he RV experience is on the cusp of a transformation unlike most of us have ever seen before. Traveling today is augmented by a plethora of technological tools as our copilot. No, I’m not trying to lessen the value of those sitting in the right-hand seat — that person’s role is more important than ever. The way it’s handled is just different today.

We’re all linked to our “smart” devices.

RV travel presents challenging moments simply because the vehicles are bigger than cars and require more space to maneuver and park. Years ago, RV-specific GPS devices took the sting out of finding our way; today, it’s hard to find a new tow vehicle or motorhome without a GPS. Navigation, though, is just a tiny part of the travel experience. Valuable information — to include destinations, RV park reservations, travel weather, fuel stops and technical help — is now instantly at RV owners’ fingertips.

A bugaboo for most RVers is finding adequate fueling stops without getting into a bind because of the island/pump configuration and/or the number of parked cars that restrict the turning area. Truck stops are great for those who use diesel, but the lines can be long on popular Interstate routes. Recently, while on a cross-country trip caravanning with friends in another fifth wheel, we turned into a station that looked bigger than it really was and created an instant traffic jam — embarrassingly, with no way to turn without causing a stir. It wasn’t a pretty scene while the other customers snarled at us to get out of the way. A new app, Trucker Path, one of many to find adequate fueling resources recommended by friends, solved that problem.

Connectivity on the road has likewise improved dramatically over the last few years. Dark areas are much less common and RV Internet provisions in many RV parks have quietly expanded to deliver streaming quality service. While we subscribe to a cell-based provider, our traveling companions during the past summer relied on RV park service. With only a few exceptions during our 9,000-mile cross country junket, Internet service in RV parks had improved dramatically.

Today, Apple’s trademarked slogan, “There’s an App for That,” is more relevant to road warriors than ever. RVers can find just about anything they need at Apple’s App Store (and, for Android users, the Google Play Store), which pinpoint the research. For example, there are apps to find RV parks in destinations along the way and to make reservations — and get feedback from fellow RVers. The ability to make itinerary changes on the fly restores much of the spontaneity sorely missed by a big segment of RV travelers.

Last summer while traveling with friends, we made no advance reservations, figuring we’d “live dangerously” by falling back on our self-containment features and energy reliance through solar power and lithium batteries. All our reservations were made while on the road, with the co-pilots searching for places to stay that would appeal to our interests. We were never stranded, but did find sold-out situations in a few high-tourist areas during the weekends and holidays. Still, we never spent one night in a Walmart parking lot, although we did overnight in Harvest Host locations, which only added variety to our trip.

RVers are not the only beneficiaries of advanced technology and the ability to stay connected; the RV industry itself should also be jumping for joy. During the last few years, as the RV universe grew, negativity among owners seemed destined to spoil the “party” as dozens of videos popped up on the Internet and YouTube complaining about the lifestyle and obtaining service. However, much of that negativity looks to be changing course through industry efforts to be more responsive to customers’ needs. While that might seem Pollyannaish, I believe my reasoning has legs.

RVs have always been complex machines, and as technology evolves things are only going to get even more complicated. The future may seem ominous, but in fact, the opposite is true. RVs may be complex, but they are not mysterious; many problems that crop up can be resolved by owners — they just need to be armed with great customer service and the right tools.

As a full-timer, I talk to a lot of new owners who have written fix-it lists for repairs under warranty. Frankly, many of these items are minor and take less time to rectify than making the trip to the dealer — it’s just a matter of providing solid advice and an avenue for do-it-yourselfers to obtain the right parts. Fortunately, manufacturers and dealers are aggressively implementing systems to make that happen — and their constituents are liking it. Recently, a friend solicited assistance from a technical support person for his new fifth-wheel via a video link while parked in a rest area. The technician was able to identify the issue on the spot via the video — and provided installation instructions and shipping arrangements to a location where this traveler planned to stay for a few days. The owner was thrilled.

This type of service support is no longer an anomaly. The key, though, is making sure call-center technicians are armed with accurate product knowledge and will empathize with customers. Of course, there are repair procedures for RVs that cannot be handled solely on a smart device, but unclogging service bays for the things do-it-yourselfers can handle will certainly speed up wait times for appointments.

Internet commerce has revolutionized consumer behavior and expectations — I can only imagine how artificial intelligence (AI) will change the landscape in the near future.