DirecTV is likely your best choice for satellite service in an RV. Dish Network users will soundly disagree with me. It's much like the Ford or Chevy (which is better) question. If you have one or the other you think it's the best. The realities are that they are both just about the same. The things that make DTV my choice are:
1) Satellites are located in the Central US so coverage throughout the US and much of Canada is excellent.
2) The satellites are located very close together so finding a whole in the trees that is 4 degrees wide vs. 20 degrees wide is much easier.
3) Distant Network services are provided directly by DirecTV so you only have one bill. This is currently in transition phase with Dish Network and you may now or soon be able to do this with Dish as well.
4) DirecTV puts there package out there for all to see. Dish Network lists about 5 different packages to show how cheap they can be but all the programs you want to watch are in the higher priced packages.
Both have excellent and terrible tech. support depending upon who answers the phone.
I have been a DTV customer since 2000 so I have nothing personally to compare it to. A couple of advantages for Dish Network:
1) One receiver that can provide different programming to 2 separate TV's (DirecTV requires 2 separate receivers).
2) You can view Earth from Space on the Earth Channel.
3) Part time service is available from Dish Network. However, this service must be turned on and off in 30 day blocks so if you use it more than 6 times per year you would do just as well to sign up with a contract and put the service on suspension while you are not using it.

I am sure I am missing some details for both but this should at least give you food for thought and some additional questions to ask.

We have DirecTV so I am not familiar with Dish, there may be some differences depending on if you want High Def (HD) programming. It's been a while but last I knew none of the dome setups could receive HD programming. And the new SWM sat dish (portable) that DirecTV is now using is one heck of a beast to setup. We have the Slimline Traveler mounted on the roof and love it, push a button and it aligns itself. But when parked in the trees I do carry a portable 18" oval (non-HD) sat dish.

Direct TV is the best choice for RV based on my 15 years of professional experience with both providers. Its just more RV friendly and versatle for a bunch of reasons I won't go into. 

 

I highly recommend you get the Winguard SK3005 Automatic HD / SD Ku/KA antenna.  One button up, one button down – not inexpensive – however - it actually works.

 

Bill Adams sells and installs them.  He posted above.  Or Camping World, etc. Your choice. You will most likely need a “professional install” on your rig if you want the reciver in a slide.  The SK3005 will feed two Direct TV recievers and a two channel record DVR all at the same time.

 

That will give you HD and standard def as a backup.

 

Enjoy

 

Bill

sdman wrote:

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Just ordered a Sanibel 3500 and want to put the Winguard SK3005 Automatic HD / SD Ku/KA antenna on the unit.  I'm having difficulty with the RV dealer who says quote "There is no support framing, data cables, power supply, or video cables in the roof of the Sanibel. Ordinarily, all of these are in a motorhome. The only prep for satellite on the Sanibel is one cable from the hook up area to the main TV." 

I'm not happy with this answer.  It seems they are hedging on adding the system and want an open ended work order to do it. The unit has 3 TVs, one in the living area in a slide, one in the BD and one outside.  I asked to have the Wingard added to the roof with an A/B switch at the underside where the factory wired connection is that runs to the main tv in the living area. Is this standard practice with dealers? 

I'm not sure they know what they are doing.  

Any comments and or help would be much appreciated.

. 

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Your probably correct.

 

These antennas (SK-3005’s) are installed on all kinds of 5^th wheels.  IMO, the dealer hasn’t ever done this, has made the profit on the sale of the 5^th wheel, and doesn’t want to be bothered (unless well compensated to learn on your dime) to install the system.

 

It is true that most RV’s, including motor homes and 5^th wheels, are lacking the necessary cabling to install quality satellite systems unless ordered from the factory that way.

 

Perhaps you should attempt to get the factory to do this work.  While there are “methods,” It is difficult to route cables around after construction – motor home or 5^th wheel. That’s a fact.

 

I don’t want to go overboard here, but if the dealer says the roof won’t hold this antenna then I would be concerned about the roof, assuming what he says is true.  But as always, that’s just one man’s opinion which is what you requested.

 

Based on my experience (I did this with my 5’er) I’d go to the factory and deal directly with them - maybe as part of the sale.  KZ installed my antenna 2 years after the trailer was purchased. They had never done one (a SK-3005) before as then antenna was fairly new, but said, “Sure, we need to do one anyway because they are becoming popular.”  That was several years ago.  Perhaps you should talk with the factory direct and put the order on hold till you’re satisfied your requirements are met.

