BAC Forum

General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lawrence Tarnoff on November 08, 2015, 06:37:34 PM

Title: Trip planning software
Post by: Lawrence Tarnoff on November 08, 2015, 06:37:34 PM
Lots of apps for planning trips out there.  What do you folks use?
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on November 08, 2015, 07:45:28 PM
I take a somewhat "old-fashioned" approach; Google maps, Garmin GPS, and a Rand McNally atlas.
Steve
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Dick Simonis on November 08, 2015, 08:40:32 PM
I have tried several but the best (for me) is the old Microsoft Trip and Street.  I can plan our entire 5 month, many stop trip very easily.  Than I archieve each trip so I can go back and look at where we went, how long we stayed, and etc.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Lee Welbanks on November 08, 2015, 11:47:45 PM
I use the same method as Steve, figure out where and when we want to end up, then just go day by day or a week at a time. We don't like to get too locked down on where we are going. Next spring we will head east down through Tx, Tenn, up to Ohio and on up to upper Ny. Who knows on the way back.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Jerry Emert on November 09, 2015, 12:20:13 AM
Good Sam trip planner is easy to use but still need some old fashioned maps to assist.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: BJ Sprague on November 09, 2015, 03:23:46 AM
Bill and I have used Microsoft Streets and Trips for many years.  It's been great for trip planning.  I especially like the customizable options for routes under the route planning section of the software.  Unfortunately, Microsoft is no longer selling current versions of this software - instead encouraging users to try Bing maps, which is not of the same caliber as Streets and Trips.  If anyone has used software that has applications beyond the map programs and which is compatible with Windows 10, it would be helpful to post on the BAC Forum.  Right now my preferred is the 2013 Streets and Trips, even though Microsoft is no longer supporting with updates.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Bill Sprague on November 09, 2015, 03:44:35 PM
Bill and I have used Microsoft Streets and Trips for many years.  It's been great for trip planning.  I especially like the customizable options for routes under the route planning section of the software.  Unfortunately, Microsoft is no longer selling current versions of this software - instead encouraging users to try Bing maps, which is not of the same caliber as Streets and Trips.  If anyone has used software that has applications beyond the map programs and which is compatible with Windows 10, it would be helpful to post on the BAC Forum.  Right now my preferred is the 2013 Streets and Trips, even though Microsoft is no longer supporting with updates.
Me too!   :)
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Frank Towle on November 09, 2015, 04:36:40 PM
Hi All, 

Have worked with Microsoft Streets and Trips, Rand McNally TripMaker and DeLorme Street Atlas USA.  For richness of features, trip planning and real-time routing I settled on DeLorme and have been using that tool for 15+ years, currently on 2015 version.  Laptop on center cabinet, GPS puck near windshield, plugged into PC speakers on dash. 

In the future, will move software to PC brick in overhead cabinet and feed combo TV/Monitor and use voice control when necessary.

Regards,
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Edward Buker on November 09, 2015, 04:37:08 PM
I have windows 10 installed and Street Atlas 2015 Plus from Delorme still seems to work fine. I have no spent a lot of time in Windows 10 working with it but did open up some older saved routes.

Later Ed
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on November 09, 2015, 04:45:11 PM
When GPS technology first became available I purchased a Garmin Street Pilot GPS and the associated Map Source software that supported trip planning on my PC and transfer to the GPS. I would spend hours planning the trips making sure I had every route nailed down. Then Garmin stopped supporting the Street Pilot and associated software. I acquired a Garmin Nuvi with lifetime map updates and added enough memory to cover the US and Canada. Only "downside" at the time was that it would not support the transfer of routes generated on my PC. This current discussion prompted me to do a search for trip planning software and I found that Garmin's Base Camp and associated software apparently will support route development and transfer to the GPS. I almost downloaded it and then realized that I've been getting along fine by using Goggle Maps and the RM Atlas to plan a general overview of the trip and then dividing the trip into day segments on the GPS that take about 10 minutes the night before to load. Saves me the time I used to spend planning, programming and downloading the complete trip. Been working for me for a number of years now. Also gives me a feeling of more flexibility in routes I take.
Steve
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Gerald Farris on November 12, 2015, 12:29:29 PM
Lawrence,
As you can see, there are many options for using GPS programs to plan your trips. So it boils down to what suits your preferences, and for me you can not beat Delorme Street Atlas, especially if you are using map layers with draw files as I do.

