Need advice from Rv'ers on whether it is worth purchasing a GPS made specifically for RV's to avoid ending up on roads a 30 ft TT should not be on. I am new to Rv'ing and plan on taking trips to states and areas I am not familiar with. I see RV GPS's , like the one Good Sam/ Rand McNally advertises, for about $300, which is substantially more than a regular car GPS that I already have in my truck... Are they really effective in giving the driver the correct and easiest navigable routes specifically for trailer rigs, or are they just loaded with locations of Good Sam campgrounds and other POI's? Would like to hear from those of you who actually own an RV GPS to see if you feel it is worth the $. Thanks!

I've got the garmin. Only used it for some short trips so far, but seems good. I like that it has a back-up camera that we use as a "review mirror" for driving on the highway ( mounted to bumper of tt), and I like that it has lifetime map updated. Bought on eBay for a great price

I have a normal Tom Tom and combined with my Iphone's mapping system and especially the map on Gas Buddy, with a little common sense, and following signs that warn "no trucks" or "no semi's" I've never had any problem getting into a spot, except twice. Tom Tom took me down a flooded road once and I got stuck in the back of McDonald's restaurant parking log and had to back out. I think in 30 years of camping and RVing (me and the wife), that's not too bad.I don't have any info specific to the RV versions, but I did find this article. Based on this article, if I had to choose one, I think I'd select the Rand McNally. I like the feature it can switch to different flavors of RV's or normal auto. Although the article is a couple years old, it's worth reading at least once.Click here.

I got a Garmin 2797LMT last year in preparation for our trip to California. I'm a hard-copy roadmap/do-lots-of-Google-maps-research-beforehand kinda guy and I was glad I kept that discipline. The Garmin was nice for some things especially locating gas stations, restaurants and such things up ahead. For route planning I think it sucks...it took us right through downtown Portland, OR during afternoon rushhour instead of routing us around town on the interstatevbypass. Another "failure" was as others noted, it sent us on a backroad that had been closed for months due to a bridge being washed out...and yes, I'd done all of the "updates" just before we left. Also, some gas stations had obviously been shuttered for years when we got to them. Bottom line is I don't trust or believe ANY GPS for accurate routing ALL of the time. It doesn't know if a road just flooded up ahead, and it sure as heck won't tell you that you can't get through a McDonald's driveway.

and NEVER use the SHORTEST ROUTE in any GPS.. use Fastest or Easiest.first tine I used my Garmin 2597 to go to a Mall. its had me go in the BACK way with the trucks.the RV 760 is on my Christmas Wish List with backup camera :) but also considering the TRUCK version of the 760. and the Truck version is now available as the 770

Need advice on an RV GPS? | Good Sam Community

W_E_BGood
Explorer
Nov 16, 2015
2oldman wrote:
When someone insists on speaking turn-by-turn directions to me, I politely listen, forget all of it, and use my GPS.

How true!
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2015
When someone insists on speaking turn-by-turn directions to me, I politely listen, forget all of it, and use my GPS.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2015
Lantley wrote:
An RV type GPS is worthwhile and an improvement over a non RV model.
However its not foolproof.
It will not tell you what gas station to use nor will it direct you to avoid rush hour traffic.
It will attempt to take you on an RV safe route and avoid small streets and low clearances.
I have a Garmin RV 760 with the integrated BC-20 backup camera and it has worked well for 3 years now.
However I generally review the suggested route and ensure it is the most direct way. For the most part the route is chosen by the Garmin meets my needs.
Nevertheless never trust any GPS 100%. Especially while towing.

exactly!! We also have the RV760 with the backup camera. and your summary is spot on.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Nov 16, 2015
THANKS Rob and others! Great info for an informed decision. Happy Camping !
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2015
Second Chance wrote:
Sorry these quote are stacking up so deep..
You can edit them out, like this.
93Cobra2771
Explorer
Nov 16, 2015
Just recently purchased a Garmin RV 760. Prior to that, had been using a 2006 Garmin (car model) with non updated maps. Have been playing with the 760 and so far it has been great. Have not, however, been on any long trips with it yet. The voice command feature is pretty darn cool.

I usually program the route in and hit the road. My wife will have her phone programmed as well and will supplement the GPS should we need it.

Have not experimented with auto vs rv mode yet but will.

