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Phone activated functions on an RV???

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
omg, Thought I'd seen it all but guess not.

There is another thread where an RV'er is locked out of opening his slides and awning on his RV.

WHY? Because he is using his cell phone to open them and it is malfunctioning. :S

First of all I did not know that there is an app you can buy where you use a cell phone to operate almost all of the functions on an RV.
https://www.asaelectronics.com/downloads/dl/file/id/832/jrvcs105_in-command_owners_manual.pdf

Have we as RVers gotten that lazy that we need to use a cell phone to operate our RV's when our RV 'comes with already installed' buttons/switches to operate everything?

Not to mention the lack of security of using a device like a cell phone having access to all of your RV inside an out.

I certainly would NOT want to own an RV that is hackable, 'phone activated'.

What happens when you don't have good cell phone coverage where you are parked? Do you sit there refusing to go inside the RV and flip the switch to activate your slides?

How many of you would use a phone app to operate your RV?

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

75 REPLIES 75

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
I'm all for new gizmos and automation, but I will surely miss my manual awning when I get around to upgrading the old RV.
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Explorer
rockhillmanor wrote:
What happens when you don't have good cell phone coverage where you are parked? Do you sit there refusing to go inside the RV and flip the switch to activate your slides?

How many of you would use a phone app to operate your RV?


First - cell phone apps to control RV systems don't use cell phone networks. They are Bluetooth devices, and don't need any cell coverage to connect to the RV systems.

Second - it is becoming not a choice, but a requirement if you want the top of the line systems and convenience - not just for RVs, but for many systems/ devices that people use.

When I got my hearing aids at the VA 18 months ago, I was asked if I had a smart phone like an I-Phone. Because I did, the VA was able to give me the top of the line hearing aids with multiple levels of control, customized settings for different noise situations, etc.

Without a cell-phone to control those choices, I would have only been able to get the 'second best' model of hearing aids.

Third - similar level of control from a cell phone is standard in upper end apartments and homes today. You will get an alert is the power goes off, your fridge stops working, your AC or heater won't start, etc.

--------------------------

As far as people who see cell phones as security risks - they better not buy RVs with those systems in them.

Because an unsecured system waiting to be setup to use your cell phone - and not setting that up is like leaving your RV door wide open when you are not in the campground.

Bluetooth properly setup is extremely secure.

Turning on wireless connectivity on a cell phone and leaving it on all the time is a security risk, but a controllable risk.

Having a rig with remote connection features and not setting them up / using them is a huge uncontrolled security risk.

-------------------

Lastly

the last time I saw someone use a phone to control awnings was about three weeks ago. The couple had a new Thor Hurricane - certainly not a top of the line gas motorhome.

Was sitting outside talking, and the sun moved to put the chairs in the sun. The lady picked up her phone and extended the awning to get a bit more shade.

Since the campsite was bordered by trees and limbs, she wanted to be outside when she moved the awning so she could make sure the awning didn't go too far and tangle in the limbs.

Otherwise, it would take two people to adjust the awning. One inside using the controls, and one outside watching the clearance.
Full-Time 2014 - ????

โ€œNot all who wander are lost.โ€
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sneakygroundbuz
Explorer
Explorer
personally i would not use such an app

i dont do online banking with my phone or laptop

i dont like the idea of my personal info being out there where some skilled hacker has access to it.

troubledwaters
Explorer III
Explorer III
rockhillmanor wrote:
omg, Thought I'd seen it all but guess not.

There is another thread where an RV'er is locked out of opening his slides and awning on his RV.

WHY? Because he is using his cell phone to open them and it is malfunctioning.

First of all I did not know that there is an app you can buy where you use a cell phone to operate almost all of the functions on an RV.
https://www.asaelectronics.com/downloads/dl/file/id/832/jrvcs105_in-command_owners_manual.pdf

Have we as RVers gotten that lazy that we need to use a cell phone to operate our RV's when our RV 'comes with already installed' buttons/switches to operate everything?

Not to mention the lack of security of using a device like a cell phone having access to all of your RV inside an out.

I certainly would NOT want to own an RV that is hackable, 'phone activated'.

What happens when you don't have good cell phone coverage where you are parked? Do you sit there refusing to go inside the RV and flip the switch to activate your slides?

How many of you would use a phone app to operate your RV?
I heard the same things about cruise control, intermittent wipers, turn signals that automatically turn off, automatic transmissions, etc. Use the tech that you want and don't worrying about what the next guy is doing.

