Don't Trust your GPS

[MainelyUS]

I have a Garmin 760 and updated the RV Profile using our new data. We are planning a "shake down" weekend with our Columbus 340 and plugged in the campground using our Garmin GPS and the Garmin BaseCamp planning tool. TO our surprise both the GPS and the BaseCamp had us on a road with a 11' underpass. Thankfully there is another way to approach the campground.
We always double check our routes using the Rand McNally Motor Carrier Road Atlas. We have not been very happy with our Garmin 760 this was not its first blunder.




Happy Trails
PS Its snowing here today

[chaps2018]

Having had similar problems and read about issues with the garmin rv version we just got a Garmin dezl (truck version). I am thinking truckers would not be putting up with these types of errors and reviews would not be good.

[Hollywoodgt]

That's my biggest fear being new to the 5th wheel camping. At 13'.5" in height I now have to becareful on th roads we take. I have a shake down trip to Indian Shakamak State Park and have to see what is the best way to get there? Normally I use the GPS on my phone so I'm not sure what to do...maybe a paper back map for truckers ???

[Semperfi24]

We went the same route as bklakatos. We went with the Trucker version, and after 4 years of use, this is the 5th, we havent encountered an issue yet with height/size problems. We dont trust it fully and we are still cautious about where we go, but we feel pretty good about it

[JohnD10]

I just bought my second Rand McNally RV GPS device.

Both my old one and the new one have taken me down the wrong path more than once.

You just have to use your head and eyes and only use the GPS to get you there, but trust your instincts when something doesn't seem right.

Here is my old one (although this route was correct):

[chaps2018]

On a recent trip to Arkansas, Google maps had us going down a road with 12.5' clearance and a dirt road w/stream crossing it and further down, a bridge w/1.6T weight limit.

Needless to say we got the DEZL and a truckers atlas. Don't want that experience again.

[Hollywoodgt]

Yep I can see getting sent down a road and you have no place to turn around. making the wrong way down a road is not my idea of fun. Either is having to turn around in a drive. That is why the clearance between your bed rails and 5th wheel ate a min of 6"

[Hi Rider]

I've had a couple of cases where my GPSs have failed me. One was my own fault becuase I did not heed the directions on a Missoula KOA which said "Do Not Use Your GPS". I did use it and was taken through a narrow residential street.

The second instance happened in this past February. I was driving my RV from Lake Havazsu City to an RV park just north of Phoenix city limits. Arriving after dark, my GPS (smartphone and dashboard GPS) put me five miles from my destination. Not familar with the area, I ended up on a dead end road in the dark of night and had to unhitch my toad, move it out of the way, turn my RV around, hitch up again and head back in the direction from which I came. Three lessons: 1. Google search name of the RV park or other destination rather than the street address. The name would have gotten me there whereas the street address failed me. 2. Ask for directions when making a reservation. 3. Study a map before you head out.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Our Garmins have put us in the middle of an onion field in New York State, the wrong train depot for a scenic excursion, closed roads, tight turns and steep grades, etc. We saw a Class A that ended up in a ditch leaning against a mountain on a route we had considered towing our trailer following Garmins instructions. We were checking out the route in our truck because the route had a hairpin turn. We left the way the COE recommended reaching the camp which is how we'd come in.
They are getting better, but not perfect. We use the trucker version which also has an rv setting. We've avoided a lot of problems by asking people in the campground about hazards ahead.
I agree, if it doesn't look right, trust your instincts.

[Bluepill]

[Scrapper]

When DW and I were going to Detroit, my Garmin couldn't find the high speed ferry dock in Milwaukee. Even though we were going by car my Garmin wanted us to drive through Chicago, northern Indiana, into Michigan to Muskegon, get on the ferry and take it back to Milwaukee. I had to enter the address for the dock in Milwaukee, once in Detroit we were fine coming back.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Hollywoodgt

Normally I use the GPS on my phone so I'm not sure what to do...maybe a paper back map for truckers ???

13' 4" on our old rig. Haven't measured the new one to know yet. I assume it's the same ballpark.

We do 100% of route navigation by Google Maps on our phone. We've only had 1 instance where we came close with a low overpass. In one OTHER case, the campground had a warning about a low overpass if you came in from a specific direction/route; fortunately, our phone didn't take us that way.

But- we have a driver and navigator at all times. We look ahead at the route to watch out for gotchas and pay special attention to signs.

So far so good- but that can always change.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by bjlakatos

Having had similar problems and read about issues with the garmin rv version we just got a Garmin dezl (truck version). I am thinking truckers would not be putting up with these types of errors and reviews would not be good.

Hate to tell you, but the DEZL is the same as the RV model with the exception it doesn't have the RV POIs.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by ependydad

13' 4" on our old rig. Haven't measured the new one to know yet. I assume it's the same ballpark.

We do 100% of route navigation by Google Maps on our phone. We've only had 1 instance where we came close with a low overpass. In one OTHER case, the campground had a warning about a low overpass if you came in from a specific direction/route; fortunately, our phone didn't take us that way.

But- we have a driver and navigator at all times. We look ahead at the route to watch out for gotchas and pay special attention to signs.

So far so good- but that can always change.

I agree, most campgrounds have notices on their website and in their confirmation emails about unaccessible roads and low overpasses. They are in business to help you get there safely.

[Scrapper]

Another time we wanted to turn north on a 4-lane through a town in Wisconsin. The GPS wanted us to turn onto the southbound, go north to the first crossover to the northbound lane. Once out of the town the road changed to a 2-lane.
I wonder if I could have sued Garmin if I followed the directions.

[RoyalFrog2]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Hate to tell you, but the DEZL is the same as the RV model with the exception it doesn't have the RV POIs.

We have the Garmin RV(not sure what model) but we have learned it will always take us on the truck route, even when we don't need to or want to.
As others have mentioned it is a resource but not a perfect route. We have truck GPS, Google map on phone, RV GPS and me with a paper map. We love it when they all agree!

[rebeltown]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Another time we wanted to turn north on a 4-lane through a town in Wisconsin. The GPS wanted us to turn onto the southbound, go north to the first crossover to the northbound lane. Once out of the town the road changed to a 2-lane.
I wonder if I could have sued Garmin if I followed the directions.

You can always sue, but not always win...

[spock123]

My RV760 has led me to low bridges but mostly because I didn’t listen to the first warning, over low weight bridges, that was in Canada. I look at maps on google as well but sometimes it’s just me as I don’t always follow directions.

[camaraderie]

Suggest getting the co-pilot app for a phone or tablet to allow for RV dimensions and to use as a double check on the Garmins/Magellans and Rands. Cheap insurance to supplement the Mark II eyeball!

[Cypressloser]

It's not only Garmin, others incl. Google Maps screw up as well.
I now usually plan a route on Google Maps, confirm it with my trucker's map (paper), send it to my phone and plug the phone in the truck with a USB cable that transfers the life routing onto the Uconnect screen.