Winegard SK-3005 Sat Antenna Advice

[Pigman]

I removed our King Dome and put the 3005 in its place. Tiffins have an aluminum plate under the fiberglass roof skin in that area, so I just put it down with Silicone I caulk and drill tipped screws. Rather than trying to go down the same roof channel as the king dome wires, I drilled a hole just behind the front cap in the fiberglass roof and was able to put the 3005 control wire and 2 coax leads down into the brow area. I had to push a coat hanger puller through about 3" of roof insulation, angled sharply forward, to get them into the brow area, but it was an easy install. I held the coax and control wire to the roof with loom and cable clamps screwed with drill tip screws and covered with Silicone I.

We got caught in the big Quartzsite storm this January with both the F-2 Internet antenna and the Winegard TV antenna up. Rather than load the motors and gearing in what was estimated as 70 mph wind, we left both dishes up. The F-2 came through fine and was still positioned to receive the satellite after the blow. The winegard was rotated about 30-45 degrees ccw, but I stowed it and it deployed just fine. A later check of both units from the roof showed no problems. We've got over 25k miles on the 3005 and the roof is fine.

John

[CptnMorgan]

I understand the wind load concerns with the antenna extended, but what about the aerodynamic affects while driving down the road with the Trav'ler stowed. It seems to me that the airflow under and over the dish will cause some buffeting. It is the buffeting induced loads on the antenna mount and attachment to the fiberglass roof that concerns me. I understand from another posting to my question that Tiffin installs an aluminum backing plate in the area where the antenna mounts. This would alleviate my concerns assuming the plate has been adequately sized for the Trav'lr antenna. As for the Trav'lr prewiring, I am disappointed to hear your comments. I specifically discussed prewiring for the Trav'lr with the dealer when I ordered my coach. I was told that my request was denied by Tiffin as a non-standard modification. The information given me at that time is that Tiffin uses standard wiring loams and any change would be impossible to track during manufacturing. As an engineer at a major commercial airplane manufacture, I found this reply a bit odd. Viturally every airplane out of our factory is delivered with custom wiring to the customers requirements.

[SCVJeff]

I think you're worrying about a non-problem. There are thousands of these type of reflectors on RV's all over the world, and I've never heard of one blowing off properly installed. That thing is heavy, and when stowed is probably exerting about 10lb of down pressure on the roof. It doesn't buffet whatsoever. the batwing that is way looser and lighter is just as quiet. Don't forget the slipstream either. I'd bet that right on the roof the air is relatively calm, even at 60. But you should know or be able to find out easier than me.

[Route 66]

I have a MotoSat HDTV dish and a larger MotoSat F1 internet dish and have not had any problems with wind at highway speeds nor wind problems with the dishes deployed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptnMorgan I understand the wind load concerns with the antenna extended, but what about the aerodynamic affects while driving down the road with the Trav'ler stowed. It seems to me that the airflow under and over the dish will cause some buffeting. It is the buffeting induced loads on the antenna mount and attachment to the fiberglass roof that concerns me. I understand from another posting to my question that Tiffin installs an aluminum backing plate in the area where the antenna mounts. This would alleviate my concerns assuming the plate has been adequately sized for the Trav'lr antenna. As for the Trav'lr prewiring, I am disappointed to hear your comments. I specifically discussed prewiring for the Trav'lr with the dealer when I ordered my coach. I was told that my request was denied by Tiffin as a non-standard modification. The information given me at that time is that Tiffin uses standard wiring loams and any change would be impossible to track during manufacturing. As an engineer at a major commercial airplane manufacture, I found this reply a bit odd. Viturally every airplane out of our factory is delivered with custom wiring to the customers requirements.

[Triker56]

Quote:

It is the buffeting induced loads on the antenna mount and attachment to the fiberglass roof that concerns me.

They say you will notice more air conditioner covers along side of the road then Trav'ler's.

I have yet to see even my first air conditioner cover along the road.
In over 7 decades of looking.
Trav'ler Installation Manual at link

[Bill Adams]

I have only heard of one issue ever with any of the dishes. There is some kind of a weird air "eddie" that is created by the Alpine coaches forward of the front A/C units. It curls around and creates an upward draft or suction that would cause the MotoSAT units to bang up and down and could actually raise the dish slightly. MotoSAT issued a notice to dealers to not locate their dishes here and to install behind the first A/C unit.
Due to the way the Winegard antenna is built, it is impossible to raise the dish when stowed (or lower it when raised without a socket wrench) so the wind currents up front are not an issue.