RV LIFE - RV GPS & Campgrounds Reviews

by Suntrustbadapp

So many issues it’s hard to describe….sadly since I signed up for the subscription service (annual). I have since canceled it.

While the campground reviews and information is somewhat valuable, just about everything else is close to useless. Let me explain some of the shortcomings. 1. The favorites list only recently shows the correct location. 2. When the application is updated, it requires that “all” the downloaded maps be updated. This would be fine if they updated in the background, but they don’t! RVLIFE is next to useless when the maps are updating. 3. Navigation….voice navigation rarely works, this app maps are very sparse and not trustworthy. 4. Apple CarPlay is a joke, locks up, crashes the phone, again, useless. The list goes on but my finger is tired.

Anyway, you get my drift. For $50 a year, you(I), expect much better. I’m out.

by Z_hayes

I tried using RVLIFE’s GPS functionality several times to disappointing results. One time the directions were to go down a scenic loop road in a large state park, then turn down a 8 mile long dirt road. The better option would have been to go 10 more minutes north to a large highway. A second attempt to use RVLIFE provided no route, despite removing all avoidances. Google Maps easily routed me down a safe route instead. A third attempt routed me down several small state highways and would have added an hour to my trip. All in all I’m disappointed with RVLIFE as I had high hopes it would be my go-to GPS while full-timing around the US. I emailed support asking for a refund and was told I could cancel my subscription through iCloud subscription settings but was not offered a refund.

by Kayakermanmike

I punched in our destination and picked the route that would take us cross country rather than the first one which was all highway. As we headed out it became evident it decided to take us the highway route and had changed it without telling us. The directions it did give were excessively long. Like we began joking “take a left onto NH 16, Portsmouth, Atlantic Ocean. Ferry to Europe, Germany, Russia, China. Turn left turn on signals.” Good lord. Take a queue from a real fps like Garmin. There’s the right level of detail, and then too much. We used this for a total of 30 minutes. Wish I hadn’t paid for it at all. Gave it one more try to get directions home and despite having downloaded offline dat for all of the trip it couldn’t do anything on one bar of service. Every screen locked up and crashed. Pointless.

by JB9321

First I want to let you know that tech support was very good and I really like the web version once tech support was able to get me working on Firefox browser. First I tried my iPhone 12 because that is what I will be using in my vehicle while traveling but it didn’t work right and tech support said people do not use it on their iphone they mostly use it on a computer or iPad. So I tried my MacBook and it wouldn’t work and tech support told me it will not work on Safari browser and I will have to use Firefox. So I tried it on Firefox and it worked great and I built a trip. When I loaded RVLIFE on my iPad I can see my prebuilt trip that I built but I can’t get past the the screen that shows all my stops and the map is not showing the trip layout. I am frustrated that I have to keep going to tech support every time I try to use RVLIFE or website and told it is not compatible. I have worked as the lead on a web development team for AT&T so I can state with knowledge the development team needs to do a lot of rework!

The RV Planner has great potential and could be a very awesome tool and I hope they resolve these major issues.

by App Less

This used to be among my favorite apps, but now is most frustrating. I’ve used RVLIFE extensively on our 7 month RV trip. The changes made in the last two weeks have been quite frustrating. 1) Session expires during the middle of drive to next location while using the RV Safe GPS route. This required me to login again and re-establish the route. Not good while driving a Class A motorhome on unfamiliar roads. 2) RV Life lost connection to my RV trip wizard account while I was signed in. I couldn’t get gps safe route to my next location because it didn’t recognize that I had annual account with RV trip wizard, and wouldn’t show me my planned trips. After pulling over and futzing with RVLIFE for a while, I tried signing out and then signing back in. Memory restored! I’ve been using RVLIFE every 4-5 days for the past 7 months. These are all new issues within the past 2-3 weeks. These along with other nagging issues lead me to believe that something bad is going on with the software team. I’m looking for an alternative, and will swap if I identify one.

