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Recreational Vehicle without a GPS can be a massive misdirection waiting to happen. While many people choose to live in a stationary RV, others love to travel around. And for a house on wheels, knowing exactly where you’re going is essential. But of course, now you might be wondering, “Why do I need a separate GPS just for my RV? Aren’t they all the same?”
We’ll get to that in a bit. In the meantime, take a look at these five best RV GPS devices, extrapolated from over a hundred tested products.
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The 5 Best RV GPS Devices Reviews In 2023 Reviews
The Garmin GPS has been specially designed for RV users and travelers in general. This device has a wide 7-inch display and voice activation. The main screen is touch-activated and has a resolution of 800×480 pixels, which usually falls under the category of near-HD.
The color display is WVGA, which isn’t as advanced as smartphones but pretty impressive for regular devices.
Coming on to the accessibility, the Garmin RV GPS has special safety warnings for narrow roads, grounding risks, sharp turns, and steep slopes.
RVs aren’t like regular cars and require special skills to maneuver. It has been optimized for RV users. It also provides regular real-time updates on RV repair and body shops, performance parts, and even stops for travelers. So you’re not just looking at a flat map with roads and land.
But there’s’ more! Although we don’t recommend driving RVs on very narrow roads, you can customize the GPS, so it only suggests roads of your preferred dimensions.
So if you want to avoid single narrow roads, then just set your preferences on the device and the map will only direct you to your chosen roads! It reduces risks and allows you to always use the roads that you feel comfortable with.
(3.9 / 5)- 7-inch widescreen display with 800×480 resolution.
- Touchscreen control and voice activation enabled.
- Cautionary signs and alerts for narrow roads, sharp turns, wind direction, trees, borders, and steep slopes.
- Can be customized only to suggest certain specified roads of preferred dimensions.
- It is lightweight and weighs only 12.5 ounces.
- 4 inches high; takes up less space.
- Maybe misleading or inaccurate.
- May not identify some smaller or lesser known towns and villages
2 The Garmin RV GPS with Back-Up Camera
This Garmin RV GPS is not much different from the first one we mentioned, except it also features compatibility with a backup camera which can be used to spot vehicles over long distances.
The Garmin is a great product for the frequent traveler who wants the safest and most efficient ride. The screen is an HD 7 inch display with high resolution and touchscreen.
The Lifetime MAPS feature shows every real-time update of the roads and services around you. Your local RV and truck repair shop closed down? The GPS will be updated with that.
Want to know if that new road is finally done? Trust your GPS. The Garmin also keeps a lookout for hard to reach places and low bridges. And that’s not all. This model also uses a voice interface which uses real landmarks, road signs, buildings, and shops to guide to your destination, rather than using street names which half of us don’t even know.
A backup camera is also included in the shipping. For some people, the camera will do most of the sightseeing and navigation.
For others, it can keep a lookout for oncoming traffic, signals, road signs, and pedestrians over 45 feet away. You might require an extension cord if your vehicle is 45 feet or longer.
(3.9 / 5)- It keeps updated with new roads, closed down shops and businesses, and new landmarks.
- It does not direct you to RV-unfriendly places like low bridges and narrow roads.
- 7 inch higher resolution WVGA touchscreen display.
- Voice interface only uses landmarks and structures for navigation instead of unknown road names.
- Features a backup camera for keeping an eye on the road further ahead or behind.
- It is incredibly lightweight and portable.
- Color quality may be slightly unsatisfactory.
- Poor backup camera quality.
It seems that people from all around the world seem to love Garmin for RV GPS systems. This new model features a 6 inch higher resolution display, which at first seems to be a downgrade from the 7-inch ones. But this model has the great color intensity and quality and keeps the user delightfully in the right direction.
This one also has lesser errors and malfunctions. Like all the previous models, this too features custom RV routing. It is the one thing that has stood out among Garmin’s product.
Now you can customize your road preferences, so you’re only on the roads that you feel comfortable driving. Along with wind direction and pressure, the Garmin RV GPS can also detect elevations and inform you exactly when it is risky to climb a steep hill or down-slope.
If that were all, then we wouldn’t be exciting Garmin’s GPS. The truth is it’s never enough with Garmin.
