Katericker Posted June 24, 2021 Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 Can anyone recommend a travel app that avoids tunnels ( because of propane restrictions) and low clearances? Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted June 24, 2021 Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 RV Trip Wizard. You set your height, weight and length and have the option to navigate with tunnel avoidance. Most tunnels in the western US do not have restrictions on RV size propane tanks. For example, the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 allows RV passage but not a tanker truck. Bridge clearance can change if there has been road resurfacing. There is a railroad underpass on US-87 in Dalhart, TX that makes me nervous so I have found way to bypass it. Like anything in life though, when in doubt, call or check ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katericker Posted June 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 34 minutes ago, Chalkie said: RV Trip Wizard. You set your height, weight and length and have the option to navigate with tunnel avoidance. Most tunnels in the western US do not have restrictions on RV size propane tanks. For example, the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 allows RV passage but not a tanker truck. Bridge clearance can change if there has been road resurfacing. There is a railroad underpass on US-87 in Dalhart, TX that makes me nervous so I have found way to bypass it. Like anything in life though, when in doubt, call or check ahead. Super, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted June 25, 2021 Report Share Posted June 25, 2021 Trucker Path app for cell -phones will only display routes approved for semi-trucks. It has numerous settings available for free, the paid version has much more. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted June 25, 2021 Report Share Posted June 25, 2021 The Good Sam GPS does all of those things. You enter info like height, tolls or no tolls, preference of Interstates or scenic, etc and it tells you. I always use a Motor Carriers Map Book to be sure of heights, always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packnrat Posted June 25, 2021 Report Share Posted June 25, 2021 only the east coast has a problem with rv propane. but as to clearances, most of everything west of the mississippy river you will have no problems. DOT regs says bridges, tunnels must clear 14 feet. the rare one will not. most of those are marked. back roads, old rail bridges, old not improved tunnels, etc. for the west coast, watch out on mt pass roads, as some are way to steep, or twisty to pull a trailer or drive a big class A rv. damage will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 25, 2021 Report Share Posted June 25, 2021 In all our travels full-time with our 40' motorhome and also our 5th wheel we never used any kind of app for that purpose and absolutely never had any issues with tunnels or bridges and we traveled secondary roads all the time. For mountain driving I highly recommend getting the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. It comes in western and eastern editions. It gives an very detailed description of the roads. If a road is described that doesn't mean you shouldn't drive it. We always used it as a 'heads up' of what we can expect and we always referred to it when driving the road again just to refresh our memory. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted June 26, 2021 Report Share Posted June 26, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, 2gypsies said: In all our travels full-time with our 40' motorhome and also our 5th wheel we never used any kind of app for that purpose and absolutely never had any issues with tunnels or bridges and we traveled secondary roads all the time. For mountain driving I highly recommend getting the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. It comes in western and eastern editions. It gives an very detailed description of the roads. If a road is described that doesn't mean you shouldn't drive it. We always used it as a 'heads up' of what we can expect and we always referred to it when driving the road again just to refresh our memory. Simply , X2^ . Except ours is a 36' motor home and never a 5th wheel . Edited June 26, 2021 by Pat & Pete Quote Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted June 26, 2021 Report Share Posted June 26, 2021 38' motorhome, have never worried about tunnels. Have had to turn off propane when using the ferry system in Washington State. But then we use major highways (Interstates and US Highways) to get from A to B, then explore with the toad. For example, we've done most of Highway 1 (Coast Highway) in California, but with the toad, not the Motorhome. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted June 26, 2021 Report Share Posted June 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Pat & Pete said: Except ours is a 36' motor home and never a 5th wheel . On all US highways the clearance height is posted on or next to the tunnel or bridge. We traveled US101 with our 36' motorhome, no problems but we did go inland with US101, leaving the coast for most of what is CA1, since much of it isn't recommended for large RVs. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jul Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 On 6/24/2021 at 9:55 PM, whj469 said: The Good Sam GPS does all of those things. You enter info like height, tolls or no tolls, preference of Interstates or scenic, etc and it tells you. I always use a Motor Carriers Map Book to be sure of heights, always. Does Good Sam offer this as an app on the phone? We just bought an RV and it comes with Good Sam. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 I have the Good Sam GPS with a 7 in screen. You would think that they would have an app to do the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinx & Wayne Posted June 30, 2021 Report Share Posted June 30, 2021 I have been less than happy with the good Sam since it missed a 10'6" in Ohio. I use several apps and sources for route planning. I am a real fussy planner for travel. I hate surprises. And I have discovered that GPS's all have a twisted sense of humor and are not to be trusted. I use them as a tool, but do not tow using one. For clearances I generally rely upon AllStays Camp and RV. It shows many campgrounds, rest areas, clearances, diesel stations, walmarts and other stores, Cracker Barrel, repair shops etc. It is a pretty good source. For tunnels I go online and read the regulations and specifications for a particular tunnel. Grades and mountain road descriptions are found in Mountain Directory. The MD was about $26 for combined East and West when I bought it. I have it downloaded to my phone as well having it available online. Nothing I've found comes close to this resource for mountain driving. Route planning has evolved over time and is pretty complex for me. I find thorough planning makes for less stressful travel. Did I mention that I hate surprises? We are 57 feet, end to end and weigh about 25,000#. I start with a paper atlas - I like Rand McNally. It gives me a feel for how the roads run, general topography and distances. I use that to establish a tentative route. I look at the route for clearances (AllStays) and grades (Mountain Directory). I look at google earth to determine whether there is any major construction on the route and to answer questions about lanes and shoulders. If I have more questions I read the highway description in Wikipedia. Once a route is established I write out a turn by turn description of the day's travel including distances. I use Google Earth's street view to look at the approaches to turns and interchanges, exit ramps and merge lanes, and signage when I write this out. That way I often recognize a turn/exit as I approach it. Jinx and I go over the directions before going and she navigates using them. Yes, it takes time. It works for us. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Quote Jinx and Wayne 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted June 30, 2021 Report Share Posted June 30, 2021 28 minutes ago, Jinx & Wayne said: Yes, it takes time. It works for us. It is interesting to hear of the different ways people approach travel planning and the amount of it each does. Like you, I still have a lot of faith in Rand-McNally. I miss the old paper versions of campground directories too. The electronic media does require less storage space, but to me it has made travel more complicated. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted June 30, 2021 Report Share Posted June 30, 2021 Regarding that low overpass that it missed, I would bet that the Motor Carriers Map Book didn't miss it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 I just downloaded the GS app onto my phone and could not locate any method of inputting my RV height, weight or length. When I had it map to a nearby CG I received a pop-up msg I was leaving GS and using Google maps for routing. So that's that. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) Garmin DEZL truckers GPS. The best and safest method. You can program in your night, weight and any hazards. Your app, if there was one would have to rely on a cellular signal. What if you did not have one? A GPS relies on satellites. It gives you a ton of warnings ahead like speed limit changes,sharp curves, grades, lane assist and construction notifications. Not to mention the thousands and thousands of points of interest including campgrounds. In 6 years it has not gotten me in any trouble. Edited July 1, 2021 by rynosback Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinx & Wayne Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 1 hour ago, rynosback said: Garmin DEZL truckers GPS. Hmmm. Six years is a good test. My Ford's GPS (we've named her Bong-Bong) has a wicked sense of humor that will take you through a mile of residential streets to save 50' of travel. I will read some more on the Garmin. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Quote Jinx and Wayne 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven@146 Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 We use RV Trip Wizard for planning routes, fuel stops and campgrounds. If a specific fuel stop is not listed (like Bucee's) you can add it by entering the address, same with campgrounds not listed, then a Garmin RV660. Both of these pretty much select the same routes. There is the capability to download the RVTW routing to the Garmin but I have never got it to work. As a backup a Rand McNally RV road atlas. Used them for the last 3 years, so far so good but then again we have not been way out in the sticks with nothing around for miles.. We do not use the truck gps or Iphone Maps unless unhitched and sight seeing. Quote Steve & Tami Cass, Fulltime Since 2020, Membership -Escapee's, FMCA, Good Sam, Harvest Hosts 2018 Ram 3500 DRW / 2019 Grand Design Solitude 3350RL S-Class. Texas Class A Drivers License Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 22 minutes ago, Steven@146 said: There is the capability to download the RVTW routing to the Garmin but I have never got it to work. You may want to give the Garmin BaseCamp a try as it does pretty much the same but works hand in hand with your RV660. We have a 660 that we have had for quite some time and were recently given a new RV770 so are using it now. The main difference is the screen size. Like you, we still keep and sometimes use our Rand McNally atlas. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven@146 Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 48 minutes ago, Kirk W said: You may want to give the Garmin BaseCamp a try as it does pretty much the same but works hand in hand with your RV660. We have a 660 that we have had for quite some time and were recently given a new RV770 so are using it now. The main difference is the screen size. Like you, we still keep and sometimes use our Rand McNally atlas. Yeah I've got BaseCamp loaded on the laptop, thats what I tried to use, but that was a while back. Haven't tried it recently, I need to hook up the 660 anyway and update it and look at basecame again, I've got a lot of time now to play with it. Quote Steve & Tami Cass, Fulltime Since 2020, Membership -Escapee's, FMCA, Good Sam, Harvest Hosts 2018 Ram 3500 DRW / 2019 Grand Design Solitude 3350RL S-Class. Texas Class A Drivers License Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted July 1, 2021 Report Share Posted July 1, 2021 I think we bought our Garmin DEZL in 2008. It still works fine. Do remember to update maps twice a year, though, because if you skip a year you lose the free upgrades so have to pay for future ones, or so I have heard. We update in April and October and that works fine. Linda Sand Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted July 2, 2021 Report Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) 16 hours ago, Jinx & Wayne said: Hmmm. Six years is a good test. My Ford's GPS (we've named her Bong-Bong) has a wicked sense of humor that will take you through a mile of residential streets to save 50' of travel. I will read some more on the Garmin. Wayne & Jinx 2017 F-350 diesel, dually 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Plus I get free updates to maps and POIs. It’s stupid that the GPS in the big three trucks do not allow you to put in parameters and route you accordingly, as they are capable of pulling heavy loads now. But the updates would be costly over time. Edited July 2, 2021 by rynosback Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowolter Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 (edited) I use Waze when I'm in motion, but CoPilot as a route planner. This app has an RV mode that avoids low clearance areas. You can choose between 12'6" or 13' tall in the appThe one feature I really want and don't have is lane notifications. Waze recently added something, but it pops up too late. Edited September 2, 2021 by cowolter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 2 hours ago, cowolter said: I use Waze when I'm in motion, but CoPilot as a planner. This app has an RV mode that avoids low clearance areas. You can choose between 12'6" or 13' tall in the appThe one feature I really want and don't have is lane notifications. Waze recently added something, but it pops up too late. CoPilot used to have lane notification, but now I it doesn't. I wonder why they stopped it. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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