by WmGiat

Liked design of app. Was initially impressed with ease of rv configuration; it knew all about my 2021 Imagine. So I set it up for rv driving directions after I signed up for annual subscription. We wanted to leave my storage lot to go to a local campground. Out of the gate the first instruction was to make u turn at the traffic light. Really? A u turn with a 36’ trailer? I found a grocery store to turn around. But later during same trip it told me to make 45 degree r turn. Again really? Do you consider these rv friendly directions? For free maybe but not for $49 annual fee. I’ll give it one more chance but please! Start thinking like you hv an rv instead of just pretending.

by Huntere93

RVLIFE does what it says it does it routes you around things that could harm your rv but when using connected to CarPlay it needs a lot of work the map isn’t centered on the screen to see a heads up of where your going it’s uselessly in the top left corner and if you unplug and replug the phone back into the CarPlay RVLIFE will not load properly just a white screen. you also can not use RVLIFE to check places or readjust the route once it’s providing directions to some place not everyone is using their phone while driving I have my wife check the directions and she can’t even get out of RVLIFE unless we unplug the phone this is all extremely inconvenient when traveling through cities needing fast and accurate directions developers feel free to contact me to fix this

by Justsmilin

I was expecting a comprehensive database of RV friendly fuel stops and RV Parks, but many, many, many of both are missing.

In trying to plan a cross country road trip, I had to switch between multiple apps and web pages to find the locations I needed to complete my journey. At best, RVLIFE is helpful in identifying some out of the way places, but I still haven’t figured out how to plan multiple stops along my route. I can only map out one stop to the next. Maybe it’s user error, or maybe RVLIFE isn’t user friendly.

The traveler comments are helpful. A suggestion: I would like to be able to see all RV parks and fuel stops on a map along a travel path, e.g., on a map from point a to point b, please show all stops within 20?? miles of the travel route. Let a user then click on those locations to “add a stop” (much like google maps).

by Katelyn_S_895

I’ve been using this for several months and the last few weeks I have noticed the gps rerouting me spontaneously and getting kind of stuck taking me in completely the wrong direction, or estimating a trip duration that’s wildly incorrect, forcing me to restart RVLIFE and hope I can download the directions again. I have also noticed that I have had to log in to RV trip wizard basically every day because a stop had vanished, the dates are wrong, or stops are duplicated. It’s becoming hugely frustrating and if it doesn’t resolve I am deleting our accounts.

by DebraGeister

I downloaded RVLIFE and tried it as I liked the concept of a GPS for my RV. Typical GPS does not take into account towing a large trailer when routing. I use Campendium for selecting campgrounds so that function was not as of interest.
The execution of RVLIFE does not match the concept. I work predominantly off my phone as we are full time RVers. RVLIFE is glitchy, hard to use and does not work correctly on my vehicle display. It simply shuts down in the middle of the route. I did not cancel RVLIFE in time before they charged me from the trial. I don’t feel RVLIFE is worth the price until they get the issues resolved.

by NanaJudi

The features of RVLIFE are sorely needed by folks who travel in large RV’s. Combining RV-specific GPS, campground directory and fuel stops all in one app is very beneficial. Having the ability to set motorhome parameters, length, etc, so it filters to only the places that work for you is a great idea. Unfortunately the database they are using is not very complete or accurate or something. For fuel - It does not show me many truck stops that it should. For campgrounds - it does not show me many that it should. So I still have to use other apps, such as Campendium, to find what I’m looking for. For $50/yr I expect much better. Will not be renewing unless improvements are made

by Somedaveg

I want to love RVLIFE so much, but bugs are getting in the way. The good news is that it’s well designed and has tons of great features that work well (when they work). Another big positive is that there seems to be way more ratings, reviews, and pictures in RVLIFE than similar ones, which is really helpful when planning. The bad news is that it’s riddled with bugs. The map will stop updating. Buttons will freeze. Stuff like downloading offline data (a paid feature) barely works (it sometimes won’t download at all, other times it’ll start but not finish, etc.) The RV GPS is another nice paid feature, but it’s buggy too - one time the route it generated made absolutely no sense, another time it stopped updating time remaining and distance to next turn while driving, etc.

