GPS for Towing

RobMcClain

RobMcClain

Member
Our small portable Garmin GPS that we use in the car (and when towing) is going out on us so it's time to buy a new one. This time I want to get one that is designed for RV and/or trailer towing. I've read that Garmin now makes a couple specifically designed for this use, as does TomTom, Magellan, and Rand McNally (also sold under GoodSam). I can't comfortably fit a 7" screen as many of these seem to be, but some are 5" and 6".

Does anyone have experience with any of these new GPS units designed for RV and/or trailer towing? If so, which one(s) and would you buy it again? Our old Garmin unit is just designed for a car so while towing it has taken us on many bad routes. I know that no unit will be perfect, but I like the idea that these new RV units may more often pick roads suitable for large vehicles and towing.

Rob
 
I have used the the Rand McNally/Good Sam unit for several years. I went thru three of them under warrantee, over the first year. However, the 4th one, has been great. This is a different version number. You can get the Rand McNally app, which is very similar for an I phone/i pad. That gives you some idea of what they are like.

I have the 7" but have lots of real estate. I also have one of the 4" Garmin, which is a little easier to put the address into.
 
Think I figured out what you mean by "for towing" It took me a bit trying to figure why you needed one in the toad and in the truck or RV. I use a Garmin GPSMAP 640 which has both marine nav and road map info. Both my Tomtom and the Garman have route planning to avoid certain things, toll roads, dirt roads, ferryies etc. Have not looked for "towing hazards" but I know there are units available for commercial trucking, and they should be along the lines you are looking for. Try some of the major truck stop chains, (Loves, Pilot, Flying J, Travel America etc. to see them first hand.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Our rand mcnally has never failed us in 6 years. We keep uploading maps and software versions as they become available. It is specifically for RV's. I don't know if it protects us from our own common sense, but it does allow you to select route types.
 
Harvey, these new gps models built for RV and towing allow you to enter the length, width, and height of the vehicle/trailer and then they plot a route on suitable roads (most of the time anyway). Some even let you indicate if you prefer right or left turns, when routing allows. Many are also loaded with an in depth campground database, like the GoodSam one made by Rand McNally. I think the TomTom has a KOA database. When you don't need the towing feature you can switch it to a normal car/driving mode.

Rob
 
We always have an internet hotspot while traveling in the car or truck to keep my wife busy. We use a Garmin Nuvi 2797 LMT. Not made especially for RV's but has 7" screen and provides traffic rerouting and lifetime free software and map updates. Also includes Canadian road maps and routing We have had if for a couple years and it's been great. It shows your speed plus the actual road's speed limit. I can't imagine why that would be handy.
My wife usually uses an IPAD and does her own routing and since we have internet we have Allstays camp and RV app which has all kinds of filters and ways to look up rest areas, campgrounds, roads with low bridge clearance etc. Also RV parking.com is another app that works well on an IPAD if you have an internet hot spot for information while you are traveling. We always carry a 400 watt inverter which is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket and a six way surge strip which plugs into the inverter which allows us plug phone chargers, power to charge the IPAD, camera chargers, power for the hotspot which is Velcroed to the dashboard. We usually have the Garmin for the main route and search for special info using the IPAD which also keeps my wife entertained and delays the are we there yet routine.
D.D.
 
Also another good app for travelers is WAZE a social GPS maps and traffic. It's good for showing speed traps, traffic backups, and construction tie ups etc. Which we also use on a Droid phone or an IPAD. Check it out it's free and it does routing.
D.D.
 
We've used our Xoom tablet and now Acer W700 tablet with the Copilot Live app on our motorhome for the last 50k miles. Works very well and we get to see it on a large touch screen.
 
I checked at the Love's where we fueled up today--and the Garmin trucker models went from 5" to 7". The Dezi 760 LMT (Lifetime map and traffic updates) had nice overhead and 3 D graphics on the same screen--sort of a wide view. So that turn lanes were specifically indicated. (The 7" was about $399--I think if you are looking for Camp grounds, it is better to get the Good Sam). We have a Gamin Nuvi 560 which allows the size and type of rig to be put in--and it was cheap.

I second Dave's suggestion of AlStay app for I phone or i pad. We find this to be the best for finding rest stops, and camp grounds. One of the problems with the Rand McNauly, is that it does not go off the freeway exits. The Alstay app does local and side streets, as well as major highways and freeways. We only turn the I phone or I pad on when we need to update information--such as looking for a camping place or fuel stop etc. We also have the Pilot/Flying J app for fuel stops, includes the prices. By using this today, we saved 30 cents a gallon, by waiting for the next state, rather than fueling at the last stop in the state we were in. (Probably state tax differences).
 
