Our Experience With Garmin RV GPS
We’ve relied on Garmin RV GPS units for years while traveling full-time in our 38-foot motorhome. Our Garmin RV 780 guided us through thousands of miles before Garmin discontinued it. Today, we’d recommend one of Garmin’s current RV GPS models, and here’s how to choose the right one.
A dedicated RV GPS is one of the essential items we carry. You can see everything we travel with in our RV Gear We Use article.
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Quick Verdict
Our Pick: Garmin RV 795
After traveling thousands of miles in our 38-foot Class A motorhome, we believe Garmin makes the best dedicated GPS units for RVers. We relied on the Garmin RV 780 for years before it was discontinued, and if we were buying a new RV GPS today, the Garmin RV 795 offers the best combination of features, performance, and value.
- ✅ Custom RV routing based on your RV’s height, weight, and length
- ✅ Offline maps work even without cell service
- ✅ Alerts for low bridges, weight limits, steep grades, and sharp curves
- ✅ Built-in campground and RV service directories
- ✅ Live traffic and weather when paired with the Garmin Drive app
Best Value: Garmin RV 795
Best Large Screen: Garmin RV 1095
Best For: Class A and Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and anyone who wants safer, RV-specific navigation.
Looking for the Garmin RV 780? The Garmin RV 780 has been discontinued and is no longer sold by most major retailers. While you may still find used or refurbished units, we recommend buying one of Garmin’s current RV GPS models—the Garmin RV 795, RV 895, or RV 1095—for the latest features, map updates, and long-term support.
Looking for more products we’ve personally tested on the road? Browse our complete collection of RV gear reviews.
- Our Experience With Garmin RV GPS
- Garmin RV 795 vs. RV 895 vs. RV 1095
- Why We Ditched Our In-Dash GPS
- Why Not Just Use Google Maps?
- Features We Love About Garmin RV GPS
- Where Garmin Could Improve
- Garmin RV GPS Pros and Cons
- Which Garmin RV GPS Should You Buy?
- Garmin RV GPS FAQs
- Final Thoughts
- More RV Gear We Recommend
Garmin RV 795 vs. RV 895 vs. RV 1095
Not sure which Garmin RV GPS is right for you? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Garmin’s three current RV navigation models.
Garmin’s current RV GPS models share many of the same navigation features, including custom routing based on your RV’s size and weight, offline maps, road warnings, campground directories, and live services when connected to the Garmin Drive app.
The biggest difference is screen size. The Garmin RV 795 has a 7-inch display, the RV 895 increases that to 8 inches, and the RV 1095 offers a massive 10-inch display. For most RVers, we believe the Garmin RV 795 offers the best balance of features, screen size, and price.
| Feature | Garmin RV 795 | Garmin RV 895 | Garmin RV 1095 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 7 inches | 8 inches | 10 inches |
| Best For | Most RVers and the best overall value | RVers who want a larger screen | Maximum visibility and large Class A dashboards |
| Custom RV Routing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Offline Maps | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Road Warnings | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BirdsEye Satellite Imagery | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Campground and RV Directories | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Traffic and Weather | ✅ With Garmin Drive app | ✅ With Garmin Drive app | ✅ With Garmin Drive app |
| Voice Assistant | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built-In Dash Cam | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Relative Price | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Our Rating | Best Overall | Best Mid-Size Display | Best Premium Display |
Our Recommendation
For most RVers, we recommend the Garmin RV 795. Its 7-inch display is large enough to clearly see upcoming turns, lane guidance, and road warnings without taking over the dashboard. It also includes the same essential RV-routing features found on the larger models at a lower price.
Choose the Garmin RV 895 if you want a little more map visibility and prefer an 8-inch display. Choose the Garmin RV 1095 if you drive a large motorhome, have plenty of dashboard space, and want Garmin’s biggest RV GPS screen.
Note: The standard Garmin RV 795 does not include a built-in dash cam. Garmin sells a separate model called the RVcam 795 that combines RV navigation with an integrated dash camera.
Why We Ditched Our In-Dash GPS
Our 2019 Thor Challenger 37YT came with an Axxera AVM111NAV in-dash GPS/radio unit. To put it bluntly — it was junk. It often froze, lagged, or completely failed when we needed it most.
We hit our breaking point in heavy rush hour traffic near Washington, D.C. The GPS froze up 10 minutes from our campground. We had to pull off the highway and reset it, adding unnecessary stress in an already tense situation.
That was the moment we said: “Never again. We’re getting a real RV GPS.”
We also added a TST Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) at the same time. Between the TPMS and our Garmin RV GPS, driving our motorhome has become much less stressful.
Why Not Just Use Google Maps?
If you’re thinking, “Why spend hundreds on a GPS when I can use my phone?” — we get it. We thought the same thing.