This would easily be a 5-star app but the numerous bugs, especially with a not-cheap yearly subscription, really add up.

by Rijoro

RVLIFE was okay but I wonder if I were mostly on back roads instead of the interstate if it would have been accurate for things like overpasses.

The highways were not clear as it would use a name such as “general John Doe highway” instead of simply stating I-78. Even worse, upon approach of a highway it would say to enter but not specify something like I-78 north or south until you were already on it! Also would be nice if instead of stating “keep left” it lets you know to stay in the left two lanes. When one does not know the area one gets all the way left only to soon realize that I was okay in 3 out of 4 lanes and pushed my way over for nothing. Not ideal in an RV.

A list of RV friendly gas stations would have been a nice feature to have. Dump stations would also be a nice list to add in especially if they are along/on the interstate instead of having to drive with full tanks until getting to a known area that has one hundreds of miles away.

Bottom line is it is an okay app with plenty of room for improvements and left me skeptical of its actual accuracy and reliability.

by Beckyasu

We use RVLIFE to navigate us in our 5th wheel between destinations. It would be extremely helpful if it would be compatible and play up on our CarPlay screen like google maps and Waze does because it doesn’t and we have to try to balance the phone while we follow the gps which is kinda old school. We use the RV trip wizard that ties into RVLIFE to plan our routes and stops but wish it wasn’t only a desktop site, it would be nice if it was a mobile app at least. We love RVLIFE for finding Site and campgrounds too. The reviews of people are extremely helpful. We love RVLIFE but the few changes we think it should make.

by HezBoo

So e we pull a big 35’ 5th wheel. There were still some road choices that scared the crap out of us! Man, I’d like to have an adventure setting for road choices.
Such as highway 49 to Coloma, CA with a 13% slope and switch back... that’s a pass for us!

But the notes section in the saved trip wizard app, I can’t add a note nor do the notes added on the safari Wizard show up. What is the “notes” for? I mean the next button for driving directions works but the notes seems useless. I have to go to safari and log in to the site like I’m going to keep working on my trip.

I’d like to see my confirmation #, site #, hook ups or not, like get water before backing into the site cuz there are no utilities...
Anyway, after a long 6 week tour and 21 stops, there are a few tweaks I’d like to see for the notes and navigation.
Another thought on navigation, tell me WHY a specific route is in yellow and more details. A route we wanted but showed yellow was completely fine! It was a nice big tunnel that even 18 wheelers use. But the Wizard just wouldn’t tell me what tunnel or more details.
Still love the Trip Wizard, just looking for more details.

by Minerd

I recently downloaded “RV Life”, and fell in love with it! It works perfectly with their Trip Wizard web based software. RVLIFE uses the GPS function on the phone for step by step directions that you mapped out on the web platform.
My use of RVLIFE goes beyond planning trips for just my motorhome. I’ve planned trips for my motorhome, car and also my motorcycle. Finally, I can create a trip on my laptop or iPad and then follow it on my phone while on the road.

by Muddaubere

We got RVLIFE to help plan an 8 day trip across three different campgrounds and a 2000 mile distance. We did a lot of research, used the 14 day trial and decided to purchase the yearly subscription for RVLIFE . It’s very detailed, very focused on the places RVers look for most. They very Good Sam and KOI integrated but still plenty of private campgrounds and POIs on their map. I know where I’m going to stop for gas, to rest, to camp and how many miles per day I’m driving. Love RVLIFE and highly recommend it.

What can be better?
Adding the ability for apple/android car play: RVLIFE has a built in map that can be exported to google, however RVLIFE will download the whole route for offline use if needed. Not sure if google maps will do that. Still testing.

