Internet Speed Test Tool Coming

[Janet H]

In the next few days you'll see a new option on the upper red RV LIFE bar to take a speed test. If you are camping at a park the info will be used to contribute to collective speed test data that we display at Campground Reviews on each park page. (RV LIFE Campground Reviews is our sister site). Your personal information will not be shared - only the carrier info associated with the internet connection and the test speed. If you are not at a park, you can still take a speed test anytime you like. The info will be only informational for you but it's still fun. Many RVers use Campground Reviews (and RV Life Trip Wizard) when planning trips, and having good connectivity at a park is a prime concern for many when choosing a park.

To enable this tool, we've set up a prompt to allow location services on your device. You can dismiss it if you're not interested but if you would like to take a speed test and you'll need to "allow location detection"

Speed test info reported by real RVers is the most reliable info about what to expect for connectivity at a park and so we're excited at the possibilities for everyone who RVs.

[Ray,IN]

Thanks to the management and staff for making it easy to accomplish.

[Janet H]

Just a note that this is live today and you may see the location detection request when you login. The link to take a speed test on the top red bar is also live (and quite cool). If you are in a park the speed test results will be attributed to data about that park on the Campground Reviews park page. If you are not near a park, you can still take the test for your own info, if you desire.

[Jack Klompus]

This is very valuable information, I will try to populate it when I remember to.

I am not on the app right now (not sure if it is available there), but it looks like on the web interface this is not on a "red bar", but rather in the "Submit-> Submit Speed Test" top menu. On each park page it appears near the "Connectivity" panel. At least that is where I am seeing it.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

This is very valuable information, I will try to populate it when I remember to.

I am not on the app right now (not sure if it is available there), but it looks like on the web interface this is not on a "red bar", but rather in the "Submit-> Submit Speed Test" top menu. On each park page it appears near the "Connectivity" panel. At least that is where I am seeing it.

The red bar at iRV2 was dismissible (there was an x in the corner) and my guess is that you no longer see it after clicking the x. It reappears every 7 days or so and you can click the x again if you don't want to see it. Alternatively you can logout and you will see the bar or you can open the site in a private window and log in again.

We may need to make some adjustments if this is a usability issue for folks, regardless, this is entirely optional and the test results help others.

We have been slowly collecting connectivity info at Campground Reviews (sister site) for several years as reviewers have submitted tests and thought that expanding this to the forums might speed up the process.

Connectivity on the road is a BIG deal for many, especially in remote areas.
As an example, here in the PNW there was still vast areas with no cell coverage. I can't camp on the WA or Oregon coast at a state park with a reliable connection unless I tote along a starlink dish. Good to know in advance.

We have also found that some parks aren't entirely forthcoming about exactly how speedy their wifi is. You may have noticed this as well? Websites often say they have wifi but upon arrival it turns out to be very slow or restricted. We're finally taking matters into our own hands and crowdsourcing the info so that RVers everywhere can make park choices based on good info.