GPS

[Ptboro93]

Hi everyone I was just curious as to which gps or apps everyone is using for navigation. I just bought my TT last year and have gone on trips all summer in the tri state area and have only had one problem so far and that was in PA when my apple maps tried to get me to go through some backwoods town with some really low clearance bridges thankfully everything was clearly posted and I was able to turn around and find an alternate route! I dont mind if it is a navigation app for the phone or traditional gps just don’t want to break the bank to get one thanks.

[Eran X. Jones]

We use Waze.

[formerFR]

google maps, of course, on the phone, easy... never used anything else

[HappyCamper1962]

Originally Posted by Eran X. Jones

We use Waze.

x2 We also use Waze. But don't rely on it fully to give an accurate estimate of arrival times. The initial destination time must be as the crow flies, lol, because you can watch the minutes get added as soon as you stop at a red light. But it's great for getting you there and giving warnings along the way of debris in the road, police activity and other travel hinderances in time for you to change course to avoid them or keep going but knowing....

[LegacyFB38]

I have a Rand McNally RV GPS. It will route to accommodate your rig's requirements (height, propane...). It will also alarm if you approach a known low clearance. Garmin... also sell RV GPS units.

Various apps are also available. Beware some solutions require a real-time connection (such as cell phone) to function.

[donanddona]

Always have a good backup plan my Pappy always told me.

I use Garmin - then - Google maps - Then Rand McNally or printed maps (of course).

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by LegacyFB38

I have a Rand McNally RV GPS. It will route to accommodate your rig's requirements (height, propane...). It will also alarm if you approach a known low clearance. Garmin... also sell RV GPS units.

Various apps are also available. Beware some solutions require a real-time connection (such as cell phone) to function.

X2; on the Rand McNally GPS for your towing needs. The Rand McNally GPS can be toggled between RV and car so, you can be routed differently as needed. I would never rely on WAZE or any other phone GPS app when towing a trailer. As these apps will route you incorrectly with a trailer attached.

[pppitiful]

We travel off the beaten path and try to stay off the interstates as much as possible. A lot of the area we travel doesn't have good cell phone coverage so google maps is not always available (or spotty coverage). Our old TomTom was dated and missing a lot of road updates and was no longer update-able, but from what the TomTom knew it never routed us incorrectly.

For our last trip in September from Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan (and UP), Wisconsin,Iowa and Missouri to home we purchased a Garmin 51 DriveSmart. The Garmin tried to route us down gravel roads in Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin even though the Garmin was set to avoid 'unpaved roads'. Traveling gravel (unpaved) roads is not a good idea when pulling a trailer, no matter how small the trailer (don't ask me how I know this).

Needless to say, we returned the Garmin and are looking at other GPS's that will meet our needs.

[Wolf26]

Does the Rand McNally GPS list RV accessible gas stations ? I've got myself into some pretty difficult situations getting into & out of gas stations.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by pppitiful

We travel off the beaten path and try to stay off the interstates as much as possible. A lot of the area we travel doesn't have good cell phone coverage so google maps is not always available (or spotty coverage). Our old TomTom was dated and missing a lot of road updates and was no longer update-able, but from what the TomTom knew it never routed us incorrectly.

Google Maps has an option to download your route in advance. However, with Maps in live mode, it warns/reroutes you around traffic issues (sometimes).

Waze is now a Google property, and has been improved. In my case, Waze has too much information and is distracting.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[ben31]

Google maps and Waze won't give you information on clearances, etc.

I use Garmin RV 760LMT and an app called SmartTruckRoute. Both are good. However, the Garmin is a little better as you don't need cellphone coverage for it to work. Both are good for planning your route, also.

No matter what you use, you still need to pay attention to warning signs, local conditions, etc. In almost all cases, if there is a truck route, you are safe following that.

Yes, I still have a printed Rand McNally truck atlas as a back up.

[pppitiful]

Originally Posted by pgandw

Google Maps has an option to download your route in advance. However, with Maps in live mode, it warns/reroutes you around traffic issues (sometimes)...

