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Old 11-10-2020, 01:21 PM   #1
Mountainrambler
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Rv gps

Hi all.

I am considering getting a RV GPS for an upcoming trip. I'd like to avoid getting into areas that would prove tricky with a 36' toyhauler. I have seen there are actual GPS units to purchase as well as Apps available. Any advice on models you're using would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks!
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Old 11-10-2020, 04:19 PM   #2
Getn off
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I cannot recommend “Co Pilot.” I bought this last year for my trip to Gatlinburg specifically. Even after putting in my weight, length, and height, it still sent me down a few roads with low power lines/trees, narrow roads, and a 9 ton bridge...I was only over the bridge weight by about 5 tons! Also lost my Tv antennae on that trip. Shoulda saved money and followed “Mr Ford.”
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Old 11-10-2020, 04:33 PM   #3
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I just purchased the garmin rv785
It’s pretty nice. Has built in dash cam , pairs with your phone for the garmin drive app that has traffic and weather. I also bought a bc 35 rear camera for it but haven’t really dialed that in yet. There is no extension cable for the bc35 available so you have to mount the transmitter back towards rear of rv and I’m trying to see if that is going to work. I wanted one complete solution for the dash. Not multiple display units. If you go for the garmin 780 you can get the bc 30 camera and they have a 50 ft extension cable so you can mount transmitter in battery compartment . You would have to run camera wire down through rv in back to connect to extension cable. The 780 and 785 have both recently been on sale because garmin came out with a larger version.
Garmin seems to come out with multiple similar units sporadically

I gave up on phone based trucker apps because they froze at critical exits a few different times

Even if I get a different backup/observation camera I will probably keep the garmin gps
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Old 11-13-2020, 04:09 PM   #4
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Is there a difference between the RV & truck version of the Garmin 780/785 series?
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Old 11-14-2020, 08:58 AM   #5
Bill-2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Getn off View Post
I cannot recommend “Co Pilot.” I bought this last year for my trip to Gatlinburg specifically. Even after putting in my weight, length, and height, it still sent me down a few roads with low power lines/trees, narrow roads, and a 9 ton bridge...I was only over the bridge weight by about 5 tons! Also lost my Tv antennae on that trip. Shoulda saved money and followed “Mr Ford.”
Troy
Good to know, Troy. I have that app - thought it was good. I've used it on a few trips to areas we haven't been to. Heading up to the Gatlinburg area this winter. Maybe I'll use a different GPS and save on the yearly app fees.
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Old 11-14-2020, 09:24 AM   #6
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I'm not an employee but I AM a customer. Here's some general info on Garmin RV GPS systems for those who might be interested:

https://www.technorv.com/gps.learn.here
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:00 AM   #7
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I've had a couple over the years. The RV 770 LMT-S is the best I've owned so far.
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Old 11-14-2020, 06:14 PM   #8
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So there really isn't "an app for that"??? I can't believe there isn't an app for RV navigation that isn't better than Garmin. I really like Garmin, still have and use 2 of them, rarely though since Waze.
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Old 11-14-2020, 08:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86GT2r View Post
Is there a difference between the RV & truck version of the Garmin 780/785 series?
I believe the rv 785 differs from the truck version by having more campground data and the set up for your rig height shows travel trailer,motor home and fifth wheel configurations and gives that as your displayed vehicle while traveling
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Old 11-15-2020, 06:06 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by 86GT2r View Post
Is there a difference between the RV & truck version of the Garmin 780/785 series?
I guess you could do a little research and compare them on line. There's lots of gps forums and blogs out there. I've never owned a truck GPS as I've never driven an 18 wheeler. I tow a camper not a 40' commercial box so I have no need nor desire for features that aren't specific to the task at hand.
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Old 11-15-2020, 06:11 AM   #11
Bill-2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86GT2r View Post
Is there a difference between the RV & truck version of the Garmin 780/785 series?
From what I see, other than a huge price difference, there is no option to put in your TV and Trailer size/weight info. Also the campground and other RV specific info may not be available on the semi version.

