Gps for Rver's
Responses to Rudy's Question
To read Rudy's question, go here, 8-08-08 newsletter.html
Buy the Next Exit Directory available at truck stops, camping world, or all Flying J's, highlights all RV friendly fuel stops, including eating estab., etc. Its my lifeline when on the road 9 mos a year.----Pat
You need to go to poifactory.com and search all the links available. Speed camera, red light camera, Costco, Walmart, truck stops, bank ATM's, 1,000 plus links you can download into your GPS.
----John
My Garmin C-330 (and it is an entry level one) has, in the "Settings", a place to set for Cars, Trucks/Buss,Motorcycle.
If you go to "POI Factory.com" you can download MANY sites for Fuel etc., Costco, Sam's/Wal Marts, Fuel Stops, ETC. ETC. ETC.
----John
The "Trailer Life" software on CDs is available to run on a laptop.... It will work with any handheld or plain GPS receiver that can connect via a USB connection.
You have the large screen of the laptop and you can add "Points of Interest" to the laptop independent of the GPS.
The software can be programmed for length of vehicle, avoid ferrys, interstates or side roads....
Software can be purchased from Good Sams----Hugh
We have a Garmin and downloaded RV park and Stop / Diesel info from them for a small fee, I don't recall the fee or details as we did it some time ago and have not updated it. The feature was helpful on many occasions.----Larry
Regarding GPS: I believe the Garmin GPSs can be programmed as if you were driving a bus which then means the directions will keep you on major highways. Check this out with the Garmin folks.
Regarding signs on highways for RV accessible gas pumps: Nice to have but probably will never happen. In my experience, there are few gas stations one CAN'T get into while towing. You may have to wait a while for the most accessible pump, but eventually you get your gas. Usually at highway intersections or freeway offramps there is more than one gas station. Usually you can find one that works. I just don't think this is serious issue for those of us who tow. Considering the cost of fuel, I most often know where I'm going to gas up and it usually is at a major intersection or at a truck stop or Costco.
"Actually I have a GPS question. I was wondering if they make a GPS which is Big Truck or RV friendly? What I mean with this is that I feel the GPS's are really meant for directing cars. That the GPS could direct me onto a road that is impassible because of low overpasses or real narrow roads with tree branches all over the place that could damage my coach. Also the fact that I am towing a car then makes it very difficult to turn around and you can't back up. My other issue is that I think on major highways where they advertise fuel stops, they should put a little sticker on their signs to indicate that their pumps are RV accessible. I know there are truck stops along the way which I normally try to stop at. But what if you are in an area where there aren't any truck stops and unfortunately you need fuel and when you get off the highway you can't get into or get out of most gas stations because the way the position their pumps. I think that would be a big plus for us RV's, what do you think?"----Chris
Rudy
If you purchase CoPilot Live, v11 from Camping World, which is a GPS program for RV's, it allows you to choose 2 different heights (12'6" & 13'0") to guide you away from roads that have height restrictions. CoPilot Live also makes a GPS program for truckers to help them in their routing. Both programs have many user customized options for you to choose from to help you navigate the route you want to take.
Fuel stops - As full timing RV'ers, we use THE NEXT EXIT, again, you can get it from Camping World or from the online RV Bookstore. This book indicates easy in and easy out truck stops by a red symbol in the book. Also, many states have just adopted a yellow round sign with RV in the center indicating these stops are RV friendly in getting in and out.
In the next few years, a lot of people will be retiring and will become full timing RV'ers, so several steps by several states to help us RV'ers are in the works.
Drive safely
--Byron & Linda
Larry,
There's one called Co-Pilot for laptops that is supposed to be for rver's since it has overpass heights, etc. Not sure it has info on narrow roads or other hazards for rvers. Haven't used it so can't comment on how good it is. I believe I've seen reference to others but can't tell you the names.----
Jim
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