Community Forums

Caswelld · 12-14-2020, 06:24 AM

We had the roof mounted Winegard RoadTrip T4 In-Motion Satellite Antenna on 2 of our motorhomes. It worked well when it had finally locked on to the DIRECTV satellites, but was often a pain to set up. It usually required turning the antenna on & off a couple of times

We never used it on the road. There were a few times when trees prevented us from using the sat antenna, then we just watched the DVR or park cable.

Now we are looking at returning to a travel trailer & considering the Winegard PL-8000 Dish Playmaker Dual HD RV Satellite Antenna with optional Roof Mount. We have switched to the Dish Network & will have a Wally receiver. My questions are:

1. What issues have you encountered with roof mount versus portable? Security - anyone have it ripped off? Ease of set up?

2. Are there better sat antennas to consider? King? Other Winegard dishes?

Thanks for everyone’s comments.

Dave

Cooperhawk · 12-14-2020, 06:33 AM

Not sure if you want it on a trailer, but the Wineguard Traveler has served us very well for several years. Fully automatic.

LeisurePursuits · 12-14-2020, 10:33 AM

I have the Winegard Pathway X2 and the King Tailgator Pro. The King is kept on top using a mount that would allow me to disconnect and move it around. I've never bothered to do that because the Pathway is what I use when trees prevent the King from working. Occasionally things seem flakey during initial boot up and I have to reboot a few times before it finds the satellites. It may be due to inferior coax cabling in the walls of the camper. I'm going to install a dedicated RG6 shielded coax soon and stop using the coax that came with the camper. Hopefully that will fix this minor issue.

fagnaml · 12-14-2020, 10:59 AM

Caswelld --

Several years ago I purchased a Winegard Carryout portable antenna to use for LSU football tailgating "pre-RV" days. When I purchased a travel trailer for a major capital project temporary home, the TT replaced pop-up canopies as for LSU football weekends. I then purchased a Winegard "ladder" mount for the Carryout antenna to make it a permanent installation. I no problems at LSU nor in any RV resort / park with anyone wanting to steal the Carryout antenna.

This image shows the ladder mount with antenna that I had. I did have DirectTV service when I used the Carryout antenna. --> https://www.bing.com/images/search?v...RST&ajaxhist=0

allenb12 · 12-16-2020, 04:02 PM

I have the Winegard Pathway X2. I am very pleased with the way it works.

TXiceman · 12-16-2020, 06:03 PM

We have a Winegard Travel on the trailer and carry a Winegard Carryout for the times we are under trees. I would recommend Wingard over the King tailgaters for fewer problems.

The portable dome antennas can only look at one satellite at a time, so if you have two receivers, they have to both be looking at channels on the same satellite.

None of the portable antennas will work on a Hopper 3 receiver.

Ken

davidb104 · 12-31-2020, 03:50 PM

We have had the Winegard Pathway X-2 for over 4 years, and have spent approximately a year traveling with our 5th wheel, during that time. The X-2 is great, in that it allows you to access the full range of Eastern or Western arc satellites, depending on where you are, and what obstructions there might be. It can sometimes be a pain to locate the proper place to set up for a clear signal, but the TV Signal Finder app is very helpful.

Once set up, and assuming you have Dish Network, log in and use the chatroom to change locations, and get local stations. Avoid calling Dish. The chatroom is far better. Once you are accustomed to their routine, what information they require each time, it's very convenient. The X-2 has a large dish, and the HD reception is great!

**hamm2018** · 01-01-2021, 01:00 PM

We have been using the Pathway X2 since October 2017 when we bought our Road Warrior. It has been doing a great job with the exception of now I am having issues getting the 2nd receiver to work all of the time.
We are now considering going to a roof mount system such as the Traveler 1000 or the RF Mogul system. But we will keep the Pathway, if or when we get blocked by trees or such.

F4Gary · 01-01-2021, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeisurePursuits

I have the Winegard Pathway X2 and the King Tailgator Pro. The King is kept on top using a mount that would allow me to disconnect and move it around. I've never bothered to do that because the Pathway is what I use when trees prevent the King from working. Occasionally things seem flakey during initial boot up and I have to reboot a few times before it finds the satellites. It may be due to inferior coax cabling in the walls of the camper. I'm going to install a dedicated RG6 shielded coax soon and stop using the coax that came with the camper. Hopefully that will fix this minor issue.

I finally broke down and installed a dedicated RG-6 jack for our Pathway X2 and that solved my signal problems. Should have done it a couple of years ago.

Jay D. · 01-02-2021, 10:00 AM

we have the Dish Tailgater and it works good for us as long as you can get to the satellites .

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Jay D.

coachmanjay · 01-02-2021, 07:05 PM

If redoing the cable, consider using RG11 cable. Thicker cable used mainly for U/G work, it is not as flexible but has a lot less signal loss. I have gotten very good reception with the Pathway X1(smaller dish) and 100 ft of cable

Caswelld · 01-03-2021, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay D.

we have the Dish Tailgater and it works good for us as long as you can get to the satellites. Jay D.

Thanks Jay.

Do you have a couple of brackets mounted on the trailer for the antenna, or do you move a bracket at each set up?

Dave

Jay D. · 01-03-2021, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswelld

Thanks Jay.

Do you have a couple of brackets mounted on the trailer for the antenna, or do you move a bracket at each set up?

Dave

The stand is made from heavy walled exhaust tubing. i just got some bends from my local muffler shop and welded them together. i needed to come out in the back to get away from the trailer wall. for the mounting sockets i used a 3" section of the tubing that i had the muffler shop expand to fit snuggly over the std tubing. i then welded that to the bumper at he rear. and one to the tongue in front. this way i have a view of the sats no mater how i'm parked i have 180 deg. front and back. when traveling the Tailgater goes under the bed and the stand hangs on the wall of my pass though storage compartment with a couple hooks. the complete stand assembly weighs less than 2-3 lbs. the top platform is aluminum.
Jay D.