The GPS features warning alerts for narrow roads, low bridges, steep climbs, and downhill slopes, and keeps a record of all the available RV parks, repair shops, body shops, food and drink stops, restaurants, and even state borders. It’s not just a map; it’s a traveler’s guide.
(3.5 / 5)- Can be customized to only prefer specified roads of various lengths, widths, and bridge heights.
- It does not malfunction or misdirects.
- Intense and aggressive color quality.
- It issues warnings for narrow roads, sharp turns, and slopes.
- Guides to local repair shops, petrol pumps, restaurants, and RV parks.
- 6-inch widescreen and high-resolution touch display.
- Can easily be installed in a regular sized.
- May not get regularly updated with new locations and shops.
4 Garmin RV GPS 770 NA LMT-S
This GPS uses an easy-to-read high-resolution 6.95-inch touchscreen to help you navigate easily. The color intensity and contrast are just right to make the screen as intelligible as possible.
Apart from the usual stuff, this GPS also has a hands-free feature which is great for Bluetooth calling and voice navigation.
What’s more is that the Garmin RV GPS has custom RV routing, allowing you to adjust your preferences based on vehicle size, weight, and driving experience. If you don’t feel comfortable in narrow roads, even though your RV can fit, then you can customize the GPS to avoid those roads.
Don’t like low bridges? Then you don’t have to encounter them. This version also features a smart app, designed to give you regular updates on weather, traffic density, wind pressure, and news alerts.
And if you think that’s all, then think again. The GPS device also has a Wifi connection and can be used to get live updates on new locations and software kernels.
There’s a mini travel guide who will give suggestions for nearby sceneries and landmarks, making the journey more interesting and inspiring.
(3.6 / 5)- Features voice activation and navigation.
- Can be customized only to suggest roads on which you feel comfortable.
- It doesn’t lag or glitches.
- High-resolution 95-inch screen with the touch-activated display.
- Can be connected to the Wifi or an app for instant weather updates and locations.
- Suggests new locations and sights for those who like to have adventures.
- Does not allow you to select the types of sights you want suggestions for manually.
- Height estimations may be inaccurate in rare cases.
Aside from the Garmins, the TomTom GPS makes its way to the final spot in our list. Don’t get us wrong here. We didn’t include this just because we were tired of Garmins and wanted something new.
The TomTom GPS has earned this spot and has proven to be better than the other Garmin products.
It has a neat and artistic 6-inch widescreen display, fully equipped with touchscreen facility and voice navigation. The screen is great at rendering color and contrast and has the perfect brightness to reduce glare from sunlight.
The Lifetime Maps Updates keep you informed about new locations, roads, bridges, shops, restaurants, and spots, or old ones that are not there anymore.
We love how this product is not specialized for just the US but also fairs well in Canada as well as Mexico.
Although being an artificial intelligence, the TomTom can’t give exact measurements; the accuracy is as good as 90%. The truth is, even we don’t know the extent of the TomTom.
It uses IQ routing to highlight the correct route that you want to use. It even has info about the speed limits of the road you’re on, to keep you as safe as possible.
(3.7 / 5)- 6-inch HD widescreen display with touchscreen.
- Voice navigation and activation included.
- Lifetime Maps updates keep you informed about the current state of roads and shops.
- Can estimate wind pressure, elevation, distance, speed, and the speed limit.
- Always highlights your chosen route on the map.
- Only suggested the best and fastest routes for added safety and convenience.
- Weighs 9.4 ounces; easy to mount and handle.
- Only 4.2 inches high; does not take up space.
- Easy to install, setup, login, and navigate.
- May malfunction, glitch, or overheat after long periods of time.
- The latest updates might weaken or degrade the software firm.
Why Do You Need An RV GPS?
Now we come down to the real question. Why do you even need an RV GPS? Surely, all GPS systems are the same, and it makes no difference either way, right? Wrong! While it may seem that GPS systems for any vehicle will work for your RV, you may be forgetting that your RV isn’t just “any vehicle.” There are a few reasons why buying an RV-optimized GPS will prove to be better than a regular one.
