Just what is involved when installing a minimax sattlelite to the top of the rv.Do you have to drill holes in the roof and if so can you use eternabond tape to protect from leaking?Is it just as simple as to run the cable down through the frig vent or are there more to it?

there will need to be holes in the roof to fasten the unit down, bolts/screws/etc.? I would use standard caulking/sealing material under the unit at the holes, not scotch tape. to avoid putting an extra hole in the roof lots of folks here have run cable down thru vents, etc. people have used PVC piping to protect runs of cable to these vents.bumpy

If you're referring to one of the roof mounted dome automatic satellite dishes, the mounting feet get screwed to the roof using an appropriate sealer like Dicor. A layer of Eternabond over them as well would be a good idea though. The wire or wires can be passed through the roof via the fridge vent if that's a convenient location, or they can be run through any one of several weatherproof through the roof fittings. Winegard sells a low cost notched plate in several configurations that's commonly used in many installations. The plate, screws, and notches on that get sealed as well of course.

Before doing that I'd suggest looking at some of the carryout models. We presently use the Winegard G2. See previous post re this model.

Dick_B wrote:Before doing that I'd suggest looking at some of the carryout models. We presently use the Winegard G2. See previous post re this model.The problem with the carryout models is if its raining you would get soakin wet from having to take it out and i really couldnt see myself lugging it to the roof everytime i wont to use it.

joe0508 wrote:Dick_B wrote:Before doing that I'd suggest looking at some of the carryout models. We presently use the Winegard G2. See previous post re this model.The problem with the carryout models is if its raining you would get soakin wet from having to take it out and i really couldnt see myself lugging it to the roof everytime i wont to use it.The portable domes rarely need to be put on the roof. They can be placed wherever they have a clear view of the southern sky, making them much more flexible than a roof mount dish. Most folks deploy their portable dish on arrival at their site and stow it again at the end of their stay.

sattlelite | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

2112
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2015
I installed a dome on my previous TT using the supplied screws and sealed with Dicor. I ran the cable down a vent that ran through a side storage compartment. I drilled a hole in the vent pipe, fished out the cable and sealed the hole with caulking. I used small vinyl cable clamps to secure the cable run to the roof and sealed that with dicor as well.

The dome was my high spot on the roof and I always worried about clearance under low hanging branches.

A few times I had to pass on nice camp spots due to trees blocking the dish.

Fast forward: That TT was stolen so I had to start over. Now I have a carryout that takes about 5 minutes to setup. I have a 25' cable and a 50' cable for a total of 75' to work with if needed. I can camp where I want and find a hole through the trees. In the two years that I have used it I have yet needed to set it up in the rain.

I learned my lesson.
Dtank
Explorer
Apr 21, 2015
joe0508 wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
joe0508 wrote:
Dick_B wrote:
Before doing that I'd suggest looking at some of the carryout models. We presently use the Winegard G2. See previous post re this model.
The problem with the carryout models is if its raining you would get soakin wet from having to take it out and i really couldnt see myself lugging it to the roof everytime i wont to use it.

The portable domes rarely need to be put on the roof. They can be placed wherever they have a clear view of the southern sky, making them much more flexible than a roof mount dish. Most folks deploy their portable dish on arrival at their site and stow it again at the end of their stay.
If you set them down outside the rig someone will steal it dont you think?

Another vote for the G2. (Or a Tailgater)

Rain:
A little rain won't hurt you for the couple of minutes req'd.
It doesn't need to be on the roof.

If you really are a "rain wuss", use your umbrella or wear your poncho..:R
(What do you do for your other hook-ups?)

Security - secure it as others indicated - they all have provisions for same.

The real benefit of the portables - is they are portable!.;)

Often folks with roof mounted stationary domes also have a portable for when their camping spot is well "treed" - set it out in the "clear"..:W

.
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2015
What Dutch said. There is no "drilling" involved, unless you need a hole to route the cables. But you will have "holes" where screws will go through 5/8" plywood. I have a few dozen of them in the brackets of my solar panels, with #10 screws and Dicor as described. No leaks. You already have a few dozen of them around plumbing vents and square vents with clear cover and God knows what else. Put plenty of Dicor under the mounting foot - it will squeeze out as you tighten the screws - and lubricate the screws with same Dicor before driving them in.

You might need to drill a small pilot hole for when you hit the rafter (and it's a good idea to hit the rafter with at least one screw). Drill very thin 1/16 hole first and run a piece of wire to see if there is a rafter there or not. Normally, you can see the approximate rafters location under the rubber on a wet day and/or near the trailer sides where there are more screws holding the plywood to rafters.

The cable you can route either under the mounting foot - and then you do need a hole, or through the side of the fridge vent "coaming", it's a plastic 1/8" thick. Then you route the cable through the side of the fridge cabinet to wherever you need it.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
joe0508 wrote:
I would like to put a dish on the roof but i have a rubber roof.I am a little worried about drilling hole in it for this purpose.How should i go about it.Is it ok to use this dicor sealant and drill holes or would i go about it in a different way since it is rubber?

Unless you need a hole to route the wire(s) through the roof, there's no drilling needed on your rubber roof. Just run a bead of Dicor around the perimeter or under the feet of the dome and screw it down as described earlier. Then add more Dicor to cover the screw heads.

I currently have seven antennas mounted on my coach's rubber roof, with five of them sharing the same weather tight wire access point. All of them are sealed with Dicor or equivalent, and have never had a leak.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
joe0508 wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
joe0508 wrote:
The problem with the carryout models is if its raining you would get soakin wet from having to take it out and i really couldnt see myself lugging it to the roof everytime i wont to use it.

The portable domes rarely need to be put on the roof. They can be placed wherever they have a clear view of the southern sky, making them much more flexible than a roof mount dish. Most folks deploy their portable dish on arrival at their site and stow it again at the end of their stay.
If you set them down outside the rig someone will steal it dont you think?

One may have been stolen somewhere, but I've yet to see it mentioned on any of the RV forums I frequent. All of the portable domes have some sort of arrangement for locking them to a post, tree, etc., if theft is a concern. Most don't bother with it.
joe0508
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
joe0508 wrote:
I would like to put a dish on the roof but i have a rubber roof.I am a little worried about drilling holes in it for this purpose.How should i go about it.Is it ok to use this dicor sealant and drill holes or would i go about it in a different way since it is rubber?
joe0508
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
I would like to put a dish on the roof but i have a rubber roof.I am a little worried about drilling hole in it for this purpose.How should i go about it.Is it ok to use this dicor sealant and drill holes or would i go about it in a different way since it is rubber?
joe0508
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
Dutch_12078 wrote:
joe0508 wrote:
Dick_B wrote:
Before doing that I'd suggest looking at some of the carryout models. We presently use the Winegard G2. See previous post re this model.
The problem with the carryout models is if its raining you would get soakin wet from having to take it out and i really couldnt see myself lugging it to the roof everytime i wont to use it.

The portable domes rarely need to be put on the roof. They can be placed wherever they have a clear view of the southern sky, making them much more flexible than a roof mount dish. Most folks deploy their portable dish on arrival at their site and stow it again at the end of their stay.
If you set them down outside the rig someone will steal it dont you think?
Big_Love
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
Forget about mounting on the roof if you like shade. Trees degrade the sat signal significantly.
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2015
Use stainless screws #10 with plenty of Dicor sealant covering the entire area under the "foot", a good 3/4"-1" around the perimeter and also the screw heads if you see them. If possible, try driving at least some screws into the roof rafter (then screws should be longer, about 1.5"-2").

Enternabond tape you can add, though may not be necessary. Dicor, however, is a must.

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