Dish Tailgater on a TC - looking for custom mount ideas

We've found that yes it does need to face South, handle to the north, to get reception. I use a velcro strap on the handle and attach it to the ladder when I set it up in the rubber coated chair hanger we have on the ladder. We've had it on the roof as well and attach that same strap to the roof rack. Also on the truck hood, picnic tables, large rocks as well as just on the ground. It doesn't need a very wide view, but a clear view of the southern sky. If I remember right these units aren't designed to take the vibration of going down the road mounted. Mine rides in the camper on the bed surrounded by pillows. Love the simplicity of set up with receiver and TV.

DWeikert wrote:
Wish I'd documented the build, but here's mine.



Basically it's just aluminum angle bolted together forming the two side triangles with an aluminum plate bolted on top with the assembly then u-bolted to the ladder. I also use wing nuts to hold the tailgater to the platform so it's easily removable if I need to relocate for better signal.

I prefer this to mounting on a roof rack since it reduces the height vs roof mount.

I am a new Dish owner and read in the directions you need to point it south, the rear being the handle. So do you always have to park facing north or does it matter?

Wish I had taken a picture but I recently saw a mount that was a flat square panel that the Tailgator mounted to but it was welded on to a pole about 8 or 10 feet long. This pole was then slipped into a "flag pole buddy" mounting on the ladder rack. Looked pretty slick and it would get your gator up in the air but it could all be done from the ground- no need to climb the ladder.

Wish I'd documented the build, but here's mine.



Basically it's just aluminum angle bolted together forming the two side triangles with an aluminum plate bolted on top with the assembly then u-bolted to the ladder. I also use wing nuts to hold the tailgater to the platform so it's easily removable if I need to relocate for better signal.

I prefer this to mounting on a roof rack since it reduces the height vs roof mount.

I always thought that one could build a platform that was anchored to the horizontal bars of the ladder at it's top.
bumpy

If you have a white one like mine you can take the cover off and drill through where the rubber feet are , bolt it to a base , make the base removable from the surface you have it on
Mine un bolts with wing nuts from a piece of alum box that's mounted to my ladder , locked also , bungee corded to luggage rack for extra support up high