RV Life and their "RV safe" directions

[Rich W.]

Smaller highways and back roads are wonderful - better scenery, sedate traffic, small towns (often something interesting to experience) interesting agriculture and other land uses, and I often discover some small county or city park that isnt listed anywhere, often free camping, or at least very inexpensive, some with limited hook ups. Also grocery shopping in IGA type stores yields higher quality provisions than the big box stores near interstates. Also avoids toll roads.

The only downside for me is that I dont run the rig hard enough for passive regens, and when it tries an active regen its often interrupted by stops at intersections, ultimately leading to an hour waiting around for a parked regen to complete after a couple hundred miles. And of course not a good choice if you are in a hurry to get anywhere.

 

[Tnedator]

I haven't upgraded to the 890/1090 yet, but have been using a 770 for years, and agree, it's the way to go. I do use RV Trip wizard to layout routes, get campground reviews, etc., but then use the Garmin.

Also, I do my best to always review on Google maps (sat view) the night before the route to the RV park that Garmin is showing, just as a double check.

I should add, Garmin isn't infallible. When I was up at Newmar in September, we wanted to take the RV out for a shakedown after some work, and run to Wal-mart for supplies for the trip home. The route it put me on was having me turn on to a residential street that had a sign about no trucks, and looked like it would be a challenge for an RV. Decided not to turn left, and then it was 15 miles on that road before I could find a spot to turn around.

Trust, but verify, as best you can, and then just be diligent, because Garmin RV is really good, but not perfect.

 

[FloridaSon]

I had started the RV Life way at first, before I got my coach, I used it to plan trips, check time and distance to fuel and waypoints. Then I used carplay and my phone to use directions just around town in my truck. That is when I had it freeze multiple times, I contacted support, got the same ‘its user error‘ kind of answer you received and finally went with the 1090 also.

They also said don’t use the app, which I really wanted.

But until it expires I still use it for trip planning. I also have a hard copy Truck Driver Atlas so I have an analog backup.

Anyway glad you got it all sorted out. Happy trails.

 

[Scotttkd2]

Regarding the CB install, I wanted my ham radio installed, and wasn't sure how best to wire it in along with all the rest of the 12 volt items that wind up on the dash, TireMinders, phones, gps and backup gps, dash cam, etc. Then I remembered I had bought a 12v 10amp power supply for my radio previously to be able to hook it up in the house. That now resides next to the driver seat, and powers all of my 12v options on the dash. I have it plugged into the 120 volt system that is always on while driving down the road and is nice because a single power switch turns all of the items off until next drive day.

 

[marc2912]

I had started the RV Life way at first, before I got my coach, I used it to plan trips, check time and distance to fuel and waypoints. Then I used carplay and my phone to use directions just around town in my truck. That is when I had it freeze multiple times, I contacted support, got the same ‘its user error‘ kind of answer you received and finally went with the 1090 also.

They also said don’t use the app, which I really wanted.

But until it expires I still use it for trip planning. I also have a hard copy Truck Driver Atlas so I have an analog backup.

Anyway glad you got it all sorted out. Happy trails.

Due to the issues and them not caring I just went through my credit card company and did a chargeback. Companies like that don't deserve our money in my opinion.

 

[Tnedator]

I cannot recommend it higher, it is a fantastic GPS with free map updates, traffic integration via your connected smartphone, all the campgrounds in the system, voice control, shows truck stops vs. just gas stations (have to customize your sidebar to do this), up ahead info is great (bladder planning), reroute suggestions based on real time traffic. It is simply awesome!

I used voice on my 770 for the first time a month or so ago, and was surprised at how well it worked. Going to upgraded to a newer/bigger model later in the year. Taking a shortish (5 hours) to Nashville, with no real need for GPS to NIRVC for Rettrobands, but for sure before I take a 2.5 week trip to Florida in October, I'm going to upgrade. Just holding on in case they come out with another new model between now and then.