Gear Guide: Caravan and motorhome apps

Many caravanners and motorhome owners are very tech savvy nowadays, with a desire to have everything at the touch of a button, whether it be on a tablet, computer, laptop or phone. The world, including the camping and caravanning one, is incredibly easier to access at the tip of your finger. We take a look at some of the great caravan and motorhome apps giving you all the touring help you need when on the go!

Apps have been on the market since 2008, growing at an extraordinary rate since the first one was produced for Blackberry, to now having millions across all current generation smartphones, especially with the market leaders Apple and Android.

With these apps opening the doors to so many useful downloads, we take a look at some of the current apps specifically designed for touring, to see if any could help you when preparing your caravanning holidays, when on the road, when staying in the ‘van or even cooking up a meal on the barbecue!

Top tips

• Look for the hidden costs if there are any. Is there a possibility a slight payment could increase the quality of the app dramatically?
• Try looking for the features which benefit you and your caravan or motorhome.
• Look into specific apps when travelling overseas.
• Think about frequent issues you might have with your caravan or motorhome and whether any of these apps will help you out.
• Think about a backup plan if you have no GRPS, phone signal or wi-fi!

Direction Apps

1. CoPilot Caravan

CoPilot is a new satellite navigation app, which is specifically designed for caravan and motorhome owners. It can be used completely offline, removing data charges and the app is able to tailor your holiday routes specific to the size and class of your vehicle – extremely useful for caravans and motorhomes and making sure you don’t get stuck on narrow lanes or under low bridges!

On top of these benefits it also includes speed limit warnings, early exit indications, making sure you don’t miss a turn, and pre-set routes to maximise fuel, plus many more other positive features.

For more information: www.apple.com or www.play.google.com

Price: £49.99 – one off payment.

2. Maps.Me

This seems to be one of the most extensive map apps available with the most remote of locations located – literally the whole of the world is available at your fingertips. Maybe you wouldn’t be scaling the length of the planet in your caravan or motorhome but there are other positives to this app. Like others it’s completely offline, therefore no data charges. Reviews back up the fact that it is extremely fast to use with quick load up times.

Pixilation is not an issue as you zoom into the map and of all the maps analysed, this was the most specific by far, not only in the amount of locations, but the details of the locations are also unbelievably in-depth.

For more information: www.apple,com or www.play.google.com or www.amazon.com

Price: All specs are free.

Guidance Apps

3. The AA app and AA caravan and camping guide

The AA has an app which could attract attention, with plenty of features for members and non-members. Available for everyone, there are route planners, including live updates every two minutes of current traffic situations with alternative updates routes mid-journey if necessary. This planner also helps to avoid tolls and congestion charge zones when needed. There’s also a reminder of MOT and service times in advance, so no worries about forgetting these. For AA members there’s 20% off at certain restaurants, handy whilst travelling, as well as opening times and prices of parking spots across the country.

As well as the general app, there’s also a specific camping and caravanning one too, which has information on more than 800 different UK caravan sites. The AA looks at price, location, and gives an overview of caravan parks to help you find the best possible one for you and your trip. All of the sites are rated by the AA themselves, with handy contact details, making it very useful in helping you pick your perfect caravan park, whether it’s by the sea, in the countryside or lakeside.

For more information: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/aa-breakdown-traffic/id405476192?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/aa-caravan-and-camping-guide/id580791787?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theaa.android.theaa

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theaa.aabob.candc&hl=en_GB

Price: All specs – Free

£25/£39 for annual membership

4. Garmin car finder

At least once in your lifetime you’ve probably forgotten where you’ve parked your vehicle…? Well, worry no more – the Garmin car finder app is here to help! It allows you to save your vehicle’s location on your Garmin device so you can easily find it when you want to return to it. There’s an optional expiration time if necessary, but then you can simply go off and explore and then when it’s time to head back you simply follow the arrow which directs you to your vehicle’s destination.

