RV navigation (Device or app)

[blaczero]

First, is using google maps for RV navigation a no-no?

If so, is there a good app to use or do you have to get a device?

[dodge_guy]

I use google maps, has worked great so far. I may try the Co Pilot app next year. You can set it up with your height p, width and length.

[Edd505]

Might want to check Trucker Path, designed for the big boys, if they can go so can you.

[spoon059]

I always use Google Maps. Once I got routed to a road with a 11' bridge. Had to take a gravel road to get around, added 30 minutes to my trip to get around this train bridge.

$50 a year for an RV specific app just isn't worthwhile to me right now. Maybe if I was full timing. With all the technology that Google has, it blows my mind that they can't offer either a free or inexpensive trucking or RV friendly feature. I can do all sorts of things with Google Maps, but can't see bridge heights?

[Lwiddis]

The pricy alternatives aren’t that much better. I use Apple maps and don’t need all information about everything all the time. I’m vacationing for heaven’s sake!

[wowens79]

I’ve just used Google Maps, or Apple Maps. They are fine most of the time. Only time it messed me up was going to Pigeon Forge, instead of taking me in on the 4 lane it brought me in on about a lane and a half that was twisty and turney, and up and down. It was doable, but looked about like a campground loop road than a real road.
Just look at the route and make sure it makes sense. I should have looked at the routes and planned better.

[rav]

We use a free app called RVParky for planning trips. Shows routes, bridge clearances and points of interest on the route, campgrounds, walmarts, fuel, etc. The app came highly recommended by several of our full time friends.
I also use my Garmin truckers GPS during the drive.
I use Google maps to check out the route before we leave,I like to see roads on the satellite view. DW likes to use Google maps during the drive to see what is coming up next, often it will suggest an alternate route that wont work for our camper.JMHO

[valhalla360]

Yes, Google Maps works fine.

Use common sense and pay attention to the road (and signs) but otherwise, no issues.

It's pretty much the most up to date map available as it's updated live constantly. It shows traffic, accidents and other issues that a stand alone GPS won't.

If you will be in remote areas, you can download an area of map for use offline or if you are navigating, it takes care of it automatically.

[RobWNY]

RV Trip Wizard is the best app. I create my trips in RVTW and then recreate them using Google Maps once I know there are no hazards to worry about like low bridges. Then I send the maps to my phone via text message and can just use my phone as a GPS rather than buying a stand alone unit. RV Trip Wizard is a subscription based app though but worth every penny of the $49 they charge annually.