Beginner questions on safe RV route

[sydala]

I have a 24' long 11' foot high RV. I will not use propane on the road, I have one of those plug in coolers. Is there something an RV my size needs to avoid that I can't do with google maps? The RV safe routes take much longer and I have to be in a certain area by a certain time for work.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by sydala

I have a 24' long 11' foot high RV. I will not use propane on the road, I have one of those plug in coolers. Is there something an RV my size needs to avoid that I can't do with google maps? The RV safe routes take much longer and I have to be in a certain area by a certain time for work.

If using secondary roads you need to worry about bridge weight limits and overpass height limitations.

Also be mindful of width. Google will route you down narrow alleys.

You should be good on most interstates.

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

If using secondary roads you need to worry about bridge weight limits and overpass height limitations.

Also be mindful of width. Google will route you down narrow alleys.

You should be good on most interstates.

DITTO
google will put in a perplexing situation to turn around most certainly




you can use propane to run fridge with really no issues
just check the tunnel on your route to make sure




i use google maps to get a jest of the route, then break it down to 4 to 5 hr blocks for drive times or 200 to 250 miles per day.

then zoom in the maps to see how google takes me and then look at it to see what the holdups or tight spaces may be.


i also use my rv garmin to route trips as well and set rv size restrictions, its not perfect but does a pretty good job

[Chateau_Nomad]

I have a 25' class C which is about the height of yours.

Before I "wised up", both Google AND Garmin routed me to LOW underpasses SEVERAL times. A few of those were a major challenge turning around... and a HUGE waste of time. I've also been routed over VERY narrow crumbling steel bridges where I had to turn around... Although gosh, I don't know where you'd find a crumbling bridge in the U.S. ...

Now, I NEVER TRUST any mapping software when getting off the beaten path - meaning off of interstates and MAJOR roads where semi trucks regularly travel.

Not paying attention to height clearance can REALLY ruin your day! Google pays no attention to that when routing... it assumes you're in a passenger car heading to one of Googles paying advertisers...

[DavidEM]

AFAIK, there is no way to set Google Maps to avoid low overpasses, low load bridges, parkways that only allow cars, tunnels that don't allow propane, etc. I have only had two problems with this:

Once Google Maps took me right up to the entrance to the Taconic Parkway in NYS. I had to back track a few miles to get to a route that avoided the parkway. Another time Google Maps took me through a residential area that said no trucks. But there were no width, height or bridge loading restrictions so I got through fine. Also not sure that Class C RV counts as a truck.

But I love Google Maps preparing alternate routes for tolls and not tolls as well as routing you around accidents.

All in all I rate Google Maps much better than RVLife's product and it is much, much easier to use.

David

[ducksface]

As a beginner the first thing to learn is:
Someones dad told them something in 1964 regarding a 1954 Plymouth and zomehow it's gospel worth repeating.

The propane off thing is almost mythical, to absolutely improbable.

As a newb, you need to sort, HARD, myth from fact.
If they don't post a viable professional link in support of their paranoia, disregard.

'This one time at baaand camp...'
Is not a reason to buy into a story.

Download:
Sygic maps.
It does everything you could want for an RV trip.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I have the Garmin RV specific GPS. You program your weight, length, height, etc., and it avoids those pinch points. Otherwise, coat the roof very heavily with Vaseline.

[Chateau_Nomad]

[QUOTE=The Gritz Carlton;340505]I have the Garmin RV specific GPS. You program your weight, length, height, etc., and it avoids those pinch points. Otherwise, coat the roof very heavily with Vaseline.[/QUOTE]

Sounds kinda kinky... but hey - I'm on board with anything that makes RV travel more enjoyable...

[Lt Keefer]

You are over thinking things. Measure the height of your rig so you know that but don't panic. No one here on this forum can teach you what you will learn by just driving it like you stole it. Get off the internet and get your butt in the drivers seat. Only time will teach you what you need to know.

[Chateau_Nomad]

I printed a large print label that's stuck to the dash in plain sight while driving. Height including A/C... Width including mirrors. Weight fully loaded.

[sydala]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone.

I was just thinking that I have a small class C and I'm not towing anything this trip so was hoping that I might not run into some of the same issues I would in a larger RV.

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Download:
Sygic maps.
It does everything you could want for an RV trip.

Sygic makes several mapping products. Which one are you referring to?

I use the plain Sygic mapping app on an iPhone, and I like it, but it does not route for RVs in particular. There are no settings for weight or height or width, so it just assumes I am a passenger car.

Sygic also makes a Truck mapping app that should work for RVs, but it does not work with Apple's CarPlay so it does not display on the info system in our RV. Given that, and the fact that we don't live on either coast with their older infrastructure I have chosen to use the car system. If Sygic made the Truck system compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto I would buy and use it instead.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

I printed a large print label that's stuck to the dash in plain sight while driving. Height including A/C... Width including mirrors. Weight fully loaded.

BRAVO!!! Do this, and watch your overpass clearances.