Anyone who has looked for the best motorhome sat nav will be aware that leading brands such as Garmin, Avtex and TomTom have options on the market that are tailored specifically to our ‘vans. But before you think about purchasing one, you could find yourself wondering do you need a special sat nav for a motorhome?

However, what sets a ‘van sat nav apart will be its ability to take the fact you’re driving a motorhome into account. This can subsequently make a real difference to your time on the road and make your start to the holiday a far more pleasant experience. This is because a ‘van sat nav from one of the leading brands will come with features specifically tailored to the needs of a motorhomer, including the option of inputting the dimensions of your motorhome to provide you with a custom route. This is something that can be crucial as it saves you from being confronted by obstacles such as a bridge which is too low for your ‘van or a road which is too tight to fit down.

That’s not all – options from leading brands such as Avtex and Garmin provide additional features that can be useful for motorhomers, helping you to get the most from your travels. Certain models have preloaded POIs which can help you get a more enjoyable experience from exploring your surroundings, as well as suggest more scenic routes to take, something which can be an especially helpful feature if you’re looking to break up the drive to your chosen site. In some cases, they can even come pre-loaded with campsites to stay at, with databases from names such as ACSI and the Caravan and Motorhome Club, depending on the model you opt for.

Certain sat navs can even save you from having to buy the best dash cam for a motorhome too, as they come with one built in.

In short, a motorhome sat nav should ensure you have a more straightforward and enjoyable experience behind the wheel, as well as help to make your drive to the campsite a part of the trip you look forward to. When you think of it like that, it’s easy to see why this is an important piece of touring kit. We’d just recommend knowing the features you want from one before you buy it, to ensure you get exactly what you want from your purchase.

If you’re planning to head out in your ‘van anytime soon, don’t miss our guide to 8 ways to be a better motorhome driver – these simple tips could help you enjoy a more stress-free experience on the road.

Lead image: Getty Images / Franz Aberham


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