 |
01-31-2025, 02:02 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: Grass Lake
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #35152
|
tools for route planning?
Hi All,
What do you use for route planning?
https://www.campendium.com/ seems good for determining what is along the route, i.e. rest stops, campgrounds, etc.
But what I was looking for is a tool that will tell you what the road is like. For example, all the typical maps (google maps, apple maps, etc), show I can drive from Ouray, CO to Silverton, CO on route 550. But I know for a fact that is the "million dollar highway" and would not want to pull a 32foot fifth wheel over that pass. Heck, its scary with just the truck.
Is there a tool to use that will say something like, tight turns, steep grades, no turn arounds, on a specific road?
Thank you as always!
Scott
|
|
|
01-31-2025, 06:59 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2024
Location: Out West
Posts: 133
M.O.C. #34383
|
I’m a big fan of RV Trip Wizard, which rebranded to RV LIFE app or https://tripwizard.rvlife.com/app.
I use it for planning and documentation and for finding places to stay, but I don’t think it gives any warnings for the terrain.
__________________
2021 Montana 3120RL. New to us as of May 2024.
|
|
|
01-31-2025, 07:17 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,933
M.O.C. #4831
|
I believe RV Trip Wizard has a display at the bottom of the screen that shows elevation of the route. But no warnings. The trucker atlas which you can find at truck stops, does have warnings associated with routes/roads.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
|
|
|
01-31-2025, 08:29 PM
|
#4
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: Grass Lake
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #35152
|
Thank you for the tips!
|
|
|
01-31-2025, 11:58 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 285
M.O.C. #32230
|
We use the Good Sam Trip Planner. Has worked well for us. $39/year for membership. However, when the subscription ends, we’ll most likely switch to RV Trip Wizard as it has more features. $59/year or $20/month.
|
|
|
02-01-2025, 06:50 AM
|
#6
|
Established Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: La Salle
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #33775
|
RV Life trip planner. We found it has just about everything we need. safe RV routes, low bridge notifications, etc... We have the membership for the app, have been using it along with google maps and Waze as we travel for comparisons and seems to be pretty accurate for everything we've encountered so far. No issues, I've planned 3 long trips through multiple states and it's been really good.
I do like being able to use the trip planner to calculate the rough cost, milage, and fuel of the trip as well.
__________________
David Buckley
2019 Montana 3121RL
2022 Ford F350, KR LB, 7.3
|
|
|
02-04-2025, 03:32 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,764
M.O.C. #5751
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StartingLate
Hi All,
What do you use for route planning?
https://www.campendium.com/ seems good for determining what is along the route, i.e. rest stops, campgrounds, etc.
But what I was looking for is a tool that will tell you what the road is like. For example, all the typical maps (google maps, apple maps, etc), show I can drive from Ouray, CO to Silverton, CO on route 550. But I know for a fact that is the "million dollar highway" and would not want to pull a 32foot fifth wheel over that pass. Heck, its scary with just the truck.
Is there a tool to use that will say something like, tight turns, steep grades, no turn arounds, on a specific road?
Thank you as always!
Scott
|
I assume you have a good GPS...it will give you lots of information in addition to the route.
|
|
|
02-04-2025, 09:04 PM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,112
M.O.C. #5651
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StartingLate
Hi All,
What do you use for route planning?
https://www.campendium.com/ seems good for determining what is along the route, i.e. rest stops, campgrounds, etc.
But what I was looking for is a tool that will tell you what the road is like. For example, all the typical maps (google maps, apple maps, etc), show I can drive from Ouray, CO to Silverton, CO on route 550. But I know for a fact that is the "million dollar highway" and would not want to pull a 32foot fifth wheel over that pass. Heck, its scary with just the truck.
!
Scott
|
I pulled my 37 ft Mountaineer to Silverton and am planning on going again this summer. I don't remember the road being bad, except maybe some stretches that don't have metal rails along the edge.
__________________

Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
|
|
|
02-05-2025, 02:52 PM
|
#9
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 115
M.O.C. #19549
|
Route Planning
I use RV Trip Wizard. Would not leave home without it.
|
|
|
02-05-2025, 03:48 PM
|
#10
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Arlington
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #23884
|
I use Roadtrippers. It has everything including RV safe routes. It also has a cell phone app that will show you full trip and if you use the Roadtripper's nav app it will only keep you on RV safe routes as you travel. Has a good database of stops or enter your own. They are the same company that owns Campendium and their website and app have Campendium built into to them. I tried Road Trip Wizard once and it sent me the wrong way, I tried everything to get it to change but it would not.
__________________
2011 Montana 3580RL 37' Hickory Edition
2012 Ford f-250 King Ranch short bed, 6.7 diesel, SumoSprings, Pullrite slider hitch. Sulastic shackles, 400 amp hour lithium batteries, 500 watts solar, DC to DC charger, 3000 watt full sine wave inverter
|
|
|
02-05-2025, 04:37 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 115
M.O.C. #19549
|
Thanks. So far all is good. I will check out Road Tripper.
|
|
|
02-05-2025, 04:48 PM
|
#12
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,112
M.O.C. #5651
|
My gripe with these apps is they require internet. What if you are somewhere that doesn't have wifi?
I use a 14 year old Trailer Life PC app. Only bad thing is all the rv campgrounds are reviewed 14 years ago! It used to have some sort of deal with RV Life or some such organization and used those campgrounds and reviews. It is also much easier and faster to use. Gives elevation on routes, etc. Pick your destination(s) and tell it how far you want to travel in a day and how far you can go past that limit. It then tells you where the nearest CG is located.
Sigh, I wish it was still around - or something like it. I am not a big fan of internet apps, by the way, in case you can't tell! LOL
__________________

Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
|
|
|
02-05-2025, 05:05 PM
|
#13
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Groveport
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #22689
|
We use RV Trip Wizard and a Garmin RV770 GPS. We input length, height and weight into the Garmin. Hint: fudge your height by an inch or two. if you say 13'4" and there is a bridge at 13'4" it will think you're fine. If they have paved underneath it then it may not be 13'4" any more.
We review the route Garmin plans and double check it if anything looks strange.
__________________
 Wayne and Becky Cassidy
2019 MHC 321MK, 2018 F-350, CC, LB, DRW, 6.7L Power Stroke
One manic dog and one spoiled cat
|
|
|
02-08-2025, 07:10 AM
|
#14
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: Grass Lake
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #35152
|
it is great there. From Durango to Silverton is no problem. From Ouray to Silverton is the "hairy" route. Beautiful, but many places there is no shoulder, the line is gone and it is a thousand foot drop off...
|
|
|
02-08-2025, 08:36 AM
|
#15
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #23094
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StartingLate
it is great there. From Durango to Silverton is no problem. From Ouray to Silverton is the "hairy" route. Beautiful, but many places there is no shoulder, the line is gone and it is a thousand foot drop off...
|
Ive done it several times with different 5ers. No problem what so ever. Being from WV, we are used to narrow curvy mountain roads. The only difference is the drop is bigger there.
The new 790/890/1090 series RV Garmins are excellent in giving road info. Inclines, declines, sharp curves, rail road crossings, tunnels, height restrictions etc... Even propane restrictions.
__________________
2019 Montana HC 310RE
2010 Wildcat 29RLBS
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7
|
|
|
Yesterday, 08:27 AM
|
#16
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,764
M.O.C. #5751
|
Don't forget to update your GPS....if Garmin they are free....I do it once a year. It's surprising how many updates and changes there are.
|
|
|
 |
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|