It also tells you the distance from your vehicle at any given time, helping make sure you don’t stray too far, if necessary. It does require GPS location however, but does remember the location even when the app is closed, which reduces battery drain as well as helping reduce the loss of data.

For more information: www.garmin.com

Availability: Only available with the following Garmin devices: D2™ Bravo ForeAthlete® 235J, ForeAthlete® 920XTJ, Forerunner® 230, Forerunner® 235,    Forerunner® 630, Forerunner® 920XT, epix™, fēnix® 3, vívoactive®

Price: All specs – Free

Cooking apps

5. iBBQ

We know many of you love to cook up a feast on the barbecue, so we’ve found this great app which could prove very useful for caravan and motorhome owners. The iBBQ app has a range of great features, from offering the best butchers near to where you’re staying, to fantastic recipes to help make that cook up even better. It also allows you to check the weather at certain hotspots so you get the optimum barbecue experience, especially if unfamiliar in your surroundings.

The maps allows you to find not only the best location weather-wise, but also somewhere safe and legal to cook with a barbecue. So once you’re in the ultimate location, the app also allows you to send invites so you can enjoy with your friends or family!

For more information: www.apple.com

Price: All specs – Free

Heating Apps

There’s a few heating control apps out there for specific modern heating systems, allowing you to remotely control the temperature of your ‘van from your smartphone or tablet – a big advantage if you want to turn the heating on whilst travelling back to your caravan or motorhome so it’s nice and warm for your arrival!

6. Alde heating

For those with an Alde heating system, the Alde heating app has the ability to control the heating in your caravan or motorhome at the touch of a button from your phone or tablet device. This is specific to Alde boilers, with later 3010 models and all 3020 models able to work with this app. The company would fit the relevant electronics box to your ‘van so it’s compatible with the app from the device of your choice.

It’s available for all GSM devices which increases the range of people who are able to use this excellent app. It will provide satisfaction with the ease of use, no more getting up to turn the heating up or down. If you feel a little chilly, just tap the instruction you require into your device and feel the benefit!

The Alde Service app, also includes guides, manuals, service locations in case something happens when you’re on the road.

For more information: www.alde.uk or www.play.google.com

Price: Free

7. The Truma app

Only relevant if your have a Truma heating system, the Truma app offers control of your caravan or motorhome’s central heating, as well as the air conditioning, through the use of Bluetooth and SMS. It also allows the owner to analyse the power systems so you make any necessary adjustments to save power. This means being able to control on/off switches on lights as well as other appliances, excellent when tucked up comfortably in bed and needing to switch off the bathroom light!

Outside of the caravan or motorhome, there’s the opportunity to support the levelling of your leisure vehicle to make it as steady as possible, as well as helping you find the perfect sunny location – or the optimum place for sun alignment. All of this is available offline, making it even better, knowing that there won’t be any outrageous data charges incurred.

For more information: www.apple.com or www.play.google.com

Price: Free

8. Swift command app

The Swift command app was the widest range of all the apps we looked at, with a variety of controls on offer. As with the Truma and Alde apps, it has the ability to manage the power system of the vehicle, which also includes controlling the lighting. This means you can control light switches, including dimmers, (if you have them) to find that perfect lighting to suit the mood. On top of this there’s the ability to control the water systems, view tank information and control the heating systems with the option to set timers and configure the power source.

You can also track the location of your vehicle, meaning if you get lost there’s an easy way to find your way back. You can also review previous locations that you might want to return to, and dealer information is stored in the app so you can keep up to date. The app is obviously only available for owners of Swift vehicles, but if you’re one of the lucky ones then it’s a great app for you.

For more information: www.swiftgroup.co.uk or www.play.google.com

Price: Free (Standard)

Over to you…

What app could you not live without when holidaying in your motorhome or caravan? Or do you go tech-free when you’re off in the ‘van. We’d love to hear your views…and don’t forget to vote in this month’s app poll. 

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