Going offline can be one of the most freeing parts of RVing and camping. After all, disconnecting is kind of the point. But let’s be real: most of us still want access to unlimited internet, at least some of the time. I mean, how else will you distract yourself while your partner insists on visiting yet another kitschy roadside attraction?
Staying connected on the road presents some unique challenges. But with a bit of creativity, flexibility, and investment, unlimited data is possible for RVers and nomads.
Weighing the Options
When looking for unlimited internet, you’ve got a few options broadly speaking:
- Cellular data plans – Mobile hotspots and data-only SIM cards
- Satellite internet – Ground equipment connecting to satellites
- Public WiFi – Hopping on hotspots and free networks
Let’s break it down further.
Cellular Data Plans
Going with a cellular data plan is often the most convenient option. Simply get a hotspot device or data-only SIM card, and connect your camper. Most mobile providers offer unlimited data plans nowadays.
The major benefits here are:
- Simplicity – Easy to set up and use on the go.
- Speed – LTE networks provide fast speeds, often 10-50Mbps down.
- Availability – Cell signals are widely available, including many rural areas.
Of course, there are some potential drawbacks as well:
- Dead zones – Rural coverage can be spotty in remote areas and forests.
- Throttling – Carriers may throttle your speeds after hitting data caps.
- Cost – Unlimited plans aren’t cheap, typically $50-150/month.
- Obstructions – Hills, buildings, trees, etc. can weaken signal strength.
Overall, cellular data is ideal if you’re mostly sticking to developed areas or don’t mind the occasional dead zone. Let’s look at a few leading provider options:
Verizon – Offers the largest LTE coverage in the US and consistent speeds. Their top unlimited plan runs $90/month.
T-Mobile – Solid coverage and unlimited plans starting at $50/month, but speeds may be reduced at 50GB.
AT&T – Good rural reach with an unlimited plan at $85/month, after $10 autopay discount.
For even more savings, look at MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) like Google Fi which piggyback off the major networks. Most unlimited plans will throttle speeds after 20-50GB of usage to reduce congestion.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet beams signals down from the sky, making it available nearly anywhere. With a satellite dish setup, you can get online from the most remote boondocking sites.
The main advantages of satellite internet include:
- Ubiquitous availability – Get connected off the grid with few geographical limitations.
- Decent speeds – Modern satellites provide speeds of 10-30Mbps down. Enough for web browsing and streaming SD video.
- Unlimited data – Most plans offer unlimited downloads without throttling or data caps.
Despite the benefits, there are some definite drawbacks as well:
- Cost – Satellite internet is expensive, $100-200 per month typically.
- Latency – Signals have to travel to space and back, resulting in lag of 500-800ms. Gaming and video calls may suffer.
- Weather issues – Heavy rain or snow can interrupt the signal and slow speeds.
- Bulkiness – The satellite dish and hardware take up space.
For RV use, two of the top satellite internet providers are:
Starlink – Part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, offering a low profile dish. Speeds of 50-200Mbps down for $110/month. Currently only available in certain areas due to limited satellite reach.
Viasat – Established satellite ISP with fast Ka-band satellites. $150/month for speeds of 20-100Mbps. Requires a bulky dish installation.
If you spend extended time in extremely rural areas, satellite can provide unlimited connectivity, albeit at premium pricing.
Public WiFi
The third approach is hopping between public WiFi hotspots you encounter on your journey. This can include:
- Campground WiFi networks
- Coffee shop and restaurant hotspots
- Free city and town-wide WiFi
- Hotel and accommodation networks
- WiFi at public libraries, RV parks, etc.
Piggybacking on public networks works best for light internet usage while keeping mobile data as your primary connection. The pros of public WiFi are:
- Cost – Totally free access, only paying for your mobile data.
- Convenience – Easy to find hotspots in developed areas.
- Decent speeds – Public hotspots often provide 10-30Mbps, enough for light use.
The cons to watch out for:
- Security issues – Public networks are less secure than cellular or satellite.
- Availability – Finding an open network is hit or miss.
- Connection limits – Hotspots may have time limits or data caps.
- Slow speeds – Heavily used hotspots can crawl during peak congestion.
WiFi networks are fine in a pinch but generally unreliable for primary connectivity needs. Though they work well supplementing a cellular plan when boondocking or just browsing the web.
Be sure to take precautions on public WiFi like avoiding sensitive logins and using a VPN service to encrypt your connection.
Boosting Your Cell Signal
To make the most of a cellular data plan, you’ll want to optimize signal strength when possible. Some ways to boost cell reception in your camper include:
- Campsite selection – Choose sites with line of sight to cell towers when available. Even just a few hundred feet can make a difference.
