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Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we will get a fee if you buy anything via them.
There is no extra cost to you, and the proceeds assist in the continued operation of this website.
For further information, see the Affiliate Disclaimer.
Why Do You Need a Garmin GPS for Your RV?
You’re not alone if you’re thinking, “Why would I spend that much money on something I can get for free on my phone?” We were also hesitant to make such a large investment when there are so many (free) mobile apps available that appear to do the same thing.
GPS devices seemed to be dinosaurs, belonging in the early 2000s alongside MapQuest.
Nonetheless.
We couldn’t imagine life without the Garmin RV GPS after just a few months of using it in our first motorhome.
Related: How to Update a Garmin GPS
The Benefits of Having a Garmin RV GPS
#1. Routing That Is Tailored To You
Even the tiniest RVs are larger than a typical car.
When calculating your ideal route, an RV GPS will take your huge vehicle size into consideration.
You know how crucial the dimensions of your RV are when it comes to routing if you’ve ever been driving approaching a low bridge and thought to yourself, “I wonder how tall my rig is?” too late.
The profile area of the Garmin RV GPS allows you to enter the width, height, and length of your RV.
We put up one profile for our Class A motorhome and one for our Jeep Wrangler tow vehicle using the RV GPS we utilized.
We chose the RV profile while driving.
The GPS was able to personalize the route as a result of this.
Restrictions such as short overhangs or bridges over roads and highways were included in the mapping.
This ensured that we wouldn’t wind up on a road with poor clearance or a weight limit.
#2. Capability To Work Offline
Unlike Google Maps and other mapping apps on our phones, the GPS does not need internet access to function.
As long as it can link to a satellite, the gadget will operate.
We’ve never had a problem with the Garmin GPS not connecting.
The GPS does not take up important terabytes of data since it is offline.
When you’re searching for a boondocking place on Forest Coverage or BLM territory, where service may be intermittent or nonexistent, this is really handy.
#3. Intuitive Alerts and a Large Display
The Garmin’s huge 7-inch display is easier to see than a mobile phone screen.
If the driving conditions change, yellow bars and audible warnings inform us (sharp curve, steep grade, school zone, speed limit change, etc.).
The turn-by-turn instructions are simple and straightforward.
The RV GPS will also tell you when to change lanes so you can get to a highway division or interchange in a timely manner.
#4. Avoid Tolls at All Costs
Before going on a journey, you may use the RV GPS to sample various routes.
You may decide ahead of time whether or not you wish to avoid tolls, like we did.
The routes will provide an estimated arrival time and total kilometers.
These figures are particular to an RV rather than a vehicle, which is helpful for predicting arrival times.
Traditional mapping software assumes you can always go at least the speed limit, which isn’t always the true with RVs.
#5. Check Out What’s Up Next
Restaurants, gas stations, banks, rest breaks, and RV services are just a few of the places that an RV GPS will show you.
You may use the search option to find anything particular, such as a Costco gas station.
#6. Your RV Road Trips Should Be Planned
BaseCamp, a Garmin trip planning service, is also available.
Users may mark spots on a map, scan the environment in 2-D or 3-D, and share their journey with others using this feature.
We didn’t utilize BaseCamp since we don’t always know where we’ll be going next, but we enjoy the aspects that help us keep safe and connected.
Suggestion: Best Places to Hide a GPS Tracker
Models Of Garmin RV GPS That Are Currently Available
These are the most recent RV GPS models from Garmin as of this writing.
#1. Garmin RV 780 GPS
Don’t be fooled by its “lowest-priced” classification; the 780 boasts a slew of fantastic features.
Features of the Garmin 780 Include:
- 6.95-inch edge-to-edge touch display with high resolution
- Customized routing for your RV’s size and weight
- Warnings on the road
- TripAdvisor® traveler ratings, a directory of RV parks and services, and integrated content from Ultimate Public Campgrounds, KOA®, iOverlanderTM, PlanRVTM TripAdvisor®, Foursquare®, and more
- Built-in WiFi for quick upgrading without a computer, voice control, and hands-free calling (phone integration).
- Preloaded street maps of North America, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
The Garmin 780 Comes With The Following Features:
- GPS Unit RV 780
- Suction cup mount for vehicles
- Vehicle power cable/traffic receiver
- USB cord
- Documentation
#2. Garmin RV 890 GPS
The RV 890 from Garmin is the next step up from the 780.
The pricing is greater (at the time of writing), but it has a bigger edge-to-edge touch display.
Features of the Garmin RV 890 Include:
- 8″ touch screen with high quality
- Plus, you get everything that comes with the 780.
The Garmin 890 Comes With The Following Features:
- GPS Unit RV 890
- Suction cup for vehicles with a motorized magnetic mount
- Mounting system with screws
- AMPS plate with 1′′ ball adapter
- Cable for vehicle electricity
- USB Adapter
- Documentation
#3. Garmin RV 1090 GPS
Features of the Garmin RV 1090 Include:
- 10″ touch screen with high quality
- Plus, you get everything that comes with the 890.
The Garmin 1090 Comes With The Following Features:
- GPS Unit RV 1090
- Suction cup for vehicles with a motorized magnetic mount
- Mounting system with screws
- AMPS plate with 1′′ ball adapter
- Cable for vehicle electricity
- USB Adapter
- Documentation
#4. Overlander by Garmin
In a nutshell, the Overlander is awesome.
The great majority of RVers won’t need such a powerful GPS device; as the name says, it’s designed for four-wheelers who go through rough terrain.
Features of the Garmin Overlander:
- Navigation on and off the road
- North and South American topographic maps
- North and South American spoken instructions with street maps
- Garmin Explore allows you to share your vacation plans.
- RAM ball mount with powered magnet mount
- Built-in storage of 64 GB
- HuntView maps are compatible (sold separately)
- For heat and stress resistance, military standard 810 is used.
- Dust protection rating of IP5X
- Data from iOverlander has been pre-loaded, including public land borders.
- Pitch and roll angles are integrated to help on difficult terrain.
Review of the Garmin RV GPS
The Garmin RV 760LMT was the RV-specific GPS device we had.
It is no longer in production, and the newer Garmin GPS versions mentioned above have taken its place.
To understand more about why we decided the Garmin was the best RV GPS, watch the video.
RV GPS’s Weaknesses
An RV GPS review would be incomplete without a discussion of its flaws.
GPS gadgets aren’t flawless, and we ran across a few issues with ours.
Out-of-date Information Or A Lack Of Rv Access
The most difficult aspect about RV GPS is that it must be manually updated.
Unlike Google Maps or other cloud-based program applications, your RV GPS software has already been downloaded to your device.
It can only be as accurate as the most recent update.
We’ve seen speed limits that are 5 to 10 miles per hour inaccurate, or RV access for a major highway that is listed as unknown.
We learnt not to depend only on GPS and to pay attention to signs.
When RV access is uncertain, the GPS will direct you to a road with known RV access.
This has taken us to a couple off-the-beaten-path and perhaps dangerous ways.
Although this was not the norm, it did occur.
In the sake of providing the “quickest” path, we’ve had programs like Google Maps route us down little rural or gravel roads where a huge RV would not want to go.
“When making driving judgments, always defer to all established traffic signs and road conditions,” according to Garmin’s website.
Summary
In general, the Garmin RV GPS is a fantastic tool and one of the finest RV GPS available.
Consider purchasing a Garmin RV GPS from TechnoRV if you’re in the market for one.
Eric and Tami, fellow RVers, offer customer service and education for the RV items they sell.
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