If you happen to be an RVer then check out some of these apps

Rob Keeble

Member
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Location
GTA Ontario Canada
Well once again the tech and specifically the mobile app market never fails to impress me and frankly blow my mind that these apps are available and free.

I am planning a US trip for a vacation with Linda with out Travel Trailer. Now i have known for some time that certain convenient facilities exist around the US but the issue becomes how do you find them without doing loads of detailed planning of your route and then if the feeling gets you to change routes you got to redo all the planning.

So we have a Good Sams club membership that gets you something off gas at Flying J pilot gas stations well they have an app that shows where they are and what facilities exist at each one

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pilottravelcenters.mypilot&hl=en

Then I knew one could park overnight in a walmart parking lot, i have even seen some that have grass patches etc all kitted for the overnight rvers.
Well there is a app that not only shows this info but also all the rv parks and walmart locations together with if they allow overnight at those specific places. As i understand it this app was created by a full time rver.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rvparky.android2&hl=en

Then the other issue tied to this is should one need to dump the tanks for whatever reason, i usually travel with empty tanks but some might need this so there is an app for Sani Dump stations around US with info as to what is offered and what the fee is.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.revstudios.sanidumps.lite&hl=en


Now the issue of course is you need to be able to access data while on the road in the US and for Canadians thats an expensive proposition to use roaming data no matter who the carrier is. But i found a great solution to that too if any Canadians see this and want to know about it.

I bought a cellular wifi hotspot device that allows me to buy a data plan that is valid for 30days and hooks me up so i can use my phone to the wifi hotspot and use the apps.

Company is based in Vancouver and called Roam

http://www.roammobility.com/

Hey if by chance you want to sign up to Roam pm me first because if you use the referral process we both will get free days. :) I aint shilling for them just saying this is one case where we both could score. :)


So if anyone has any other great apps that could be handy for this kind of trip please let me know I am looking for all the help i can. Its just mind blowing to this guy just what these apps do and provide. As Larry the Cable guy would say ...."Only in America".
 
Great info Rob! I had come across a discussion of being able to park a Walmart just the other day, smart move on their part. I know our local Kmart used to allow overnighters as well. Each store seems to have their own policies/rules, so sounded like it was best to call ahead or check with the store manager.
 
Need to look over these a little more, but I love the idea of being able to get a wifi hotspot and only fund it when I need it...
 
Brent Check out Ting if you don't need a lot of data and can live with the Sprint network.
https://ting.com/

If you need more data and Verizon network check out

http://millenicom.com/plans

Be careful as they repackage both Sprint and Verizon and you have to dig to figure out which to get. I have the Verizon 20 Gig plan....and it costs about 20 dollars to turn it back on if I turn it off.. Around 70 for the months its on I think...
 
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Great info Rob! I had come across a discussion of being able to park a Walmart just the other day, smart move on their part. I know our local Kmart used to allow overnighters as well. Each store seems to have their own policies/rules, so sounded like it was best to call ahead or check with the store manager.
Yeah Darren i heard its best to call ahead but the great thing the RVer app does is show you when you click on the walmart icon which ones allow overnight so at least cuts down on which ones to call. Other thing i would do is to check out the local neighborhood on google satelite view just to check whats around. Its no guarantee to a peaceful nights sleep but its just another tool to use to scope out whats next door.

Normally i would not entertain this idea, but...many rv parks dont allow newcomers after 8 or 9pm so if one is trying to make distance in a day and say want to pull over for a nights sleep at say 11pm then this would do well for a few hours sleep. If Linda was prepared to drive the rig then it would make a different story of pushing on and swapping drivers but alas i am a one man band when it comes to driving. :) What happened to feminism, discrimination, equality of the sexes etc suddenly:eek::rofl:
 
Need to look over these a little more, but I love the idea of being able to get a wifi hotspot and only fund it when I need it...

Brent the guys i linked to cater to Canadians but i dont see why you could not use them as well. One beauty that i found in their service is that one gets assigned a US number that stays valid for a year with no further payments even if you have your plan expire. Data plans are good for 30 days which is longer than any trip i will ever take.
But know this the plan number is issued from Chicago so that may cause people who wish to call you, call long distance. That may or may not be an issue to some.
Will let you know how it works when i get back. Proof will be in the pudding. :)
 
Very cool info guys. Thanks!

Brent Check out Ting if you don't need a lot of data and can live with the Sprint network.
https://ting.com/

If you need more data and Verizon network check out

http://millenicom.com/plans

Be careful as they repackage both Sprint and Verizon and you have to dig to figure out which to get. I have the Verizon 20 Gig plan....and it costs about 20 dollars to turn it back on if I turn it off.. Around 70 for the months its on I think...

Brent the guys i linked to cater to Canadians but i dont see why you could not use them as well. One beauty that i found in their service is that one gets assigned a US number that stays valid for a year with no further payments even if you have your plan expire. Data plans are good for 30 days which is longer than any trip i will ever take.
But know this the plan number is issued from Chicago so that may cause people who wish to call you, call long distance. That may or may not be an issue to some.
Will let you know how it works when i get back. Proof will be in the pudding. :)
 
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