Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day? (Read 543 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime day continues til tonight. Anyone spot any good deals for RVs, and specifically for our LDs?
2006 RB
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #1 –

Not specific to RV's necessarily but for those that haven't purchased a lithium jump starter yet:

Amazon.com: DBPOWER 2500A/21800mAh Portable Car Jump Starter- UP to 8.0L...

Don't forget to clip the $20 coupon!

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: krmugn  - 
Here's another not specific to Amazon, but may be a good deal for someone thinking about an RV GPS for their rig.

https://www.crutchfield.com/product/specials/default.aspx?offerid=151222

That’s a great deal! I just paid $399 for mine, shucks!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: krmugn  - 
Here's another not specific to Amazon, but may be a good deal for someone thinking about an RV GPS for their rig.

https://www.crutchfield.com/product/specials/default.aspx?offerid=151222

Why not use your smartphone? There is no better navigation than Waze. Live traffic plus it will let you know if an officer is in the area, debris on the road, etc. It's vital for us to have running even if we know where we are going because it's nice to have a heads up about whats coming up ahead!
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #5 –
"Why not use your smartphone?"

Four or five inch phone screen, vs. seven inch screen on the GPS that KRMUGN suggested? Many of us have aging eyes that benefit from a larger display.

Now with that said, I do use my iPhone for navigation... but I'm seeing its maps on an 8" screen, because my Subaru Ascent has Apple CarPlay, which lets the phone control a large touchscreen in the dashboard. Most older RVs don't have that ability, and I don't even know whether the new Lazy Dazes do. (Anybody?)

The Garmin GPSs have another advantage: a built-in database that needs no internet connection. Most smartphone navigation apps (e.g., Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps) require internet to work. When I get out of range of cell towers for any length of time, the iPhone's map can go blank. On the rare occasions when that happens, I can fall back on the Ascent's built-in GPS navigation system, which includes a full US map database. But it's clunky compared to Apple Maps, so I don't do that unless absolutely necessary. Again, few if any older RVs have that kind of navigation built in, and I don't know whether the new LDs do.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #6 –
Could always use a tablet for navigation with Waze or gaps or anything alike. Also I happen to download the maps offline in Google maps for the places I'll be just in case. Currently have the whole west coast available offline in Google maps
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
"Why not use your smartphone?"

Four or five inch phone screen, vs. seven inch screen on the GPS that KRMUGN suggested? Many of us have aging eyes that benefit from a larger display.

Now with that said, I do use my iPhone for navigation... but I'm seeing its maps on an 8" screen, because my Subaru Ascent has Apple CarPlay, which lets the phone control a large touchscreen in the dashboard. Most older RVs don't have that ability, and I don't even know whether the new Lazy Dazes do. (Anybody?)

The Garmin GPSs have another advantage: a built-in database that needs no internet connection. Most smartphone navigation apps (e.g., Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps) require internet to work. When I get out of range of cell towers for any length of time, the iPhone's map can go blank. On the rare occasions when that happens, I can fall back on the Ascent's built-in GPS navigation system, which includes a full US map database. But it's clunky compared to Apple Maps, so I don't do that unless absolutely necessary. Again, few if any older RVs have that kind of navigation built in, and I don't know whether the new LDs do.

A typical iPhone these days typically has a minimum size of 6.1" up to 6.7", higher resolution and ability to enlarge so may be beneficial to the aging eyes! Waze and Google maps have an offline option so they should still work when data service isn't available. Since our 2008 Lazy Daze is a "double din" size radio I have thought about upgrading the factory Sony CD player and installing a 7" receiver that has Apple Car play built in. My hesitation is figuring out how to properly wire it and finding the proper harness. Crutchfield has surprisingly been not too helpful with answering my questions but it's been awhile since I was looking into it. The Garmin GPS are just a tad too laggy for my taste versus having a fairly modern iPhone which is also my camera, video shooter, and all around multi tool  :D

How to use waze offline maps | Does Waze work in offline mode?
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #8 –
I use my iPhone regularly as a GPS, it's always with me and it has the Garmin GPS App with the whole country's database downloaded, great for driving areas with no data, common in the West.
In the LD we have a Garmin GPS too, mounted on top of the dash, for easy viewing.
 
Around town, Google maps work well and have traffic information, Apple Maps work OK too
When going to an area that I'm somewhat familiar with, I will place the phone in my shirt pocket and let it talk, instructing me where to turn.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #9 –
I saw someone mention in another thread that they always keep Waze running whenever they drive so they are aware of alerts about debris in the roadway, cars stopped on the shoulder, police in the area etc. We came within inches of a 6ft ladder in the middle of the road that had fallen off a truck. It had just happened but we sure put the alert into Waze for others!
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #10 –
I have stopped using my Garmin GPS for general navigation.  Several years ago, it routed us through a gravel road on private property, ending at a locked gate at the boundary of the state park we were trying to get to.  I had to back out while pulling a trailer. Grrrrr...

