ISO: GPS Recommendation

[ApexBunk]

My husband's birthday is this month and he has been asking for a GPS. Our phones have failed us in the past when we have poor reception and got us in a pickle one time.

Can anyone recommend based on person use, a good, inexpensive RV GPS? I'd prefer under $250- less is better if it will get the job done.

Thanks!

[AquaMan]

With your travel trailer, height is not that big of a concern like some of the 5th wheels. An RV GPS that has parameters for height, length, usually runs closer to $325+ mark. Rand Mcnally may have something closer to your price range for an RV GPS though. Personally, if that was my price range, I would get a nice Garmin with a large screen and not worry about parameters and possibly back it up with a motor carrier atlas that shows truck routes.

[Jim34RL]

I have the Rand McNally 7710 GPS. You can still find them on Amazon for under $200. The newer version is over $300 and they are will worth the cost.


I like mine because I can enter my RV data and truck information into the unit. This will than allow you to be routed on your data that you have entered. I can also switch between RV mode and car mode, so we will have different routes for driving depending on mode of transportation. Another feature is this will provide POI (points of interest) along the way. This helps in planning.


I would also recommend life time maps, this is an additional cost but will worth the expense. My unit will receive up dates once or twice a year via my computer from Rand McNally.

[ApexBunk]

The rand mcnally got decent reviews, but not all were great. Are there any other suggestions? Also, with our trailer being rather low, would a regular GPS be ok? We love the mountains and that's where my concerns are mainly. Will we be put on a road too narrow to make the turns?

Thanks for the responses!

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by ApexBunk

The rand mcnally got decent reviews, but not all were great. Are there any other suggestions? Also, with our trailer being rather low, would a regular GPS be ok? We love the mountains and that's where my concerns are mainly. Will we be put on a road too narrow to make the turns?

Thanks for the responses!

Not with the Rand McNally since you input your total vehicle length and weight of the RV in the RV mode. You also provide how many propane tanks and the size of the tanks since in some case you can not drive through tunnels with hazardous material in tunnels. The Rand McNally will route you according to your inputs in the RV mode.

Some of my inputs are no U-turns, dirt roads, 20,000Lbs total weight of truck and trailer, 13'-6 tall and 55' long. When out east I have been routed around tunnels, underpasses and some bridges do to my parameters. The unit also notifies me when we are crossing state boards, when we are entering toll roads and when I am exceeding my set speed limit plus road construction ahead.

I bought this in 2007 and have never used anything else when towing my RV. I have lifetime maps and the unit is updated at least two times a year. I have a GPS in my wife's car and my wife and I both like the input parameters of the Rand McNally over her car's GPS.

Would I buy this again YES.

[ApexBunk]

I found one for $232, for $309 is it worth getting the 7730?

[noslofivoh]

I think so just because of the lifetime maps.

[ApexBunk]

Alright, order placed for the 7730. I REALLLY hope he likes it.