RV GPS

[DaveA]

Looking for recommendation for RV specific GPS. Need stand alone GPS not an I phone app etc. Currently have old Rand McNally Rv unit but getting time to replace. Thanks!

 

[Scotttkd2]

I think of all the stand alone units you will find the Garmin line of RV specific units your best option and most recommended. No gps is perfect, but Garmin is very well reviewed here. I personally use the 890 in a heads-up install (right behind my steering wheel so I can see it without taking my eyes off of the road ahead of me. Works great for me, but we also use a phone running google maps as a backup. When they disagree i will usually go with the garmin routing as it has the height/weight restrictions built in to the routing instructions.

 

[Handyman1965]

Looking for recommendation for RV specific GPS. Need stand alone GPS not an I phone app etc. Currently have old Rand McNally Rv unit but getting time to replace. Thanks!

DEZL Line of Garmin are for trucking. They will do the job. I have a 570 model.

 

[John&Andrea]

We use a Garmin 780 I think, some newer versions are out now. It’s an RV version and has work for us. Andrea sometimes uses an iPhone as well. I’m not sure how we did this before gps. .

 

[Joe Hogan]

I purchased the 1095 Garmin, it is too big, even for a DutchStar. It has been relegated to pretrip planning on a table. Great info and routing but way too much info and warnings for in motion for me.

 

[BGMAC]

I have an iPad Pro mounted on the dash. Big enough to see any app map you choose to use. Just make sure you have cell and Wi-Fi on it.

 

[sheridany]

Garmin is the best HOWEVER don’t trust it without verification meaning look in a truckers atlas or on google earth to make sure the road is passable and safe for you. The gps technology is very good but not perfect.

 

[Jabber Jaw]

GARMIN is the way to go. Like Joe Hogan, I have a Garmin 1095, and absolutely love it. Bigger screen, & easy to read. Plug in the information on your "RV" and it will help guide you in your trip routing & calculations!
As a back-up, I have my previous Garmin 770, also a great unit, but a much smaller screen!
We will use Google Maps to verify our route, and check for any discrepancies. Also, we use WAZE, when there are traffic jams, accidents, etc.
We too, have a Truckers Atlas, as a reference, & have used Google Earth to verify the roads are passable, & reasonably safe!

 

[Believer45]

We have a Garmin RV795 and really like it. Put in your unit information and it will route you accordingly. It has not misrouted us yet although we have only used it for 3 thousand or so miles so far. You also have the option to use it without the RV information and it will route you for just your tow vehicle as if it was a car.

 

[DKRITTER]

Simple answer is a Garmin RV GPS system. It's very important to make sure you get a RV specific system, it allows you to put all of the dimensions of your RV in so it can route you accordingly. It will keep you off roads you should not be on in the first place. This will have a library of most anything a RV'r might need. If I was a truck driver I'd get the ones designed for trucker. It's library is built to accommodate a trucker not a RV'r.

Garmin has several sizes to fit your needs and budget.

 

[Trav_lr]

Simple answer is a Garmin RV GPS system. It's very important to make sure you get a RV specific system, it allows you to put all of the dimensions of your RV in so it can route you accordingly. It will keep you off roads you should not be on in the first place. This will have a library of most anything a RV'r might need. If I was a truck driver I'd get the ones designed for trucker. It's library is built to accommodate a trucker not a RV'r.

Garmin has several sizes to fit your needs and budget.

This ^^^ plus a good quality road atlas.

 

[Scooterfan]

Just wondering...although I'm considering purchasing the Garmin 890, I'm a bit apprehensive about mounting it in my view range. To be honest, when I drive a don't take my eyes off the road (or I hear the wake up bumps ). Anyone mount it for use by the co-pilot ? She tells me what to do anyway, but this way she'll have real data on her side. Thoughts ? Blessings

 

[#1footballfan]

I have the same Garmin as you. We just purchased our coach, it’s a 2019 Dutch Star. When I tried to use it, it did not talk to me out loud. I tuned the volume up and still nothing. What am I doing g wrong, any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Dave

 

[Believer45]

I have the same Garmin as you. We just purchased our coach, it’s a 2019 Dutch Star. When I tried to use it, it did not talk to me out loud. I tuned the volume up and still nothing. What am I doing g wrong, any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Dave

You do not indicate which of us you are referring to so we cannot tell which one you have. Can you tell us which model Garmin you have?

