Updating my tailgater vq2510r to a tailgater vq4500 mounted on roof

[Gerryl]

Several years ago I bought a Tailgater to use in my Motor Home. It is a great piece of equipment, well designed and works great. Yesterday I saw that there is a new and updated designed unit VQ 4500 that can be mounted on the roof. I ordered one right away ( $350 ). It looks like it will be an easy install. Of course, we all know that nothing is ever as simple as it seems on any Motor Home Mod.

Although the Tailgater I have now is fine and it’s portability does allow you to choose the best spot to be able to hit the southern sky satellites, it is just one more step that I don’t have to do to get set up. Haven’t decided if I should sell my present one, or just keep it and put in an A/B switch so I can use it in case the roof mount is obstructed by trees, etc. They also sell a kit that will allow you to remove the new one from the roof for like $28, but I don’t want to get on the roof any more than I have to.

Does anyone else have any experience with the new one, and have you found any drawbacks?

[MisterT]

'installed' my King Tailgater 2 on the rear of the roof at the ladder just so I would not have to get up all the way on the roof to remove it if needed to the ground - but only had to even do that several times in 30k miles since we purchased it. Love it in the winter time as I don't need to set up my portable tripod dish antenna, and keep it ready as a backup in the summer months or when parked under trees.
I installed two threaded mounts where I screw in two threaded(1/4-20x2") studs that hold the unit on the roof. These studs extend thru two of the unit's mounting holes.
I can easily then remove the unit from the rear ladder and place on the ground, or somewhere else on the roof, and the studs keeps the unit in place when traveling.

[mikf]

Originally Posted by MisterT

'installed' my King Tailgater 2 on the rear of the roof at the ladder just so I would not have to get up all the way on the roof to remove it if needed to the ground - but only had to even do that several times in 30k miles since we purchased it. Love it in the winter time as I don't need to set up my portable tripod dish antenna, and keep it ready as a backup in the summer months or when parked under trees.
I installed two threaded mounts where I screw in two threaded(1/4-20x2") studs that hold the unit on the roof. These studs extend thru two of the unit's mounting holes.
I can easily then remove the unit from the rear ladder and place on the ground, or somewhere else on the roof, and the studs keeps the unit in place when traveling.

mr t, was you able to use the existing cable, or did you have run a new one to the sat. receiver? if new, what route did yo take? under the rv or did you find a way to do it inside?

[MisterT]

Since I did'nt want to drill any holes, I ran my coax down the ladder, thru the engine grill, under the rear driver side, within the wheel well, and into the wet bay, where my coach coax comes out from my receivers.
All my connections are direct from antenna to receivers.

[LEMO]

Gerryl,
My 2008 Factory Trac Vision was going bad. I also had been using a Tailgater when my done was blocked and I was pleased with it. Therefore I purchased the new Tailgater. After removing the old dome I simply mounted the new tailgater and used the old coax from the old dome. New unit programs just like my older unit. I kept my original Tailgater in case I parked where I could be blocked. Been using the new one for 6 months no problem & I haven't had to pull the portable one out yet.

[firedoc]

Motor in old Tailgater died (3yrs). Bought new model Tailgater and use it mobile as I did old one. Supposedly locates and sets up channels faster than old one. I DON'T SEE IT!