RV GPS's

rsl · 12-08-2016, 01:11 PM

Not sure if this is the correct section to post this, if not please feel free to move the thread.

I have an in vehicle navigation in my 2012 Ram 3500 but it is useless when pulling the camper because it does not take into account the height, weight, length, etc. I called Garmin to see if there was a software upgrade or addon available for it and there was not. Come on a one ton truck should come standard with a RV/Truck GPS.

But anyway after my last "adventure" I decided I need a Truck/RV specific GPS, so what is everyone's thoughts?

The Good Sam one
The Garmin RV GPS
Other?

I also found an app for my phone which I downloaded to try and it looks pretty good, Smart RV Route. You enter your height, weight, length, width, etc into it and it selects routes based on that information. It also uses Google maps and traffic so that is taken into account as well.

Thoughts?

fourfourto · 12-08-2016, 01:54 PM

They should have one made for that , or at least routes avoiding parkways that are for cars only

cardinal96ss · 12-08-2016, 03:12 PM

We bought a Garmin RV GPS on Amazon and are very happy after completing a 1000+ trip. Did well in advising on height and width restrictions and was easy to set to our specific dimensions and weight. We also like the larger display than on other GPS units we own. Well worth the price.

xrated · 12-08-2016, 03:42 PM

I just purchased the Garmin RV 760 with lifetime maps about a week ago. I've not had a chance to use it yet, but I've had a few Garmin products in the past and was presently using an 8 year old Garmin that the only thing I've done is update the map. I'll most like keep it, as it works well on my motorcycle and I've got a bunch of routes already in it.

Alpine · 12-08-2016, 03:43 PM

We cannot recommend the Rand McNally TripMaker RVND 7710! We used it for one year of travels, tried to update a few times to no avail. Several times it would say "destination on right" it would be on the left and vice versa. Many time it would verbally spell the street name J-o-n-e-s street. When using the destination La Grande, Oregon, it would say "Louisiana Grande". When a street name ending in Dr. it would say "Jones Doctor" Several times it would want to sent us way out of the way... we always double check our route! Many, many times it would not recognize the address entered, and it was not a new street or address by any means!

Having said all that to say... we went back to using our regular Garmin & iPhone. Not that I would be opposed to trying another RV GPS!

CaptnJohn · 12-08-2016, 05:24 PM

I have had the Garmin RV 760 for almost a year and almost 11,000 miles. Have not had a problem with it yet HOWEVER there is one suggested turn that will take you to a dead end with the 760, any other Garmin, Dodge, Ford, and McNally. Has been that way since at least 2011. Several updates and new vehicles ~~ they all still love it. With the 760 you input length, height, weight, etc to keep you out of trouble. Has worked so far

Tbos · 12-08-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardinal96ss

We bought a Garmin RV GPS on Amazon and are very happy after completing a 1000+ trip. Did well in advising on height and width restrictions and was easy to set to our specific dimensions and weight. We also like the larger display than on other GPS units we own. Well worth the price.

Which Garmin RV GPS model did you buy?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

CWSWine · 12-08-2016, 06:45 PM

The Garmin RV760 here and and so far it's been perfect in about 12,000 miles. It did direct us around a railroad bridge that was 12'10" and saved us a probably a 1/4 mile of backing up to turn around.

rsl · 12-08-2016, 09:46 PM

Has anyone else used the RV Smart Route / Truck Smart Route on their smartphone?

Tbos · 12-09-2016, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsl

Has anyone else used the RV Smart Route / Truck Smart Route on their smartphone?

I looked at it but didn't like the price and was concerned there are still areas in the country that have poor cell reception.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

xrated · 12-09-2016, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsl

Has anyone else used the RV Smart Route / Truck Smart Route on their smartphone?

Is that the one that was like $59/year? If it was, my thoughts were that I could buy the Garmin RV760 and in about 5 years would have spent the same about and had a GPS instead of just software for the Smartphone.

jmak · 12-09-2016, 05:04 AM

Is the RV 660LMT a newer version? It is the only one listed on the Garmin website for RV.

xrated · 12-09-2016, 06:17 AM

I found the RV 760 on their site, but you have to click on the previous models link. I'm not seeing much difference between the two other than the 760 has a little bit larger screen.....which I like. the GPS store presently has it for $309 vs. the 660 with a smaller screen for $299

cardinal96ss · 12-09-2016, 06:43 AM

We bought the RV 760 LMT.

SummitPond · 12-09-2016, 07:36 AM

We have a built-in GPS in our truck that also doesn't take into account we're hauling something. It loves National Forest dirt roads, and I can't figure out a way to avoid them (toll roads and HOV lanes, yes!) But I don't solely rely on the GPS to map out a route - I use the Good Sam Trip Planner (http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/freetriprouting/) which does identify choke points (you have to turn it on with an option switch). It's a bit quirky to use, but it gets the job done. It appears you need to be a GS member (the application is password protected) but maybe you can create an account without being a member.

CWSWine · 12-09-2016, 07:43 AM

Little bit off subject but finding a place to mount the Garmin 760 since it has such a large screen was a problem till I found this mount.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

allmi01 · 12-09-2016, 10:23 AM

I have the Smart RV Route app on a 7" tablet. I paid $99 for a 2or 3 year subscription. It works pretty well and give you warnings about steep grades, railroad crossings, scales (some states do require RV's to go through, Nebraska comes to mind). It is based on their truck routing software and the routes get downloaded so if you lose signal, it still works.

I like it. I have considered the stand alone GPS options, so far, the only thing I would do is swap out the factory radio in my 06 F350 for a Kenwood with truck GPS in it.

Mike

**JRTJH** · 12-09-2016, 12:24 PM

Just before we bought our 2015 F250 I was talking to the Ford Service Rep for this area. The conversation got around to the Ford Voice Navigation System and I asked him if Ford had considered installing a navigation program that could be adjusted or set to consider tall or long trailer loads. You'd have thought I was talking in some strange "outer space language" by the look on his face. Once I explained to him the limitations the current system imposes on owners, he understood and thought it would be an excellent upgrade. It's been two years, he and I have chatted several times since that suggestion and every time I ask him about the status and every time he tells me that he "talked to the engineers at FORD SYNC, but nothing yet....

My guess is that Ford "hopefully" will keep that idea on the burner and when they really need to "upscale" GM or RAM, that suggestion will be included in the new features... I'd thought maybe it would make its way into the 2017 SuperDuty, but it doesn't look that way. Hmmmmm ???

Shiptime · 12-09-2016, 12:56 PM

Try this link; http://www.lowclearances.com/
Says it can be loaded on my gps units (including UCONNECT). Not bought it yet but hoping to hear from folks who have.

xrated · 12-09-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWSWine

Little bit off subject but finding a place to mount the Garmin 760 since it has such a large screen was a problem till I found this mount.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To each their own, but I would never consider putting something other than a C.D. in the C.D. slot

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