I LOVE the big screen. If you watch ebay, you will find a factory refurbished model with a full warranty. That's what I did. $279 give or take, IIRC.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2015
temccarthy1 wrote:
Second Chance wrote:
temccarthy1 wrote:
Second Chance wrote:
temccarthy1 wrote:
Second Chance wrote:
I used to sing the praises of our Garmin RV760LMT... until we hit the road full-time. In RV mode, it has - or would have - taken us on some really "whack" routes. I assume this is because it thinks doing things like taking propane through the I-95 tunnel through downtown Baltimore or driving through downtown Richmond, Houston, and other major cities is a good idea just because I'm pulling an RV. Like someone said above, I've gone back to a mix of old-fashioned navigation and Google maps. In "car mode," the RV760 is still very handy... it matched the route I chose on our last travel day and has very good "Up Ahead" functions for fuel, etc. Once the GPS and I agree on the route, it's very handy for telling me how far to the next turn, how exits are configured, and our ETA at our final destination. The days are gone, however, when I will just accept that Garmin knows best as far as a route that makes sense for me and my rig.

Does the Garmin RV760LMT NOT have warnings on propane restricted tunnels or bridges? I have read several posts saying NO and several saying it does? Which is it? That is obviously a very big programming miscue if it asks that question in the settings but then ignores a YES to propane . Would like to hear from owners of this unit which is the highest rated one on Amazon THANKS!

Going from South Carolina to Aberdeen, MD, via I-20 and I-95, it would have routed me through the downtown tunnel on 95 in Baltimore had I not known to take the loop and the Hazmat route via the F. Scott Key bridge. I can't speak to other routes or situations. Yes - I consider it a big miscue.

Rob

thanks for the info Rob.. Important for my decision to buy or not buy since you have the exact unit I am looking at. One other question... Does that unit give you "TT friendly" fuel stops that are easy to navigate like Pilot or Flying J, or does it just list gas stations regardless of size and ease of getting in and out. I know since my total rig with vehicle is 55 feet long I can't pull into many gas stations based on the way their pumps are configured. I am hoping it flags big rig fuel stops like the trucker version does based on the size of rig that you enter? Does it?

No - it lists the brand of the fuel stops ahead on the route, but not whether they're big-rig friendly or not. We mostly look for truck stops since I need 13'6" overhead clearance.

Rob

THANKS ROB! Knowing this and owning that unit, would you recommend it?

Sorry these quote are stacking up so deep... my answer to your question would be a qualified "yes." I like the big screen, the RV park database, and the way the "Up Ahead" (or whatever it's called) features work. However, I'm leaving it in car mode most of the time now rather than RV mode. This means I'm not getting some of the RV-specific warnings that the RV mode would give me. But as has been suggested by several in this thread, I've gone back to a combination of route planning approaches and just appreciating the conveniences the GPS provides. I guess this shouldn't be too hard for a former pilot and sailor...

Rob
Dennis_Smith
Explorer
Nov 16, 2015
Learn to read a map. Then use the GPS as an aid. Learn to use your brain and never trust any one thing for navigation. Worked on GPS ground station, in Diego Garcia, Colorado springs and in Florida. A great system.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Nov 16, 2015
Lantley wrote:
An RV type GPS is worthwhile and an improvement over a non RV model.
However its not foolproof.
It will not tell you what gas station to use nor will it direct you to avoid rush hour traffic.
It will attempt to take you on an RV safe route and avoid small streets and low clearances.
I have a Garmin RV 760 with the integrated BC-20 backup camera and it has worked well for 3 years now.
However I generally review the suggested route and ensure it is the most direct way. For the most part the route is chosen by the Garmin meets my needs.
Nevertheless never trust any GPS 100%. Especially while towing.

Lantley--THANKS for the candid summary on RV Gps's. you also own the one I am looking at buying so your opinion after owning 3 years is very impotant to me! Much appreciated!
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 16, 2015
An RV type GPS is worthwhile and an improvement over a non RV model.
However its not foolproof.
It will not tell you what gas station to use nor will it direct you to avoid rush hour traffic.
It will attempt to take you on an RV safe route and avoid small streets and low clearances.
I have a Garmin RV 760 with the integrated BC-20 backup camera and it has worked well for 3 years now.
However I generally review the suggested route and ensure it is the most direct way. For the most part the route is chosen by the Garmin meets my needs.
Nevertheless never trust any GPS 100%. Especially while towing.

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