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
This complaint reminds me of all the rants as television remotes took over the viewing world. You can't even completely operate a TV without a remote anymore.
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
I read that thread last night. This guy's issue was not with the remote control aspect of the phone app, but rather it seemed to be related to not being able to reset the onboard control system to tell it they were no longer moving, and wanted to activate the slides, levelers, etc.

Personally, I view such systems as needless complication and just something else that can go wrong during my vacation. Others like the convenience and geeky-ness of tech toys.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
There are many Bluetooth devices now days that can be opreated by your phone. Now I can not speak for the designers of the system that person is using but if I were designing such a system I'd put in manual switches on the control panel.

But I've known for some time that there is a system that allows you to use a Remote Control for slide outs and jacks and such... Makes sense actually that way you can do a walk around and insure you do not "Slide out" into a tree or something worse.

It makes sense to replace "yet another remote" with a Blue Tooth app on your phone.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
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mich800
Explorer
Explorer
Crowe wrote:
Have we as RVers gotten that lazy that we need to use a cell phone to operate our RV's when our RV 'comes with already installed' buttons/switches to operate everything?

What gives you the right to judge? Some people are just techno-geeks, period. No one is required to justify how they operate their RV (or how they camp for that matter) to anyone. I suggest you move on and find something applicable to YOUR life to deal with.


I agree. I think sometimes people forget we are "camping" in our full service condos. I am sure some tent campers are thinking the same thing about even primitive rvs. If you want tech go for it we all enjoy things differently.

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
As noted above, RV remotes have been around for years. And some have the capability of being paired to a smart phone. Nothing particularly new. And even more prevalent in "smart" devices for homes.

"Alexa, are all the doors locked and the garage door down?" "Hey Google, turn off the lights and set the thermostat to 70 degrees."

Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Explorer
I can operate most functions with my iphone. It is a special app only for Liberty Coach owners through Liberty Coach.

Everything that can be operated through the app can be controlled through hard switches in the coach. The app is just a convenience, mainly, when I'm away from the coach.

From my iphone I can operate the following:
-Lock/unlock the coach including the bay doors
-Operate all TV's
-Operate all 4 air units/heat pumps
-Operate 4 zone heated floors
-Operate Webasto diesel fired furnace
-Turn on/off hot water tank and tankless water heater (for shower).
-All interior and exterior lights
-All interior shades
-Fantastic air vents
-Exterior awnings (4)
-Check on power:
*Lithium battery charging level and temperature monitoring
*Status of all 4 inverters
*Generator control:
(auto start for low battery level or immediate start for loss of power)
-Breaker control:
*water pump
*fridge
*air compressor for air seals
*engine battery charger
*block heater
*Galley and Bath electric tow-kick heaters
-Water level monitoring
-Monitor interior and exterior temps at the coach

I like the fact that I can check on the coach while it is in storage.

The iphone app connects to the coach's Crestron system that controls all components.

I cannot operate chassis items like the engine, leveling, slides, headlights/parking lights, etc.

Safe travels,
MM.
Mr.Mark
2021.5 Pleasure Way Plateau FL Class-B on the Sprinter Chassis
2018 Mini Cooper Hardtop Coupe, 2 dr., 6-speed manual
(SOLD) 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach, 45 ft, 500 hp Volvo
(SOLD) 2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42 ft, 425 hp Cummins

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
Remotes to operate slides have been around at least 5 years. With a remote I can watch and open the slide from outside when required.
The phone is just acting as a remote vs. having an actual physical remote control device. It is not operating via the cell towers/network.
REally not a big deal . Using the cell phone eliminates having to keep track of another remote device.
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Crowe
Explorer
Explorer
Have we as RVers gotten that lazy that we need to use a cell phone to operate our RV's when our RV 'comes with already installed' buttons/switches to operate everything?

What gives you the right to judge? Some people are just techno-geeks, period. No one is required to justify how they operate their RV (or how they camp for that matter) to anyone. I suggest you move on and find something applicable to YOUR life to deal with.

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be

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[purple]RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road. [/purple]

mat60
Explorer
Explorer
Kind of like Youtube camping.
2018 Heartland Trailrunner 24 SLE... 1999 old style Chevy 2500 with 34k

K_Charles
Explorer
Explorer
Some day the camper will be able to go to the campground and set up all by it self. You sound even have to leave home, the camper will take pictures and send them home to you.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
Some people go camping to get away from it all but, take it all with them to the CG.
Same as someone parking right beside you when the CG or boondocking site is empty. That's something I never understood.

Technology is nice but, I can't see the advantage of using a cell phone to open/close slides, etc..
Personally, I would not want to turn something on if I was not present.
It's a personal choice, each to their own.