But here’s the problem with using a smartphone app like Google Maps in a motorhome or while towing:
- It doesn’t know your vehicle’s size or weight
- It won’t warn you about low clearances or weight-restricted bridges
- It can send you down dead-end roads with no way to turn around
We learned this the hard way when our 38-foot motorhome (plus our 14-foot toad) ended up on a road with a 40-foot length limit. Google Maps didn’t care — it just routed us like we were in a sedan.
That’s why we believe a dedicated Garmin RV GPS is one of the best investments you can make for safer, less stressful RV travel.
We don’t use our Garmin for every part of trip planning. Before travel day, we use RV LIFE Trip Wizard to build our route, research campgrounds, and decide how far we want to travel. Once we’re behind the wheel, our Garmin becomes our primary navigation device.
See how we use RV LIFE Trip Wizard and our Garmin RV GPS together when planning RV trips.
Can You Transfer an RV Trip Wizard Route to Garmin?
Yes. RV LIFE Trip Wizard can export a planned trip as a GPX file. That file can be imported into Garmin BaseCamp and transferred to a compatible Garmin RV GPS.
We don’t personally use this method. We prefer using Trip Wizard for planning and letting our Garmin handle navigation separately, but it’s a useful option if you want to move a Trip Wizard route onto your Garmin.
Keep in mind that Garmin says an imported route may change based on the navigation settings on your GPS, so we would still review the route on the Garmin before traveling.
Features We Love About Garmin RV GPS
While these features are based on our experience using the Garmin RV 780, you’ll find many of the same core capabilities in Garmin’s current RV GPS lineup, including the RV 795, RV 895, and RV 1095.
Custom Routing for Your Rig
You can create profiles for different vehicles. We had three:
- Our motorhome
- Motorhome + toad
- Our Bronco by itself
Each profile includes:
- Height
- Width
- Length
- Weight
- Propane tank info (for tunnel restrictions)
When a profile is active, the GPS calculates routes that help avoid low overpasses, narrow roads, weight-restricted bridges, and roads with hazmat/propane restrictions.
Offline Maps — No Cell Service Needed
Unlike Google Maps, the Garmin doesn’t require data or a cellular signal. It works wherever it can see satellites — which is basically everywhere. This is a huge plus for boondocking, especially on BLM or Forest Service land.
Offline navigation is especially helpful when we’re camping in remote public lands where cell service is unreliable. Our Starlink RV setup keeps us connected once we arrive, but Garmin gets us there.
Live Services with the Garmin Drive App
When paired with the free Garmin Drive app via your phone, you can:
- Get live traffic and weather updates
- Find live fuel prices and parking availability
- Sync your routes and saved locations
Just be aware: this uses your phone’s data plan.
Built-in RV Services & Campgrounds
Garmin RV GPS units include a large directory of RV parks, campgrounds, and points of interest, making it easy to locate places to stay, dump stations, fuel stops, and other RV services while you’re on the road.
You can also search for specific places like Costco gas or dump stations.
We also use Garmin when traveling between our favorite campgrounds and destinations because it helps us avoid roads that aren’t suitable for large RVs.
Smart Route Avoidances
You can tell the Garmin to avoid toll roads, U-turns, ferries, highways, carpool lanes, or unpaved roads. RV-specific routing helps provide accurate ETAs based on your actual driving speeds — not what a car could do.
Easy-to-Read Display
Depending on the model you choose, Garmin RV GPS units are available with 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch displays. We found the screen bright, easy to read in daylight, and simple to navigate while driving.
- Your current speed
- The speed limit
- Turn-by-turn voice directions
- Lane change guidance
- Road alerts (school zones, curves, steep grades)
Garmin’s steep-grade warnings are especially useful in a large motorhome, but knowing how to handle the grade is just as important as knowing it’s coming. Read what we’ve learned about safely traveling steep roads in an RV.
Where Garmin Could Improve
No GPS is perfect, and Garmin is no exception. After traveling thousands of miles in our motorhome, we’ve found a few situations where you still need to rely on common sense and pay attention to posted road signs. We always preview our final approach to unfamiliar campgrounds using satellite imagery whenever possible.
Route Suggestions Aren’t Always Perfect
Most of the time, Garmin’s RV routing does an excellent job of avoiding low bridges, weight restrictions, and unsuitable roads. However, we’ve occasionally been routed onto roads that weren’t ideal for a large motorhome. If a suggested route doesn’t look right, it’s worth taking a moment to review the map before continuing.
Campground Entrances Can Be Tricky
Like any GPS, Garmin doesn’t always know which campground entrance is best for larger RVs. We experienced this at Fort Sill, where the GPS directed us toward a road that crossed a dam. Even if the gate had been open, there wasn’t enough room for our 38-foot motorhome and towed Jeep to safely make the turn. Since then, we’ve made it a habit to check satellite imagery or campground arrival instructions before our final few miles.
