RV GPS

We have the Good Sam 7" GPS by Rand McNally. Just got back from a 7 week, 5000 mile trip. We like it best of all we had. Only made 1 error and got right side & left side mixed up a couple times. Speed warnings were very accurate. Campground listings are extensive and include info, ratings and phone numbers.

We were interested in the Rand but walked when we discovered that there are no Mexico maps for it. Going to check with Garmin to ensure their NA Cites Mexcio maps ($99.00)b will load into their new RV unit. It works fine with our Garmin Nuvi but would like the bigger screen and the RV stuff.

I understand now. If you own a motorhome that is tall or an RV-Magellen that you have but don't use and don't know much about.
Don't go on any highways but interstates.
Okay.

n7bsn wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
According to the Caltrans website, the lowest clearance of any bridge on any state highway or state route in California is 13'4".

Low-Clearances (a web-site that sells POI files for this) lists 270 overpasses (nation wide) that are 10 ft 6 or lower

A really quick look found this one in San Mateo. You will note it is 8 ft 6 inches

Glancing at the lat-long (which is how they are listed) looks like there are about a half-dozen in Calf that are that 10ft 6, or lower

I already looked at that website and saw only 2 in California that were lower. The one in San Mateo and one listed up in Shasta County. That hardly qualifies as them being all over California as you stated and was also the reason I asked the question.

wny_pat wrote:
You did not go far enough. You need to check the Map Overlay files at Discovery Owners Map Overlay Files. But they are just like the GPSs that have that info and start out with low clearances of 12' 4" on the federal truck routes only that use to be listed on the American Trucking Assn web page.

And as a retired commercial driver, I learned to read those Low Clearance Warning Signs way back in 1970 which I got my first NYS Class 1 license (tractor trailer), long before the CDL requirements. And there are well marked warning signs before you get to the low clearances and again on the low clearance. I find it very curious why drivers actually hit them considering how well marked they are! And they are usually very easy find a alternate route around without a GPS.

Dedicated RV GPSs are only as good as the information the is inputted to their programming. And we all know that much of that information can get one into all kinds of trouble because we have come to expect our computers to be perfect. Well, the computers may well be, but the in-putters are not!

If those work the same way as the Low Clearances POI file on regular GPSs, they can and do "warn", but do not effect routing.

I have the Low Clearances POI loaded in my "regular" GPS, the problem with that method is, it doesn't "reroute" you around a low overpass, but rather warns you when you get "close" (I have mine set for 1/4 mile). The warning also would say warn you that there is a low overpass "close", but it's not "on" the road you are on, but on one of the nearby roads, or even on a road that goes under the road you are on.

That would be the advantage of the actual dedicated RV/Trucker GPS units

msmith1199 wrote:
According to the Caltrans website, the lowest clearance of any bridge on any state highway or state route in California is 13'4".

Low-Clearances (a web-site that sells POI files for this) lists 270 overpasses (nation wide) that are 10 ft 6 or lower

A really quick look found this one in San Mateo. You will note it is 8 ft 6 inches

Glancing at the lat-long (which is how they are listed) looks like there are about a half-dozen in Calf that are that 10ft 6, or lower

MS S&T is not meant as a GPS alternative. It is good for routing and finding POI only, including many of those places we all need. I.E. PFJ locations, Walmart locations, State Parks, Rest Areas, and literally dozens of other items with the addition of a map overlay. This is a very inexpensive tool to use during this important chore.

It has never been touted as an alternative to a GPS unit with ability to add vehicle restrictions. That is why I use both. MS S&T for route planning with a GPS unit for additional planning. I try to pre-plan my trips to prevent those unexpected things.

Buy the one with the biggest screen and one that allows you to 'speak' the directions to it instead of having to stop and hunt and peck tiny screen keys to enter it. I found both of these options on the TomTom.

As far as bridges go. The GPS is a joke and should never be used for the 'safety' of the height of bridges. Every bridge height recorded on a map or a gps in the Chicago land area are all wrong. In fact in any state that is situated in an area where it snows and gets cold, be real careful.

These roads are resurfaced and resurfaced and resurfaced. Adding multiple layers of road and shortening the distance to the top of the bridges. And they NEVER go back and remeasure and fix the signs or the height that is painted on the bridge. Heck on many bridges, the height that is painted on top of it was put there as far back as 100 years! :W

Born To Travel wrote:
Yes, we have some back east... This is on state route 58 in Jamestown, Pa.

Just how could one miss this??? But I'll bet that they have.

n7bsn wrote:

n7bsn wrote:

....


For that tout Microsoft Streets & Trips (since I've never used it). Will it warn you about low over-head passages (ie overpasses/underpasses)? Will it warn you about roads unsuitable for the length or weight of your rig (ie weight restrictions on bridges)?
All of the RV/Trucker GPS's will do that.

I got curious and went to the MS Q&A about S&T and their answer is no. It doesn't not support height or weight restrictions on roads. So it will gleefully take you down a road with a 10'6" overpass, when you are 11' tall....

You did not go far enough. You need to check the Map Overlay files at Discovery Owners Map Overlay Files. But they are just like the GPSs that have that info and start out with low clearances of 12' 4" on the federal truck routes only that use to be listed on the American Trucking Assn web page.

And as a retired commercial driver, I learned to read those Low Clearance Warning Signs way back in 1970 which I got my first NYS Class 1 license (tractor trailer), long before the CDL requirements. And there are well marked warning signs before you get to the low clearances and again on the low clearance. I find it very curious why drivers actually hit them considering how well marked they are! And they are usually very easy find a alternate route around without a GPS.

Dedicated RV GPSs are only as good as the information the is inputted to their programming. And we all know that much of that information can get one into all kinds of trouble because we have come to expect our computers to be perfect. Well, the computers may well be, but the in-putters are not!