How do you plan a route?

[BroMo]

I’m new to RVing and don’t have a clue how to map a route and avoid low passes...
Do they have a app for RV routes?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by BroMo

I’m new to RVing and don’t have a clue how to map a route and avoid low passes...
Do they have a app for RV routes?

I did a search for Planning and got some hits including this thread ==> http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...am-178513.html.

[BroMo]

Thank You

[AudiDudi]

How tall is your RV? What kind of roads do you plan to drive? Interstates are required to be certain height (about 14+ feet) The old Good Sam planner would warn about low crossings.

[Mr. Dan]

With RV Trip Wizard, one can add the height of his/her unit as a settings parameter to get warnings of low clearance. It even shows low clearances off your main route... say on a side street to keep you from making a loop to go back to a gas station and coming up on a low overpass.

[Beachbourbon]

I used RV Parky app to double check, but found on our recent extended trip that there is nothing to worry about on main freeways and west of the Mississippi. In fact the only potential issues were in the “news” - New Jersey, New York and New England. And tolls will hurt you more than low bridges. Based upon our experience, I would just avoid these altogether when RVing.

[BroMo]

11 1/2 feet tall

[dalford]

Just check out rvtripwizard.com. The best comprehensive trip planner out there IMHO.

[SailorSam20500]

My Garmin RV GPS has many low clearance spots in it. It will warn that RV clearance on some road is "unknown". You program it with your height and length.

Recognize that nothing is perfect, so watch for clearance signs.

[whj469]

After I plan the trip using Good Sam GPS, I confirm with the Motor Carrier Book. If both indicate the the height is ok, I am at 13'6", I go with it. Good Luck@

[LittleBill]

OK you have used RV Parky, Good Sam, RV Wizard, etc. to plan your trip. Now you want to take off. What kind of app do you use to travel down the highway with turn by turn direction and traffic updates following the planned route you have create?

I find Google not fully trustworthy when towing as I have been sent down some contiguous roads (narrow, no lane lines, low tree branches, etc) that I would have rather not been on with my RV. I would like to get the exact route which my planning app produced for me without entering all the route data again to Google.

I did use Road Trippers Planner when I wasn't towing a few years back and I was able to get turn by turn direction as if I remember correctly that RTP had an option to send to google. Unfortunately RTP's free version no longer allows you any number of stops, it only allows about 7 now. Also no place to enter length and height of RV to avoid low clearances.

Is anybody using an app that you can plan your trip then get turn by turn directions with traffic updates?

[babock]

Originally Posted by BroMo

11 1/2 feet tall

Not much to worry about there.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by LittleBill

<snip>
Is anybody using an app that you can plan your trip then get turn by turn directions with traffic updates?

My TomTom gives turn by turn directions and traffic updates. It will also warn if there are traffic issues ahead and suggest a new, faster route if one exists.

[waybeck2018]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

I used RV Parky app to double check, but found on our recent extended trip that there is nothing to worry about on main freeways and west of the Mississippi. In fact the only potential issues were in the “news” - New Jersey, New York and New England. And tolls will hurt you more than low bridges. Based upon our experience, I would just avoid these altogether when RVing.

I suggest you add Pennsylvania to your low overpass list off the freeways. Trying to get to KOA near Philadelphia and had a WOW, can we make that experience. Fortunately a local stopped traffic, came over and told me he uses it for his TT but stays dead in the middle going under it. Nice guy !!

[dalford]

Originally Posted by LittleBill

Is anybody using an app that you can plan your trip then get turn by turn directions with traffic updates?

I use Waze. It gives turn by turn and re-route if traffic conditions change. I’m very leary about re-routes, from any gps, pulling my 5th wheel as now it is taking me who knows where and on a route I have not reviewed.

The best feature about Waze is live road hazards. Especially the one that warns you of an object on the road ahead. It is nice to know so you can slow down and start looking for it. Usually a big chunk of semi tire.

I use RV Trip Wizard to plan my route and campgrounds and then each day plug my new destination into Waze for directions.

[BroMo]

I ran into one issue coming from Fort Pickens in Florida going to Jackson Mississippi. There was a low bridge in which Siri took me to that I would have taken my ac off if I would have had my Wildwood with me. There wasn't even a place to turn around...

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

My TomTom gives turn by turn directions and traffic updates. It will also warn if there are traffic issues ahead and suggest a new, faster route if one exists.

Does your TomTom allow you to plan for your trip picking campgrounds etc. taking in consideration the height and length of your RV and low clearances. Or do you have to plug it in based on another planning tool (app)?

My 5er is 40 1/2 ft long and a minimum of 13 ft height, have to watch for low clearances . I have used Google a lot, but as good as Google is, it routes based on time and traffic and at times will give routes that you don't want to take a 5er down . How does TomTom handle this?

I'm basically looking for an online one stop shop where I can plan what campgrounds etc. that I would like to stay at or places to visit and the route I would like to drive and then get that on my smart phone with turn by turn voice and mapping directions. Are there any online trip planners that will download the navigation route to a smart phone?

[ppine]

I have plannng routes for 50 years, with RVs about 10. I use maps. Since mine is about 11 feet high I rarely worry about bridges over overpasses.

[babock]

Originally Posted by ppine

I have plannng routes for 50 years, with RVs about 10. I use maps. Since mine is about 11 feet high I rarely worry about bridges over overpasses.

Maps? What is that? I think I stopped using paper maps about the same time I stopped using phone books.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by babock

Not much to worry about there.

Maybe, maybe not. This one (about 22 miles from me) is pretty close.
11 FOOT 8 - The Canopener Bridge