Garmin RV 780 (Discontinued) – What to Buy Instead
The Garmin RV 780 was our go-to GPS unit for years, but it has officially been discontinued. If you’re looking for a reliable, RV-specific navigation system in 2025, Garmin has newer, faster, and more capable models available.
This post contains affiliate links. As a participant in Amazon Associates and various affiliate programs, we are compensated when qualifying purchases are made through our referral links at no additional cost to you. Full Disclosure
Here’s a quick look at the current lineup:
| Model | Screen Size | Key Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin RV 795 | 7″ | Upgraded UI, custom routing, live traffic & weather | View on Amazon |
| Garmin RV 895 | 8″ | Split-screen display, voice assistant | View on Amazon |
| Garmin RV 1095 | 10″ | Premium 10″ display, advanced alerts, huge screen | View on Amazon |
Note: If you’re shopping for the RV 780, you’ll likely find it out of stock. These newer models offer all the same benefits — and more — for a safer and more enjoyable RV experience.
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.”
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 every RVer needs a dedicated GPS like the Garmin RV series.
Key Features of the Garmin RV 780
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 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.
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
The Garmin RV 780 came pre-loaded with a massive RV directory, including KOA, Ultimate Public Campgrounds, PlanRV, iOverlander, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare.
You can also search for specific places like Costco gas or dump stations.
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
The 6.95″ touchscreen was easy to use, even with sunlight glare. It showed:
- Your current speed
- The speed limit
- Turn-by-turn voice directions
- Lane change guidance
- Road alerts (school zones, curves, steep grades)
When It Missed the Mark
Garmin isn’t perfect — no GPS is. A few hiccups to note:
- Manual map updates: While the Garmin RV 780 supported Wi-Fi updates, you had to remember to do them every couple of months.
- RV access unknown: Sometimes, it couldn’t confirm RV access to a location, which led us to sketchy reroutes.
- Dead-end experience: At Fort Sill, it took us to a road that crosses a dam to get to the campsite. There was a closed gate there, but even if it were open, we couldn’t have made the turn to cross the dam in our 38-foot motorhome with a Jeep toad.
Still better than what we’ve found with Google Maps in our motorhome.
As Garmin says, always defer to posted road signs and your judgment.
What Was Included in the Box?
- Garmin RV 780 GPS Unit
- Suction cup mount
- Traffic receiver/power cable
- USB cable
- Quick-start guide
How It Compares to Other Garmin Models
| Model | Screen Size | Dash Cam | Notable Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV 780 (Discontinued) | 6.95″ | ❌ | Custom routing, voice assist | 💲 |
| RV 795 | 7″ | ✅ | Dash cam, lane departure warnings | 💲💲 |
| RV 895 | 8″ | ❌ | Split-screen view, advanced routing | 💲💲💲 |
| RV 1095 | 10″ | ❌ | Premium 10″ display, sleek design | 💲💲💲💲 |
Looking for dash cam capability? Go with the RV 785. Want the biggest screen available? The RV 1095 is your best bet.
🚐 Ready to Upgrade Your RV GPS?
Don’t risk taking a wrong turn with outdated tech. The Garmin RV 795 is packed with RV-specific features, live traffic updates, and a bright, easy-to-read display.
Check Price on AmazonOur Take
We can’t imagine going back to relying on our phones in the RV. The Garmin RV 780 made our travels smoother, less stressful, and way safer. It’s no longer the latest model, but it paved the way for the excellent RV GPS options Garmin offers today.
If you’re in the market for an RV GPS, we highly recommend:
What About You?
Do you use a GPS made for RVs, or are you still relying on your phone? Ever had a GPS fail you at the worst possible moment?
Drop your stories or questions in the comments below. We’d love to hear how you navigate the road.
If you’re looking to build your own home-based business like we have with this webpage, check out Wealthy Affiliate.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that you can build your whole affiliate marketing business on. It combines training, software, and website hosting into one. This makes the whole process of starting an online business from scratch much easier, especially if you’re new to building a website.
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.