RVing offers an unparalleled sense of freedom, adventure, and the opportunity to explore the great outdoors at your own pace. However, a successful RV trip requires careful planning, reliable navigation, and access to useful resources. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to essential RV apps and websites that can make your RV trip planning, navigation, and overall experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Use RV Apps and Websites?
There are several reasons why RV apps and websites can be invaluable resources for your RV trip:
- Trip planning: Plan your route, research campgrounds, find attractions, and more with specialized RV planning tools.
- Navigation: Get real-time navigation updates and avoid low clearances, steep grades, and other obstacles with RV-specific GPS apps.
- Campground reviews and booking: Discover highly-rated campgrounds, read reviews from fellow RVers, and make reservations with ease.
- Roadside assistance: Access emergency services and find nearby repair shops in case of a breakdown or other unexpected issues.
- Weather updates and alerts: Stay informed about the weather and receive alerts for severe conditions to help you make informed travel decisions.
With these benefits in mind, let’s delve into the essential RV apps and websites that can simplify your RV travel experience.
Essential RV Apps and Websites for a Successful Trip
1. Trip Planning and Itinerary
Proper planning is a crucial aspect of any RV trip. These apps and websites can help you create a detailed itinerary, find campgrounds, and discover attractions along your route:
- Roadtrippers (App & Website): Plan your route, discover attractions, and find campgrounds with this comprehensive trip planning app. The website provides a user-friendly interface for planning, while the app synchronizes your plans for easy access on the go.
- RV Trip Wizard (Website): A subscription-based service, RV Trip Wizard offers detailed trip planning tools, including route planning, campground research, and budget tracking. The website also integrates with the RV LIFE app for seamless navigation.
- Harvest Hosts (App & Website): A membership program that grants access to unique overnight stays at wineries, farms, and other scenic locations, Harvest Hosts provides a directory of participating venues where RVers can stay for free in exchange for supporting local businesses.
2. Navigation and Road Safety
Navigating in an RV requires special consideration for size and weight restrictions, low clearances, and other potential obstacles. These apps and websites can help you navigate safely and efficiently:
- RV LIFE – RV GPS & Campgrounds (App): This RV-specific GPS app offers turn-by-turn navigation, taking into account your RV’s size and weight to avoid low clearances and other potential hazards. The app also integrates with RV Trip Wizard for seamless route planning.
- CoPilot GPS (App): Designed specifically for RVs and large vehicles, CoPilot GPS provides offline maps, customizable routes, and warnings for weight limits, low bridges, and other restrictions.
- Mountain Directory (App & Website): Mountain Directory offers detailed information on steep grades, sharp curves, and other challenging road conditions in mountainous areas. The app and website provide descriptions, locations, and maps of these difficult stretches to help RVers prepare for and navigate through them safely.
3. Campground Reviews and Booking
Finding the perfect campground is an essential part of a successful RV trip. These apps and websites can help you research, review, and book campsites:
- Campendium (App & Website): Discover campgrounds, read reviews from fellow RVers, and find essential information like pricing, amenities, and cell service coverage. Campendium covers a wide range of campgrounds, including public lands, national parks, and private facilities.
- Allstays Camp & RV (App & Website): Allstays offers a comprehensive directory of campgrounds, RV parks, and other facilities, including truck stops, rest areas, and Walmart locations that allow overnight parking. The app and website also provide filters for various amenities, such as Wi-Fi, electric hookups, and pet-friendly facilities.
- ReserveAmerica (Website): As one of the largest campground reservation services in North America, ReserveAmerica allows you to search for and book campsites at thousands of federal, state, and private campgrounds across the United States.
4. Roadside Assistance and RV Repair
Unexpected issues can arise while on the road, and having access to reliable assistance is crucial. These apps and websites can help you find emergency services and repair shops:
- Good Sam Roadside Assistance (App & Website): As a leading provider of RV roadside assistance, Good Sam offers 24/7 support for services such as towing, tire changes, and emergency fuel delivery. The app and website provide access to your membership details, as well as a directory of service providers.
- RVillage (App & Website): While RVillage is primarily a social network for RVers, it also serves as a valuable resource for finding assistance. The app and website allow users to ask for help, share experiences, and recommend repair shops or services within the RV community.
5. Weather Updates and Alerts
Staying informed about the weather and receiving alerts for severe conditions is important for RV travel. These apps and websites can help you stay ahead of the weather:
- The Weather Channel (App & Website): One of the most popular weather apps, The Weather Channel provides accurate forecasts, radar images, and severe weather alerts to help you stay informed and plan your travel accordingly.
- Weather Underground (App & Website): With hyper-local weather information and customizable alerts, Weather Underground is a valuable resource for RVers who need up-to-date, accurate forecasts.
- MyRadar Weather Radar (App): This app offers real-time, high-definition radar images, as well as customizable weather notifications, to help you stay informed about changing weather conditions while on the road.
Wrapping Up
With these essential RV apps and websites at your fingertips, trip planning, navigation, and staying informed during your RV adventure becomes a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or embarking on your first trip, these resources can help ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable experience.
To recap, the essential RV apps and websites we covered are:
- Trip Planning and Itinerary:
- Roadtrippers
- RV Trip Wizard
- Harvest Hosts
- Navigation and Road Safety:
- RV LIFE – RV GPS & Campgrounds
- CoPilot GPS
- Mountain Directory
- Campground Reviews and Booking:
- Campendium
- Allstays Camp & RV
- ReserveAmerica
- Roadside Assistance and RV Repair:
- Good Sam Roadside Assistance
- RVillage
- Weather Updates and Alerts:
- The Weather Channel
- Weather Underground
- MyRadar Weather Radar
By incorporating these resources into your RV travel toolkit, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any challenges that come your way and enjoy the journey to its fullest.
