Enjoying all the comforts of home while RVing depends on having a reliable internet connection. RV park WiFi is notoriously spotty, and cellular data coverage can be frustratingly inconsistent. Enter Starlink, which promises high-speed satellite internet anywhere you roam. I took Starlink on the road for a month-long RV trip and found it delivers surprisingly good connectivity for media streaming and general web browsing. While not flawless, Starlink opens new possibilities for RVers looking to stay entertained and connected while adventuring off the grid.
Starlink Hardware for RVs
To use Starlink in your RV, you’ll need two pieces of hardware: the satellite dish and the WiFi router.
The Satellite Dish
This compact dish connects to Starlink’s satellites in orbit to get you internet. It’s roughly 2 feet wide and weighs under 10 pounds. The dish is sturdy but won’t withstand truly severe weather events. It comes with a tripod mount you can set up wherever you stop, plus a pole mount for permanent roof installation. I prefer the tripod since it’s easy to move in and out of storage.
The dish tilt motors let it orient itself automatically to get the best angle to connect with satellites overhead. An integrated heating element prevents snow and ice buildup. Cables connect the dish to the router to complete the setup.
One downside is the dish can’t fold up compactly like some other mobile satellite antennas. You’ll need to dedicate a good amount of cargo space to hauling it around if you move locations frequently. I keep mine in a protective case and stash it underneath the RV when driving.
The WiFi Router
This router plugs into the dish to broadcast WiFi and ethernet ports for wired connections. It’s got a compact, utilitarian design.
The standard model works well enough, but I opted for the premium version with the additional ethernet ports since I have multiple devices to hardwire. The premium router also has a touchscreen display that shows network status at a glance which is handy for diagnosing any connection issues.
Both routers run on the included 100W power supply and seem to work fine with most power inverters and generators when shore power isn’t available.
How Starlink Performs for RVs
Now for the million dollar question: how well does Starlink actually work for RV internet access? Based on my experience using it while traveling full-time: quite well overall, but with a few limitations to understand.
Speed
I consistently get over 150Mbps download speeds with Starlink parked in an RV site or boondocking spot. That’s easily 10X faster than even excellent LTE coverage and on par with good cable internet.
Streaming HD video is no problem with that kind of bandwidth, even if a few devices are connected simultaneously. I can run video calls, podcast recordings, and cloud backups without a hiccup. Large downloads complete quickly.
Starlink upload speeds are slower, usually in the 10 – 20Mbps range, but still sufficient for things like uploading photos from latest adventures. You’ll only notice slower uploads with very large files.
The biggest factor affecting Starlink performance is overhead obstructions like trees and buildings. Speed remains consistently fast if the dish has a wide view of the sky. But anything blocking the signal path can slow things down or cause intermittent dropouts. I try to keep the dish in as open a location as possible.
Latency
Latency measures the responsiveness of the connection. Satellite internet has historically suffered from high latency due to the long distance signals have to travel up to the satellites and back.
Starlink has remarkably low latency for a satellite system. I average around 30 – 50ms which is barely noticeable even for real-time gaming and video calls. Only folks who are extremely sensitive to lag may find Starlink latency bothersome. For most RVers, it’s a non-issue.
Reliability
This is where Starlink has some room for improvement. While usable most of the time, I’ve experienced occasional prolonged network dropouts lasting 5 – 10 minutes.
The Starlink app provides some insight into causes, like switching between satellites overhead or temporarily losing line-of-sight to any satellites. But the disruptions can still be frustrating if they occur during something bandwidth intensive like a software update.
Connection stability seems to vary quite a bit based on location. Areas farther north generally have more reliable service as Starlink continues to improve coverage. The network should become more robust as SpaceX launches additional satellites. For now, some periodic dropouts come with the territory.
Data Caps
One major perk of Starlink is enjoying home broadband levels of data without worrying about hitting a monthly cap like cellular plans impose. There are technically “soft” data caps where speeds may be throttled during congestion after passing a high threshold, but no strict limits or overage charges.
It’s a phenomenal feeling to have unlimited high-speed data available while traveling off-grid. I can stream movies and shows to my heart’s content without rationing megabytes.
How Starlink Compares to Other RV Internet Options
Starlink offers some distinct advantages for RV internet, but also has limitations depending on your needs. Here’s how it stacks up to other available options:
Cellular Data – LTE and upcoming 5G networks provide broadband speeds rivaling Starlink, but with restrictive data caps. You’ll burn through cellular data quickly with media streaming. And coverage remains spotty in rural areas. But cellular is less prone to blockages, doesn’t require setting up a dish, and works while driving.
RV Park WiFi – Hit-or-miss depending on the location. Speeds rarely match Starlink, and shared public connections can get bogged down quickly by other users on the network. But it’s accessible and doesn’t require external equipment.
Other Satellite Internet – Services like HughesNet have slower speeds than Starlink and restrictive data policies. But coverage areas are more mature and less prone to dropouts for now. Dishes are generally more compact than Starlink’s too.
No single option is ideal in all scenarios. I found Starlink to be my preferred connectivity solution while camping off-grid for extended periods when needing maximum bandwidth. But I do keep a cellular modem handy as a backup for areas with poor Starlink reception or needing internet immediately upon arrival.
Combining services based on their strengths provides maximum flexibility for different travel styles. Starlink covers most of my usage, with cellular filling in the gaps. And I can always fallback to park WiFi in a pinch!
Where You Can Use Starlink for RVs
Starlink’s satellite network provides coverage across most of North and South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, with new regions coming online regularly.