As Garmin says, always defer to posted road signs and your judgment.
Keep Your Maps Updated
Garmin regularly releases map updates that can improve routing accuracy and add new roads. It’s a good idea to connect your GPS to Wi-Fi every so often and install any available updates before your next trip.
Always Trust Road Signs First
Even the best RV GPS can’t account for every temporary road closure, construction project, or local restriction. We always treat Garmin as a valuable navigation tool—not a replacement for paying attention to road signs and using good judgment.
Our Experience
Despite these occasional issues, we’d still choose a Garmin RV GPS over relying solely on a smartphone app. The RV-specific routing, offline maps, and warnings for low clearances and other hazards have made traveling in our motorhome significantly less stressful and have helped us avoid situations that Google Maps simply wasn’t designed to handle.
Garmin RV GPS Pros and Cons
After years of using a Garmin RV GPS in our 38-foot Class A motorhome, we’ve found far more advantages than drawbacks. Still, no navigation system is perfect, and it’s important to understand both before deciding whether a dedicated RV GPS is right for you.
✅ Pros
- Custom RV routing based on height, width, length, weight, and propane restrictions
- Helps avoid low clearances, weight-restricted bridges, and unsuitable roads
- Offline maps work without cell service
- Bright, easy-to-read displays in multiple screen sizes
- Built-in campground, fuel stop, dump station, and RV service directories
- Live traffic and weather when connected to the Garmin Drive app
- Multiple vehicle profiles for your RV, RV with a towed vehicle, and everyday car
- More reliable for large-RV navigation than relying on Google Maps alone
❌ Cons
- Costs significantly more than using a free smartphone navigation app
- Route suggestions are not always perfect
- May not recognize the best entrance for every campground or RV park
- Maps need to be updated regularly for the best routing accuracy
- Live traffic and weather require a smartphone connection and mobile data
- Larger models take up more dashboard space
- Cannot account for every temporary closure, construction zone, or local restriction
- Drivers still need to follow posted road signs and use good judgment
Bottom line: The occasional routing issue doesn’t outweigh the benefits for us. A Garmin RV GPS gives us far more confidence than relying solely on a phone, especially when navigating unfamiliar roads in a large motorhome.
Which Garmin RV GPS Should You Buy?
🥇 Garmin RV 795 – Best Overall
The Garmin RV 795 is the model we’d buy today and the one we recommend to most RVers. It includes the same core RV navigation features as Garmin’s larger models while offering the best combination of performance, screen size, and value.
Choose the Garmin RV 795 if you:
- ✅ Want the best overall value
- ✅ Prefer a compact 7-inch display
- ✅ Need reliable RV-specific routing
- ✅ Want our top recommendation
🖥️ Garmin RV 895 – Best 8-Inch Display
The Garmin RV 895 offers a larger 8-inch screen while keeping the same trusted Garmin RV navigation features. It’s a great option if you spend long days behind the wheel and want a little more map visibility without stepping up to the largest model.
Choose the Garmin RV 895 if you:
- ✅ Want a larger display
- ✅ Spend lots of time driving
- ✅ Have room on your dashboard for an 8-inch GPS
- ✅ Prefer larger maps and easier-to-read guidance
🌟 Garmin RV 1095 – Best Premium Choice
If you own a large Class A motorhome and want Garmin’s biggest, easiest-to-read display, the Garmin RV 1095 is the premium choice. Its 10-inch screen provides outstanding visibility for navigation, lane guidance, and road alerts while making route planning effortless.
Choose the Garmin RV 1095 if you:
- ✅ Want Garmin’s largest display
- ✅ Own a large Class A motorhome
- ✅ Prefer maximum map visibility
- ✅ Don’t mind paying more for the premium experience
Our Recommendation
After relying on Garmin RV GPS units for years and traveling thousands of miles throughout the United States, we believe the Garmin RV 795 is the best choice for most RVers. It delivers the same essential RV-specific navigation features as the larger models while offering the best balance of price, screen size, and performance.
Unless you specifically want a larger display, the Garmin RV 795 is the model we’d buy again today.
Garmin RV GPS FAQs
Still have questions about choosing or using a Garmin RV GPS? Here are answers to some of the most common questions RVers ask.
Is a Garmin RV GPS worth the money?
We believe a Garmin RV GPS is worth the investment for anyone who regularly travels in a motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer. Unlike standard navigation apps, Garmin can calculate routes based on your RV’s height, width, length, weight, and propane restrictions. It also works without cell service, which is especially helpful when traveling through remote areas.
Can a Garmin RV GPS avoid low bridges?
Garmin RV GPS units can help route you around known low clearances, weight-restricted bridges, narrow roads, and other restrictions based on the vehicle profile you enter. However, no GPS database is perfect. You should always follow posted road signs and use your own judgment when driving a large RV.