 

[#1footballfan]

I have the same Garmin as you. We just purchased our coach, it’s a 2019 Dutch Star. When I tried to use it, it did not talk to me out loud. I tuned the volume up and still nothing. What am I doing g wrong, any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Dave

You do not indicate which of us you are referring to so we cannot tell which one you have. Can you tell us which model Garmin you have?

we have the RV795. Sorry about that.

 

[Underboss]

Garmin RV1090, love it

 

[DKRITTER]

I have the same Garmin as you. We just purchased our coach, it’s a 2019 Dutch Star. When I tried to use it, it did not talk to me out loud. I tuned the volume up and still nothing. What am I doing g wrong, any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Dave

Try the different voices, on our 1090 some didn't work.

 

[Buster]

Just wondering...although I'm considering purchasing the Garmin 890, I'm a bit apprehensive about mounting it in my view range. To be honest, when I drive a don't take my eyes off the road (or I hear the wake up bumps ). Anyone mount it for use by the co-pilot ? She tells me what to do anyway, but this way she'll have real data on her side. Thoughts ? Blessings

I have the RV890 and mount it low on the windshield using the suction cup just above the dash right between myself and the co-pilot so we can both see it. She can give me the heads up on what's coming ahead and I only look at it when I'm going down a long stretch of straight road. Works for us and I really only look at it when off the highway so there's usually a time I can look especially at a stop light.

 

[Jim]

I have the RV890 and mount it low on the windshield using the suction cup just above the dash right between myself and the co-pilot so we can both see it. She can give me the heads up on what's coming ahead and I only look at it when I'm going down a long stretch of straight road. Works for us and I really only look at it when off the highway so there's usually a time I can look especially at a stop light.

I have the exact same unit, mounted in the same area and the visibility is great. But I have a hate/love relationship with the 890. With respect to all the bells and whistles, it is awesome. But I can count on one hand the number of times this thing has actually picked the correct route on its own. I have never, repeat NEVER, gone on a long trip where this unit didn't pick the absolutely worst route possible. But I own it, so I make the best of it.

First, I plot out my course on RV Life Trip Wizard so I can see exactly where I'm going on a large display. I can easily zoom in on areas of the trip, check out the parks I want to visit, and make any trip guidance changes I may need. Then I copy that trip over to the Garman, and at that time, the Garman will excel.

But again, if I had asked the Garman to pick the best route, I can absolutely guarantee that it will be wrong to some degree. It might not be a big deal, but then again, it may be a huge deal. Even coming into Silver Spring, FL a couple months ago, the Garman took me almost 10 miles out of the way and sent me through a small (and tight) area of Ocala, when there was clearly a straight shot from 75 over to 40 and then a couple miles to the resort.

I'll be leaving Silver Springs on Tuesday, and for kicks/grin, I asked the 890 to pick the route. Again, it chose the wrong one. The 890 wanted me to take 40, through Ocala to 301 and then up to 326 and then over to 75. A quick view of RV Trip Wizard shows that 326, which is just down the road a bit, will take you up to 75 quickly, avoiding any of the city of Ocala and all the drama that comes with it. So yeah, great for everything EXCEPT for picking the best route.

YMMV

 

[Buster]

Now that you mention it, I was heading over to Elberta AL a couple days ago and the 890 routed me through Pensacola instead of bypassing it. I guess it picked the shortest route but not necessarily the best or fastest route. Certainly not the route I would have chosen, but I got to my destination without hitting any low bridges so it was a win.

I like your method and will try that when we depart at the end of the month.