TravlFi connectivity specialist shares his top tips for creating a stable, speedy connection while traveling.
There are a lot of reasons to want a strong internet signal while traveling in your RV: It’s a big part of staying safe and secure in your rig, working as a digital nomad, and staying connected to friends and family while you’re out and about. At first, the world of RV internet access can seem overwhelming and intimidating, but achieving a good RV WiFi setup isn’t as complicated as you might think.
To help you make the most of your travels, we talked with TravlFi connectivity specialist Jeff Gwinnell about optimizing the internet connection in your RV or van.
Related: Must-Have RV Accessories for Every Type of Traveler
What’s the Best RV WiFi Setup?
First things first, let’s answer this common question. The answer, as is often the case with travel-related questions, is: “It depends.” More specifically, the best RV WiFi setup for you depends on your travel style, including where you travel, how frequently you travel, and whether or not you’re working part- or full-time on the road.
If you’re a full-time vanlifer who works while traveling, for instance, you’ll probably need a multi-part WiFi setup with different types of connections. But if you’re a retiree who mostly stays in campgrounds and doesn’t need to worry about work, you can get away with a less expensive, simpler setup—in most cases, your phone hotspot will probably suffice.
Our guide to RV WiFi can help you determine which type of setup will work best for your rig and travel style.
Factors That Impact RV WiFi Signal Strength
Before getting into RV WiFi setup tips, it’s important to understand what impacts signal strength. According to Gwinnell, the following factors heavily influence the stability and speeds you’ll experience.
- Proximity or distance to nearby cell towers: Distance has a direct effect on your overall signal strength as towers can only reach so far. The signal will fade out overtime and become unreliable.
- Weather conditions: Heavy fog, heavy snow and heavy rain can degrade the available signal.
- Cell tower congestion: Heavy user traffic due to events or seasonal travel popularity, as well as limited tower installations, can overwhelm local tower capacity and cause a drop in signal strength and quality.
- Service coverage areas: As best as the big cellular providers try, service for each network provider is not available everywhere. This means that if your preferred carrier isn’t in the area, service may be limited or non-existent.
- Geographical interference: “Mountainous regions are notorious for having poor signal reliability due to the terrain and access for cell tower placement, Gwinnell says. Valleys and dense forest can also play a factor depending on locations of and towers.”
Man-made interference: In addition to natural obstructions, Gwinnell says that “the structure of the RV or the vehicle can also play havoc with receiving and transmitting cell signal.” Nearby buildings or larger vehicles blocking the line of sight to a nearby tower can interfere, too.
RV WiFi Setup Tips
A combination of physical changes and habitual best practices will help you get the most out of your RV WiFi hotspot or router.
Change Default Names and Passwords
“Out of the box, change all WiFi connection names (SSID) and passwords to a unique combination of letters, characters, and numbers.” Gwinnell urges. If possible, change the default admin and password, too. Make a note or use a password manager app to retain this information. “Always keep WiFi connections locked down. Open networks are a huge security risk, especially if you’re mobile and traveling.”
Check for Software Updates
This is easy to forget to do, but can make a big impact on WiFi speeds. “Keeping your device up to date means not only will it have the latest bug fixes, but important security patches and device improvements, too,” says Gwinnell. “Check with your device manufacturer online for product updates. If the device has a built-in update service, check for updates a few times a year.”
Keep Devices Ventilated
Electronics generate heat and need adequate ventilation in order to stay within operating limits, Gwinnell says. “Keeping temperatures under control will improve device performance and maintain the lifespan of the device. It can often be difficult making the best use of storage in an RV, but don’t operate your device in a junk drawer or a cabinet jam packed with clothing.”
“Just as well, don’t allow items to block vents/ports,” he continues. “If a device has provisions for mounting on a surface or wall, consider mounting the device in a good location for airflow and keeping the vents clear.”
Prioritize Physical Connections
Wireless connections are the norm nowadays, but Gwinnell encourages travelers to make use of available physical connections. “A physical connection can drastically improve video quality, streaming, and download performance,” he says. Utilizing an Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network) port creates the most reliable physical connection, optimizes the available bandwidth, and prevents connections from being bogged down by potential WiFi nuances, Gwinnell says.
Experiment With Device Location
Sometimes, achieving a stronger connection simply requires moving your device around. “If possible, keep the device out in the open and near windows or in a direction where signal is strongest,” Gwinnell says. You can also try moving the device around inside the RV, or relocating your RV if that’s an option.
