Trav'ler installation

JimM68 wrote:
I finally got sick of my trackvision R4 dome, and ordered a trav'ler SK1000. The fedex man will bring it today :D
If anyone else is shopping for one, PPLmotorhomes is at $1209 including 9.99 for fedex shipping.

So I'll need to remove the R4 and it's wiring, and install the new dish. Any tips or suggestions are very welcome.

This line pasted from the manual To prevent water from getting into the mount base, use a solid line of approved sealant to connect the marks in the shape of the base.

What would be an "approved sealant"?
I hate silicon. Have a tube of dicor, don't think it would be the thing to use in this application though. Permatex #2? or?

If your dome was factory installed you may not be able to pull the existing cables out from the hole where they enter the roof. If not use those coax cables to connect to the Trav'ler and you will only need to drill an additional small hole somewhere to drop the control cable anywhere in the coach (does not need to be where the receivers are located) where 120V power is available.
If the dome was installed by the dealer or any after market provider then you should be able to remove the dome and use the existing cabling to pull new cabling from the Trav'ler inside the coach. It's a pretty easy job either way.

JimM68 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I cheat, got a forklift at work that is just waiting to put it on the roof and take the old one off.

I'll run dicor around the outside and over the screw heads.
You used it underneath too?

You MUST run a bead of Dicor under the antenna around the outside ring of the base so the antenna mounting plate is sitting in a bed of Dicor. After you screw it down you will then run a second bead of Dicor on top that will cover the edges and the screws. Preventing moisture from getting into the open base area is critical to the successful operation of the Trav'ler for years to come.

Jim.....I've installed three of them, one on my Monaco, and silicone is actually a good product for the install. Installing the antenna is VERY simple, routing the wires is what takes some thought.

Remove the dome and seal the holes. Several will probably end up under the new antenna. Fit/place the antenna and make sure when it rises and searches it's not going to hit anything else, especially if you like to leave the Winegard batwing up for local stations.

Once you've decided, set the antenna down and make sure it's facing forward. Take a pencil and outline the antenna. Once outlined, move the antenna out of the way. Use a good bead of silicone (1/4") just inside of your pencil outline. Silicone the holes from the old antenna that will not ne used that are under the new antenna. Now, carefully set the new antenna back down over the silicone and press it into place. I don't recall if they supply any screws. I used 3/4" stainless screws and tighten them in a pattern, pulling down the sat to the roof.

Cables- You should have cables that are already there and run through the roof with a cover plate. Don't use the old cables. You should be able to feed the new cables through the old hole in the roof. There is one cable that is permanently attached to the sat (control cable) and either one or two coax leads depending on your receiver. When you attach the coax, use a wrench to tighten.

Most likely your cables will run along the roof for a couple of feet before they disappear into the coach. I use nylon cable holders with one screw to hold them down. The sat will come with a new plate to cover the cables going through the roof. I install it with silicone on the underside and then screw down.

Now that you're done installing, it's time for the Dicor. The entire edge of the sat needs to be covered, running the Dicor up and over the edge at each screw in the sat. Drop a bead of Dicor over the cable ties, completely covering them. Lastly, use the Dicor to cover the edges of the cable plate. I like to squirt a little silicone into any left over holes from the old sat and then cover with a dab of Dicor.

Many will come on and tell you that silicone is not a good product for the job. It is. If you look carefully at your exterior, all of your rub rails, windows and anything screwed to the side of your coach is capped with silicone to seal the edges. Monaco and just about every other brand uses silicone.

Once you're done on top, you just need to route your cables. The control cable and power supply plugs into the sat box. The antenna set up is done. The antenna doesn't need to be connected to your receiver to work. You could plug it in while it's sitting on the ground in your driveway and it will find and lock onto the sats.

Once you're connected to the receiver, you'll have to go through the sat setup procedure, like selecting your dish shape etc.

Good luck, the toughest part is just getting it on the roof and you have that covered!

Find the "TV for my RV" website. There is a video posted on there that shows how to install.

I had one installed on my FW back at the NUWA factory where it was built. They used Dicor. It's been almost a year with lots of weather and all is well.

Dicor, or what ever product you would use on your roof. Hold down the wires anout every 12 inches with a generous dab of Dicor also to complete the job. Actually you will probably need at least two tubes of Dicor. One for the antenna base ring, and another for the seal where the wires go theough the roof.

You may be able to use old cables. So check before removing.
If you do need to replace them. Conn. New cable to old and pull through.

Thanks for the reply. I cheat, got a forklift at work that is just waiting to put it on the roof and take the old one off.

I'll run dicor around the outside and over the screw heads.
You used it underneath too?

Hardest part is getting it on the roof. Find a young stud to help you get it up a ladder. Make sure you pay attention to their warnings about clearance from other things on the roof. Measure twice. I used Dicor and all has been well after a year plus. Excellent price!!!! You'll enjoy it.