Community Forums

timjet · 05-30-2018, 01:17 PM

Anyone have opinion of the Winegard Trav'ler Dish 1000? It is an open face dish larger than the dome units, and folds relatively flat on top of the coach roof when not in use.

Because it has a larger dish, I have been told to expect better reception.
I can get it installed for $2400.

redcolorado · 05-30-2018, 02:54 PM

The Winegard Traveler is one of the most common RV satellite antennas. I just converted my Traveler SWM3 (Direct TV) to a SK 1000 (Dish TV). The cost of a new SK 1000 is about $1450. They are not hard to install, I did mine in about 2 hours.

Tucsontoy · 05-30-2018, 03:09 PM

The traveler is the best. I currently use a done unit. The done unit works very well in a clear south view of the sky. The bigger dish will work better in the margin areas for sat reception. Check with Disk and Direct where these areas are to help make your choice to cover your travels.

seeg · 05-30-2018, 03:21 PM

Might I be so bold as to suggest you consider R F Mogul. Faster lock on, field serviceable, and a neat little blue LED that will help you find your coach in the dark.

vsheetz · 05-30-2018, 03:27 PM

I have the Traveler. As to the type if antenna its excellent - less rain fade, flexibility of receivers, provides HD with Direct, etc. But I've had a couple problems with mine. If I had a do over I'd look at the RF Mogal before deciding.

Tincup · 05-30-2018, 03:33 PM

I've had one for many years and love it. I don't remember what I paid for it and installed it myself, no where near $2400.00. If you already have a satellite dish on the roof, and you have basic tools you can install it yourself it's really very easy.

vsheetz · 05-30-2018, 04:58 PM

Install is usually about $300-400.00. The Dish version of the Traveler should be about $1300.00. Add about $300.00 if Direct version.

UFO Pilot · 05-30-2018, 05:05 PM

I have had mine (DISH version) for 7 trouble free years. I paid $1525 installed so they must have gone up a lot.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 05-30-2018, 05:10 PM

The installation of a Trav'ler can get hard in two ways. One it weighs in the 63+ lb and can be a challenge for lifting on the roof. On my trailer, I installed a Trav'ler 8 years ago. Two years back I had Camping World do the install because my lifting days have passed.

The issue is the cabling. The Bounder came with coax cables for the satellite built-in. When Camping World did the install, they took not of where my DVR was going to be and located the Trav'ler at that end of the Bounder. Then the cables went through a hole straight into the cabinet where the receiver can be.

Going straight through the roof is easy. Wanting the dish to be somewhere from where the receiver can make cabling problematic.

For the record, the purchase of the SK-1000 dish, installation and an additional two year warranty came in under $2000 at Camping World.

And for the Camping World neigh-sayers, the work was done just fine.

MikeyG · 05-30-2018, 05:42 PM

Tim.
I have the Direct TV version. It went bad with in the first month I had it, then I spent the next 8 months with Winegard throwing parts at the problem and me doing all the installations. They finally replaced the entire unit. I asked for a new warranty period to cover all the time the dish was down and they said “no”. Customer service was a real PITA.
I’ve had the new dish for a year and so far so good.
Would I go with Winegard if I were to do it again? NO.
Good luck.

Limegreencj5 · 05-30-2018, 05:46 PM

Have the traveler for Dish, and it is the best. Bought mine online for under $1200.00. Installed it with my father-in-law. The install was very easy.

smlranger · 05-30-2018, 06:15 PM

Do yourself a favor and consider/investigate the RF Mogul as an alternative to the Traveler. The RF Mogul is lighter, stronger, easy to install and use, and completely field serviceable. The company provides outstanding and responsive support.

I've had two Travelers and now have the RF Mogul. The RF Mogul is, IMO, far superior in many ways.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 05-30-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Tim.
I have the Direct TV version. It went bad with in the first month I had it, then I spent the next 8 months with Winegard throwing parts at the problem and me doing all the installations. They finally replaced the entire unit. I asked for a new warranty period to cover all the time the dish was down and they said “no”. Customer service was a real PITA.
I’ve had the new dish for a year and so far so good.
Would I go with Winegard if I were to do it again? NO.
Good luck.

I find this interesting because the RF Mogul fans point out that Winegard only services by the factory and yet you had "Winegard throwing parts at the problem." Something doesn't jive.

deaton · 05-30-2018, 06:26 PM

Price seems high. I’ve owned three Travelers. First one was for Direct. Second and current unit for Dish. Had the third one installed on new coach last August by a pro out of Willis TX for $1,850 complete.

If I was getting a new one, it would be the R F Mogul. It costs a little more but is an overall better unit IMO.

If you are not in a hurry, come on up to the FMCA Rally in Gillette Wyoming in July and there will be several vendors there ready, willing and able to sell and install any Dish you want for a better price than $2,400.