Winegard Trav'ler on 2012 Discovery?

[pagosajoe]

Not being terribly content with the KVH SL5 in-motion sat antenna on our 2012 Discovery 36J, I'm contemplating replacing it with the Winegard Trav'ler system. I'd love to hear from anyone who has undertaken the project on a do-it-yourself basis.

I've searched the archives, noted lots of people have done so, but curious specifically about the swap between the KVH and Winegard in regards to cabling, need for additional holes, difficulty in running cables, placing the Winegard control box in the Discovery, removing the KVH control panel, interfacing the Winegard with the wiring for the Discovery's AV system, and so forth.

I have the Winegard installation instructions downloaded, and it appears fairly straightforward.

Anyone? And, thanks in advance....

[pcurt23]

I just finished my conversion from kvh to traveler. Running the control wire was the most difficult for me because you have to pull it INTO the coach and of course the cable I was using would only pull out. Got a cheap fish wire from the depot and finally got it done.
1. Remove kvh easy unscrew and pry off the roof. Try to sell difficult.
2. Install traveler on roof moderate. It is awkward to lift to the roof so I used son in law. Once on roof you have to mark the position and run calk and then put it on top the calk. moderate the traveler is very floppy. Screw down and calk easy.
3. power up and run cables. power up easy. Run cables into coach difficult requires two people. Only difficult because of fleetwoods design of the av cabinet.

4. Operation of traveler easy. Reception great.

[TVforMyRV]

Originally Posted by pcurt23

I just finished my conversion from kvh to traveler. Running the control wire was the most difficult for me because you have to pull it INTO the coach and of course the cable I was using would only pull out. Got a cheap fish wire from the depot and finally got it done.
1. Remove kvh easy unscrew and pry off the roof. Try to sell difficult.
2. Install traveler on roof moderate. It is awkward to lift to the roof so I used son in law. Once on roof you have to mark the position and run calk and then put it on top the calk. moderate the traveler is very floppy. Screw down and calk easy.
3. power up and run cables. power up easy. Run cables into coach difficult requires two people. Only difficult because of fleetwoods design of the av cabinet.

4. Operation of traveler easy. Reception great.

Sums it up nicely.

One tip. Wire tie the control cable to the lift arms to keep it out of the way when you are getting ready to set it down on top of the caulking. This keeps it from falling into the caulking and filling the connector with goop.... Trust me, this is something you want to avoid. I know!

[pagosajoe]

Originally Posted by pcurt23

I just finished my conversion from kvh to traveler. Running the control wire was the most difficult for me because you have to pull it INTO the coach and of course the cable I was using would only pull out. Got a cheap fish wire from the depot and finally got it done.
1. Remove kvh easy unscrew and pry off the roof. Try to sell difficult.
2. Install traveler on roof moderate. It is awkward to lift to the roof so I used son in law. Once on roof you have to mark the position and run calk and then put it on top the calk. moderate the traveler is very floppy. Screw down and calk easy.
3. power up and run cables. power up easy. Run cables into coach difficult requires two people. Only difficult because of fleetwoods design of the av cabinet.

4. Operation of traveler easy. Reception great.

Thanks Pcurt. Sounds like the main focus is take your time, and the rest is fairly easy, except for the wiring going into the Fleetwood AV cabinet. Didn't consider trying to sell the old KVH, but a good idea to offset a little of the cost of the Trav'ler.

Thanks for your comments!

[pagosajoe]

Originally Posted by TVforMyRV

Sums it up nicely.

One tip. Wire tie the control cable to the lift arms to keep it out of the way when you are getting ready to set it down on top of the caulking. This keeps it from falling into the caulking and filling the connector with goop.... Trust me, this is something you want to avoid. I know!

I appreciate the tip - having "been there, done that" on lots of projects over the decades, I've collected a few hard-learned tips myself. I'll be sure to follow your advice!

[Jim28730]

I'm about to tackle the same project. Was there enough clearance to raise and lower the Trav'ler if you use the same location as the dome? I haven't measured yet but I understand you need a minimum of 36" clearance and my front A/C looks pretty close to the dome on my 36J.

[pagosajoe]

Don't have the antenna yet, but the installation instructions say minimum of 42" front-to-back. I'd climb up and measure, but it's raining and lightning right now. From the instruction manual:

"The arm of the TRAV’LER antenna extends 32.5” from the center of the base and may operate only 8” above the surface to which the TRAV’LER antenna is mounted. To ensure you have adequate clearance for the TRAV’LER antenna to safely operate, check that there are no obstructions taller than 8” within 32.5” of the center of the base. Also, check that there are no obstructions (such as tree limbs) above the antenna that will prevent it from raising. At its highest point, the antenna will extend to 37” above the roof to which it is mounted."

[poppopc]

Not sure about the "Do It Yourself" but we like our traveller!
Am hooked up to dish network works well. Just call the mobile dish 800#
they will change your physical address. Just make sure it is the physical,
not your billing. Bit of a learning curve, DW does it well!

[pagosajoe]

Originally Posted by Jim28730

I'm about to tackle the same project. Was there enough clearance to raise and lower the Trav'ler if you use the same location as the dome? I haven't measured yet but I understand you need a minimum of 36" clearance and my front A/C looks pretty close to the dome on my 36J.

Any words of wisdom before I start tearing things apart? You may be ahead of me by this point.

Finally got the Trav'ler from PPL RV in Houston. Unfortunately, they sent me a Directv version instead of the Dish i had ordered. Easy exchange, friendly service, and the correct version arrived last week.

Next step was ordering some Dicor (live in a small town - no dealer carries it), which will arrive this coming week. Hopefully, I can get the system installed before we head out to Mesa Verde on the 9th to do some back country hiking. Weather looks good, so I'm optimistic, as long as the Dicor gets here in time.

[pagosajoe]

Just completed the DIY replacement of a KVH with the Winegard Trav'ler! Love it!

Winegard Trav'ler Installation - DIY - iRV2 Forums

Not a terribly difficult task...just take your time. The Trav'ler performance is far above the KVH.

[94-Newmar]

Purchase one of these also. I have replaced numerous Trav'lers from those whom thought they stowed the dish before leaving. I suggest adding a light also since the Trav'ler takes about a minute to completely stow.

A deployed Trav'ler and trees simply do not get along very well:

Winegard CL-SK34 TRAVLER Accessory Stow Cable for Winegard RV TRAVLER HD Satellite Dish Antennas (CL-SK34) from Solid Signal

[pcurt23]

plenty of room. Mine is in the same spot as the old dome.

update on sale...Had to sell it to the trash collector.