RV WIFI & INTERNET SOLVED with Winegard & Verizon | Vanlife in a Travato GL

#winnebago #travato #59GL #vanlife #rvinternet #rvwifi #verizonhotspot
Published 29-Jun-19
❓& 🅰️ FRIDAY Viewer questions answered.
With so many great questions coming in about my WiFi and Internet setup, I go into detail how I leverage Verizon’s JetPack hotspot and the roof-mounted Winegard WiFi + 4G cellular antenna system.
Thanks for watching! ✅ CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE and join me on my Vanlife journey!
RESOURCES for you
Winegard ConnecT 2, www.winegard.com/connect?q=mobile
Verizon prepaid JetPack, search.verizonwireless.com/onesearch/search?q=prepaid+jetpack
ABOUT Go Small. Live Large! 🚐
My name is Scott. I live and work full-time from my Winnebago Travato GL, a 21’ Class B RV camper van. I share stories of interesting PLACES, fascinating PEOPLE, working as a DIGITAL NOMAD, and full-time VANLIFE as I roam around North America. My hope is to inspire others to live a richer, life by getting out their comfort zone; to Go Small to Live Large!
TWO VIDEOS each week
🗺 + 🚐
Travel & Vanlife video is published on Tuesday
❓& 🅰️
Viewer questions are answered on Friday
MUSIC POWERED by www.epidemicsound.com
Then We Cross America (Instrumental Version)Then We Cross America (Instrumental Version), by Johan Glössner
Greyhound To Chicago (Instrumental Version)Greyhound To Chicago (Instrumental Version), by David Björk
Long Road Truckin’, by River Run Dry
Mountain Prairies, by Louis Nichols

[@paulinepotts9976]

I love that you always show everything step by step. Thanks.

[@weekender5850]

Best content I have seen on this topic. Very helpful.

[@thoughtsinpassing2968]

As a Sr. Blonde that was clear as mud, however, now that I know you have posted this, I can come back and review and review until I get it. The flow charts help as I am a visual learner. Thank you for sharing !

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Thank you TIP for your comment. Was trying to make a complicated setup as easy to understand. Apparently I missed the mark a bit maybe reviewing another time will help. If you have specific questions. post them here and I will try to answer . Thanks for watching !

[@selder03]

Classic. We're in rural Wisconsin.. Verizon is slow here. But everywhere else has been the best. We'll be looking at this wingard.. thanks

[@josephquadros5290]

Thanks for going over that ...I was a little confused of the advantages of the system.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hopefully it made some sense to you. complicated topic that isn't easily described by mere mortals like me. Hopefully you got something out of the video. Thanks for watching and commenting JQ !!

[@davidzimmer2694]

That's a badas# hat there Scott. Rockin it in Chicago too. Another good video in the can. Thanks.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Thank you DZ. was a fun one to make, not so much of get this setup for onsite food but rather this is what I have found to fit my needs best and give you and others some ideas.

[@Jimihx1142]

Thank you!

[@gosmall.livelarge]

NM thx for your comment

[@JodysJourney]

Saw Rick Springfield’s “Working Class Dog” album on your playlist. Good choice. (Haha, totally not what this video was about. But btw, great info; I’m saving for later.)

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hi Jody's. Thanks for paying that close attention. LOL I didn't see that tidbit myself. appreciate you watching and commenting. Which RV are you looking at or currently have?

[@JodysJourney]

Go Small. Live Large! LOL. It’s just one of my favorite albums. I retire next summer and am looking at the Thor Vegas 24.1. My favorite is the Travato (keep changing my mind on the G or K) but right now, I have two larger dogs and two cats and my sister (sometimes), so will probably have to make the Travato my second RV. 😊👍🏻

[@davidpittman57]

I like the network tips! Found your channel while at Lazy Days getting my Winegard installed. Now i know how to connect and hook up my network. Thanks and Safe Travels!! 😉🙏

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Thanks for discovering the Channel, David

[@timlouder2369]

Here is a question unrelated to this particular video but one I don't think you have addressed before. I know in some of your early videos you went in depth explaining the process of how you decided on the Travato 59GL and you covered the thought process on what to do with your Chicago home but how about your decision to get into this lifestyle in the first place. What inspired you to want to live and work full time in an RV? Were there others on KZbin who influenced you? I think others would enjoy a video about how came to live and work in an RV. Love to watch your videos. Thanks.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Tim, appreciate the thoughtful questions. I will endeavor this Q&A Friday. If yo haven’t seen some of my/our earliest videos we cover that a bit, but happy to update you and others on the subject. Watch for answers sir. Many thanks for watching and commenting.