- Antenna placement – Try raising or repositioning your antenna to catch the strongest signal. Pointing it out a window is better than inside.
- Signal boosters – An amplifier catches faint signals and rebroadcasts them locally. Models like the weBoost Drive Sleek work well for RVs.
- Directional antennas – High gain antennas focus signal in one direction. You can manually aim it or pair it with a booster.
- Higher data allotments – Some carriers reduce speeds after hitting thresholds, so maximize your plan’s data allowance.
With a few upgrades and careful site selection, you can stretch your cell signal much further. Though sheer remoteness or topology like mountains and valleys will still result in dead zones.
Optimizing Data Usage
To get the most out of limited bandwidth, whether capped cellular data or inconsistent public WiFi, you’ll want to keep your usage efficient. Here are some ways to minimize data consumption in your RV:
- Enable data saving settings – On mobile devices and apps to reduce and compress usage.
- Use offline apps and maps – Download content like playlists and maps to view later without connectivity.
- Limit streaming quality – Stream video and music at lower resolutions like 480p when possible.
- Batch internet usage – Schedule data-heavy tasks like video calls during periods of reliable connectivity.
- Minimize bandwidth hogs – Avoid data intensive web apps and services when relying on public hotspots.
- Disable auto-updates – Stop apps, operating systems, etc. from large background downloads. Update manually when on reliable WiFi instead.
- Compress web pages – Enable page compression in browsers and use text-only mode when available.
- Monitor usage – Check your data usage regularly and watch for any spikes indicating issues.
With some minor habit adjustments, you can seamlessly adapt to connections of varying speed or data limits.
Campground WiFi 101
One of the most convenient ways to get internet while camping is using campground WiFi. Most modern private campgrounds now offer a basic network, but quality varies wildly. Here are a few tips for assessing and connecting to campground WiFi:
- Check their website in advance for details on WiFi speeds, availability, costs, etc. Heavily advertised fast WiFi is usually a good sign.
- Scan networks on-site to see how many you can detect. Multiple access points mean more capacity spread across campsites.
- Connect and run speed tests like fast.com to measure download speeds and latency. 10Mbps down is usable but faster is better.
- Check if the network requires a password or payment to access. Many are free, fees around $3-10 per day are common.
- Try alternate access points if speeds are unusable on one. I once hopped between 3 campground hotspots to find the fastest signal.
- Position your rig to maximize WiFi signal if staying in place for a while. Obstructions like trees and buildings hurt range.
- Use a WiFi extender inside your camper if the network is borderline usable. Or set up a customized external antenna for a boost.
Campground WiFi can make or break your stay. With apps and streaming, even 20-50Mbps may strain with multiple devices. Patience and creativity go a long way when bandwidth is scarce.
Creative Solutions for Connecting
When you’re desperate for internet access, creativity and flexibility are key. Here are some unusual tips for finding or boosting connectivity:
- Identify local obstacles like hills and orient your rig to minimize signal blockage. Even parking strategically can help.
- Check municipal, county or state parks to see if they offer free public WiFi—you can often camp nearby even if their campground is full.
- Scope out local businesses like coffee shops, libraries, hotels, and restaurants that may let you work in their lounge or parking lot to use WiFi.
- Extend your stay at a site with good connectivity to download content and take care of data-heavy tasks before moving on.
- Introduce yourself to neighbors at a campground and offer to split the cost of a upgraded WiFi connection. More devices means more bandwidth allotment.
- Try alternate cellular carriers or networks like 3G if available—sometimes legacy tech works better in remote areas.
- Invest in long-range external antennas and amplifiers to pull in faint signals. A little extra power can make a big difference.
At the end of the day, maintaining an internet connection from a camper requires resourcefulness and a hacker mindset. With the right gear and adaptable attitude, staying unlimited truly is possible on the road.
The Bottom Line
The ideal scenario, of course, is having fast unlimited internet wherever you roam. With Starlink improving satellite speeds and 5G expanding coverage, that vision is getting closer. But the reality is RV connectivity involves trade-offs and costs.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your budget, travels, and usage. Light users might rely entirely on campground WiFi and public hotspots. Data-hungry nomads will want a premium cellular plan or Starlink. Factor when you’ll boondock versus camping at facilities.
There’s no one right solution for everyone. Mix and match options like:
- Cellular – For your primary needs and basic coverage
- Satellite – To fill in rural gaps and remote sites
- Public WiFi – As a backup to save cellular data
With smart gadgets and antennas, you can amplify signals and squeeze every byte possible out of each connection.
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