GPS Units for Class A 38 ft

[Jayhawker75]

What would you recommend for a GPS unit for a Class A RV, 38 fr.?? Looked at Garmin only. What other brands are avalable and reliable?

[Psp6158]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker75

What would you recommend for a GPS unit for a Class A RV, 38 fr.?? Looked at Garmin only. What other brands are avalable and reliable?

I like my Garmin, I got the commercial version to put in height, weight and length. It also is a mobile video recorder...

[dons2346]

I fly with a Garmin filled panel so I am kinda spoiled. Pick up a Garmin, you won't be disappointed. There are a number of models to choose from so pick one where you can input your vehicle info plus get lifetime maps

[NXR]

Depends on how you define "reliable". If you are someone who 100% trusts a GPS then the answer is none.

GPS units that can have length, weight, width, and height entered can help you steer clear of weak bridges, low bridges, etc. but there are no guarantees.

But none of them can tell you the best way, only a way that will get you there.

That's why a GPS will route you through narrow downtown streets, hairpin turns, you name it. It knows nothing about your turning diameter or nervousness level or your competence. And the further you get off established routes and use back roads the more likely it may be that you'll have a problem.

When going some place new we ALWAYS call the campground to learn the best way in. Sometimes it's the GPS way and sometimes it's not. There were two in particular that would have been a big problem if we followed the GPS directions and not the campground's directions. Another one had obsolete directions on their web site that would have posed a challenge.

Another one caused the GPS to throw a total fit. It refused to let us use the interstate exit that the campground said to use. The GPS did everything in its power to make us turn left or right for the next mile instead of go straight. We finally figured out that there was a posted weight limit on an intersecting road that we were not driving on. But because the GPS applied that weight restriction to the intersection we drove through it went nuts.

We had that happen a mile from our home. Apparently whomever made the maps was using sign-reading cameras. There was a sign that said "Trucks over 5,000 lbs must use state routes" but the sign was on a state route. The GPS tried to make us turn right down an old residential street, then the first left, then another left, and then a right back on to the state route 300' from the first turn. But there was no such sign going the other way so the GPS only flaked out when we were going east.

Trust but verify, always.

Ray


PS: We use a Garmin RV 785 for navigating with Waze running to alert us to problems with traffic, road hazards, etc. But we do not trust Waze to navigate us off of interstates.

We also use RV Trip Wizard for planning but we will not use it for navigation nor will we use the RV Life app. Too many people seem to have difficulties with routing and other things with that app.

[Jayhawker75]

Thanks to all that replied to my GPS question. We are to pick up our RV within 60 days so we have time to make a selection. We had narrowed our 1st and 2nd choices down to two Garmin GPS units The Garmin 785 RV was our 1st choice. I was glad to see that unit mentioned. Thanks again for all your guidance, nothing replaces experience in giving advice!! I’m sure I’ll have many more questions as time passes.
Jayhawker75

[jacwjames]

We relied on Garmin for the last +25 years.



But I've found that it is not 100%. I like it or the height, width, weight inputs and the ability to avoid things like toll roads.



But I also had problems with it not being as accurate as I'd like, when you are driving and there are multiple turns in a short distance it sometimes doesn't tell you to turn as quickly as I'd like.


So I've started using my Iphone maps in parallel, it provides much better directions.



I also update my Garmin before every trip but found that it doesn't always have current info on construction zones that have been going on for years. A couple years ago I got stuck twice on a trip and had to jump off interstate into the town. One time it was in a an area of small streets with trees. Luckily large truck had already been through and the large tree limbs laying all over the place. I finally pulled over, looked at options on trying to get out of the mess, two trucks stopped behind me. Took a shot and started crawling my way out with the trucks behind me, got lucky and found a route to get back on the interstate.

Same thing happened a couple weeks later in another state. Not a pleasant experience.

[Unplanned Tourist]

We have a 38 foot MH and tow a Ranger pu toad. I also use a Garmin but common sense. We have paper maps, so my copilot makes sure the Garmin doesn't get us in trouble.

[SandiaMan]

As we have been RVing for a few decades we have used road atlases, Garmin gps units, Copilot on our tablets and of course our phones. When we updated our in-dash stereo a few years go we currently use it's 10" screen to view our maps via Android Auto.

When traveling to unknown areas it is the copilot that plays the most critical role beyond what GPS device is chosen. That was always my DW as she didn't like driving when we were towing our travel trailers and fifth wheel RVs, she loves piloting our class A.

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker75

Thanks to all that replied to my GPS question. We are to pick up our RV within 60 days so we have time to make a selection. We had narrowed our 1st and 2nd choices down to two Garmin GPS units The Garmin 785 RV was our 1st choice. I was glad to see that unit mentioned. Thanks again for all your guidance, nothing replaces experience in giving advice!! I’m sure I’ll have many more questions as time passes.
Jayhawker75

When it comes to finding the best route for an RV, you need to make sure of one setting......often the unit will ask if you want the shortest route or fastest route. Shortest routes will often take you through side streets in a neighborhood for the shortest distance from point A to point B. Fastest routes will typically take you on larger streets and freeways. So....select fastest.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Fastest routes will typically take you on larger streets and freeways. So....select fastest.

Just be aware that if you're in a residential area, the streets are all the same speed limit, so you might end up in a tight spot. I guess that's where the common sense kicks in.

[NXR]

The RV 785 was replaced by the 795 a few years ago. Several Garmin units can interface by Bluetooth using an app called Garmin Drive. It can provide traffic and other data to keep you safe. And it's free.

We mounted ours using Garmin's beam bag mount. I put a small piece of Velcro under each "ear" to hold the device and it's dashcam steady.

Ray

[Urbanhermit]

I resent Garmin for being callous about the low end of the market, though I am comfortable, generally, with their maps (even though they've gotten me into jams more than once). E.g: We use a Zumo RV770 LMT-S. Nice features/warnings for RVing but it's built on the same platform as the miserable Zumo 660s and the like. I sent three of those, used in an SUV, back to Garmin in quick succession for functional failures, at least one caused by leaving it on a dashboard in the sunlight too long.
Unfortunately I don't have any experience with any competitor. I guess the message is "If you use a low-end Garmin, threat it like a porcelain doll."

[Ray,IN]

If you're on a budget, but still want accuracy; check out the OHREX truckers GPS on Amazon. Their largest GPS unit is 9" and $89, their 7" is $60.
The map updates are $25 ea. but I choose to simply replace the unit every 2-3 yrs instead.
I've never had a problem with mine.

[Urbanhermit]

Just brought up the OHREX site, was impressed, then brought up reviews. Uh uh.