[@lbvaliq]

The Connect 2.0 is the antenna I had planned to use also & since I am a Verizon customer I am thinking of putting a SIM car in it to pick up my data directly from that instead of the jetpack-- which isn't on the 5.0 network. It's hard to keep up since they keep upgrading technology.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Yes Linda on the tech changing frequently. If I could find a 4G LTE unlimited data plan with a SIM i could put in my Winegard, I would do it in a minute. Haven’t seen those plans lately. We keep looking, right?

[@elizabethnelson92]

Hi Scott! Love your videos! I'm going on our first trip next week with my son who is starting his first college course while on the trip. I have verizon and they just recommended 3 jetpacks. I get to try for 30 days and send back if we don't need all of them. I didn't know about the winegard. Will these jetpacks work without the jetpack. He needs to do live Zoom each day for about 2.5 hours. then we will want to do movies or nextflix. I just do social media and watch you tube videos like yours for example. thanks for all of the information!

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Great questions. So excited about your upcoming trip. Is your son excited or what?! Here are some thoughts Elizabeth... JETPACK MIFI Amazing they will let you “test drive” 3 different jet packs. My advice is to have a device with an unlimited data plan. Unlimited usually means the carrier reduces the speed at some point, usually about 400GB in a 30 day billing cycle for me. Have a back up device maybe on a different carrier, in case the coverage from your primary is not great. My primary is Verizon and secondary is AT&T. By far Verizon has provided the best coverage and speed for me. The Winegard I use to locate and capture WiFi from a source that might be different from the MiFi jetpack. It acts as an extender allowing me to pick up a weak RV park WiFi for example and make it sorta useful. (RV park WiFi is the worst most of the time). ZOOM If you can run Zoom from a mobile device (like phone or iPad) I find the bandwidth needs are much less that using a laptop computer. Mobile device apps are build to sip data vs computer expecting lots of data throughput. Running Zoom on mobile device should consume less data and probably give a better user experience. I use Zoom all the time from my iPad pulling from the Verizon jetpack (or sometimes running of the cellular built into he ipad) MOVIES Careful on watching movies in your RV. They can consume tremendous amounts of data on your plan, usually about 1 GB of data per hour of streaming. So, 5 hours of movie TV watching per day = 150GB per 30 day cycle. My back up AT&T MiFi allows 100GB in a 30 day cycle. That would not only burn through those 100GB I’d pay $10 for each 10GB above the allowed 100GB. Sometimes need to reset expectations as most RV resources as not unlimited as they are in a house (water, power, waste, WiFi). If you have couple dozen movies you really like consider downloading those while at the house and them watching them on the road. Using Redbox and your RV’s DVD player can be another option. Set priorities on how to use your MiFi data plan and meter / monitor carefully especially there are demands for connectivity, like Zoom for school work. Hope that helps a bit.

[@davidkenney3846]

It is important having a good wifi system when you are a digital nomad.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Well said David :)

[@seane682]

I know you mentioned in one of your videos that you often have Zoom meetings, how does your current set up handle Zoom and what speed range do you typically need to have a smooth video conference while on the road? Thanks

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Zoom is super efficient on bandwidth, especially on a mobile device. I run Zoom from my Mac using Verizon hotspot or from my iPad using the built-in cellular and works well. Anything more than 3-5.0 megabits up/down is sufficient for a good experience.