We frequently use an ipad3 on an arm. Pricey but you can't beat the screen size. App is free, map costs about $50 but once you have it, you can use it on the road without wifi (it has a built in GPS). Then, when you get to the launch site, you can put it on the boat, on another arm, and use Garmin or Navionics charts again, the apps are free but the Charts are about $50 each.

On the road, or in the boat, it will charge from a 2.1 amp cig lighter charger.

Charlie
 
Captains Cat":1hdrw5sx said:
We frequently use an ipad3 on an arm. Pricey but you can't beat the screen size. App is free, map costs about $50 but once you have it, you can use it on the road without wifi (it has a built in GPS).
Click to expand...

What app are you referring to?

I use an iPad (model with built in GPS) on the road, but so far haven't really found a map app I "love," so am all ears to hear what others are using. I get out in the boonies sometimes, so being able to use the maps without a current connection is a plus (i.e. app stores maps on my machine).
 
Sunbeam, it's called Garmin U.S.A. And the app is free, the maps $50, I think. They also have a Garmin a Blue Chart app, also free, maps about the same price. Once you download them, you don't need wifi to use them.

The maps are big, I've got a 64MB iPad, a 16 Mb one may not handle it.
 
I would highly recommend the Garmin RV760LMT...very happy with mine...very intuitive...plug it in and use it...didn't need any instruction. RV specific. I love the 7 inch screen...even though I had to make room for it.
About $369 at Amazon.
From Amazon:
•Large 7" high-resolution touchscreen display: 800 x 480 pixels; WVGA TFT color display with white backlight
•Includes free lifetime map and traffic updates - Provides RV-specific services and vendors, repair shops, truck stops and a comprehensive list of nationwide repair and tow facilities (including those offering after-hours road service)
•Specialized RV routing based on customizable restrictions including height, weight, width and length
•Cautions and advisories include risk of grounding, lateral wind, narrow road, sharp curve, steep hill, tree overhand and state borders
•Voice-activated navigation means RV 760LMT responds intelligently to your verbal commands. Just talk to it. Compatible with Garmin BC 20 wireless back up camera
 
Thanks, Captain's Cat.

Funny, because Garmin USA is the one I'm wanting to replace! It has/had potential; but Garmin seems to have abandoned it, so there aren't any improvements or fixes to problems. Hence, my looking for something else. (Sadly, one of the problems is that apparently "favorites" are trapped and cannot be moved off the unit except by manually re-writing each and every one :amgry)

I'm not against a dedicated unit either, such as Chris recommends. Will be checking out the RV760.

(Rob, I hope what I'm talking about and what you are looking for are similar enough that this is on-topic for your thread.)

What I like about the Garmin U.S.A. app:

1) Large typeface in display (as opposed to something like Apple maps where it is tiny).

2) Shows speed limit

3) Maps stored on unit (so no problem if "off line").

What I dislike (just a sampler):

1) Clunky routing (no moving route around; you have to "trick" it to get it to take any road other than it suggests).

2) Program apparently abandoned by developers

3) POI's can't be imported

4) No way to get one's own POI's off (to move to other device, etc.)

The RV type units do sound good; it would be nice to have the ability to "tell" the unit one is 12' tall, extra long, etc.
 
Another WAZE user and appreciate the road hazard alerts and ETA

Sometimes there are traffic work arounds and sometimes not

We have an old TOMTOM and stills works fine and replaced the battery which was buried inside. I hope the new units, it is easy to replace the battery. I replaced an iPhone digitizer, too, not fun and screws are tiny.

I often use Google maps, My PIlot, Waze, Weather Radar all free... but with this discussion, might upgrade.... thanks
 
Sunbeam, I didn't explain it right. :oops: I use the Garmin USA in the truck and Garmin Blue Charts, or Navionics while on the water. All on the ipad3, all w/o WiFi once the maps are downloaded. Both of them link with Active Captain. You may need a phone hotspot for an Active Captain link, haven't been underway in awhile, will check it next weekend.

Agree that the Garmin U.S.A app in the truck is klunky, but if you spread it out and know which way you are going, keep the maps up to date with app updates, It will "recalculate" in most cases and get you where you need to go.



Charlie
 
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