Does a Garmin RV GPS work without internet or cell service?
Yes. Garmin RV GPS units use satellites and downloaded maps for navigation, so they can provide directions even when you don’t have cellular service. A phone connection is only needed for optional live services such as traffic, weather, fuel prices, and parking information through the Garmin Drive app.
Is Garmin better than Google Maps for RV travel?
For navigating a large RV, we prefer Garmin. Google Maps is excellent for finding restaurants, attractions, and businesses, but it does not calculate routes based on your RV’s dimensions or weight. Garmin is better suited for avoiding low bridges, restricted roads, tight turns, and routes that may not be appropriate for a large motorhome or trailer.
Which Garmin RV GPS is best for most RVers?
We believe the Garmin RV 795 is the best choice for most RVers. Its 7-inch display is large enough to clearly see navigation details without taking up too much dashboard space, and it includes the same essential RV-routing features found on Garmin’s larger models.
Which Garmin RV GPS is best for a Class A motorhome?
The Garmin RV 795 works well for most Class A motorhomes. If you prefer a larger display and have plenty of dashboard space, the Garmin RV 895 or RV 1095 may be easier to see from the driver’s seat. The RV 1095 has Garmin’s largest 10-inch screen and is a good option for RVers who want maximum visibility.
What is the difference between the Garmin RV 795, RV 895, and RV 1095?
The main difference is screen size. The Garmin RV 795 has a 7-inch display, the RV 895 has an 8-inch display, and the RV 1095 has a 10-inch display. All three include many of the same core RV navigation features, including custom RV routing, road warnings, campground directories, BirdsEye satellite imagery, and live services when paired with the Garmin Drive app.
Does the Garmin RV 795 have a built-in dash cam?
No. The standard Garmin RV 795 does not include a built-in dash cam. Garmin offers a separate model called the RVcam 795, which combines RV-specific navigation with an integrated dash camera.
Can I use a Garmin RV GPS in my car?
Yes. Garmin allows you to create multiple vehicle profiles. We used separate profiles for our motorhome, our motorhome while towing, and our everyday vehicle. When driving a regular vehicle, select the appropriate profile so the GPS does not apply RV-specific restrictions unnecessarily.
Are Garmin RV GPS map updates free?
Garmin RV GPS models generally include map updates for the maps that came with the device. Updates can be installed over Wi-Fi on supported models or through Garmin Express. It is a good idea to check for updates before a major trip so your GPS has the latest available road and routing information.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right RV GPS isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about traveling with confidence. After years of full-time RVing and thousands of miles on the road, we’ve learned that RV-specific navigation can help you avoid costly mistakes like low bridges, weight-restricted roads, and routes that simply aren’t suitable for large RVs.
While our trusted Garmin RV 780 has been retired, Garmin’s current RV GPS lineup continues to provide the features we’ve come to rely on. Whether you choose the RV 795, RV 895, or RV 1095, you’ll get a navigation system designed specifically for RV travel rather than one built for passenger cars.
For most RVers, we believe the Garmin RV 795 offers the best combination of features, screen size, and value. It’s the model we’d confidently buy again today and the one we recommend to family and friends.
Ready to Upgrade Your RV Navigation?
If you’re ready to make RV travel less stressful and avoid routing surprises, the Garmin RV 795 is our top recommendation.
No matter which Garmin RV GPS you choose, taking the time to enter your RV’s height, weight, length, and other vehicle information before your first trip will help you get the most accurate routing possible. It’s a small investment of time that can make every trip safer and far less stressful.
More RV Gear We Recommend
If you’re outfitting your RV, these guides may also help
Both the Garmin 770 and 780 GPS navigators for trucks, RVs and other large vehicles feature the company’s trademark Active Lane Guidance. Unlike other cheap GPS devices where you have to pay a certain price if you want to get map updates, you only have to pay for the GPS device and with Garmin you have access to unlimited map and traffic updates.
Thank you for your comments, Samantha. Exactly. The Garmin line of Truck/RV GPS units are great and have all the features you’d want to keep you safe and out of trouble while traveling with your larger vehicles. Best Wishes, Rob
Garmin is the world’s leading manufacturer of navigation systems, supplying GPS and mapping systems for the marine, aviation, automotive and fitness industries.
Hello Samantha, Yes, Garmin is the world’s leading manufacturer of navigation systems. Their systems are outstanding and won’t leave you hanging or getting in trouble.
Hi! Slightly off topic, but I wondered if you had replaced your Axxera AVM111NAV unit. If so, what did you replace it with? Mine has gone caput and I’m struggling to find a replacement that isn’t a tiny screen. Thanks!
Hi Maureen, Thank you for your question. We haven’t replaced our Axxera unit. We would like to in the future but it’s not a priority for us right now. Everything works ok on it except for the GPS so far.