Gerald
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: BJ Sprague on November 13, 2015, 05:22:58 PM
Good info, all.  We use Garmin GPS for the GPS routing and cross reference with Google maps.  The "trip planning" is done concurrently using Trip Advisor and Streets and Trips to maximize the "touristing" experience along the route.  We tried the DeLorme a few years ago.  Thanks for the current recommendations.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: LaMonte Monnell on November 14, 2015, 12:35:29 AM
I always use my Garmin and follow up with Google maps and my atlas from Walmart. I hate being lead down non turn around roads!!!!!
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Frank Towle on November 22, 2015, 12:29:08 AM
Funny you should mention non-turnarounds...  Only twice (maybe three times) in 35 years of piloting a coach have we had to deal with that.

1st time: Unhooked, backed and 3pointed it.

2nd time: Left hooked, put wife in toad with engine running, told her to just hold steering wheel straight, backed a long way...

3rd time: sand lot, buried coach drive axle, unhooked, jacked up on planks with leveling jacks (can't do that with current rig - so more careful where I drive), filled holes back in, backed out w/disconnected air leveling valve.  There's more to the story, ha, ha.

Maybe we should start a new category "Most embarrassing RV moments".

Best Turkey day to all,  Frank & Jean
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Harold and Gloria Skipworth on November 22, 2015, 04:57:59 AM
My favorites were Trailer Life "Campground Navigator" and Streets and Trips.  The last issue of Navigator in 2013 and was pretty well stripped of campground info , thanks to Good Sam.  I have a prized copy of Streets and Trips from 2013 and 2011 that are still better than any thing else IMHO.  For my self the online Good Sam is the most difficult planning guide out there but judge for your self.  My Magellan GPS RV'r unit amazes me with the ability to find campgrounds a Tom Tom GPS cannot locate. I usually lay out a trip with Campground Navigator then plug the stops in the Magellan and let it plot the route.
Title: Re: Trip planning software
Post by: Keith Cooper on November 26, 2015, 12:03:21 AM
This kind of depends on how you define trip planning. I look at it this way:

RV Trip planning tools are used to layout the route and stops for a complex multi-stop trip based upon your particular driving parameters  (max /min miles per day, campground preferences, fuel mpg, etc.). RV Trip planning is performed prior to the start of the trip and the resulting trip itinerary is modified on an as needed basis during the trip.

RV Navigation tools provide turn by turn directions to get between two or more points using routes which avoid RV hazards (low bridges, etc.). Navigation tools frequently include onboard and/or downloadable Point Of Interest (POI)  files.  Navigation tools may be used on a daily basis during your travels -

Some navigation tools are capable of performing trip planning functions and some trip planning tools are capable of performing navigation functions.

I think a trip planning tool  should be able to do the following:

1. Create a multi-stop route plan based upon your driving patterns. Route plan should includes a time-line and  be flexible enough to allow for last minute changes.
2. Provide an extensive list of RV parks and campgrounds including BLM sites, City, County, State, CoE, NPS, Moose & Elks clubs.
3. Identify discounts accepted for commercial campgrounds/RV Parks (Passport America, Good Sam, FMCA, Escapee, etc.) along with contact information for reservations
4.Identify truck stops, real time fuel prices, current weather and traffic along the route
5. Produce an itinerary which can be converted to a .csv file for input to a GPS, Google Maps or other applications
6. Identify nearby attractions along the route for day trips.

For us the best trip planning tool has been RV Trip Wizard It has allowed us to quickly lay out extensive trips in a relatively short amount of time. For example here is our Summer 2016 trip RV trip Wizard generated a spreadshett we used for direct input to both Google Maps  ( https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zMWDHzd33f8Q.keVPEKMOcSeQ&usp=sharing ) if you select any of the colored points you will see the level of detail. A seperate file can also be generated for direct input to our RV GPS