 

My 2 cents as requested

 

Bill

sdman wrote:

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Bill: I took your advice and contacted the factory and they are going to work with us on this on Monday. Good advice Bill.

Good for you.

 

If you’re dealing with the factory, recall you will need two cables from the antenna to each DVR.  (The antenna provides 4 outputs.)  If the receiver is not a DVR then just one cable from the antenna to the receiver is required.

 

If you are going to have a small 18” tripod dish as a backup when the roof antenna doesn’t have a clear shot, remember the same rule applies.  Each turner in a DVR requires an antenna feed.  NOW, most 18” dish LNB’s (the thing the cables connect to at the antenna,) only provide two outputs max.  So you have to think about how you wish to use those two outputs.  You can tell the DVR’s that there is just one tuner when you use the 18” dish and therefore it will work with just one feed and you can use the other to feed the bedroom DVR - for example.  Your choice.  But naturally you can only “tune” / receive one program at a time with only one antenna feed.

 

It isn’t that complicated, you just need to think about how you want things connected because it is easy at the factory, it’s harder later.

 

If you need more information, just ask.  Now is the time to get this the way you want it.  It’s your rig.

 

Bill

After a lot of research, I went with the Winegard Pathway X2 And Dish. The #1 reason was HD. You cannot get HD with a portable system with Direct TV. Unless you want to spend $$ to get the roof mounted Traveler. Then you may be limited if camping in heavy tree cover. The Pathway X2 has worked flawlessly and very easy to set up. It also has the ability to use the Eastern & Western Arcs.

We've had Direct TV for years, both when we lived in houses and now in the RV.  We have always had good service from them.  By contrast, I know of two circumstances where issues arose when someone went to cancel their Dish network service.  In one case, even though canceled, Dish continued to send monthly bills for at least six months.  In the other case, the personnel who were to cancel the service for the subscriber were very rude.

Terry

BigD629 wrote:

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After a lot of research, I went with the Winegard Pathway X2 And Dish. The #1 reason was HD. You cannot get HD with a portable system with Direct TV. Unless you want to spend $$ to get the roof mounted Traveler. Then you may be limited if camping in heavy tree cover.

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Sorry, this is not correct.  Just a comment for those reading along. 

Bill and Linda wrote:

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The Junkman wrote:

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Have the roof top Wineguard swm and a mobile one. In 6 mo, Have not needed the mobile. even in the trees. But have it just in case, and a birdog digital aligner..

  Directv tv came out on top..Can't remember why..

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Steve, which model birddog did you select, please?  I’m considering one.  I can align a portable DirecTV SWM without one but might spring for a birddog anyway in spite of not needing the portable antenna in like 2 years of traveling.

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 I bought the "Birdog version 4 USB Plus Satellite Signal Meter" Refurbished off ebay..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Birdog-version-4-USB-Plus-Satellite-Signal-Meter-Finder-Bird-dog-OEM-Case-4-/350877001585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b1e62771

 

I have not not used .. and maybe never will. But wanted to have it, incase I need to set up a tripod. I guess it makes things much easier for a mobile unit..

BigD629 wrote:

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Bill and Linda wrote:

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BigD629 wrote:

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After a lot of research, I went with the Winegard Pathway X2 And Dish. The #1 reason was HD. You cannot get HD with a portable system with Direct TV. Unless you want to spend $$ to get the roof mounted Traveler. Then you may be limited if camping in heavy tree cover.

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Sorry, this is not correct.  Just a comment for those reading along. 

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Let me clarify my comment. You cannot get direct TV HD with a fully automatic portable dome type dish. Yes, you can get it with a manual type. I have never had satellite before and did not want the hassle of manually pointing a dish. I'm assuming that you are suggesting a manual tripod type dish is considered a portable system as you did not elaborate on what you considered incorrect in my comment?

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A dish on a tri-pod is a portable dish.  It is not automatic, but can get the HD satellites.  Additionally, with DirecTV, under adverse conditions, I can get all programming, albeit in SD, with just one satellite on the HD dish from the roof or on a tripod.  Even the little 18” dish works if the roof mounted HD/ SD dish doesn’t work due to trees.

Dish requires two satellites to get all programing and they are not close together in the arc.  DirecTV doesn’t require two satellites to do the same. When traveling a lot, with unknown obstructions, DirecTV can offer more flexibility due to only having to find “one hole” through the trees or obstruction so to speak.  That’s been our experience over the last 8 years - simply more flexibility.

Neither service is good or bad.  A choice based on need.  Just want to get all the info correct for those making choices.