site so just about anywhere you are checking will be in there. I don't check these sites with all my planned stops but some I do, especially Walmarts I am thinking about trying.
__________________
Full Time in 2017 Newmar Ventana 4369
pulling a 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper/Harley/Kayak)
(traded 2014 Thor Challenger)
US Army 70-73 Retired LEO
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 12:45 PM
|
#10
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-FL
Just a side note about pre-planning when your destination involves CG's in larger cities you are unfamiliar with. When I bring it up on Google Earth I will also go down to the street view and check the surrounding area. I have looked at CG's before that may get 3 or 4 stars ratings but then I see where there is sketchy public housing or a huge commercial 24 hour factory of some type right on top of them. You can learn a lot by seeing a street view of the surrounding area and it only takes a couple of minutes. ...
|
Good point: I also use streetview, but not for those purposes. I use streetview to look at the navigation points along the route: identifying landmarks, odd intersections, the occasional bridge, etc. That way when I get there I'm already familiar with the intersection.
As a bonus: If you have a Samsung Phone and Gear VR you can use the VISO places app to virtually stand at any intersection in the US that is captured with streetview.
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 01:04 PM
|
#11
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 37.4
State: Florida
Posts: 86
THOR #7274
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-FL
Just a side note about pre-planning when your destination involves CG's in larger cities you are unfamiliar with. When I bring it up on Google Earth I will also go down to the street view and check the surrounding area. I have looked at CG's before that may get 3 or 4 stars ratings but then I see where there is sketchy public housing or a huge commercial 24 hour factory of some type right on top of them. You can learn a lot by seeing a street view of the surrounding area and it only takes a couple of minutes. I also use crimereports.com to check an area. You type in the address and it shows all the crimes reported in that area. About 75% of the police departments reports are included in that site so just about anywhere you are checking will be in there. I don't check these sites with all my planned stops but some I do, especially Walmarts I am thinking about trying.
|
Streetview is fantastic...It saved us one trip as the campground entrance and main road had a lot of low trees....no way I would have gotten Lucille down that road without major damage....
Crimereports is a good idea...i'll add that to my ever growing trip planning repertoire
__________________
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 01:24 PM
|
#12
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
We all know how important Situational Awareness is.
Situational Awareness.jpg
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 01:40 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 371
THOR #8503
|
I really appreciate all your responses, this is good stuff. I have been blessed with a good sense of direction and spent most of my days in the military as a navigator. When the wife and I have travelled, my usual technique has been, look at a map at home to see where we're going, then put it away and go there - that's worked well for me for 70 years. With an RV, the whole game changes, though, and requires a little more detailed planning, especially with the toad (overhead clearances, turn radii and angles, side obstructions, making sure to keep the gas tank at least quarter full, etc). In the Air Force, I just made sure to fly higher than the obstructions :-). Thanks for the help!!
__________________
Wayne & Jo Roe
Retired USAF
Thor ACE 30.3
FMCA #F479085
Good Sam #848205704
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 01:42 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.3 Sold
State: Arkansas
Posts: 439
THOR #8012
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
Good point: I also use streetview, but not for those purposes. I use streetview to look at the navigation points along the route: identifying landmarks, odd intersections, the occasional bridge, etc. That way when I get there I'm already familiar with the intersection.
As a bonus: If you have a Samsung Phone and Gear VR you can use the VISO places app to virtually stand at any intersection in the US that is captured with streetview.
|
I'm a newbie, but on my maiden voyage going from dealer to campground in Arlington, TX, I had originally looked at one route with Google, and then when heading there, I think because of traffic on the interstate, Google had me get off the exit before and as my wife was manning Google, she didn't really know which route I was planning to go (we will work on that going forward) and I didn't realize it had me exit early until I was making a right instead of left.
Long story, short, it brought me down a two lane road with low hanging branches. It's possible if I had used google street view, that might have been obvious.
__________________
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 02:12 PM
|
#15
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Is there anything wrong with saying:
"Hey! Let's go thataway!"
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 03:29 PM
|
#16
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Is there anything wrong with saying:
"Hey! Let's go thataway!"
|
Nope, not at all...as long as you're sure your rig with fit "thataway"
|
|
|
09-27-2017, 03:59 PM
|
#17
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
I need practice backing-up anyway!
If "thataway" doesn't work: "Thisaway might!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
09-28-2017, 01:08 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
|
Like JeffnBeth above, we have a Garmin, ours is an older Garmin 760 LMT RV. We had some sticky situations in the years before it came to live on the dash of our Vegas. Before we start out for a day, I enter the destination so the Garmin can keep me from low clearances, etc.
I find the Good Sam trip program better than using Google Maps for planning RV trips, but I use each on occasion.
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|