Best Apps for RVers with Dogs!

As a full time traveler, I’ve learned to use some great phone apps that help make travel a bit easier and some even help my dogs stay happier.  So here’s my down and dirty list.  Let me me know if you have some good ones to add. Join our Facebook group and share your tips.

One tip when looking for a particular app.  Search for a topic, then click on the name.  Scroll down and look at “What’s New” and check out the recent date.  If  the app hasn’t been updated in 18 months I wouldn’t be paying for this app. Happy apping!

On the Road Again

• Gas Buddy – free – This is an invaluable APP, that is a must. I use the map setting mostly to see where the cheapest gas is. Handy for checking out the prices in that particular area, so you know the range.  In an RV you can’t always get the cheapest price due to access, but you can definitely find one of the lowest prices.
• My Pilot – Flying J/Pilot gas stations – if you have a big rig, you will be looking for these truck stops.
• Waze – free – finds traffic and redirects accordingly – great for cities.
• Roadside America – finds you quirky signs, big things, funny touristy attractions that make fun photo memories.
• iExit – $.99 – Let’s you know what’s ahead off Interstate exits.  You can also search for particular places.
• Wunderground – Weather App – love this for checking the weather where I am and where I am going.  Another popular one is The Weather Channel App

Keep those Dogs Happy

• Dog Goes – free – Find the nearest dog park and pet friendly restaurants. I use this weekly.
• Oh Ranger – free- by Ford & LL Bean – will find you parks nearby to walk your dog.
• Bring Fido – free  – find a pet-friendly hotel, restaurant, park, event.
• Dog Decoder $3.99 – Great app on how to read dog’s body language. Can you tell the difference between excitement and fear, or between aggression and the need to play?  Super informative.
• DogTrekker – this is an amazing app for finding great places to take your dog in California.

RV stuff!

• State Lines by Two Steps Beyond – $4.99  Each state has different alcohol laws, sales tax, botte deposits, seatbelt restraint requirements for kids, overnight parking rules, helmets for motorcycles and much more?

Technology Stuff

• Open Signal – free – tells you the quality of the cellular signal, the direction that the signal is coming from.  Will speedtest the signal. Also will give you your data usage on mobile and wifi signals.
• Google Earth – This is great for checking out RV parks and what’s the terrain like around them. Also helpful for scouting out getting around in your RV in a city, “can I get in and out of that gas station while towing?”.

Where should I stay?

• All Stays – $9.99 Find RV parks, Sani-dump stations, propane, RV service centers, casinos,Costco, Sams and more all on easy to read maps.  Good reviews and info on the RV parks. Very useful app.
• The Ultimate Campground Project – US $3.99 – This is an amazing app to find public lands to camp on.  It also lists other camp and rv parks.  I highly recommend if you would like to boondock.
• RVParking.com – free – has an app that you can see reviews.  If you don’t want to pay for AllStays, this is ok.
• US Public Lands by Two Steps Beyond – $2.99 – If you like to boondock this is the app for you to find public lands where you can do that.  Scout out trails, roads and dry camp locations on public lands

Where should I play?

• Trip Advisor – free- great for finding things to do and restaurants in an area.
• Yelp – free – find ratings on all kinds of restaurants and services.
•  Untappd – free – Find nearby craft breweries and see what beers are trending. (correct spelling on name)

Just for Fun!

• PhotoCard by Bill Atkinson – upload your photo and send a beautiful postcard to someone.  It’s free for the app but then you pay for credits to send carts.  It’s very reasonable and the cards are beautiful.
• Flixster -free – get reviews and ratings on movies in theaters, DVD and Netflix.
• Redbox – will find Redbox locations if you like to rent videos.

Let me know if you have a favorite app that helps you travel a little better.