Is the Avtex Tourer 3 the ultimate caravan and motorhome sat-nav?
Having used Avtex’s earlier Tourer units across most of Europe and then spending the last 12 months with the new Tourer 3, I thought it fitting to write an in-depth review of how a caravan or motorhome-specific sat nav can help someone like me, who has a terrible sense of direction.
From northern Finland to northern Spain, through German autobahns, Swiss passes and Italian backroads, the Tourer 1 and Tourer 2 have quietly got us, and a succession of caravans and motorhomes, exactly where we needed to be. The only time they’ve come unstuck was when an Italian campsite moved its entrance from one road to another, which is hardly the sat-nav’s fault.
The Avtex Tourer 3 is the latest evolution of that idea: a Garmin-based caravan and motorhome sat-nav loaded with campsite data and designed to route you based on your outfit’s height, weight and length, rather than pretending you’re in a supermini.
On paper, it’s a big step up from the Tourer 2. In practice, it’s one of the most confidence-inspiring bits of tourer-friendly tech you can place into a tow car or motorhome cab – with a few caveats.
Hardware, design and screen
The Tourer 3 uses a 6.95-inch frameless HD capacitive touchscreen with pinch-to-zoom.
Why it matters in the cab:
- Ideal size. Big enough to read clearly from a motorhome seat or when towing, but not so huge that it dominates the windscreen.
- High brightness. Clear, sharp mapping with excellent night-mode performance (a blessing on unlit French D-roads).
- Responsive touch. A massive upgrade if you’re coming from the resistive screens on early caravan-specific sat-navs.
Build quality is on par with premium Garmin units, thanks to a slim chassis, narrow bezels and a stable suction mount. Power is via 12V with enough internal battery life to plan routes in the van without running the engine.
Caravan and motorhome vehicle profiling
This is the core reason to buy a leisure-specific sat-nav, and the Tourer 3 is excellent here.
You can set up profiles for:
- Car
- Car + caravan
- Motorhome/campervan
With inputs for:
- Height
- Width
- Length
- Weight
Once set, the Tourer 3 calculates routes across the UK and 45 European countries that take height limits, narrow roads and weight restrictions into account.
In real use:
- It avoids “white-knuckle” shortcuts that a normal car sat-nav would gleefully send you through.
- Unsuitable low bridges are avoided.
- Steep gradients and tight bends are flagged early. Useful for heavy motorhomes or long caravan outfits.
Campsite databases and POIs
The Tourer 3 includes:
- Caravan and Motorhome Club full site database.
- ACSI, Campercontact, Trailer Park and other European campsite data.
- TripAdvisor and Michelin Green Guide integration.
- Search and filtering by facilities, pitch type and opening dates.
The result? You can search directly for CAMC sites, CLs, aires and European campsites and route to the actual site entrance, not just the postcode. It’s invaluable when postcodes, especially those in Europe, cover broad rural areas.
If you frequently tour across Europe, this is one of the biggest reasons to purchase the Tourer 3.
What’s new vs the Tourer 1 and Tourer 2?
1. BirdsEye satellite imagery
High-resolution aerial images that show site layouts, entrances and approach roads.
For caravanners, this is genuinely useful, as it lets you check how to enter before you get there. After the “moved campsite entrance” issue I’ve experienced firsthand, this feels like a meaningful upgrade.
2. Local spots and scenic routing
The Tourer 3 suggests viewpoints, attractions and scenic roads along your route.
On long Continental drives, these suggestions make breaks far easier to plan.
3. Environmental Zone routing
A must-have for Europe. The unit now recognises LEZs, ULEZ-style zones and other environmental restrictions, routing around them automatically.
4. More fluid interface, faster routing, crisper mapping
Everything is quicker, smoother and more modern compared with older units.
On the road. Routing, traffic and guidance
This is where the Tourer 3 really earns its keep.
Routing
- Sensible main-road bias when towing or driving a big motorhome.
- Much better at avoiding ridiculous shortcuts than a phone app.
- Town routing is noticeably more considered, especially in older European cities.
Traffic
The live traffic is handy, as it reroutes around significant delays, which are usually accurate and worthwhile.
Lane guidance
Garmin’s junction view shines here. Large, clear lane diagrams are invaluable on complex interchanges in Germany or the Netherlands.
Voice guidance
Calm, early instructions that don’t overwhelm you. Very helpful when towing on unfamiliar roads.
Smartphone and connectivity features
Pairing the Tourer 3 with the Garmin Drive app unlocks:
- Hands-free calling
- Smart notifications
- Live traffic and weather
- Send-to-device routing (perfect when you find a site on your phone)
This bridges the gap between online planning and on-the-road navigation in a way older Tourer units never quite managed.
Reversing camera compatibility
The Tourer 3 is designed to work with Garmin’s BC50 wireless HD reversing camera:
- Up to 160° wide-angle.
- Wireless range suitable for most caravans and longer motorhomes.
- Hard-wired power, so you’re not changing batteries.
For solo tourers or anyone nervous about tight pitches, this is game-changing. You effectively turn the sat-nav into a reversing monitor.
Everyday usability
After a few days, you’ll be completely at home:
- The menu is intuitive and tuned for touring (campsites, UK club sites, European sites, trip planner, etc.).
- Multi-stop trip planning is excellent for long European tours.
- Profile switching (car → caravan → motorhome) is fast.
- POI layers can be toggled on or off depending on your needs that day.
It feels like a tool designed by someone who actually goes touring.
Downsides
Price
It’s a premium bit of kit. You’re paying for the routing intelligence and campsite data, but if you tour regularly, it earns its keep.
Data accuracy
Occasional inaccuracies come from campsite data rather than the device. If a site moves its entrance or changes layout, you’ll only know after an update or by using BirdsEye imagery.
Cab clutter
In some motorhomes, a separate 7-inch device adds to the dash real estate. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider.
Verdict: Is the Avtex Tourer 3 worth it?
Yes. If you tour regularly, it’s one of the best tools you can buy.
You get:
- A crisp, bright, responsive 7-inch screen
- Height/width/weight-aware routing across 45 countries
- Massive campsite databases baked into the device
- Excellent live traffic and lane guidance
- Genuinely useful touring-specific tools like BirdsEye imagery
- Optional high-quality reversing camera integration
Most importantly, it continues the reliability I’ve had from Tourer 1 and Tourer 2 across Europe. The Tourer 3 doesn’t reinvent the concept; it refines it into the most complete caravan and motorhome sat-nav Avtex has produced so far.
If you value peace of mind, accurate routing and a device that understands the realities of towing or motorhome touring, the Tourer 3 feels like a natural and worthwhile upgrade and a touring companion you can genuinely trust.
Where can I buy one?
Prima Leisure is an Avtex stockist and offers incredibly competitive Tourer 3 pricing
If you are a Caravan and Motorhome Club member, the Club Shop usually offers preferential rates.
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