Which Garmin
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
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Which Garmin
I currently have a Nuvicam that I bought in 2015, but would really like an RV model for proper routing. What I like about Garmin, even though the unit is nearly 10 years old if not older for that model, it still gets updates and new maps, and works with Basecamp for trip planning. I see several models out there for RV, and I don't need a huge screen, nor need to pay high prices. I see the 780 available, but not certain it has trailer settings, it only shows car or motorhome.
Anyone using one of these and can tell me more about it?
Any one of them has to be better than that Rand Mcnally POS I bought and can't use because it wont stay mounted, falls off the cheap mount on every bump and shakes so bad you can't read it.
Anyone using one of these and can tell me more about it?
Any one of them has to be better than that Rand Mcnally POS I bought and can't use because it wont stay mounted, falls off the cheap mount on every bump and shakes so bad you can't read it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
I have an 890 and I love it. Tells me how many miles to gas stations but sometimes there is an occasional gas station that isn't listed in the app.
You can find restaraunts, atms, rest stops (sometimes they are closed). I really don't use it other than when I'm hauling my 5th wheel. It attaches with a suction cup and the screen has a strong magnet to stick to the suction cup. The super duty windshield is massive so I can put it on the passenger side down low and it doesn't really obstruct anything.
I would get it again over any of the free apps I tried on my phone.
You can find restaraunts, atms, rest stops (sometimes they are closed). I really don't use it other than when I'm hauling my 5th wheel. It attaches with a suction cup and the screen has a strong magnet to stick to the suction cup. The super duty windshield is massive so I can put it on the passenger side down low and it doesn't really obstruct anything.
I would get it again over any of the free apps I tried on my phone.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
Have you considered using RV Trip Wizard? It is great for planning trips with all sorts of campground reviews, points of interest, etc. You input the details of your RV and it calculates routes accordingly and the companion app for your phone is actually pretty good as well. I tried it out last season on a few longer trips and I was not disappointed. It actually kept me from buying a new Garmin unit.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
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Have you considered using RV Trip Wizard? It is great for planning trips with all sorts of campground reviews, points of interest, etc. You input the details of your RV and it calculates routes accordingly and the companion app for your phone is actually pretty good as well. I tried it out last season on a few longer trips and I was not disappointed. It actually kept me from buying a new Garmin unit.
Basecamp is pretty useful tool. You zoom in where the camp you are going to is, click on it and set as way point, if there are multiple stops you click on them in order, then let it plan the routes. It works a lot like Google Maps, but uploads to the Garmin instead of the phone.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 987
Likes: 595
From: Middle TN
I currently have a Nuvicam that I bought in 2015, but would really like an RV model for proper routing. What I like about Garmin, even though the unit is nearly 10 years old if not older for that model, it still gets updates and new maps, and works with Basecamp for trip planning. I see several models out there for RV, and I don't need a huge screen, nor need to pay high prices. I see the 780 available, but not certain it has trailer settings, it only shows car or motorhome.
Anyone using one of these and can tell me more about it?
Any one of them has to be better than that Rand Mcnally POS I bought and can't use because it wont stay mounted, falls off the cheap mount on every bump and shakes so bad you can't read it.
Anyone using one of these and can tell me more about it?
Any one of them has to be better than that Rand Mcnally POS I bought and can't use because it wont stay mounted, falls off the cheap mount on every bump and shakes so bad you can't read it.
Anyway, I use it in conjunction with Apple Maps on my Sync 4 display, thinking 2 heads are better than 1. I don’t trust either completely though. FYI, for me the 780 is perfectly sized when arm mounted in the cubby above the Sync 4 display. Big enough to see, but not so big that it blocks the view.
Like you, I like Garmin’s lifetime map updates. Good luck!
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Fleet Mechanic
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What did campers do when they had to read a paper map, of course campers weren't as big back then.... 
