Rollin' Large: RV Navigation! 🚌 🛣️
Rev up those engines! Today, we're embarking on an evolved process for navigating the open roads. Get ready for a journey using a little old-school and tech wizardry based on our experience crisscrossing America, where every mile is an adventure waiting to unfold.
Atlas and Garmin, and Co-Pilot
Let's kick off this grand escapade by talking about navigation for the big league. Picture this: Your beast of a home on wheels, effortlessly guided using a Rand McNally Atlas, a Garmin and the Co-Pilot App. It's not just a road trip; it's a synchronized dance on the asphalt! 🚍 These trusty navigation tools ensure you and your rig are on the same page, cruising in perfect harmony.
Navigating behemoths comes with its unique challenges. I use many tools. First, I spend time in my atlas orienting myself with the general trip point to point. Then with its truck-specific routing, Garmin and Co-Pilot consider the particulars of your RV such as height, weight, and length, etc (you set), ensuring it won't lead you down a road too narrow or under a bridge too low, etc..
Why two? Measure twice, cut once. A mixed metaphor but there have been times I’ve forgotten to run data updates and or these two didn’t agree on best route, which will initiate further research and save miles, aggregation, and a few nerves.
Not only do I map the route, but I also choreograph the breaks. We set our travel day limit to about 300 miles per day with breaks. Using the AllStays App and its filters, I add the GPS coordinates to all rest stops (if we don’t need them we pass them) along our route headed in the same direction and also our planned fuel stop.
Google Satellite: A Sky-High Adventure Preview
Days before liftoff, take your Big Rig on a virtual adventure with Google Satellite. 🌍 Spot potential challenges before hitting the road—it's like having a superhero's view of the journey ahead.
Enjoyable Big Rig road-tripping is all about foresight, and Google Satellite provides a front-row seat to your upcoming adventure. Zoom in, zoom out—explore your route from the heavens and witness the twists and turns before you hit the road. It's not just about planning; it's about the excitement of visually navigating the path you are about to conquer.
My preference is to avoid long bouts on two-lane roads with dainty shoulders and this provides an early look. In my opinion, our rig and nerves deserve a spacious red carpet, not a tightrope walk. Choosing the suitable routes isn't just about reaching your destination; it's about planning an enjoyable journey too. So for me, avoiding narrow roads is not just a preference; it's a commitment to a smooth and stress-free road trip. Wide lanes mean breathing room for your Big Rig, ample space to maneuver, and a comfortable journey for everyone aboard.
In this panoramic preview, you can also identify tricky intersections, tight curves, or even potential scenic or rest spots that might have slipped through the cracks. It's not just practical; it's a prelude to the epic tale your journey is about to become.
Real-time Revelry with Apple/Google/Waze Live Maps
As the big day arrives, it's time for a tech fiesta with live maps! 🎉 Checking ahead saves headaches, frustration, time, and money (experience has taught us a lot). Adjustments on the fly are complex, unnerving, and sometimes difficult in an RV, so jumping on potential problems is time well spent.
Real-time information is the key to a smooth ride in the realm of Big Rig RVs. Live maps provide traffic updates and road closures. This isn't just about avoiding traffic jams; it's about planning versus making split-second decisions to keep your colossal convoy on the most efficient path. Whether rerouting around construction zones, traffic jams, or finding another route, live maps ensure you're always in the driver's seat, even when the road throws surprises.
Lessons from a 100+ Mile Reroute
Hold on tight! We once faced a reroute saga of over 100 miles due to a highway closure (fool me once, shame on you). We've had to disconnect the toad and do a U-turns. The worst was on West Bound I-10 then we backtracked up the on-ramp because of a tractor-trailer fire that shut down the highway for more than half a day (fool me twice, shame on me). But hey, every Big Rig story needs a plot twist, right? Learn from the bumps in the road, laugh it off, and keep truckin'!
Now, in the world of Big Rigs, a 100+ mile detour is no small or cheap feat. It's a lesson in preparation, a tale of anticipation on the open road, and avoiding the surprise and frustration—after all, who expects a road closure that turns a leisurely drive into a cross-country odyssey?
Strategic RV Navigation for the Big Rig Routes
So, what's the takeaway? Preparation. The ability to navigate physical routes and the twists and turns of the unexpected and reroute. It's the essence of the road trip spirit—embracing the unknown with a grin, a shrug, and a tale to tell.
Steer that beast wisely! Safety and comfort are the VIPs on this road trip—think of it as choosing the VIP lane for your grand adventure.
Navigating in a big rig or towing a trailer is like orchestrating a symphony; the choice of roads is your magnum opus. When you're behind the wheel of a vehicle that commands attention, safety, and comfort, take center stage.
Gear up, fellow road titans! You are set for an epic adventure fueled by Rand McNally, Garmin, Co-Pilot, AllStays live maps, Google Satellite, and a touch of strategic finesse. Let the big wheels roll, and may your journey be as grand as your rig! 🚚✨ Safe travels, highway heroes!
Please share this post and comment with your RV navigation hacks to keeping the wheels on the vibe chill..
P.S. Wondering how we got here? Find all the answers and more in this author's book, "Idled Too Long: A Never Too Late to Re-Engage Health and RVing Adventure."
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