Cost for Winegard Trav'ler SK3005 installation?

[DHart]

We have a 41' motorhome which currently has an old in-motion satellite antenna which we want to upgrade to a new HD Winegard Trav'ler SLIM line Ka/Ku Multi-Satellite SK3005 antenna.

I'm finding pricing for the Trav'ler at around $1200-1400, or so, for the unit itself and I'm wondering what I might expect for installation costs.

I'm not sure if the existing cabling from the old in-motion dish will be appropriate with the new Trav'ler.

We have a 40" HD Sony Bravira over the dashboard and a 22" flat screen TV in the bedroom.

Can anyone estimate the approximate labor hours to do the installation?

Thank you.

[Popcorn Man]

DHart, $1200 to $1400 sounds like a great deal. I had a 3005 installed last year and labor was $200 USD

[Bill Adams]

You will not be able to use the same cabling. If you provide the installer with the antenna the labor will likely be higher than if the installer sells you the unit (everyone needs to make a living). If you buy from your installer you should expect to pay around $1700 installed for the SK-3005 and $1500 for the SK-1000.

[Popcorn Man]

Bill, Your right on target with est. cost. Mine did include new cabeling and was installed where I bought the dish.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams You will not be able to use the same cabling. If you provide the installer with the antenna the labor will likely be higher than if the installer sells you the unit (everyone needs to make a living). If you buy from your installer you should expect to pay around $1700 installed for the SK-3005 and $1500 for the SK-1000.

What changed with the cables Bill?

Rick

[Bill Adams]

What changed? I am not sure I understand the question. Nothing changed expect that you changed antennas which means everything changed.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams What changed? I am not sure I understand the question. Nothing changed expect that you changed antennas which means everything changed.

What I was getting at is that he already has an in motion dish which I thought would have RG6 cable runs and don't understand why a different type of cable would be needed for a SK3005.

Rick

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO What I was getting at is that he already has an in motion dish which I thought would have RG6 cable runs and don't understand why a different type of cable would be needed for a SK3005. Rick

The coax cable will work, no worries. Now, what are you going to do with that control cable that makes the antenna work?

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams The coax cable will work, no worries. Now, what are you going to do with that control cable that makes the antenna work?

I'm with you.

Sorry for the hijack.

Rick

[Ed-Sommers]

The task is not rocket science. If you are capable of doing the most basic of home upkeep, you can easily do the job yourself, IMHO.

If you are the type that does not know what end of a screwdriver to hold, the install would be somewhat more difficult.

Ed

[DrewCrewOf2]

I did mine (see attached) took an hour or so... scary because the ladder was slipping side to side as I stepped over it to get up and down. Works great!

[wagonmaster2]

I'm considering changing out my old Winegard crank-up dish for the new Trav'ler dish and very interested in this thread. Doing the change over yourself does it require additional hold-down screws/bolts into/through the roof or will the original bolts work? I do most of my own maintenance on the coach and mechanical things usually don't throw me too bad but anything electrical can sometimes get frustrating. And most installation manuals or instructions are generally written for those who know how to do it in the first place.

Wagonmaster2

[DrewCrewOf2]

Attached here is the installation guide... maybe that will help?

Also have attached a snap of one of the diagrams and I pointed out the only place you have to put a hole in your roof. The wires (1 control and as many TV coax's as you want to string - 4 max - total of 5 ) all go through this hole. A plastic cover seal is provided with the kit.

[Bill Adams]

You will not be able to reuse the base plate from your current antenna. You can either leave that in place (the dish and LNB hardware can be removed) so you don't end up with a hole in your ceiling or you can remove the crank-up, seal that really big hole and place the Trav'ler over top and screw down. You may or may not be able to bring the new cables in where the old cables were located depending upon the coach and whether it was a factory install (likely can't use this hole) or after market. Winnebago would be the exception as the coach pre-wire can usually be used for a new installation as well.