Okay, I guess I misunderstood someone's post reply along time ago. I had asked if there is a better RV trip routing (mapping) tool than smartRVroute APP which also included low clearance warnings. Multiple respondents recommended "AllStays". Well as Irma approached Tampa Bay I spent $33 for AllStays PRO & another $10 for the AllStays APP. Then I discovered to my chagrin that "AllStays" does NOT perform RV trip routing (mapping). I wound up having to renew my SmartRVroute subscription ($20) so I could stress free map my route out of Irma's way.
For those of you who use AllStays: am I right in assuming that when planning trips, AllStays is a tool used to find; places to stay, gas, stores, clearances, etc. along a route you mapped with another tool, for example Google Maps? AllStays is not the tool you use for mapping your route to points A, B, C, etc.
-- Edited by tincanman on Thursday 14th of September 2017 02:02:29 PM
Barbaraok said
03:17 PM Sep 14, 2017
I can never figure out why people have such problems getting from point A to point B. Goggle maps works well, as does the mapping system on most smart phones. How difficult would it be to say "route to XYZ, TN" from current location of Tampa, then get in and go? Tell me what I'm missing here? My parents fulltimed for 5 years using only paper maps and their knowledge of basic geography.
Gpndavid said
04:09 PM Sep 14, 2017
LOL...paper maps and basic geography. Probably carried fire on a stick with them.
That's what my sons would have said to me. Sad that those skills are no longer taught.
Back to the OP's question. You are correct. Allstays is more for finding stuff than navigating to it. However, we use Google maps to recommend our course THEN compare that course to the map in Allstays which has many route restrictions identified. If there is a conflict, we place waypoints in the Google course to force it to reroute us away from the obstacle. No software navigation is perfect so double check with several sources including the state DOT web site for restrictions.
As a back-up, we carry a paper Trucker's Atlas and a magnetic compass. 😉
tincanman said
05:07 PM Sep 14, 2017
Thank you both for your input.
I have absolutely no problem getting from point XYZ, TN to ABD, MO in my truck - have compass, sextant, mapping tools and yes paper. However, for those of us towing a 25K, 43' home - misdirections are not that easily reversed. Additionally, I travel solo, so pulling out the ol' paper map/atlas is not an option. Sorry I'm not getting re-married just to have a copilot. :D
Since we have these electronic gizmos and this has been talked about here in posts (as I referenced) I was wanting to get input from the fine folks in this forum.
Bobc said
07:06 PM Sep 14, 2017
We use Good Sam Trip Planner, which allows you to enter your size and weight, for choice given our destination and then we use our garmin RV760 to get us there. This has worked great for us.
We also double check our routes with the Truck atlas and mountain route just to double check any concerns.
BiggarView said
05:22 AM Sep 15, 2017
tincanman wrote:
Thank you both for your input.
I have absolutely no problem getting from point XYZ, TN to ABD, MO in my truck - have compass, sextant, mapping tools and yes paper. However, for those of us towing a 25K, 43' home - misdirections are not that easily reversed. Additionally, I travel solo, so pulling out the ol' paper map/atlas is not an option. Sorry I'm not getting re-married just to have a copilot. :D
Since we have these electronic gizmos and this has been talked about here in posts (as I referenced) I was wanting to get input from the fine folks in this forum.
Emphasis added... Not to put too fine a point on it but.... why isn't it an option? Surely you aren't in that big a hurry to get from A to B that you can't pull over somewhere and confirm a route on a low tech solution if that is all that is available. Slow and steady wins the race (not that it is even a race, but you get the point), plus you get to get out and stretch your legs from time to time and enjoy some scenery on the way to boot. .
The co-pilot comment.... LOL
-- Edited by BiggarView on Friday 15th of September 2017 09:56:13 AM
tincanman said
09:10 AM Sep 15, 2017
"why isn't it an option?" ...it's not like pulling over a car... need to have a LARGE in/out... not a lot of them available on scenic drives. Besides, roads change... printed maps don't...
Thank you!
Second Chance said
02:16 PM Sep 15, 2017
John,
As has been mentioned by others, we use a Garmin RV-760 (similar to the Garmin Dezl units for truckers). The GPS accepts the parameters for the rig (type, height, width, length, weight) and does a pretty good job of steering us around places where we don't fit or are restricted for weight or other reasons. I do, however, subscribe to the "Trust and Verify" approach: I double-check routes on Google Maps prior to leaving and, if traveling in mountainous areas, use the Mountain Atlas (I have the East and West versions in PDF format on the laptop) to look for problem areas along my route. Both ACs, all vents and the TV antenna are still on top of the rig and I haven't had to back out of any place yet (OK... the back gate at Little Rock Air Force Base - but the narrow bollards weren't mentioned anywhere).