Consider Additional Hardware
Cell boosters and external antennae can boost signals, too, though they come with limitations. Cell boosters refine and improve existing signal quality, which may be beneficial in some areas, Gwinnell says. External antennae, which are installed on the outside of your RV, can provide a better method for transmitting and receiving signal, he explains. If you already have one, a larger one may improve signal further.
“If you are considering an external antenna or already have one, place your external antenna as high up as possible to overcome interference and give the antenna the best shot at sending/receiving cell signal,” Gwinnell says. “Also try a cell tower locator app or research your area before traveling and determine the best coverage locations.”
Balance the WiFi Load
If your cellular device supports dual-band WiFi, don’t put every device on the same WiFi connection, says Gwinnell. “Try to separate devices that need high speed on 5GHz WiFi (such as TVs, laptops, and tablets) and connect lesser priority devices (like IoT monitoring devices and cameras) on 2.4GHz WiFi,” he says. “This can reduce some instances of interference and allows the devices with 5Ghz WiFi to attain their maximum performance.”
Separate IoT Onto Its Own WiFi
IoT, or Internet of Things, refers to the network of everyday items that have sensors and communicative features—like cameras, tank monitors, temperature sensors, and refrigerators. Gwinnell recommends creating a password-protected guest WiFi network and putting all of your IoT devices on that network to separate them from the rest of your network. “This will help add another layer of separation between you and your IoT devices while still allowing internet access.”
Enable QoS
“If you’re extra tech savvy, configuring QoS or “Quality of Service” to prioritize bandwidth to certain web services can make the best of your connection,” Gwinnell says. Doing so involves a relatively complex process, but if you’re up for it, can preserve connection quality when it matters most—such as during a video call for work.
Pre-Download Entertainment and Maps
If you’re going on a short trip, download music, movies, and books ahead of time. This saves you some data when you’re traveling, since those large downloads were already completed on your home network.
Self-Monitor Data Usage (and Adjust)
Utilize built in data usage and metering functions within your cellular device or computer, Gwinnell recommends. For instance, newer versions of Microsoft Windows feature built-in data usage monitoring by application and can be configured to self-limit data usage. You can also look up data use calculators to understand how common apps and services consume data.
For applications (like streaming) using a large amount of data, consider turning down the resolution. “High-resolution streaming, downloading files, and gaming are the highest users of data,” Gwinnell points out. “Turn down the resolution, resist gaming if you can, and be conscious of what you’re downloading.”
Disable WiFi on Devices
One thing many people forget to do, Gwinnell says, is disable WiFi on devices they aren’t using. “Smart-enabled devices like TVs, game consoles, streaming sticks, and more can consume data even when powered down or in standby mode.” This includes phones, laptops, cameras, and other common tech items.
Get an Unlimited Data Plan
Finally, if finances allow, consider an unlimited data plan. Having one is the best-case scenario for full-time travelers who also work from the road.
FAQs
What are the most common RV internet setup mistakes?
According to Gwinnell, the most common RV internet mistakes include not changing the default networks names and passwords; leaving WiFi networks open without a password; never checking devices for the latest software updates; and operating devices in areas with poor ventilation, which can lead to overheating.
How to improve internet connection in an RV?
One way to improve your connection is to keep the device out in the open and near windows or in a direction where the signal is strongest, says Gwinnell. Additionally, Gwinnell recommends placing the device in different locations around the vehicle or relocating the RV to achieve a better signal if possible. “You can also power a cellular device off and on to force another search of signal and re-connection,” he says. “This can help if the device is still connected to a tower that is not within the best range.”
How can I get high-speed internet in my RV?
Gwinnell explains that internet speed in an RV “is all subjective to the environment and number of users in the area. If the area is packed with people and users, you’re not the only one who will run into potential slow speeds or connectivity issues.” His insider secret? Camp in off seasons or seek out lesser-known areas!
TravlFi Takeaways
Optimizing WiFi for RV travel requires determining the devices that will best suit your travel style, as well as implementing a number of physical changes (like adding a booster or antenna) and daily habits (like parking up free from obstructions).
- Your ideal setup may consist of more than one device.
- Simple tactics, like repositioning and ventilating your device, can make a significant difference.
- For short trips, pre-downloading entertainment saves you some data while traveling.
- An unlimited data plan is ideal for full-time digital nomads.
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