A year later in Austria, Switzerland, and northern Italy, the refresh rate was so slow that on several occasions we passed roads we were supposed to turn on while motorcycling down narrow one way roads in cities.  Cyndy would say " we are getting close... we are getting close... Oh, crap we just passed it!"  And the icon on the screen still hadn't gotten to the road.  That was really frustrating. 

I do understand that the value of a GPS unit is that it gives your location in areas where there is no cell signal so now I only use it in those situations, and they are getting less and less frequent as cell coverage improves and phones are getting better reception.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #11 –

Well, kinda sorta if you count solar lights...

I bought these solar string lights[/url] (can also be USB charged),
Solar String Lights
and also these solar tiki lights.  (I liked that you can put them in the ground, hang them, or place them on a table.)
Solar Tiki Lights

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #12 –
I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max, with the largest (6.7") screen Apple offers. But for navigation, I still prefer a larger screen. That's just me, though.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #13 –
I realize that Prime Day is over.  However, back to the Garmin GPS comment, I wanted to share some feedback on a newer Garmin device as it has been surprisingly positive (like Harold, I had abandoned an older model).  At any rate, I was given a Garmin 780 RV not long ago.  At first, I was skeptical thinking Garmin had sold out and become another e-commerce advertising channel (location choices and some map locations feature branding from History Channel, Trip Advisor, etc…).  Experience using the unit on a few shorter and one longer trip (3900 miles), changed my mind. 

I am quite impressed with the 780 RV. Garmin updates the firmware and map software every couple of weeks, routings truly reflect the fact that I am a 13,000 Lb, 11’ high rig towing a 4500 Lb vehicle.  And, live alerts to road markings and conditions (rail, narrow, high wind, etc…), are incredibly accurate and helpful.  I also appreciate the fact that I can connect my Garmin DashCam (used to capture potential reckless driving).  Interchange graphics are pretty good but, in a complex (multi-step), set of ramps, verbal instructions can still be a bit confusing. 

Overall, I am very happy with the unit.  A little research might find a unit on sale as some e-commerce sites (Techno RV for example) are selling at or close to Prime Day prices.

W
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #14 –
I am getting ready to use the Garmin RV 780 for the first time on a trip. I’m still getting used to it so don’t fully understand it yet. I pre-planned and saved a trip for the route we will be taking northward but I had trouble finding some of the locations that we were going to be staying at that I thought should be clearly evident but the Garmin seemed to have trouble recognizing them. I’m also having trouble editing a route once I save it but that may just be me not understanding how to do it.

On our trip we will be crossing the bridge at Cascade Locks, Oregon and the route warned me that there was a 7 ton limit on our route which I assume was the bridge at Cascade Locks but was unable to verify that. The LD is right at that weight limit.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #15 –
Greg,
Have you weighed your rig, fully loaded?  Ours is similar to yours and we are under 13,000lb.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Greg,
Have you weighed your rig, fully loaded?  Ours is similar to yours and we are under 13,000lb.

Not yet, Harold. I was referencing the GVWR of our rigs, so no worries!  🙂

We are heading out tomorrow for the PNW and the first stop is our local Flying J for gas, propane, and the Cat scale.  On our trip back from Arkansas this Fall, we are intending a stop at the Escapees headquarters in Livingston, TX to do the four corner weigh.

Speaking of Escapees, for us California residents that are interested, they are having an RVers Boot Camp in Castaic in December. We are thinking of attending since we still consider ourselves rookies.  Hopefully it will be funner than military Boot Camp!  👍

RVers Boot Camp - Valencia Travel Village – Castaic, California · Escapees...
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #17 –
I will weigh in. I wear my glasses so my phone is good enough. I like to check out routes on RVTripwizard site. You can check elevation and grade and it avoids low bridges based on your height.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #18 –
This will be a bit off topic of Amazon, but somewhat more pertinent for GPS and reliance upon.
This was originally a presentation by American Airlines but has good lessons for anyone relying on GPS.  It's a half hour of your time, but time not completely wasted IMHO

Children of the Magenta

Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #19 –
Greg,
We are taking off for the PNW today also.  We will wave if we see you on the road.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
 
Re: Any good RV deals for Amazon Prime Day?
Reply #20 –
Good luck with the heat  8)
Linda B
Green 2021 RB
2022 Ford Maverick toad