Firstly, RVs have different dimensions than cars. They are bigger, heavier, and take up more space. Given that, they cannot maneuver easily on narrow roads. Constipated paths can render the RV helpless, and if you get stuck in a congested place, then it’s almost impossible for you to move around. And if you’re sitting inside the RV, then the driver’s side door is bound to get jammed. Similarly, RVs aren’t the perfect candidates for low bridges.
They are higher than cars, and low bridges can tend to damage them or get them completely stuck. RV GPS’s help you overcome this problem by avoiding very narrow roads, low bridges, and sharp curves. In general, anything that a car can make through but an RV cant.
Secondly, not all drivers are made equal. Some don’t feel comfortable with certain types of roads, even if their RV can take it. If you’re a traveler who likes to be on wide roads to avoid getting stuck or if you like to stay on the main roads instead of narrow winding alleys, then RV GPS devices were made just for you. Most GPS systems can be customized to only suggest and direct you on certain types of roads that you have chosen.
Buying Guide For Best RV GPS Devices
So now you know why RV GPS’s are important. But do you know how to buy one and which ones will be best? Most likely not! You see, while most RV GPS’s have the same approximate functions and options, they can be very different. Here are a few tips on how to buy RV GPS’s:
The Screen Size and Resolution
The size and resolution of the screen can make a huge difference. Mostly, users will prefer a screen size of around 6 or 7 inches. It is the optimal size which provides the best visibility while also taking up lesser space. A screen which is too small will be harder to see and read. A screen which is too big will take up more space and eventually distract you.
The resolution is optimal at 480p (800 x 480 pixels). It is best because it provides clarity and visibility but also keeps thing simple. There are only a few GPS systems which use 720p screens, and these are usually more and more expensive. Besides, you don’t need too much resolution. You need to see the roads.
Apart from that, color quality and contrast/brightness should be considered too. Make sure that the colors are visible and robust. Colors help identify buildings, locations and are mostly used to highlight the correct route. Contrast and brightness help in visibility and in reducing glare.
Custom RV Routing
Custom RV routing is a great innovation using which you can handpick the type of routes you want to drive on. It lets you choose your desired length, width, and smoothness of road, as well as traffic, weather and wind pressure. You can also avoid low bridges based on the height of your vehicle.
We recommend investing in an RV GPS which can support this. Most GPS’s have this feature, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find it.
Map Accuracy
Over the course of years, numerous companies have come out of the dark to create accurate and to-the-point maps. However, now and then we find some products which have erroneous maps.
Some may not identify whole towns and villages. Others might miscalculate the distance and speed. Many devices even misguide you and lead you to roads you don’t want to be on. A good GPS has accurate maps. Try running your selected GPS for a test drive (bring a paper map along in case it gets you lost).
Weather, Pressure, and Other Statistics
A GPS doesn’t just show the way; it shows the best way. It’s supposed to show you the exact or approximate temperature, humidity, pressure, speed limit, road smoothness, elevation, and bridge height.
It helps you in making the right decision. Is the pressure too high to makes harp turns? Is this bridge too low for my RV? Does the road have a very steep and dangerous elevation? A good GPS will inform you about all of that. But of course, that requires you to know how to use this info.
Durability
There is no point in buying a product which will only last a few years. We recommend buying a new GPS after every year or so. There is usually a limit to how quickly and accurately the maps can get updated.
RVs are also prone to vigorous shaking and intense temperature rises. The body of the GPS should be strong enough to withstand such extreme conditions. If it is made of plastic, then it is most likely to melt. Buy one made from metal or any other reinforced material.
Software Updates
Every app and device needs regular software firm updates, even RV GPS devices. The best type of GPS gets updated constantly on the best-operating systems. Every GPS has its operating system, so you can’t be too careful on what type if the best. Make sure that the GPS you buy has multiple software updates from time to time.
Wrap up
We have surely seen the ultimate best when it comes to RV GPS devices. We’ve got four amazing products from Garmin and another neat little addition from TomTom. Out of these 5, we don’t have a personal favorite. Choose whichever one suits you, and check with our buying guide to see if it fits our suggestion.
Enjoy the sights while they last!
