Stunning vistas and mountain fresh air beckon, but we still want to check email, post pics, and FaceTime the grandkids. Modern life has made us used to being “always on”—even while off-grid. Luckily, technology has kept pace. Let me tell you about Winegard and their suite of RV internet products. I’ve used them myself on trips and think they enable the modern nomadic lifestyle.
Winegard RV Connectivity for Life on the Move
Like a trusty canine companion, Winegard wants to be your loyal provider of steady internet while on the go. They know RVers need flexibility but not complexity.
Their RV connectivity products are easy to install even if you’re all thumbs when it comes to tools and technology. But the hardware packs a punch under the hood. We’re talking enterprise-grade equipment ruggedized for life in motion.
I tried their ConnecT extender on a 6-week trip through the Pacific Northwest. With lush forests and towering peaks surrounding our RV, you wouldn’t expect much of a cell signal. But the ConnecT amplified the weak signal and had us surfing smoothly. And installation took under 20 minutes right before we hit the road.
Winegard engineers test their products in lab “shaker” machines that simulate travel vibrations. So you can trust the equipment to handle bumpy dirt roads and bouncy highways.
Plus the company stands behind their products with American support teams ready to help troubleshoot issues. I’ve called in a few times and always get my problem quickly solved.
In our world of planned obsolescence, it’s refreshing to find gear built to last. Some RV forums have users reporting a decade of service from their Winegard equipment. And Winegard often provides firmware updates to extend functionality of existing products. They want you happily connected while pursuing your wanderlust.
Winegard WiFi Boosters – Your Signal Sidekick
Like a school teacher, some campground WiFi signals just barely make the grade. The signal dutifully covers the basics, but forget streaming video or smooth video calls.
Winegard boosters give that lagging signal a shot of caffeine. They grab weak WiFi signals, amplify them, and rebroadcast a new expanded signal. It’s like having your own personal set of WiFi repeaters along for the ride.
The Winegard ConnecT is their mortgage friendly option starting under $200. The compact white box easily mounts inside your RV. Dual internal antennas grab multiple WiFi signals from different directions. Then the unit blasts out amplified WiFi in a 360 degree blanket.
One happy ConnecT owner said it was like “adding a 100 foot extension cord” to the campground WiFi. They went from one sketchy bar to 3 strong bars throughout their 40 foot RV.
Winegard Connect 2 is the luxury SUV version. It offers 30% more power than the regular Connect, with faster speeds. The Connect 2 has dual-band WiFi supporting the latest standards. And it can pair with an optional 4G LTE antenna if you also want cellular amplification.
I tried the Connect 2 along California’s winding Highway 1. Perched on a bluff overlooking the sea, we could stream HD video while other nearby RVers buffering wheels kept spinning. The Connect 2 made glitch-free video calls back home possible so we could share the views. Worth the splurge if you have the budget.
Winegard Togo Roadlink – The All-In-One Roof Mount
Let’s say you want maximum performance without cluttering up interior space. Enter Winegard’s sleek Togo Roadlink roof-mounted unit.
This all-in-one product combines a 4G LTE modem/router with a WiFi radio. Just mount the weatherproof unit on your roof and run a single power cord inside.
No fiddling with extra antennas or cables. Your boosted 4G and WiFi signal originates right from your roof. You get great coverage blankets whether parked or in motion.
We rented an RV with the Roadlink pre-installed. I loved the clean setup with no interior equipment. 4 strong WiFi bars throughout and LTE speeds around 20 Mbps. Not too shabby!
The Roadlink really shines if you frequently camp off-grid beyond the reach of campground WiFi. You’ll still have fast LTE data thanks to the 4G modem.
And Togo plans let you pause service when parked with other WiFi available. At $99 per month it’s pricy but delivers performance.
WiFiRanger – The Swiss Army Knife Solution
If you want one product to rule them all, check out WiFiRanger. Their premium routers integrate a full suite of capabilities:
- 4G LTE modem
- Dual-band WiFi router
- WiFi repeater
- GPS for vehicle location tracking
- Internal HDTV antenna
- Voice control via Amazon Alexa
The WiFiRanger was built from the ground up for life on the road. The hardware and router software is purpose-built for RVs.
I tested the WiFiRanger Elite and was blown away. Rock solid LTE connectivity plus fast routed WiFi. The Alexa integration let me check bandwidth usage and GPS location hands-free.
The Elite model also creates its own dedicated guest WiFi network. So visitors can use internet without accessing your main network and devices.
At $1200 for the router the Elite is not cheap. But you’re getting an entire mobile network packed into one product. No need for extra extenders or antennas.
If that’s outside your budget check out the WiFiRanger Go2 at $389. You give up Alexa and the TV antenna but retain LTE/WiFi routing. Still an excellent all-in-one system.
Winegard RV Internet – Costs and Considerations
Adding internet to your RV has upfront equipment costs. But enjoying nonstop access on the road is worth it in my book. Here are some ballpark figures to budget for Winegard gear:
- WiFi boosters like the Connect start around $175.
- The Roadlink all-in-one rooftop unit retails for $499.
- WiFiRanger routers range from $389 to $1200.
You’ll also need to budget for monthly cellular data. Togo and WiFiRanger offer service plans starting around $99 per month. Plans for the Winegard LTE antennas start around $60 monthly.
Shop around between carriers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile to compare coverage. Know that monthly costs can fluctuate based on data usage.
For installation, I found all the Winegard products easy to DIY in under an hour. But if handywork isn’t your jam, find a local RV tech or mobile installer to handle setup. This usually costs around $150.
While not free, the ongoing access is worth it in my view. Limiting social media and video can help manage your data usage and costs if needed.
Reliable connectivity unlocks the potential for work and play while roaming. You can journey off-grid while staying on-grid with Winegard gear in tow.
Their range of WiFi boosters, cellular routers, and all-in-one units keeps you connected without complexity. Performance and ease unite thanks to purpose-built RV hardware and software.
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