Margaret619 Dreamstime.com
RV-friendly apps can provide details wherever your travels take you.
Words by Jessica Rider
In the digital world, there isn’t a shortage of apps. You can find one that can assist you with just about any pastime, and RVing is no exception. The trick, however, is finding and using one that ideally suits your lifestyle on the road, particularly if you travel mostly on weekends throughout the season.
It’s always important to care about the cost of fuel or where the nearest Wal-Mart is to stock up on essentials in an unfamiliar area. Many are available for those purposes but some other unique apps can provide even more convenience.
My family and I frequently travel on the weekends and plan a few extended trips through the summer. The following apps are ones we most commonly use to help make our time away more enjoyable and easier.
Clint McKoy
Take a stunning image and enhance it on-site with the many photo editing apps that are also popular.
RV Parks & Campgrounds
This has been our go-to RV app since we bought our first RV in 2015. It allows us to visit new places and reserve sites from weekend to weekend in our home state of Missouri.
Rated the number one camping app in 2020, the RV Parks & Campgrounds app allows us to check out new areas by looking up a certain region we want to visit and then find the RV parks that appeal to us. There are commonly many options for every budget - from public parks to choices from Jellystone and KOA. Once we choose a site, the app has a searchable option for RV-friendly gas stations (that can accommodate larger rigs) or other specific services.
All Trails
If you’re into hiking like we are, you most likely already use it. However, if you’re new to enjoying the outdoors, it’s the perfect tool to find new hiking trails in a specific area with its database of more than 200,000 searchable trails available around the world.
For instance, if you’re a trail runner and want to get a few miles in on a weekend trip, you can find a route that is the closest to your campground. It can also inform you about trails for other activities including hiking, mountain biking, etc. You can search routes for all skill levels and even those that are ideal for children or pets. You can even save the trail (or print i) for future reference.
RVillage
One interface of the RVillage app.
Life 360 App
This app may not seem like it could be used for RVing but we use it quite frequently at campgrounds. Designed as an individual tracking app, which is ideal to determine where family members are at all times (and perfect for daily use), it can also apply the great outdoors for added safety and awareness.
For example, my husband likes to hunt and the app allows me to check and monitor his location or he can track my location when I explore new trails on camping trips. Three memberships are available and the Platinum Package has additional features like 24/7 roadside and medical assistance, I.D. theft protection and more.
iHandy Carpenter
If you like us, you don’t bring along an assortment of tools, let alone three different sizes of levels. To our surprise, this app has come in pretty handy for quick reference when preciseness counts like when we level our RV, make minor repairs, or mount appointments or gear. It may not be as accurate as a professional level but it works in a pinch and is practical for the oddest minor jobs. It also has a protractor and ruler.
Membership-Based Apps
It’s always worthwhile to use the apps available for membership-based services and resources like RVillage.com, Harvest Hosts and RV Care. All offer apps for iOS and Android smart devices and are an extension of the website, allowing you to access information, connections and more 24/7, practically anywhere.
For instance, RV Care comprises Canada’s largest network of RV service/support and the app offers more than 180 searchable locations in the U.S. with access to accessories, parts, and service technicians. Harvest Host also has access to countless camping locations across North America and you can always stay in touch with fellow travellers or get travel tips from other RVers with the RVillage app.
For more information and specific benefits visit harvesthosts.com, RVillage.com and www.rvcare.com.
While some of these apps may not be as common as those that are RV-specific, they are handy tools and can make your travels more convenient wherever the road leads you - every weekend, all summer.
Happy Camping!