Community Forums

Sammie · 08-12-2014, 02:33 PM

Has anyone had a Winegard Satellite Dish mounted on their new Tiffin Bus? If so, is there any special location or precautions to be aware of when doing so?

Thanks, Sammie

Pigman1 · 08-12-2014, 02:55 PM

I mounted a new one in the dealers lot when I picked op the new 2013. No problem, just follow the directions. I'm assuming you have it pre-wired?

Sammie · 08-12-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman1

I mounted a new one in the dealers lot when I picked op the new 2013. No problem, just follow the directions. I'm assuming you have it pre-wired?

Pigman,
Yes it is prewired, but I am concerned about maybe hitting some wires or something when drilling the holes. I assume you mounted yours dead center of your coach and forward or back from the prewired location? Also, how long were the screws you used in the mounting bracket?

Thanks, Sammie

Pigman1 · 08-12-2014, 09:55 PM

Your pre-wire will be wrapped up inside a flying saucer shaped disk about a foot in diameter. That has to come off when you put the dish on, but it's in the correct spot so as to not be in the way. I used the screws that came with the dish. Tiffins have 2 channels under the fiberglass roof for wiring and air conditioner drains, but in the area where the dish goes, they've widened the channels in the foam insulation so the screws won't go through any wires. Also they glue down steel sheets that will serve as holders for the screws. No screws into just the fiberglass. If I knew how to post a picture I could show you a shot of our roof being assembled in the factory before it was installed, but I don't know how to do that. We watched the whole assembly process.

Sammie · 08-12-2014, 10:24 PM

Pigman,

Thanks for the reply. This helps to shed some light on the installation of the dish. One more question, is the roof marked where the Satellite Dish needs to be mounted or are there some instructions or a diagram that will show this?

Thanks for the information,
Sammie

luvlabs · 08-13-2014, 08:27 AM

The roof is not marked. There is an active thread on this topic on TRVN (complete with pictures and drawings) which is pretty much all things Tiffin. http://tiffinrvnetwork.com

Pigman1 · 08-13-2014, 11:06 AM

No marking on mine either. My install location on the 2013 was to be behind the center air conditioner. I took the space available and used the Trav'ler clearance diagram to position the dish and mount as close to the AC and TV antenna as possible as I was planning on putting additional solar panels on the roof behind the Trav'ler. It worked just fine for me as when I was in the factory watching it being built, I asked that the "off air" TV antenna flying saucer be also placed as far forward as they could get it. I have four 140W solar panels, 3 fan vent covers, the Trav'ler and a 1 meter round Hughes Net Satellite antenna on the roof. Real estate is getting a bit scarce up there even on a 43 footer.

Pigman1 · 08-13-2014, 01:36 PM

Oops, last post was a bit in error. I got the Bus turned around. My flying saucer (off air) TV antenna is in FRONT of the middle air conditioner. So I placed the the Trav'ler just behind the AC. No antenna between. Sorry about that. Too many antennas up there for an old guy to keep track of. (LOL)

Sammie · 08-13-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Oops, last post was a bit in error. I got the Bus turned around. My flying saucer (off air) TV antenna is in FRONT of the middle air conditioner. So I placed the the Trav'ler just behind the AC. No antenna between. Sorry about that. Too many antennas up there for an old guy to keep track of. (LOL)

Pigman, don't worry about the brain fart. I'm dealing with the same thing especially when buying a new coach and having to relearn all the new systems. I might just have to pick your brain later when I finally take possession of my Bus and start hooking up the Direct TV receivers and switching devices.

Thanks, Sammie