I prefer my phone along with whatever travel app you want to use. I'm sure there is probably an app that blows whatever garmin or other GPS out of the water as far as what you can do with it. Assuming your truck has an infotainment screen you can bluetooth your phone to the screen and go from there. It doesn't answer your exact question but may open the door for other options.
I use google maps for our trips and select the highway only option, that way it doesn't route me through places not so fun to navigate with a large camper. I admit we haven't done a whole lot of longer trips but for the few we've taken it's not let me down. It may take a bit longer to get from point A to B but not that much longer and well worth the extra miles and time.
I prefer my phone along with whatever travel app you want to use. I'm sure there is probably an app that blows whatever garmin or other GPS out of the water as far as what you can do with it. Assuming your truck has an infotainment screen you can bluetooth your phone to the screen and go from there. It doesn't answer your exact question but may open the door for other options.
I use google maps for our trips and select the highway only option, that way it doesn't route me through places not so fun to navigate with a large camper. I admit we haven't done a whole lot of longer trips but for the few we've taken it's not let me down. It may take a bit longer to get from point A to B but not that much longer and well worth the extra miles and time.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
I did, but didn't care for doing a trip plan on my phone. I use Basecamp to plan out all the routes, and can upload it right into the Garmin. My Nuvicam is loaded, but does not compensate for the rig. That and the screen is loose on it after so many years and having been replaced. I have had issues using Carplay and maps in the past where I would have to reset everything when stopped for fuel or rest stop break. Would much prefer not to have to unplug anything or fiddle with the SYNC. I also don't need another subscription, which is what is needed to use the app.
Basecamp is pretty useful tool. You zoom in where the camp you are going to is, click on it and set as way point, if there are multiple stops you click on them in order, then let it plan the routes. It works a lot like Google Maps, but uploads to the Garmin instead of the phone.
Basecamp is pretty useful tool. You zoom in where the camp you are going to is, click on it and set as way point, if there are multiple stops you click on them in order, then let it plan the routes. It works a lot like Google Maps, but uploads to the Garmin instead of the phone.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,975
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I have a Garmin RV780 and I can confirm mine allows fifth wheel specific setup. I tried to take a picture but couldn’t get my phone camera to focus! 😡
Anyway, I use it in conjunction with Apple Maps on my Sync 4 display, thinking 2 heads are better than 1. I don’t trust either completely though. FYI, for me the 780 is perfectly sized when arm mounted in the cubby above the Sync 4 display. Big enough to see, but not so big that it blocks the view.
Like you, I like Garmin’s lifetime map updates. Good luck!
Anyway, I use it in conjunction with Apple Maps on my Sync 4 display, thinking 2 heads are better than 1. I don’t trust either completely though. FYI, for me the 780 is perfectly sized when arm mounted in the cubby above the Sync 4 display. Big enough to see, but not so big that it blocks the view.
Like you, I like Garmin’s lifetime map updates. Good luck!
Not to long ago, IL Tollway added an interchange at Route 23 and I-90. My truck has the latest map, and that interchange isn't in it, but my Garmin has it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 987
Likes: 595
From: Middle TN
Thanks for confirming this. It's the model I have been looking at price wise. What would be cool is if RV maps could be added to my existing Nuvicam. It was out several years before I bought mine in 2015 and Garmin is still updating it, just ran an update the other day along with current maps.
Not to long ago, IL Tollway added an interchange at Route 23 and I-90. My truck has the latest map, and that interchange isn't in it, but my Garmin has it.
Not to long ago, IL Tollway added an interchange at Route 23 and I-90. My truck has the latest map, and that interchange isn't in it, but my Garmin has it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 987
Likes: 595
From: Middle TN
Have you considered using RV Trip Wizard? It is great for planning trips with all sorts of campground reviews, points of interest, etc. You input the details of your RV and it calculates routes accordingly and the companion app for your phone is actually pretty good as well. I tried it out last season on a few longer trips and I was not disappointed. It actually kept me from buying a new Garmin unit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 987
Likes: 595
From: Middle TN
