RVing with your friends or family is a favorite way to travel, but getting lost is frustrating. When you invest in the best RV GPS, then you won’t have to worry about where you are and how you will get to your final destination, as you’ll have all the support you need at all times.
Check out the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for the best RV GPS picks or read on for the full review:
- Garmin RV 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator
- Garmin RV 780 GPS Navigator with Traffic
- Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S RV GPS Navigator
- TomTom GO 620 6-Inch GPS Navigation Device
- Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute
How to Choose the Best RV GPS
I think that one of the main things that you need to consider when shopping for an RV GPS is the size of the screen, as this will play a huge role in how easily you can see your path. A screen that is too small will simply be too difficult to see and will keep you from being able to focus more of your attention on the road, as you will have to keep looking back at the screen for verification.
Additionally, consider if your GPS will respond to your speech, which will allow you to keep both of your hands on the wheel. Not every GPS offers this feature, but it’s a wonderful way to ensure that you are as safe as possible while on the road.
Most GPSs that are designed specifically for RVs allow you to enter the specs of your RV. By entering the weight, length, height, and width, you can make sure that the GPS doesn’t try to direct you down certain roads that you can’t easily travel. This will ensure that you are as safe as possible and only driving on roads you can handle.
Finally, look for a GPS that will give you warnings of poor road conditions. This will allow you to prepare for steep inclines and sharp curves. Driving an RV is difficult, and I find that any additional help that I can get is a good thing.
The Advantages of a Great RV GPS
There are a number of benefits that you can enjoy when you invest in a great RV GPS. The first is that you can enjoy reliable navigation when you are in remote or wilderness areas. Since getting off of the beaten path is one of the main reasons that families invest in an RV, it’s important to make sure that you can safely and easily navigate while on the road.
A great GPS will also help you improve your fuel economy, as you can easily find the fastest route to your destination, helping you avoid cities where you will use a lot of fuel while on the road. I love that a great RV GPS makes it easy for use to avoid traffic, which helps us to reach our destination on time and to avoid a lot of delays and stopping and starting.
Attributes to Consider
Not all RV GPS units will automatically update their maps without you having to plug the unit into your computer. I strongly recommend that you look for a GPS that offers free updates on its own so that you always have the correct information when on the road.
Also consider the interface and how easy it will be for you to use. Some companies are known for having interfaces that are really user friendly, while others make it much more difficult to operate and adjust the GPS.
If you have a backup camera on your RV, then you will love the feature that some GPSs offer, which is connection to the backup camera. You won’t ever have to worry about being able to see out of the back or accidentally running into something.
How to Use Your New RV GPS
Using an RV GPS is no different than using a traditional GPS, except it will have a few more features. The first thing that you should do is enter your RV’s specs, if you have chosen a GPS that allows this feature. This will ensure that you get information geared specifically to your RV.
I recommend that you link your GPS to your smartphone, if you have the option. This will allow you to hear any texts that you have and to access SIRI. Being able to do so ensures that you have voice control over your GPS and don’t have to remove your hands from the wheel at any time.
Precautions to Consider
Unfortunately, not all RV GPSs are voice activated, which means that you will have to use your hands to operate it. This can put you in a dangerous position. Additionally, if you choose a GPS that doesn’t have a bright screen, then you may find that you can’t easily see the route, causing you to squint and look away from the road for extended periods of time.
Make sure that you never use the GPS in a busy location if you are not familiar with how it operates. I recommend that you take time to use the GPS in a familiar location so that you can be sure that you understand its features.
Best RV GPS Top Picks
This is a powerful GPS that is designed with RVs in mind, as it allows users to stay safe on the road and also to customize their RV settings. The extra-loud speakers ensure that even if the RV is loud or the user is hard of hearing, they won’t have to worry about whether or not they will miss their turn or be notified of a delay up ahead on the road.
Pros
- Large 7” touchscreen is easy to see and to use
- Contains cautions about steep hills, sharp curves, and narrow roads
- Offers voice-activated navigation for safety on the road
- Provides special RV routing based on your own vehicle’s height, weight, length, and width
Cons
- More expensive than other options on the market
- Tends to constantly recalculate and take drivers off of main roads
RVers love knowing what is ahead of them on the road, and this GPS excels at giving a heads up to sharp curves, grades, and even weight limits. It’s perfect for helping drivers stay as safe as possible and also makes it easy to find a nearby campground that perfectly meets the needs of the RVers.
Pros
- Custom routing ensures that an individual RV is safe on a road
- Pairs with compatible smartphones for hands-free calling
- Can be paired with Garmin Drive app for live traffic forecasts
- Easily helps users find the best and closest campground
Cons
- BaseCamp settings don’t include options for a propane tank
- Not easy to remove from the RV once installed
This bundle ensures that RVers have everything that they need to hit the road and stay safe on their trip. The large screen is really easy to use and is incredibly bright, which means that the map will remain clearly visible even when exposed to bright sunlight. Additionally, this GPS has large print to showcase clear directions.
Pros
- Portable dashboard mount makes it easy to remove the GPS
- Voice activated for hands-free use on the road
- Easy to use the campground search to find a nearby place to stop
- Can customize RV routing based on RV specs
Cons
- Often takes RVers off of main roads, adding to the length and cost of the trip
- Voice recognition has trouble with recognizing addresses
This fast GPS is easy to turn on and to use, allowing RVers to hit the road without delay. Because it relies on real-time updates from other drivers, this GPS provides up-to-date information about delays and traffic problems, ensuring that drivers can make informed decisions to keep them moving at a nice pace. Additionally, it’s compatible with both Google Now and Siri for a fully integrated experience.
Pros
- Can link to a smartphone and read messages out loud
- New maps are released seasonally to ensure updated information
- Offers incredibly accurate traffic information
- Updates via built-in WIFI for fast and automatic updates
Cons
- Smaller 6” screen can be tricky for some people to see
- Interface is a little awkward and can be difficult to control
Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute
One of the best features of this RV GPS is that it offers free lifetime map updates, which means that RVers never have to worry about whether or not they will have updated information on the road. The large screen is easy to see and the HOS alerts and warnings ensure that RVers are always aware of any problems that they may encounter when on the road.
Pros
- Large 7” HD display is bright and vibrant
- Offers customizable warnings for the best possible trip
- Electronic driver logs make it easy to keep track of mileage during trips
- Advanced lane assist and lane guidance to stay safe on the road
Cons
- Will sometimes refuse to power on
- Doesn’t offer the best RV specific routing
For more RV guides and tips read these articles
- Best RV Observation Camera
- Best RV Water Pump
- Best RV Water Pressure Regulator
- Best RV Portable Waste Tank
- Best RV Water Filter
Even though it is more expensive than other options on this list, I think that the Garmin RV 760LMT is the best GPS for RVers. It’s designed to be easy to see and allows you to enter your RV specs for personalized routes and information. Additionally, it offers advisories and cautions in ample time for drivers to prepare. Thanks to the free updated maps, list of nationwide repair facilities, and hands-free operation, it’s a great choice for any RVer. I really like that it can connect to your Garmin BC 20 backup camera so that you have peace of mind when maneuvering your RV.
- Garmin RV 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator
- Garmin RV 780 GPS Navigator with Traffic
- Garmin RV 770 NA LMT-S RV GPS Navigator
- TomTom GO 620 6-Inch GPS Navigation Device
- Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute
Fred is the Ready Zeal owner and editor. He has been passionately pursuing all things emergency preparation since working alongside his grandfather as a boy growing up in the Midwest. When not working on the family homestead he can be found brewing coffee and reading a good book or backpacking in the wilderness. Contact Fred at [email protected]