But “coverage” doesn’t mean every location is ideal for using the service. Geographic factors like mountains and forests can block signal reception if no satellites are visible from a given location.
I’ve found Starlink reception to be remarkably good while camping and boondocking in fairly open areas. Being out in the desert southwest of the US, I can usually find spots with clear views of the sky for good connectivity. Places surrounded tightly by mountains see much spottier performance.
Dense forests also make satellite visibility tricky. Again, Pacific Northwest campsites tend to have more trees blocking the dish compared to drier climates. But even among wooded areas, carefully selecting a site with good visibility can make Starlink usable.
It takes a bit of site planning when first arriving to find the optimal dish placement, gradually moving it around to maximize signal strength. I try to keep it within about 100 feet of the RV since the cable isn’t super long.
Monitoring your dish view of the sky via the Starlink app helps understand reception quality for a given location. I tend to see slower speeds and more dropouts with less than about 40% sky visibility. Really need a wide open view for best reliability.
Parking the RV on the north side of any obstructions helps visibility since the Starlink satellites travel in orbits that concentrate more coverage toward northern latitudes.
Starlink reception can also vary quite a bit from spot to spot within a campground. One site might get blazing fast speeds while a neighbor sees constant dropouts, simply based on local terrain and landscaping. Don’t assume an entire region is good or bad for connectivity without testing different sites within the area.
While RV use is officially permitted with Starlink these days, there are still some geographic restrictions:
- Users are advised to only set up service at the registered service address on their account. Using Starlink far outside this region can result in service termination. So you’ll need to update your registered address periodically to match where you’re traveling.
- Starlink is not currently supported while a vehicle is in motion. The dish will go into stow mode and cut out above driving speeds. You need to be parked at a location for setup.
- Some public lands explicitly prohibit satellite dish usage or commercial activity without a permit. Always check regulations before setting up Starlink on state/federal recreation areas. Stealth setups in unapproved areas operate in a legal gray zone at your own risk.
With those caveats in mind, Starlink opens exciting new possibilities for RVers to venture off the grid while maintaining a high degree of digital connectivity. Just be ready to adapt to the quirks and limitations of bleeding edge satellite internet tech.
Starlink Pricing and Equipment Costs
Let’s break down what it costs to get Starlink up and running in your RV or truck camper:
- One-time hardware fee – $599 for the satellite kit. Includes the dish, router, cables, power supply and mounting hardware.
- Monthly service fee – $135 per month. Billed monthly after the first month upfront.
- Portability fee – An additional $25-$60 per month depending on frequency of address changes. Required for RV use outside a fixed home address.
- Sales taxes – Vary by state and province. Figure 8% or so on top of the above fees.
TOTAL UPFRONT: $599 hardware + approx. $200 for first 2 months of service with taxes = ~$800 to get started.
ONGOING: Around $170+ per month for service fees and taxes thereafter.
You can pause or unpause service as needed without a contract. Cancelling incurs a $50 fee after the first 30 days.
That’s certainly not cheap, but comparable or lower than many other satellite internet options once you factor in equipment costs. No bumper-to-bumper RV trip is complete without a hefty fuel bill anyway, so consider quality connectivity part of the cruising budget.
If trying to get by on a tighter budget, you can minimize costs by only activating Starlink for months when you’ll be off-grid frequently. Suspend service when staying at RV parks with decent WiFi or near cellular coverage for a given season.
You can also split the hardware and service fees with fellow traveling companions. Many items like media subscriptions are sharable across devices. Just be sure to agree on how bandwidth will be allocated fairly within your group!
Tips for Getting the Most from Starlink in your RV
Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from getting the best performance out of my Starlink kit on the road:
- Carefully plan dish placement – Position it with as wide a view of the sky as possible. Avoid obstructions like trees, hills, and large vehicles parked nearby. Make small adjustments to optimize signal strength.
- Elevate the dish – Setting it up on a platform or portable mast helps visibility. I bring along a folding tripod stand to raise the dish up several feet when needed. (But watch out for high winds!)
- Try multiple locations – If reception is poor, move the dish (or RV itself) a short distance to see if another spot gets better signal. Changing the dish view by even a few degrees can help.
- Update your registered service address – Don’t forget to update your account address to match where you’re located, especially crossing geographic borders. Helps get assigned to the right satellites.
- Confirm app visibility – Use the Starlink app to check the dish view from sky. Aim for max unobstructed sky to avoid outages.
- Bring backups – Have a cellular modem, external antenna, or signal booster handy just in case environmental factors limit Starlink reception. Redundancy is key for constant connectivity.
- Manage expectations – Performance will occasionally suffer, whether from weather disruptions, network congestion, or driving through areas with sparse coverage. Don’t expect perfectly consistent speeds.
- Be a courteous neighbor – Avoid setups that obstruct other sites. Not everyone will appreciate a big satellite dish next door while camping.
Apply common sense to find the ideal mounting locations and don’t over-rely on Starlink as your sole internet source. But the freedom of sturdy satellite broadband that works practically anywhere can make even the most remote pit stops feel like home.
Final Thoughts on Starlink for RV Users
As with any new technology, Starlink has its quirks and limitations. Dropped connections and slower speeds during network congestion do occur. And the large dish takes up precious cargo capacity. You must have patience and reasonable expectations when pushing the bleeding edge of satellite internet capabilities.
But despite the occasional hassles inherent in its current early-adopter phase, I’m thrilled with how Starlink has enhanced my off-grid travels. Streaming movies from the coziest boondocking spots, video calls with family who enjoy virtual tours of our latest destinations, uploading stunning landscape photos while sipping coffee outside my camper in the quiet of nature.
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