[@bevn362]

Now after you’ve been living in the Travato 59GL for awhile what features of the Travato59GL did you find work differently than the way you thought it would when you ordered it?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Have found the permanent bathroom sink to be invaluable. Pure3 lithium system is wildly exceeding my expectations. Winnebago Build quality is better than expected. Driving and parking van is much easier than I excepted. Great questions Bev.

[@peterwillis2402]

This guy has big money

[@gosmall.livelarge]

LOL. I wish. Got some to spare Peter?

[@dj9281]

I'm not sure if this was available when you did this video, but have you considered the Winegard Gateway 4G LTE WiFi Router? For only $20 more a month, I can put a verizon sim card in there and have unlimited cellular service/data with the signal pulled in from the roof mounted antenna (which I need, because when I camp, the cellular signal is usually weak inside the RV).

[@gosmall.livelarge]

thx for that

[@goneretired7030]

The Verizon Unlimited Prepaid for JetPacks is no longer being offered. It was removed from new users last month. They are honoring grandfathered users, however.

[@fomopro4618]

Gone Retired that’s why you gotta get one when you can. I had heard about Net Buddy, but by the time I did they were not offering new unlimited plans. The people who already had them though still keep their plan. The only thing I could find available that seemed legit was OTR Mobile. I decided to take a chance on it and so far t works great. I’m streaming this video on Apple RV right now in high quality and surfing the web on my laptop thru OTR mobile. It’s $199 for a zte hotspot, sim and first month of totally unlimited service, $60 a month thereafter. I’ve been almost everywhere east of Colorado accept the Midwest Illinois-Ohio region but basically, if a town is big enough to have a Wal Mary. The OTR mobile hotspot works great, even with 2 bars. One bar is a bit slow. It uses AT&T and I have T Mobile for my iPhone. Check out otrmobile.com. I’m hoping that even if they stop offering plans I’ll be grandfathered in.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hey Gone Retired. Thx to Fotomo comment. Due to constantly changing hardware and cellular plans That is why I went that route of sharing my setup in the context of it is working beautifully for me so people can do their own shopping and research for the latest offering. We share and learn together on this channel!

[@crystalstevens5010]

Where did u park in downtown Chicago? I went there about a month ago and tried to stay at bus parking area but it was full. So ended up driving through.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hi Crystal. I stayed in friends condo lot the first night. Last night I stayed in a public parking lot located through parking app, ParkWhiz. Superb location near the Apple Michigan Stowe, one block from Chicago River. Was a bit of a test using the parking app and worked beautifully. Watch for an upcoming video.

[@blkgenji]

Very good overview, but I would like to make a correction. In your discussion, you stated that you could use the SIM card from your Jetpack into the Winegard. I don't think that would work because the IMEI number in the JetPack is not the same as the IMEI number in the winegard ;) "The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit number that identifies a specific mobile device. IMEI numbers are issued by the GSM Association, which supports mobile operators and device makers."

[@gosmall.livelarge]

You are correct. The SIM card in jetpack is a totally different size. I am interviewing the masters on the subject, Winegard, at their HQ next week. So stay tuned for the official way to do that system. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment!

[@TheJamesJones]

Where did ya camp in downtown Chicago? Was it in a park or on the street? I go there often so would be great to know.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

In Chicago or most urban areas I use the ParkWhiz or SpotHero apps to locate overnight parking options. Always check the location physically before committing to book the site through the app and paying. I can’t remember the exact location in Chicago from the video but was something link Rush and Huron. Couple blocks NW of the Apple Store Michigan Ave

[@laceyb20]

Our camper came with a mounted Winegard which is nice, but we are trying to determine the best route for our children todo online school. Sounds like we need a verizon jetpack that connects to winegard. Question does the winegard cost monthly if you are using it as a cellular service?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

I'm using my Winegard differently these, and that is to connect to a solid wifi source. I have found that my individual devices connecting to the same wifi got more speed. Cellular through Winegard service is quite expensive. Cellular data is still a bugaboo.