Rob
TheNewhalls said
03:18 PM Sep 15, 2017
We have been using rvtripwizard.com for about three years for our trip planning. Works well, but nothing is perfect. There is a cost, but don't remember what it was. Has lots of options and you can input your own information to help you plan your trip. You can save multiple trips. On the road we use the Garmin 760. We also use Allstays as we are traveling for places to stay, refuel and more.
Barbaraok said
03:27 PM Sep 15, 2017
We don't do 'scenic' drives in the motor home when moving from A to B. That's what the car is for during the time we are exploring the area before we move on to the next area.
MAYBE2021 said
12:33 PM Sep 16, 2017
Second Chance wrote:
John,
As has been mentioned by others, we use a Garmin RV-760 (similar to the Garmin Dezl units for truckers). The GPS accepts the parameters for the rig (type, height, width, length, weight) and does a pretty good job of steering us around places where we don't fit or are restricted for weight or other reasons. I do, however, subscribe to the "Trust and Verify" approach: I double-check routes on Google Maps prior to leaving and, if traveling in mountainous areas, use the Mountain Atlas (I have the East and West versions in PDF format on the laptop) to look for problem areas along my route. Both ACs, all vents and the TV antenna are still on top of the rig and I haven't had to back out of any place yet (OK... the back gate at Little Rock Air Force Base - but the narrow bollards weren't mentioned anywhere).
Rob
Rob, I did an Amazon search for Garmin RV 760 and found an RV 760LMT for $680.00. Is that the unit you have. I like the idea of lifetime updates but that sounds really expensive.
-- Edited by tincanman on Thursday 14th of September 2017 02:02:29 PM
That's what my sons would have said to me. Sad that those skills are no longer taught.
Back to the OP's question. You are correct. Allstays is more for finding stuff than navigating to it. However, we use Google maps to recommend our course THEN compare that course to the map in Allstays which has many route restrictions identified. If there is a conflict, we place waypoints in the Google course to force it to reroute us away from the obstacle. No software navigation is perfect so double check with several sources including the state DOT web site for restrictions.
As a back-up, we carry a paper Trucker's Atlas and a magnetic compass. 😉
Thank you both for your input.
I have absolutely no problem getting from point XYZ, TN to ABD, MO in my truck - have compass, sextant, mapping tools and yes paper. However, for those of us towing a 25K, 43' home - misdirections are not that easily reversed. Additionally, I travel solo, so pulling out the ol' paper map/atlas is not an option. Sorry I'm not getting re-married just to have a copilot. :D
Since we have these electronic gizmos and this has been talked about here in posts (as I referenced) I was wanting to get input from the fine folks in this forum.
We also double check our routes with the Truck atlas and mountain route just to double check any concerns.
Emphasis added... Not to put too fine a point on it but.... why isn't it an option? Surely you aren't in that big a hurry to get from A to B that you can't pull over somewhere and confirm a route on a low tech solution if that is all that is available. Slow and steady wins the race (not that it is even a race, but you get the point), plus you get to get out and stretch your legs from time to time and enjoy some scenery on the way to boot.
.
The co-pilot comment.... LOL
-- Edited by BiggarView on Friday 15th of September 2017 09:56:13 AM
"why isn't it an option?" ...it's not like pulling over a car... need to have a LARGE in/out... not a lot of them available on scenic drives. Besides, roads change... printed maps don't...
Thank you!
As has been mentioned by others, we use a Garmin RV-760 (similar to the Garmin Dezl units for truckers). The GPS accepts the parameters for the rig (type, height, width, length, weight) and does a pretty good job of steering us around places where we don't fit or are restricted for weight or other reasons. I do, however, subscribe to the "Trust and Verify" approach: I double-check routes on Google Maps prior to leaving and, if traveling in mountainous areas, use the Mountain Atlas (I have the East and West versions in PDF format on the laptop) to look for problem areas along my route. Both ACs, all vents and the TV antenna are still on top of the rig and I haven't had to back out of any place yet (OK... the back gate at Little Rock Air Force Base - but the narrow bollards weren't mentioned anywhere).
Rob
We have been using rvtripwizard.com for about three years for our trip planning. Works well, but nothing is perfect. There is a cost, but don't remember what it was. Has lots of options and you can input your own information to help you plan your trip. You can save multiple trips. On the road we use the Garmin 760. We also use Allstays as we are traveling for places to stay, refuel and more.
Rob, I did an Amazon search for Garmin RV 760 and found an RV 760LMT for $680.00. Is that the unit you have. I like the idea of lifetime updates but that sounds really expensive.
Steve