road conditions

[Bob RV]

Is there any book I can buy that tells me what the road conditions are such as clearences heights of bridges, one lane bridges, etc. If there is no book-what do you use to plan your trip. Maybe we should invest in a gps system? Any opinions anyone would like to share?

[Bob RV]

Is there any book I can buy that tells me what the road conditions are such as clearences heights of bridges, one lane bridges, etc. If there is no book-what do you use to plan your trip. Maybe we should invest in a gps system? Any opinions anyone would like to share?

[Blue74]

You might look at Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas.

Paul

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

If you can't find a one cover all book for what you are looking for, you might consider some of the mapping software choices.

As far as GPS's, I don't know of any that includes clearances, bridge heights, etc.

Microsoft's Street & Trips Software can do a pretty good job when you add additional POI (Points of Interest) files to it.

There are locations on the Internet that have the low clearance POI's and the like. They can be downloaded from places like: Discovery Owners POI
and also POI Factory
Lots of folks that make use of the forum as well as others use this combination. It works pretty good. And the software isn't that expensive, usually you can get it for around $40.

[Road Pilot]

Stop at a Flying J or other truck stop. They have lots of info on this.

If you just need low clearances try:

Low Clearances

[Toby]

Bob

If you tote your lap top with you in your Motor home, I would just get Microsofts streets and trips with the GPS. The S&T with the attached GPS cost under a $100 at Staples. It is real handy as you go down the road, it even talks to you. The problem with just a GPS stand-alone is the size. Now that I'm older, hard to see while driving. And the DW can't read the GPS stand alone very well. But she can use the S&T pretty good (as long as I write "L" and "R" on each hand. If you don't have a lap top, I think you could get a lap top as well as the S&T program for about $500. What a good stand alone would cost. If you do not have an inverter, you can get one at walmart for about $20 to run the computer as you go down the roaad. It will tell you gas stations, eateries, Camp grounds, and etc. And it will do a route for you if you want it to. s/Toby

[Bob RV]

Some great ideas here!

Now another question for those of you who use Microsoft streets & trip w/ GPS--do you have to be connected to the internet for the GPS to work? I don't have a cable that long

[Toby]

Bob

No you do not have to be connected, The only reason to connect with the system is to get more details of a campground or road conditions up date. But it will give you the CG name and phone number is you want it. I do not ever use the internet with my MS S&Ts. I really like the ease is which the system works. I've had Delorme (twice) but prefer MS. The only thing I do not like about MS is when you add a stop in a route, you have to zoom back each time. Other than that it works pretty good. And BTW, the GPS uses a suction cup to stick to the windshield and works probably better than my Garmin GPS IV when it is connected up to the lap top. I keep the Garmin in the toad for when we ride around the country when we get there in the MH. s/Toby

[Bob RV]

I'm going to have to look into this--thanks Toby.

[Bob RV]

Update: After weighing all our options we purchased a gamin nuvi 200 and used it on our last trip--the portability and cost of the gps was best for us. So along w/ the garmin-which our youngest named "Kanola" (and w/ mapquest, mapblast and yahoo maps and checking the above mentioned web site for low clearences--dw is a little obsesive w/ this stuff)we got to our destination-Cooperstown, NY. Everything worked well--I am just thinking of purchasing the truckers atlas mentioned above so we have something w/ us for those low clearences, etc.