RV Specific GPS

Gjac wrote:
I have been looking into the RV specific GPS's and have got a lot of varying opinions. The question that I have is what logic does the Garmin 760 and RM use to determine routing for your RV? Many report that when using the RV routing it will rout them to truck routs that are longer or keep them off more direct routing. Does anyone know how this logic is set up in the these GPS's? or is it the same logic used for truck routing?

There is NO RV routing available in any GPS. There is trucker routing and car routing. You can add some limitations like weight and length and the manufacturer can add some RV related POI's but the routing will still be done as if you are a commercial truck (truckers GPS) or a big long, heavy car (RV GPS). I suggest that you always check your route online or with a paper map i you plan to leave the Interstate highway system. I really like planning using Google Earth. It not only shows the exact route and allows me to drive it, but you can right click on an active route and you will be able to view all elevation changes along the way in both slope (5%) and elevation gain or loss.

RGar974417 wrote:
We got a Rand McNally RV -7725 before our last trip.I was really disapointed with it.It worked well the first leg of the trip,but on the second leg it would reject the address we put in so we used my Samsung S4 cellphone to get us where we needed to go.With the Samsung,you don't have to enter anything,you just talk to it and your good to go.The RV type probably would have kept us out of downtown Washington DC on our prior trip but you also have to remember to take it off RV mode when not towing.After going to the campground,we headed to our kids place and it took us a round about way because there was a low bridge on the most direct route.

Agreed The "Good SAM" GPS is big piece of crap. I've had Lots of problems with mine. No More Rand McNally Junk For me. It can't find Itself on a good day!!

We got a Rand McNally RV -7725 before our last trip.I was really disapointed with it.It worked well the first leg of the trip,but on the second leg it would reject the address we put in so we used my Samsung S4 cellphone to get us where we needed to go.With the Samsung,you don't have to enter anything,you just talk to it and your good to go.The RV type probably would have kept us out of downtown Washington DC on our prior trip but you also have to remember to take it off RV mode when not towing.After going to the campground,we headed to our kids place and it took us a round about way because there was a low bridge on the most direct route.

what is your preferred method for checking a route for low clearances, hairpins, etc....?

Just my two cents. I too thought I had to have an RV related GPS when I first started. Highly over rated and yes a truck route will take you on roads etc, that you as an RV'er do not need to be on. And IMHO, JMHO you really don't need it. Common sense and never relying on a GPS 100% will get you safely to any destination.

7 years on the road RVing full time, 31 foot towing with a normal, and I might add 6 year old GPS is doing me just fine. I get safely to my destination each and every time. :W