I know, the semi/trucker version is hundreds less! Sad.
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Old 11-15-2020, 07:01 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Bill-2020 View Post
From what I see, other than a huge price difference, there is no option to put in your TV and Trailer size/weight info. Also the campground and other RV specific info may not be available on the semi version.

I know, the semi/trucker version is hundreds less! Sad.
Strictly guessing here but typically one large factor attributed to cost is supply and demand. There are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of large trucks on the road. The number of "trucker specific" GPS sales has to dwarf the number of "RV Specific" GPS sales.
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Old 11-15-2020, 07:25 AM   #13
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I'd bet that's a pretty good guess. I wasn't thinking in terms of number of units on the road. Good point.

DW and I have used the apps. Some are decent. Others not so much. I need something larger than a smart phone on the dash, but the mini ipad isn't the right gadget either. The holder for the ipad is not easy to deal with, too cumbersome. DW is the one who plugs in the destinations. And if cell service is spotty, then that becomes an issue. I ~may~ consider one of the Garmin RV units. I need to do some looking at user's unbiased reviews before I drop that kind of money.

As the other post mentioned, an RV specific GPS that routes you down the wrong road isn't ideal. For $400... it had better not.
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Old 11-15-2020, 07:44 AM   #14
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I just purchased the Garmin 780 rv/traffic have only he one chance to use it seems to work fine. Had no issues with the rout it took me on.
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Old 11-15-2020, 07:48 AM   #15
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Good to hear. We'll be passing through JAX in a week, north bound to the Smokies for a long holiday.
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Old 11-15-2020, 08:09 AM   #16
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Proclip (proclipusa.com ) makes some awesome mounts for phones, tablets, etc. that are vehicle specific. They aren't cheap by any means but they are made well. I have 2 of them in my truck (1 for phone & 1 for GPS) and one in the F150 KR for the phone.

The GPS I use (Garmin) has free map updates and you can add POI (points of interest) for just about anything you think of. [/url]http://www.poi-factory.com/[/url] has free POI files to download. I subscribe to the red light and speed cameras ($25/yr) and it's saved me many times that in tickets.
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Old 11-15-2020, 12:02 PM   #17
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We've used a Magellan Roadmate RV 9145T gps that has the lifetime map updates since 2013, and except for a couple of wrong directions to RV parks, it has been great. With the size and length of the rig punched in, it has helped us avoid several low underpasses. The only weird thing is they now require you to use the Chrome browser to update the maps, which isn't too much of a problem. This model is still available new through their factory outlet, but they have a couple other models, and all the RV models have the Goodsam POI's loaded already.

The one thing we have found, especially in remote areas, is cell phone mapping is really a challenge if reception is bad, where with using a real satellite gps, as long as the unit can see the sky, you are good. It does take sometimes a couple of years for the maps to be updated after major roadwork has re-routed a road, so the device thinks you are driving off road through the new area.
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Old 11-19-2020, 08:55 AM   #18
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I have the RV660LMT and Im pretty happy with it so far.
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Old 11-19-2020, 09:18 AM   #19
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I purchased the Garmin RV 660. Input length, width, height and weight. Can attach up to 4 wireless camera. I hooked one camera on the rear of my camper, and the GPS picked it up, 50ft away.
It has RV park, with description, plus phone number, on your route. My buddy has the RV 770. Same, 7 inch screen over my 6 inch screen.
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Old 11-19-2020, 10:25 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Getn off View Post
I cannot recommend “Co Pilot.” I bought this last year for my trip to Gatlinburg specifically. Even after putting in my weight, length, and height, it still sent me down a few roads with low power lines/trees, narrow roads, and a 9 ton bridge...I was only over the bridge weight by about 5 tons! Also lost my Tv antennae on that trip. Shoulda saved money and followed “Mr Ford.”
Troy
Good to know..
I have Co Pilot RV/Truck..
Have not had an occasion to "stress test" it.
Will definitley be wary now.
Tks
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