Too many limitations with offline maps for the way we travel...non-interstate. Our 2 longer trips this year were a total of 59 days and approximately 11,000 miles, with maybe 300 miles of interstate travel. I can see the benefit of offline maps when traveling the interstates, but offline maps are limiting when traveling with no real plan .

following is copied from Google Maps:

Notes:

You can get driving directions offline, but not transit, bicycling, or walking directions.
You won't have traffic info, alternate routes, or lane guidance.
You can't change routes, like avoiding tolls or ferries.

[emm-dee]

I’ve learned two things. All GPS apps will mislead you or get out lost sooner or later. I currently use Apple maps because it’s the easiest to use and view, with Google maps running in the background for traffic info. Apple is supposed to introduce a completely new nav app soon. Looking forward to seeing it.

And, four wheel drive only gets you stuck a half mile further down the road.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by pppitiful

Notes:

You can get driving directions offline, but not transit, bicycling, or walking directions.
You won't have traffic info, alternate routes, or lane guidance.
You can't change routes, like avoiding tolls or ferries.

Which is why I carry printed maps to supplement Google. A $20 road atlas does well. If I'm going back country, I have books of topo maps.

Fred W

[pppitiful]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

I’ve learned two things. All GPS apps will mislead you or get out lost sooner or later. I currently use Apple maps because it’s the easiest to use and view, with Google maps running in the background for traffic info. Apple is supposed to introduce a completely new nav app soon. Looking forward to seeing it.

And, four wheel drive only gets you stuck a half mile further down the road.

emm-dee...your last sentence is so true...traveling outside Sturgis, SD headed to Badlands NP...Google Maps and GPS (set to avoid unpaved roads) led us to this...



a few miles later this is what we faced...



6 hours later (after help from 2 tow trucks) this is what we looked like...

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by Wolf26

Does the Rand McNally GPS list RV accessible gas stations ? I've got myself into some pretty difficult situations getting into & out of gas stations.

I have the Rand McNally GPS but I do not use this for my fuel stops. I carry two paper back bools one is the RVER's Friend and the other is The NEXT EXIT. Both of these bools list RV friendly service stations and other RV friendly places to pull over, such as rest areas, stores and so, forth. I up date them every other year for my needs. The Next Exit is for the interstates and list exits per the interstate that you are on. The RVER's Friend is by city and state if you do not use the interstates to travel on.

My wife is in charge of finding the next rest stop and or fuel stop for us as we travel. She will push the over head displace on the truck to see how many miles to empty and than start figuring out where we will stop.

[AbdRahim]

Always check several sources. I don't know any single source with all of the information. I use the CoPilot app, Truck AllStays, Mapquest, old Garmin Nuvee, and / or Jensen gps in MH. Not all on every trip, but several. Then I pick what looks like the best route.

Oh, and for fuel stops and rest areas, iExit on the interstates. Everyone is different. I try to stick with truck routes, whenever possible to avoid surprises.

I have had to disagree with the gps on several occasions, where it wanted to take me over a hilly mountain back road to get to the next interstate, when I knew all I had to do is stay on this highway for 40 miles or so to get there - a much more comfortable ride - easier on the transmission and brakes.

[ben31]

Allstays - Everything or Allstays Truck and Travel are great for showing fuel stops. You can see what services are there and also can look at a satellite view of the location, to see if you want to even deal with it. I always use it, when planning new or modifying old routes.

[chaps2018]

Garmin DEZL. It is a truckers gps. You enter your weight, height, length and it will keep you out of trouble. Have several thousand miles on it and very impressed compared to the many-many Garmin GPS we have owned in the past.

Love google maps BUT as mentioned we seem to travel places where cell service isn’t available. Secondly, it does not care about my height or length which has gotten me into trouble several times.

[Hwy101]

[QUOTE=chaps2018;1957330]Garmin DEZL. It is a truckers gps. You enter your weight, height, length and it will keep you out of trouble. Have several thousand miles on it and very impressed compared to the many-many Garmin GPS we have owned in the past.

This is what I use w/weather and traffic. I too have been impressed with its operation. Of course I always have my trusty printed truckers atlas as well.