[@roneehartl5774]

Hey question. When you say the winegard will pull in a cellular signal if “it is the cellular source” ...I’m assuming that means the only hot spots on data plans it’ll grab is if it’s the same as the SIM (which is ATT). So if I added hotspot to my Verizon cell phone account, the wineguard won’t grab that hotspot because the sim in the wineguard is ATT. Which is why you bought the Jetpack....And have an att account with hotspot. Right?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Sorry, yes it is a little confusing. Winegard will pull in an existing WiFi signal and act as a signal extender (taking weaker signal boosting it a bit) making that WiFi available to your devices from the Winegard. That is how I was using it with my Verizon hot spot JetPack, which creates a WiFi signal. I have since stopped that and connect my devices directly to the JetPack for better performance. When there is an available WiFi signal, like an RV park, I would use the Winegard for that as described above. If there was an unlimited data plan with a SIM card that would go into the Winegard I would give that a try. Currently, to my knowledge, no cellular carrier is offering an unlimited data plan. Hope that helps a little bit

[@roneehartl5774]

@@gosmall.livelarge thanks for responding! My question is probably a bit confusing. What I’m wondering, is if I add hotspot to my Verizon cellular account, will the wineguard grab that? I think you said no, because the SIM card in the Wineguard itself (as installed) is ATT? Or was that not what you were saying? Hah

[@bandmarc141]

Was the Winegard already on the Travato when you bought it? Im trying to keep your specs in mind so I know whag to make sure to have onboard. 🚐😁

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hey MJ. I added the Winegard to Lily.

[@bandmarc141]

@@gosmall.livelarge Thanks Scott! 😁

[@cherylkuhn8788]

I'm not real knowledgeable about these new phones, wi-fi and electronics so I need to ask....what is the difference between Wineguard and Wi-Boost. Someone on here said they no longer offer Verizon Jet Pack so what is the next choice?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hi Cheryl. Yeah I saw those comments too about the JetPackno longer being offered, that is why I was showing this an my solution so folks could do their research for their best solution. Many options and they change often. Wi-Boos I believe is a signal strength booster improving a weaker single. The Winegard, on the other hand, captures signal and makes it available but I don't think its job is to boost, but rather grab ad distribute. I'm hoping to interview Winegard later this month. Maybe they will set the story straight, and tell me if I'm doing this wrong. Wouldn't be the first time LOL.

[@kevins6725]

Wait. Im assuming the winegard does the hotspot better than the verizon jetpack, otherwise why have redundant devices

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Great question. I have four ways to connect to the Internet. Redundant for sure and that is the point, no single point of failure. My job demands that I have connectivity. The Winegard cellular service is expensive at $60 per 10GB. The JetPack is the most flexible option and by NOT putting the Simm car into the Winegard device I can take the JetPack connectivity anywhere I need it. I can use my phone and iPad (on AT&T, different provider than Verizon on the other devices for failover). So 4 way to connect with the JetPack primary option. Winegard simply takes the Jetpack single and turns it into another WiFi networks that my devices connects to.

[@kevins6725]

Go Small. Live Large! Oh I c. Thanks for the response. But wait, can u also connect multiple devices to Jetpack, or not?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Yes, up to 15 devices can connect to the JetPack directly.

[@janetbender9656]

Love the hat😄

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Thank you. !!!

[@artw1962]

Hey Scott. I see why everyone is confused. I get wanting multi ways to connect to the internet, but you're no using the Winegard to connect to the internet, you're using it to create a wifi network. If you get faster speeds by connecting things to your Jetpack, why don't you just use the Jetpack to create a wifi network? You're speedtest shows that it is 3 times faster download and 25% faster upload. Will the Jetpack not create a hotspot? It would negate that latency issue that the Winegard appears to be creating.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Yeah, it is a little confusing, especially the way I'm using the systems. I have the Winegard created wifi network for my Apple HomePods to connect too. Trying to configure those devices to connect to the JetPack created wifi requires data consumption. With the Winegard they can connect and play music without consuming data (streaming songs) because I'm streaming from my downloaded library. I largely use the Winegard to lock onto an available wifi network as the internet source thereby negating the need to use my Jetpack , Hope that helps a little bit.

