Recommend a good GPS for RVing

[ArielRae]

We have an RV now and have done a couple trips around using a standard directions GPS. Plz recommend one that helps trucks and RVs. One that helps with avoiding low bridges, tunnels and such.

We know heading down to WDW we can't go thru the harbour tunnel and have to take the outer loop towards Towson but standard directions send you thru the tunnel. Looking for one to give direction to avoid things like that.

Is there a quicker way to get around the Baltimore Harbour tunnel other then heading on 695 toward Towson? It just seems to add so much more time to the trip heading that way.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

We purchased the Rand Mcnally RVND 7725. The 7720 was without the camping world logo on it. same model.
It was super easy to use and set up. It gives you local campgrounds, rv services and whats off the exits ahead. We programmed it with all our rv info,height, length,width, propane. It had a list of items you check off with all the info the GPS needs. We like it so far and has the ability to switch it from RV to Car. It has lifetime updates as well.

 

[KristinU]

We also recently got the Rand McNally, we bought a 7710 off of eBay which is essentailly the 7720 without some photo library and predictive mapping that keeps you out of cities at high traffic times - both we were willing to forego for the lower price. I learned this little tidbit by reading reviews on the 7720 on Amazon.

Anyway, we took a 3300 mile trip with it and were very happy. However, I never fully trust a GPS and map out our preferred routes using Google Maps ahead of time so we have kind of a general knowledge of where we are going. We also always travel with an Atlas as a back up or for general reference. One negative on the Rand is we hit 3 KOAs that are obviously listed in their database with just the exit number as the location point. I need to get in touch with them to give feedback on that, otherwise it worked well.

 

[wiigirl]

I'd recommend a Garmin.

 

[kmccain]

We recently purchases the Magellan 5365. Its 5" in stead of the 7' so i can use it in my car window too. Its plenty big. I like how it makes a sound just before your suppose to turn so there no wondering which road when they are close. I has land marks too like "turn by the Sunoco" It has the Good Sams Travel Guide and Campground directory loaded in it. It comes with lifetime maps too. I bought it through my local AAA web site at a discount. It was just as cheap as a refirburshed one. Haven't been too far with it yet but happy with it so far.

http://www.magellangps.com/Store/RoadMate-RV/Magellan-RoadMate-RV5365T-LMB

 

[ArielRae]

Thanks everyone we'll take a look at the ones you've posted.

 

[marybrat]

Are there any apps that will do this?

 

[SoccerDad]

Are there any apps that will do this?

Hi marybrat, I was wondering the same thing recently and found the CoPilot Live Premium app...it supports an RV mode in which you configure the size of the RV you are driving, and it adjusts the routes accordingly.

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. I downloaded it on my iPhone and have been happy with it for the couple weekend camping drives that we've done so far. It does use offline maps...so on one hand you don't require data during your drive, but on the other it requires a decent amount of storage space (about 1GB).

 

[jbrostek]

I have never used an RV specific GPS. But even if I had one, like my tomtom I would never completely trust it by itself. Its always best to do you best to look up the routes on other mapping software just to make sure your in the clear.

With that my tomtom has not let me down either since it has been able to reroute just fine even when I find out by chance I have to alter my route due to restrictions.

 

[marybrat]

Hi marybrat, I was wondering the same thing recently and found the CoPilot Live Premium app...it supports an RV mode in which you configure the size of the RV you are driving, and it adjusts the routes accordingly.

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. I downloaded it on my iPhone and have been happy with it for the couple weekend camping drives that we've done so far. It does use offline maps...so on one hand you don't require data during your drive, but on the other it requires a decent amount of storage space (about 1GB).

Thank you! I will check it out!

 

[bama_ed]

Hi marybrat, I was wondering the same thing recently and found the CoPilot Live Premium app...it supports an RV mode in which you configure the size of the RV you are driving, and it adjusts the routes accordingly.

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. I downloaded it on my iPhone and have been happy with it for the couple weekend camping drives that we've done so far. It does use offline maps...so on one hand you don't require data during your drive, but on the other it requires a decent amount of storage space (about 1GB).

Soccerdad, thanks for the recommendation on Copilot. I dl the free version and played with it this week. Going on a 1500 mile trip this coming weekend (sadly not the Fort) when i will give it a more in depth test.

Thanks again!

Bama Ed

 

[RVMH]

We are full time RVers and have used the Rand McNally for a couple of years with good results. We have a TomTom for the car and it's good but it doesn't warn of low bridges and that can be very critical (requiring a harrowing last minute detour) We, of course, still carry an Atlas and often pre-map trips using co-pilot as well. Regarding the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, you can by-pass the tunnel by using the Key Bridge which does not restrict RVs except under high wind conditions; otherwise the Baltimore Beltway toward Towson is your only option - avoid it and the DC beltway during AM and PM rush hours, which are extended time periods.

 

[KristinU]

We just took a little trip this past weekend and one of the things I forgot to mention that I like a lot about the Rand McNally is that it notifies you of sharp curves ahead, as well as exceeding the speed limit...usually not a problem on the interstate but on local roads and through towns.

I know Rand makes an app for the ipad (which we don't have), and it requires a GPS gizmo if you have an ipdad that doesn't have one. But from what I understand it is the same program as the dedicated GPS unit, so that would be something to look into if someone already has an ipad.

For us, we like a dedicated GPS rather than using our smart phones for a couple of reasons:
1. GPS usually chews down batteries on phones, often faster than the car charger can keep up with over a long haul.
2. the co-pilot can be looking stuff up on the phone (what is that big moniument over there on the hill? Why is this town called the twine capitol? What is the volume of an average water tower? Important stuff like that!)
3. The GPS on a phone sometimes relies on a cell connection to render the maps, and we don't always travel where cell service is available.