Timing: RVLIFE tells you how many miles till your next stop, but adding in a departure time will help estimate arrival times at each waypoint. Would love to see this feature.

by Vsmith1814

This is a great app and the developers are doing their best to include new features and updates. It appears that this version works with Apple Carplay as it showed up in my Ram snd Mercedes Sprinter CarPlay. Love RV trip wizard as a planning tool then being able to access these via the GPS that takes in to account weight, height, etc for safe routing. I also like the inclusion of Blue Beacon Truck washes. It appears any crashes I did have with my iPhone 12 Pro are being resolve. Quick response from developer on any problems

by Amaising1

Planning for a cross country trip, RVLIFE was a great help. We are FT RVers and really wanted RVLIFE for the RV friendly gps. I lowered it one star due to the navigation piece. As someone else mentioned it doesn’t work well with Car Play. You only see the route in the upper portion of the navigation screen & couldn’t see what was coming up. We had to go back to google maps, after paying for a year subscription. Please fix this issue or we will not be renewing our subscription.

by NewsJunkieBob

RVLIFE is a great tool and a must have for All RV’ers. I remember trying to plan an RV trip using Google maps and the timing of arrival was never a accurate because of the speed used for calculation. With RVLIFE you plug in the speed you are comfortable with and RVLIFE will give you the correct eta, plus so much more. I haven’t even learned all it can do yet but I’ve planned out two trips already with one over 2200 miles. I love what it doing for us.

by Lethalstang

To say we are disappointed is an understatement!! RVLIFE does not bring in your RV Trip Wizard route, it makes a new one!
It took us in a loop around twice for no real reason.
If you take a call while using it, it forgets where you were before the call and you have to reset the location.
It does not show you on the turn by turn the exit number or direction, that is only audible!!
On our way to Pipestem WV, it took us down 2 roads that were not even close to be passable by our RV and yes we had the RV info listed correctly. We have to turnaround our 5th Wheel twice into empty fields that really torqued our rig and hitch!!
If you think this is a companion to RV Trip Wizard, it is not and RV Trip Wizard should really second guess offering this link!!
And to think I was going to buy this!! Give it some time and maybe but for now run away from this one!!!

by Smanger

I plotted a trip to a campground from my house just to test out what it suggested. You see there is a road that most gps apps will suggest because it is more direct, but it is a very sketchy, seasonal, un-maintained road even for a car. Given my rig size, RVLIFE gave the same suggested route that they all do which is on this road. If I didn’t know any better and trusted this “RV” specific gps app, I would have been stuck with no cell reception, or down the side of a cliff.

They responded that they will update the map servers. Does this mean they are relying on real time human updates?

I have my family in the truck when I am towing and RVLIFE would have literally put us in danger. Since it appears to just be a clone of google maps with worse interface and some poi pre-loaded; I will stick with google maps and hope that they implement a towing feature.

by Jt Screechowl

This used to be my go to app for rv parks, but they add a annoying pop up about your current location, while I’m trying to explore a different location. They should add a current location button, instead of asking me every time I switch screens. If I wanted to explore my current location, I would just type it in. Plus, exploring on rv life people would be most likely exploring elsewhere. I recommend downloading Campendium, until this issue is fixed.

by PhoebeMoon

I used to leave reviews on all the major sites including this one. But my reviews here tend to be edited heavily or not accepted at all if they are even slightly critical. They don’t accept reviews if you were unable or unwilling to stay.

Once they responded to me and said, “the owner denies saying that”. The problem is that I didn’t reference a conversation in my review. It was a good review!

My guess is that they are supported by the campgrounds and clear all reviews with them. Could be that is why there are so many campgrounds with no reviews at all.

by C875s142

There is no information on who or where to contact about cancellation. Support will not respond. App seems ok but no better than what I used before.
Frustrating. Will be emailing support every day until they respond. Complete lack of customer support. They owe me $22 for a subscription I tried to cancel through their one and only support portal. If I ask for a refund from Apple they will grant it but then deny the CC used forever. That’s not a solution.
Get a true support group that responds.

DO NOT INSTALL TO TEST UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY ANNUALLY WITH MO WAY TO CANCEL.

by Darknitemoon

The information in RVLIFE is great and I have used it for a while. Then there came an update that constantly asks to create an account. Also, the map often jerks around on its own after you stop scrolling, especially in an area with a lot of locations. This makes browsing confusing.

Update: Reduced rating based on developer response. Their response was “register and it won’t ask anymore”. Or, you know, don’t keep asking! So basically, deal with it. According to privacy policy, registration requires birthdate and home address, and I will not provide this, especially when the site also indicates they use this for marketing with third parties unless you opt out.

