Satnav: avoid unclassified roads

A map?

My wife a d I run through the proposed SatNav route and check it against a map book, in order to apply a bit of commonsense and map reading skills to our intended route.We are in our later 60s and used to find our way around before Sat Navs were available.They are a useful supplement to,not a replacement for, a map,in our opinion .

Particularly useful procedure when driving in rural areas and abroad,in our experience.

We just use the one in the car but double check the route on google maps and street view and make note of any awkward places to avoid, we do have a Tom Tom caravan/motorhome sat nav but that has sent us down some iffy roads

We use a TomTom caravan and motorhome satnav which has so far been very reliable. For instance,  where the Club Sites Directory warns to approach the site only via a particular route, the tomtom has always selected that approach automatically. Driving solo in unknown areas, I also use the tomtom rather than the car's satnav, telling it I am driving a small motorhome so that I am not taken down very narrow routes

Our Garmin has done the same with iffy? roads when towing  but it has turned out to be a bus route

Road classification is all to do with strategic significance, not width, gradient, etc. Hence some "A Class" roads with grass up the middle! 

Hi, It may be a throw back to when I was listening to my Dad but cant agree with your statement;

I can't memorize the entire route I've planned from a map so have to rely on the satnav (which is the whole point of a SatNav).

Any satnav is an aid only.

My sugegstion is to look at Google maps, input your destination and then alter the route to suit you-then use the option to send the directions to your phone.

I always use Streetview when visiting new sites/places to try and avoid being caught out.

There’s no such thing as an infallible satnav. Whichever product you purchase it’s only as good as the underpinning digital data mapping and, for the most part, that means one of two sources - there’s not a huge range of different options out there. Previous posters have usefully suggested methods to mitigate satnav shortcomings. Club site information will generally get you safely through the final stages of your trip. Most potential problems will be on routes which involve local roads. If in doubt I suggest you check here as quite a few local members know popular routes very well and can advise you accordingly if you post your intentions.

Further to the above you can download a copy of the manual >here< This will give you more information. Pages 84 to 90 give details of settings for vehicles and roads.

peedee

Satnavs are a useful but limited tool, even if a dedicated caravan/moho one. They come into their own when finding a street in a strange town. For long distance journeys, unless one has an aversion to trunk roads, a satnav is only really required for the final few miles to one's destination. In the "old days" before a satnav, I would write a quick list of principle towns and road numbers. Following the gantry/ road signs would get me to within striking distance of my destination without recourse to electronics or even a map. It's just the final bit that requires a more detailed study.

Satnavs that supposedly take into account vehicle width dimensions can be a bit random. A width restriction of  6’-6” is fairly common. If you’re driving a Ducato PVC at 2.05m (6’-8”) will your satnav redirect you? I’m my experience sometimes yes, sometimes no. Is that because the satnav knows something we don’t e.g. width restriction is primarily to stop HGVs, and not actually a width restriction? Or, is the satnav programmed to ignore marginal differences because 6’-6” is usually more in practice e.g. margin for error required in the signage? Or, is it because over 6’-6” is ok for access only? Or, is something to do with how 6’-6” is measured e.g, kerb to kerb? As we all know, sometimes 6’-6” means exactly that and we ignore it at our peril. How many folks inflate their width dimensions to add a bigger margin and ignore 6’-6” altogether?