Community Forums

bfcase · 03-22-2025, 12:18 PM

I've signed up for their 7-day trial and I ran a trip from Manchester MD to Vilas NC. Having taken that route many times by car, I know that there is section of road in Tennessee with a extremely tight hairpin, in a not-quite 2 lane road. In our car, we have to take it at about 10 mph. On top of it, there is absolutely no shoulder, but there's a nice ravine on the inside.

See that attached screen shot. Our RV is 43'.6". If you want to check out the details, the turn is on Beever Dam Rd from Bulldog Rd in Tennessee.

So, big discussion in our home whether or not this is actually drive-able in our coach. I'm the very conservative driver....

Please share your opinions......

Thanks in advance.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 03-22-2025, 02:09 PM

bfcase-

I would avoid a road such as you describe, unless I had no alternatives and a strong reason to go to the destination.

In contrast, below is the route that Garmin's BaseCamp recommends for an RV with certain added restrictions, such as avoiding unpaved roads. The route does not pass through Tennessee at all. I did not review the recommended route to see if it had it own problems with narrow roads or tight turns.

Google Maps appears to avoid Bulldog and Beaver Dam roads, favoring route 421 from Exit 29 on 81 south to get to Vilas.

OldBaldFat · 03-22-2025, 04:18 PM

What are your settings for the RV in RVTW?

Do you have any exclusions set?

Do you have RV routing turned on?

The only way I can make RVTW cross that point is to set the routing is to set a waypoint/ destination very near that location.

If I set the destination at Vilas, NC - it does not use that road.
If I set the destination at Camp Faith - it does not use that road.
If I set the destination at Roan Creek Campground - it does not use that road.

With a location set on Beaver Dam Road, there is no other way for RVTW to arrive at that location without using that road.

When you set the location on an unsuitable road, RVTW has no choice but to use that road.

Another point, RVTW decides a road is unsuitable when the state highway department has limits set on the road. Since you've apparently driven the road before, do you remember any signs limiting the road to vehicles of a certain maximum length, or weight or height?

Yes, RVTW will recommend a route on some roads I consider unsuitable.

Like every electronic routing app or device - it offers you ADVICE on how to travel.

It is the driver's responsibility to ignore BAD ADVICE which every device/ app will offer at some point.

Mike8253 · 03-22-2025, 08:16 PM

I put your Start/Stop points into RVTW using my setup (36' Class A plus Toad) and RVTW routed me (see attached) up via US421, bypassing Bullfrog Rd. altogether. So that we know the parameters you are using for your test, can you advise the setup you are using? (RV type, measurements and weight, RV or Std. Routing and Avoidances)

At 1st blush with normal RV parameters and routing, I would be surprised if TW took you on the road you identified.

Mike8253 · 03-23-2025, 06:50 AM

Should have added this yesterday. Attached, with proper settings, is the full routing to Manchester, MD.

MKwilli · 03-23-2025, 09:18 AM

Interesting and educational thread. Commenting so I can follow.

joerone · 03-23-2025, 10:43 PM

I have no answer to why you are getting what you are getting, but if you hit the profile Icon at the top right of the web page and select help and then contact from the window that opens up...Fill out the form describing your issue....They are very responsive and can look at all the details of your trip and settings in order to diagnose what's happening

Good Luck and keep us posted to what answers you get