Didn’t respond about map moving abruptly after scrolling, which is especially bad in an area with a lot of parks.

by McCoykiller

I want to love RVLIFE but it crashes on a regular basis when reviewing articles. It also can’t handle when you click on a subject within an article, that takes you to a previously published article. It just cycles through, crashes, and takes you back to the original article. I would pay for RVLIFE if it actually worked. Instead, I get mad and frustrated cause I can rarely read an entire article without RVLIFE crashing entirely. Sad due to the real potential here! Please get RVLIFE fixed and working properly because I know there’s others like me willing to pay if you can get this right!

by Continuous Crashes

I tried to use this in conjunction with my primary RV Trip planner (the web based subscription site by the same company), but RVLIFE does not display in landscape position and is thus, so far, not useable with my iPad keyboard device and my workflow (most of which are landscape position based). As far as the other features of RVLIFE , I never got that far and will not use it, (staying with their web based reviews).

by Gordondh

I am so appreciative of an app that is specifically for RV travelers and their unique requirements and limitations.

However, there doesn’t appear to be a way to plot a trip that starts somewhere other than my current location; this hinders the ability to plan ahead.

Also, when I go to the Trips menu, I get a page about downloading a demo of Trip Wizard that doesn’t do anything. The Trip button is no use if Trip Wizard is no longer available, and it keeps taking me back to the Trip Wizard Demo page.

Since Trip planning is the main point of RVLIFE , but the Trip Planner isn’t useful for planning any trip that doesn’t start at my current location, then I can’t give it 5 stars.

by BDEye

I began using this recently in conjunction with RV Trip Wizard. My first experience was that the link between the two was broken but it was quickly fixed. The routing, however, is suspect. I was routed through a residential and commercial district with lots of traffic, a slow speed limit and ton of lights vs. continuing on a freeway. Coming back via the freeway saved me 1/2 hour.

Also, I was charged twice to have RVLIFE on my phone and iPad. If that’s correct, I urge you to re-examine your policy. If it’s a mistake, please issue me a refund.

by Mr Name Here

Good app for travel, helpful to plot a course and find things we need that other RV’ers my or may not. I use this in conjunction with other apps and maps.

We travel in a converted sprinter and don’t need same things big-rig RV’s do (sewer, 50amp, pull-through sites), adversely we prefer some smaller sites that large setups can’t navigate with more privacy and aren’t big gravel lots (woods, fire pits sometimes, etc).

SO, good news is you can read reviews and poke around and see if the site’s for you. I do wish you could filter results by some things that are applicable to ME and other small RV’ers - I’ve said as much in my review to the developers, people camping in smaller rigs is a big movement and there’s nothing this good for that application. BUT, this tool is the best one out, just use it with your brain engaged and you’ll be fine, big or small rig.

by Jettime2

I was very excited to finally find an app to help navigate while driving a large Rv. Other apps I have used have routed me into dangerous situations. So far RVLIFE seems to work well. The only issues so far are the ETA is not even close to realistic. This needs to be fixed. Also does not support apple car play.

by Full-Time-Travelers

“ RVLIFE in conjunction with Goggle/Apple maps is all you need to travel and find excellent campgrounds along the way. We travel full time and it is our ‘travel bible’.”
The preceding was brought to by RVLIFE ’s AI but I have to agree that it is completely true and it is my go-to app to find campgrounds as we travel full time around this great country called America!

by Lostmykeysagain

I stumbled upon this because I was a fan of the RV Park Review website, which the instant app has incorporated. I’m very impressed with how intuitive RVLIFE is. I’m currently using the free version but will consider the premium version down the road. I like that is uses Google maps instead of Apple maps, which is a negative with The popular Allstays app.

by Betsey H

I was so excited when I found RVLIFE. I have used their web based program and share my reviews on trips. I initially struggled to use as the AT&T connectivity was only visible at their website but not in RVLIFE . I reached out and they added the AT&T connectivity to RVLIFE . I find this tool and the support team exceed my expectations. I have already shared with family and friends!