[@marks8721]

This is off topic but did you ever find out what caused the rear tire problem you were having a couple of months ago?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Hi Mark. The tires are wearing so the shake is much less. I haven’t taken it to a Ram dealer to investigate further. But Winnebago dealer and two other RAm dealers said the wear would even out the ride. They were right. 20k miles on Lilly so far.

[@kingdavidcoffee]

I am a little unclear as to why the jet pack is an advantage over just using an iPhone to create a hotspot if for example you have an unlimited data plan on the iPhone. Thank you.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Multiplayers sources to internet connectivity was my goal, in case one source failed. And provides maximum flexibility . The four methods are redundant, and that is the point. No single source of failure.

[@colormedubious4747]

I've heard that a phone's other functions suffer while the phone is acting as your hotspot. YMMV...

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Only seem a faster drain on the battery life, but not much else when using the iPhone as a hotpot.

[@peterdement]

Try TOGO Roadlink with ATT. Same device as wineguard however unlimited data for $30 month.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Thanks Peter for the suggestion.

[@slim12317]

Can we just use the jet pack and skip the winegard?

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Yes, for sure. That is what I Have learned. Winegard is best pulling in a weaker existing WiFi signal

[@slim12317]

Perfect thanks. Jet pack solo no winegard is us.

[@user-ym6lc7pk1e]

This video is really confusing. You are using your Jetpack as internet source, so right away you are disregarding that you have Wineguard cellular antennas seating on a high spot outside of the van metal cab. Then you are connecting Wineguard to the jetpack WiFi, and then your devices to Wineguard secondary WiFi network, even though you can connect all your devices (up to 15) directly to Jetpack. So you are generating additional latency and throughput loss that you were able to confirm. What's the point of using Wineguard, again? You should really take the unlimited Verizon sim out of jetpack and put it in Wineguard. You would be able to use Wineguard better positioned antennas and remove signal retranslation from Jetpack to Wineguard that slows your connectivity. Test your signal strength and internet speed with sim in jetpack and then Wineguard, do it in the area where you are further away from the towers, so you can witness the advantage of better antennas on Wineguard and then you can redo this video and report back.

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Sorry for the confusion Dima. I have four internet sources: JetPack, iPhone, iPad, and Winegard. Winegard cellar service is too expensive to use except for Plan D at $60- for 10GB. iPhone and iPad are Plans B & C, Turing them into hotspot when necessary, but again takes up data from their existing plans. JetPack is dedicated to providing Internet access. I point the Winegard to the JetPack to create a network that my devices can connect to. This allows the HomePod speakers to operate playing music even when I'm not connecting the JetPack to the source internet. If I roll into a location and can source internet through the Winegard, like an RV park, a Planet Fitness, McDonalds, etc that allows me to turn of the JetPack thereby preserving data for when those 3rd party resources are avaibable. Regarding putting the SIM in the Winegard, then it is fixed and I can't take the JetPack with me. Just last week I have to take the JetPack with me into a restaurant to upload a video as the restaurant WiFi was 100x word than my JetPack. Maximum flexibility and failover redundancy is what is working b best for me. Hopefully this provides some clarification. If not, shoot me a note and I will answer. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mindanalyzer8302]

exactly what I was thinking. the winegard is larger, on top of van, with way larger antenas … so it is supposed to provide better gain than jetpack, no? I am just a nooby in this and trying to learn now but I am also confused

[@mindanalyzer8302]

@@gosmall.livelarge I had failed to read your reply… I see that you still want the jetpack for out of the van situations but wouldnt the sim in the wineguard be way better when staying off grid, in situations where the jetpack itself is unable to acquire a signal ? How easy is to temporarily move the sim to wineguard if you encounter yourself in one of these blindspots where the jetpack does not deliver

[@peterwillis2402]

Verizon service thats $200+ a month

[@goneretired7030]

peter Willis Verizon had an unlimited/unthrottled pre-paid plan for hot spot usage only. It was $65/month. But the plan is no longer being offered..

[@gosmall.livelarge]

Yeah the Verizon plan I am on is $65 prepaid. Very reasonable to me and couldn’t work as a full time Digital Nomad without it.