Why I Built PinePoint: A Software Engineer's Love Letter to RVing

Hi, I'm Ross! 👋

If someone had told me five years ago that I'd be traveling the country in an RV with my wife and our boxer Max, I probably would've laughed. But here we are, and honestly? It's the best decision we've ever made.

The Empty Nest Adventure

Like many of you, my wife and I found ourselves facing the empty nest. The kids had moved out, started their own lives, and suddenly our house felt... too big. Too quiet. We'd spent 25 years raising our family, and now we had a question: What's next?

A friend suggested we try RV camping. "Just for a weekend," they said. "You might hate it."

We didn't hate it. We fell completely in love with it.

There's something magical about waking up to a different view whenever you want. About having breakfast in the mountains one week and by the ocean the next. About the incredible people you meet along the way - fellow travelers who understand that sometimes the best moments aren't planned, they're discovered.

Max, our dog, took to RV life like he was born for it. Watching him explore new trails every week never gets old.

The Problem I Kept Running Into

Now, I should mention - I'm a software engineer by trade. I've spent my career building applications, solving problems with code, and getting frustrated when technology doesn't work the way it should.

And here's the thing: the existing RV campground tools drove me crazy.

Don't get me wrong - sites like Campendium, RV Life, and The Dyrt are great. They've been around for years, they have tons of data, and the RV community has built something really valuable together. I'm genuinely grateful they exist.

But as someone who's used to modern apps with AI assistants and smart search, I kept thinking: "There has to be a better way."

Here's what frustrated me:

Opening 10 browser tabs to compare campgrounds
Copying and pasting between route planners and booking sites
Spending 2+ hours just to plan a simple week-long trip
Not being able to ask questions in plain English like "Find me quiet boondocking spots within 4 hours of Denver"
Route planners that didn't account for RV restrictions

Every single trip, I'd think: "I could build something better."

Why I Actually Built It

For a long time, that's all it was - just a thought. I had a demanding job, other commitments, the usual excuses.

But then ChatGPT came out. Then GPT-4. Then all these amazing AI tools that could understand natural language and make smart recommendations.

And I thought: "What if I could combine my 20 years of software engineering experience with these new AI technologies to make RV trip planning... actually enjoyable?"

So I started building PinePoint as a pet project.

Not as a startup trying to raise millions. Not as a company trying to put other RV sites out of business. Just as a side project to scratch my own itch and maybe - just maybe - help other RVers who were frustrated with the same things I was.

What Makes PinePoint Different

I built PinePoint around a simple idea: RV trip planning should feel like having a knowledgeable friend who knows exactly what you need.

Instead of searching through filters and endless lists, you can just ask:

"Plan a 7-day trip from Seattle to Yellowstone with full hookups under $60/night"
"Find pet-friendly campgrounds along the Oregon coast"
"Show me quiet spots for boondocking in Utah"

The AI understands what you're looking for, finds options that actually match, and can even help you plan your route with RV-safe roads.

I also built in features that I personally wanted:

Route planning that accounts for RV height, weight, and propane restrictions
Trip sharing (so I can send our itinerary to family)
Real campground reviews from real RVers
Integration with mapping services
A clean, modern interface that doesn't feel like it's from 2010

This Is Still a Pet Project

Here's the honest truth: PinePoint might succeed, or it might not.

I'm not quitting my day job. I'm not betting the farm on this. I'm just a software engineer who loves RVing and thought maybe - just maybe - I could build something that makes this lifestyle even better for our community.

If it works out and people find it useful? Amazing! I'd love to grow it, add more features, and really serve the RV community well.

If it doesn't? Well, at least I learned a ton about AI, Next.js, and Mapbox along the way. And I still have a tool that makes MY RV trips easier. That's a win in my book.

I Need Your Help

This is where you come in.

I can write code. I can build features. I can integrate APIs. But what I really need is feedback from real RVers like you.

Tell me what sucks. Seriously. If something's broken, confusing, or just plain doesn't work the way you expected - I want to know.

Tell me what's missing. What would make your RV trips easier? What features would you actually use?

Tell me what works. When something clicks and makes your life easier, that's just as valuable to know.

I'm not a big company with a customer service department. I'm just Ross, a guy who codes at night and travels with his wife and dog on weekends. Your feedback directly shapes what I build next.

Let's Build This Together

The RV community is special. We help each other in campgrounds. We share tips about great spots. We warn each other about bad roads.

That's the spirit I want PinePoint to embody.

I'm not trying to replace the other RV sites - they do great work. I'm just trying to add something new to the toolbox. Something built with modern AI that makes trip planning less of a chore and more of an exciting part of the adventure.

So here's my invitation:

Try PinePoint. Break it. Love it. Hate it. Whatever your reaction - tell me about it.

You can reach me at rossshamelashvili@gmail.com or just use the feedback button in the app. I read every single message.

Let's see if we can build something genuinely useful for the RV community. Together.

See You on the Road! 🚐

If you see a Jayco Travel Trailer Rocky Mountain Edition with a boxer named Max hanging out the window, come say hi. I'll show you the app in person, and we can swap stories about the best campsites we've found.

Until then, happy trails!

Ross Founder, PinePoint Fellow RVer Dog Dad to Max 🐕

P.S. - Max says the best campgrounds are the ones with hiking trails and other dogs to play with. He's not wrong.

Want to try PinePoint? Start your free 30-day trial →

Have feedback? Email me: rossshamelashvili@gmail.com

Follow our RV adventures: [Coming soon - I haven't figured out social media yet! 😅]