How to get best routes with GPS when towing a travel trailer

[Carmine Mirtuono]

Looking for a way to get the best route or truck route when towing our camper to an unfamiliar area. I have a 2019 1500 Sierra with GPS, my cell phone and an older Garmin GPS. It seems none of them have a way to select a truck routes which would typically be better when towing especially on unfamiliar local roads. I am aware that many campsites can provide best local road options. Would like to be self reliant for both highway and local roads.

Any suggestions?

[Boomerweps]

I haven't used any of them yet but I've downloaded a couple trucker oriented apps.
Truck stops also sell hard copy road atlas for truck routing. Saw a few references to that on Utube videos. The trucker stuff usually avoids cowpaths GPS can send you down and often makes you aware of height restrictions.

[ceedog]

Purchase a GPS unit that allows you to set the height, width, etc. of your trailer. It should direct you to your destination via roads that will accommodate your trailer.


I use the Magellan Pro 9125T & haven't had any issues with it (bought it in 2011).



That being said, a hard copy map that shows heights, widths, etc. is a good idea for a back-up.

[HappilyLost]

I use TruckMap app. Allows me to choose my height of camper and a variety of other things to make sure I don’t run into any issues I’m not expecting, also brings us to great truck stops for gas.

[Carmine Mirtuono]

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions.


Happy Camping!

[DougW]

If you have a program on your computer such as Garmin Basecamp you can set it to route you for an RV and build your route there then transfer the route to your GPS. There are other programs out there as well, but I have not used any of them enough to know how well they may work. I like Trip advisor because it figures in fuel stops as well as using RV routing, it is a bit of a pain to get the route into a Garmin GPS from there but it’s not hard enough for me to abandon it.

[filthy-Beast]

If you can load POI data into your Garmin, this will at least warn you, it will help with routing but will let you look along the route to see if the there height issues.



If you like the Garmin then look at the current 780RV.


For your phone search the app store for trucker GPS.



Low Clearance POI - GPS Data

[Carmine Mirtuono]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I will certainly look into these as well.

[007matman]

FWIW.. I use Google Maps in the Satellite mode. Spend a few minutes scrolling along the route to see what's up ahead. I've used other apps but I still go back to Google Maps.

You can search and display fuel stops and easily see if the Chick-fil-A has A Home Depot next to it (plenty of parking usually in those lots).

Just my opinion others will disagree.

[SimchaSabre]

Try RV Trip wizard.. I've used it for a couple of long multi leg trips a like it . You build in your towing profile and it will take care of hieght and width conflicts. Also it will export to most GPS systems including the built in GOS in my ram.

It also brings in data for fuel stops, Campground ground selection and other poi info

[aircommuter]

The truckers use Rand McNally IntelliRoute. It comes in several models.

[Hamerjk]

I have the Garment RV780 with traffic. This is the best you enter the height length and how wide. It will give you the correct way to go. Also if there is traffic jam it will as if you want to avoid it and will reroute you. You will need the traffic adaptor to take advantage of this feature. Saved us a few times and helped us slow down and be prepared in advanced.

[WilliamG]

I have the Garmin 760. Best thing about it is that you can plug it into your computer and get the system updates and map updates. We have been coast to coast 3 times now without any problems.

[jkoenig24]

Low Clearance POI - GPS Data is a database of overpass. It can be added to many GPS units.

[Garrette]

First, I only take the Garmin routing as a suggestion and I prefer to travel US highways and improved state routes. I really dislike interstate highways. We are retired so we can take the extra time and enjoy the small towns and the views but doing this you need to be aware of low bridges, especially in the northeast.
I use various methods for mapping. I use a Garmin 770/760RV for 4 years now and it has been very good. It has a lot of features so it does take a bit to learn to get the most out of it.
I also use a Rand McNally Motor Carrier Road Atlas. It has a ton of road information. Low clearance, weight restrictions, etc. For every state. I check the Garmin routing with the Motor Carrier Atlas as a check to the Garmin. I figure if a semi can travel the road, I can. I usually check on the day before travel day.
Lastly, I also use the standard road map marked up for the wife to follow and as trip documentation.
I hope my ramblings help.

[Trawlerphil]

We've used "Co-Pilot" laptop for 15,000 miles and both android and I-phone Co-Pilot for the last 22,000 miles. It is smart enough to ask for your air draft, knows about propane restrictions and knows about low bridges. It also lets you articulate your preferences in terms of road types. All of the cartography is downloaded to your device so no internet connection is required which lets you navigate in the Badlands for example. Unlike the "buggy whip" navigation systems which want $215 for annual updates, Co-Pilot does frequent cartography updates, a few each quarter, and they are free. I've got all of North America in all my devices at around 2.6 gigabytes. I admit I miss Microsoft Streets & Trips, but Co-Pilot is a lot smarter.

[Brand2328]

Originally Posted by HappilyLost

I use TruckMap app. Allows me to choose my height of camper and a variety of other things to make sure I don’t run into any issues I’m not expecting, also brings us to great truck stops for gas.

Attachment 227690

Have you had any difficulty getting it to connect to your truck radio Bluetooth

[BM Welder]

We use a Rand McNally set to 4 in aver our trailer height.

[bareftn]

no gps for me never used one
maps for me
started driving otr back in the severities and we never had anything as a gps
still to this day its all memory and a atlas
The day I start using a gps I will give up driving