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Quick question on "Satellite Ready" trailers

Baja_Traveler
Explorer
Explorer
So, next month I will make the big jump from my little Four Winds 18B to a brand new 2016 Arctic Fox 25Y. When I installed the crank-up satellite dish on the 18 it was drilling holes and lap sealing the wiring through the roof into the entertainment cabinet - which was no big deal.
Now the Arctic Fox comes satellite and solar ready, and I see the pictures of the satellite RF plug in the side of rig for a portable dish, but my question for those that have already been there is - is there equivalent connection location on the roof for a roof mount? Northwood website makes no mention of whats on the roof...

Not that it changes any plans, I'm just curious.
13 REPLIES 13

Mike_Up
Explorer
Explorer
Back in the day I had Directv .Don't even get me started on my experience with Echostar(Charlie Ergen's Dish Network), are they even still in business with all the BBB complaints!!?

I've never seen a dedicated Dish connection on the roof, only on the side wall for cable or dish antenna. You could replace the roof mounted antenna with the Dish antenna but would likely need to rewire the coax cable as most use splitters and amplifiers to have a connection in the bedroom and living area.

I had the tripod and portable single LNBF round dish. My Aunt and Uncle had the crank up dish on their TT. With the way Directv and Dish Network were changing their dish/lnbf combinations every other month, a permanent crank up dish seemed like a bad idea to me.

I always camp in State Parks, so most of the time a Dish would have little use with all the trees. Also kids, rude adults, and even rude state park employees see it fitting to walk through my campsite often. Not sure I'd like the idea of them hitting/bumping into the dish antenna or tripping on the coax cable. Last time I went camping, idiot park employee was cutting the grass in my site while I had my stuff in the grass. Almost ran over my septic hose and water hose. She damaged my neighbors $500K motor home by throwing rocks all over it's side wall and leaving about 11 spots of chipped paint. He was still fighting with them when I left.

Directv quality and customer service went down hill with prices sky rocketing and programming choices stagnant, it was a no brainer to go to Comcast/Infinity when they went to digital programming.

I now have Comcast Infinity phone, 120 Mbps Internet, and all the cable premium channels CHEAPER than DirectTV's basic programming, At&t's 3.0 Mbps internet(Best Uverse speed available :R), and At&t's phone service.

If I wanted Direct TV for the Camper, I'd buy the cheapest portable dish that got the programming I wanted. That way when they add or change their satellite arrangement, it's much easier to replace the dish antenna.

I personally use the local digital channels from my TT's roof mounted antenna along with Netflix or Hulu for other programming. I use a Roku device with Verizon-wireless Hotspot built into my Phone. I also use the Roku for my home town local news coverage when I'm away.

Good luck, a lot of choices out there.
2019 Ford F150 XLT Sport, CC, 4WD, 145" WB, 3.5L Ecoboost, 10 speed, 3.55 9.75" Locking Axle, Max Tow, 1831# Payload, 10700# Tow Rating, pulling a 2020 Rockwood Premier 2716g, with a 14' box. Previous 2012 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH.

RollandB
Explorer
Explorer
My Carryout G2 is definitely not heavy. In fact the manual states when using it on their stand to use the device that comes with it to keep the wind from blowing over it. I've got a cable to secure it, when climbing the ladder to stick it on the roof I've used the cable to sling it over my shoulder.
2013 Yukon

2021 Coachmen Spirit 1943RB

bobndot
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you find that the sat tv hookup is not hooked right and not workin' too well ........

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25720650/print/true.cfm

lbrjet
Explorer
Explorer
Heavy and clunky? You obviously have never handled a Tailgater.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000

Baja_Traveler
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the replys,

I have Direct, and have been doing just fine with the standard def box, but if I'm going to roll a new dish into the purchase price I'll upgrade to HD while I'm at it. I'll be living out of it during the week for two years while on a job 140 miles from home, so TV is about the only thing to keep me occupied at night (I seem to have tied more fishing flies than I can use...).
My standard def dish on the roof of my Four Winds has been doing great, even being partially blocked by a tree. I just don't think I want to have a carry-out dish sitting for two years outside my doorstep.

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
FWIW my Fox Mountain (by Northwood) was correctly wired for sat and cable. I found out by removing the outside coax connections and then removing the connection inside the 5er. One is white and the other is black. I was surprised I guess as I didn't expect it to be right. It would be nice if they would've labled the inside better. the outside is labeled sat/cable, but the inside just has two coax connections in a single wall plate with no labels.
Anyway to the OP I have the same exact layout in my FM 235. If they do things similar then there should be an access panel behind the TV for the shower plumbing. You could access the inside cable connections by feeding the sat cable down the interior access area that behind the TV wall.

downtheroad
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2016 Arctic Fox 25Y on order also...can't wait.

Call Northwood directly...they have been great working with us and answering all of our specific questions.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Arctic Fox 25Y
GMC Duramax
Blue Ox SwayPro

the_bear_II
Explorer
Explorer
For Clarification: My Tailgater only weighs 10 lbs and is about one and 1/2 foot cubed.

OP didn't show what service he has Dish or Direct.

RollandB
Explorer
Explorer
First off, welcome to Arctic Fox. There is a excellent user forum at www.nroa2003.com full of AF experience. Mine is a 27-5L 5er.

Regarding Satellite Ready, I went with the portable Winegard Carryout G2 as it works with Dish, Direct TV and Bell. We camp mostly in State and Country parks so a lot of time have trees to work around. Have your dealer check and make sure the Satellite Ready is wired correct, mine wasn't so on the second trip out when we wanted Satellite, I was running it through the slide out and under a throw rug. The dealer sorted it out along with a few warranty things. Good Luck and enjoy your Fox.
2013 Yukon

2021 Coachmen Spirit 1943RB

donn0128
Explorer II
Explorer II
the bear II wrote:
Most folks are changing to the portable dish like the Dish Tailgater or the Winegard.


That totally depends on your satellite provider of choice. Direct cannot use those heavy clunky portable domes and receive HD programming. Thus, choices are a tripod mounted oval dish assembly for around 200 dollars or a Women are Travler automatic roof top dish. Or a combination of the two.
OP. Sat ready generally only means there is a coax already in place. But a quick call to Northwood should answer any lingering questions.

Big_Love
Explorer
Explorer
the bear II wrote:
Most folks are changing to the portable dish like the Dish Tailgater or the Winegard.


x2 - lets you park in the shade and put the dish in the best position.

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
I don't think that there is a 'standard" for sat. ready. could be wiring to a specific spot on the roof, a plug on the side for a portable dish, or internal wiring available.
check with the mfr. for specifics.
bumpy

the_bear_II
Explorer
Explorer
Most folks are changing to the portable dish like the Dish Tailgater or the Winegard.