Forum Discussion

derh2o's avatar
derh2o
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014

Tailgater vs Winngard

We are thinking about getting a satellite for our MH and wondering which way to go. We have DirectTV at home, but will be getting a new receiver regardless of which way we go. I know both systems work, but was wondering about pros and cons of each system. Any help would be appreciated,
  • I have Dish and I port the receiver between the house and RV. The antenna is exactly what's on my house roof (with modifications).

    See it here: http://forums.goodsamclub.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27525156/gotomsg/27527617.cfm#27527617
  • Or if you have a good internet connection for streaming, you can use a slingbox and connect to your tv back home. No antennas to mess with and you can even get your locals.
  • The easiest and cheapest thing to do is to take the Direct TV receiver from your house with you, and buy a portable satellite dish from E Bay or a local flea market, and leave that in the motor home. That's what I've been doing for years. I've also found that it's so much easier to set up the dish for Direct TV, than it is to do the same for Dish Network.
  • Tailgater only works with Dish, not Directv. And only with a 211 series receiver. Just so you know.
  • What Winegard? The trav'ler is expensive and limited unless you are in wide open spaces. Generally speaking I have found that a ground antenna is the best and least expensive solution. Bought my ground dish from an online retailler for about $150.00 and use it probably 10 to 1 over the trav'ler on my roof. The problem with any of the new DirectTV equipment is SWM. While it is only a single wire, if you do any boon docking and want to watch TV the SWM power supply needs to be powered, sucking more power from your batteries. Is not the tailgator still a Winegard product? The problem I see with that antenna is, SD only on DirecTV, expensive, prone to theft unless it is chained in place. No one wants a cheap oval dish.
    I guess the bottom line is... decide where you will be camping 99% of the time and get an antenna accordingly. Wide open, get a Trav'ler. In the trees a lot, get a portable.