Living in a 40-foot motorhome with two toddlers who think every surface is a trampoline, two giant dogs who think they’re lap-sized, and a Jeep towing behind us is a special kind of adventure. Add in boondocking in the middle of nowhere, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful circus on wheels.
RV life is magical, chaotic, and full of lessons, like “always secure the fridge door before driving.” But you know what saves our bacon more often than not? Apps. These digital heroes keep us from getting lost, running out of gas, or losing our minds.
Here’s a hilarious (but useful) guide to the apps we swear by, divided into categories because we moms like structure—when we’re not hiding in the bathroom eating chocolate.
1. Navigation and Trip Planning Apps
We learned the hard way that not all routes are RV-friendly. These apps keep us on the straight and narrow (and avoid the bridges that think our 40-foot motorhome is a toy car).
This app is like the wise grandma of RVing. It knows where the low bridges are, where the good campgrounds are, and probably where you left that one sippy cup.
Why We Love It:
This app is like a toddler mom’s best friend: practical, trustworthy, and prepared for emergencies. It gives RV-specific routes and works offline, so even when you’re out in the middle of nowhere (read: no internet), it’s got your back.
Why We Love It:
With a diesel tank that holds 100 gallons, GasBuddy is a financial lifesaver. It finds the cheapest fuel nearby, saving us money (and tears).
Why We Love It:
2. Camping and Boondocking Apps 
Finding the right place to park our beast is like a treasure hunt—except the treasure is a campsite where our kids won’t wander into traffic, and our dogs won’t get banned for barking.
Imagine sipping wine at a vineyard while your toddlers chase chickens and your dogs try to make friends with goats. Harvest Hosts lets you camp at wineries, farms, museums, and other cool spots.
Why We Love It:
This app is basically the Yelp of RV camping. Want to know if the Wi-Fi is strong enough for streaming Bluey? Or if the playground is toddler-worthy? Campendium’s reviews have your back.
For the adventurous types (or those who’ve just given up on campgrounds entirely), iOverlander helps you find remote, off-grid camping spots.
Why We Love It:
3. Internet Apps and Connectivity Tools 
Because no Wi-Fi with toddlers is not just inconvenient—it’s a full-blown family emergency.
Starlink has been a game-changer for boondocking families like ours. It helps us set up internet quickly and find the strongest signal, even in remote locations.
Why We Love It:
👉 Learn more about RV internet in my article: The Ultimate Guide to Reliable Internet for Full-Time RV Families and Boondocking
Windy is the Beyoncé of weather apps: beautiful, accurate, and always on point. It’s essential for remote RV living where weather can make or break your plans.
4. Budgeting and Expense Tracking Apps 
RV life isn’t cheap. Between fuel, snacks, and replacing the stuff our toddlers destroy, we need every budgeting hack we can get.
YNAB is like having a financial therapist in your pocket. It helps us track spending, save for adventures, and plan for emergencies (like when your toddler flushes your phone).
Why We Love It:
5. Entertainment and Family Fun Apps 
Sometimes, you just need something to keep the chaos at bay (or at least distract it for five minutes).
Long drives = a lot of “Wheels on the Bus.” Audible lets us swap out toddler tunes for actual adult entertainment—like murder mysteries or self-help books.
👉 Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids
When the kids need to burn energy, AllTrails helps us find kid- and dog-friendly hikes. It’s a sanity-saver—except when someone wants to be carried halfway through.
6. RV Maintenance and Checklists 
Nothing says “fun” like forgetting to latch a cupboard and watching cans of soup roll through your motorhome mid-drive.
Togo RV tracks maintenance, helps us plan trips, and even lets us create checklists so we don’t forget to secure the fridge again.
Final Thoughts
RV life with two toddlers, two dogs, and a Jeep in tow isn’t for the faint of heart. But with these apps, we’ve managed to stay organized, entertained, and mostly sane.
If you’re ready to dive into RV life—or you just want to laugh at our chaos—check out more of our adventures:
Now, grab some snacks, download these apps, and hit the road. Adventure (and chaos) awaits! 🚌✨
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