Tutorials &
User Guide

Begin with your own Apple Account. Van Companion keeps setup short and lets you change every choice later.

1. Install and open Van Companion.

   Download it from the App Store and follow the first-launch introduction.

2. Review the Premium Preview.

   All Premium features are available for the first 30 days. This is an in-app preview, not a paid Apple subscription.

3. Allow location while using the app.

   Location supports nearby searches, current-position updates, routes, and optional coordinates on travel records.

4. Confirm iCloud is available.

   iCloud Drive is needed for Enhanced backup, personal-device sync, and Premium Pilot/Co-Pilot sharing.

Vehicle specifications drive range estimates, reminders, fuel and DEF displays, and the information available during a trip.

1. Enter the 17-character VIN.

   Use VIN lookup to fill available year, make, model, engine, fuel, drive, and manufacturing information.

2. Review every decoded field.

   A conversion may differ from factory specifications. Confirm the actual height, length, width, fuel-tank capacity, tires, oil, and equipment for your completed rig. Dimensions are shown in both inches and feet/inches.

3. Add the RV build.

   Record the builder, electrical system, batteries, solar, water tanks, climate equipment, appliances, communications, and security equipment.

4. Separate ratings from scale readings.

   GVWR is the manufacturer’s maximum rating. Gross, steer, drive, and trailer axle weights are actual scale-ticket readings in pounds; they are not dimensions.

5. Update fuel, MPG, and range together.

   Tap the fuel/MPG/range area on Vehicle. Set the current fuel level, tank capacity, and displayed fuel economy; Van Companion immediately shows the resulting estimated range. A newer Final Departure checklist can also update these readings.

1. Choose the checklist you need.

   Interior, Exterior, and Final Departure stay orange until complete, then turn green for the current readiness cycle.

2. Make Interior and Exterior fit your rig.

   Build each master checklist from suggested items or your own entries. Add, remove, or reorder items later; the completion total changes automatically.

3. Set fuel with the 12-step gauge.

   The straight E-to-F gauge combines familiar fractional markings with precise steps for range estimates.

4. Record DEF when applicable.

   The light-blue DEF gauge changes to yellow at one-half and red at one-quarter, with an advisory when attention is needed.

5. Complete Interior and Exterior.

   Interior records battery, fresh water, gray water, black water, and propane when equipped in 1% steps. These current readings flow to the vehicle status.

6. Complete Final Departure.

   Use the editable GPS-resolved departure location, choose the driver, set today’s destination or destination TBD, and record odometer, fuel, MPG, DEF, tires, and advisories.

7. Close the trip with Trip Complete.

   Use the editable post-trip checklist and final readings. Completing it archives every active instance of the trip and leaves no trip underway.

8. Review or report the history.

   The Checklists screen shows the ten most recent Exterior, Interior, and Final Departure records by date and location. Use All Checklist History Report for a consolidated record of completions and manual readings.

1. Tap Plan Trip.

   Name the trip, choose the starting and ending known locations, and set departure and planned return dates. The latest checklist odometer is reused when available.

2. Build each travel day.

   Choose a destination day, stay day, open driving day, or leave it undecided. Dates include the day of the week. Search destinations by name or address and choose from matching known locations and Apple Maps results.

3. Continue a stay.

   For consecutive stay days, reuse the previous day’s destination and overnight information instead of entering it again.

4. Use the Journey map.

   Current location and next destination create the route. Tap the map or navigation control to open Apple Maps for a larger view and CarPlay navigation.

5. Add stops and memories.

   Use waypoints for planned stops. Places Been automatically includes completed travel locations and also lets you tap the map to add a manual place; the map distinguishes automatic and manually added memories.

6. Update the next destination.

   Choosing another Nearby Activity replaces the current Dashboard destination while preserving saved stop records.

7. End the journey when you arrive.

   Open Trip Complete from the bottom of Checklists or End Trip in Trip Library. Record final odometer, MPG, DEF, engine-oil condition, water and tank levels, and propane when equipped, then complete the editable post-trip checklist.

1. Open Nearby Activities.

   Use the Dashboard Quick Action or open it from Logbook.

2. Choose a category.

   Browse Restaurants, Fast Food, Attractions, Outdoors, Relax, Water, Public Camp/RV, Private Camp/RV, or Overnight Options.

3. Explore another area.

   Move the map toward the road ahead or another city. Results refresh around the visible area after you stop moving it.

4. Select a place.

   Tap a marker to make it your next Dashboard destination. Your last selection and search remain available when you return.

5. Open the full map.

   Tap Open Full Map to view results in Apple Maps. Use Clear Selection when you no longer want the selected destination.

1. Tap Log Expense.

   Record date, vendor, category—including Hotel and Souvenirs—amount, payment method, notes, and whether the cost is personal, business, or split.

2. Attach the correct place.

   Use Current GPS Location to save coordinates and find nearby businesses. If you have already driven away, start typing the business name and choose a suggestion near the saved location or entered city.

3. Record complete fuel fill-ups.

   Enter fuel volume, price, odometer, and whether the tank was filled completely. Van Companion calculates MPG when sufficient full-fill data exists.

4. Use Recent, Active Trip, or Dates.

   The consolidated Reports, Views & Filters panel narrows the list before you review totals; recurring expenses also appear in Spending by Category.

5. Create reports with Enhanced or Premium.

   Choose Current Month, Custom Period, Year to Date, or All History, then preview and export PDF or CSV files.

1. Choose the Pilot.

   The Pilot owns the shared workspace and must have active Premium access.

2. Check iCloud Readiness.

   On the Pilot’s phone, open Account & Community → Pilot & Co-Pilot Sharing. Wait until iCloud Readiness shows Ready.

3. Send one invitation.

   Tap Invite Co-Pilot and send it by Messages, Mail, or another available sharing option.

4. Accept on the Co-Pilot’s iPhone.

   The Co-Pilot opens the invitation using their own Apple Account and iCloud account, then opens Van Companion.

5. Sync both phones.

   Tap Sync Now and confirm the correct names, Connected status, and a recent sync time.

1. Open Plans from Account & Community.

   Apple displays the current localized price and billing period before confirmation.

2. Use Restore Purchases when needed.

   Restore checks the Apple Account signed into the device for an active Van Companion subscription.

3. Use Manage Apple Subscriptions.

   Change or cancel a plan in Apple’s subscription settings. Paid plans renew automatically until canceled.

U.S. prices are shown. Apple displays localized pricing before purchase. See the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.