STARLINK Speed Test while Driving in my Winnebago

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In this video, I demonstrate how Starlink works while in motion. I show a couple of speed tests as well as footage from the roof while on the freeway in windy conditions. Our primary use is not for in motion use. We use it in areas that don't have any cellphone signal as the priority, but use it everywhere else now due to convenience. Having it on the roof also frees up storage space, and we can move the Starlink anytime it is necessary.
The in motion speed test in this video was done on November 1st. The Starlink has been on the roof and in use through 8 states, 10,000+ miles, and about 7 months from the release of this video.
We've had the Starlink not work in motion for a very short period twice in the 10,000 miles, but all it took was a simple reset through the app. Based on information online, it seems in motion use works for some and not for others. In our experience, the Starlink needs to be synched to a satellite prior to departure, and may lose it's synch in motion, and may need to be re-synched either through a reset, or stopping to let the Starlink find a Satellite.
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Here is a link below on the install I did. Install at your own risk.
• STARLINK INSTALL for i...

[@pooyadelfani1176]

this video is so detailed and underrated!!! I'm from another country and am not planning on buying Starlink service soon enough but this has been an amazing explanation for newbies like me. thank you so much

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you for watching and comment.

[@tommihalics7807]

Have to say, great video. I live in rural SC and had no internet provider in my area. Starlink was my savior. Had it well over a year for my home. A few months back Spectrum ran fiber. Well I switched to fiber and have my Starlink sitting there doing nothing. My son is a over the road truck driver. Changed my plan like you did and gave it to him to use for his sleeper. After watching your video, we are going to mount it to his rig. Right now he puts the dish on the ground when he stops. We are going to have to fix that now after seeing your video. Answered all my questions and concerns with your video. Thanks and keep it up. Happy RVing.

[@rvlifediy]

Thank you. Yes setting it up each time is a pain in the butt. Mounting it makes it much more useful.

[@billydagenham]

extremely helpful, thank you

[@rvlifediy]

Thanks for watching.

[@kadachiman7234]

Hi rv life diy....great video and it appears to be just what I was looking for. I have recently purchased Starlink (Australia) and have been searching for info like this to see if I could mount the Starlink permanently on the roof of my mobile home, as I do not like the idea of setting it up at every campsite. My concern was whether the starlink dish could handle the head wind speeds when I am traveling at 80km/hr - 100km/hr. So thanks for sharing the video.

[@rvlifediy]

Thanks for watching and comment. We really like the set up, and yes that was my first worry as well. But I've seen how the dish is assembled together, and the top part of the dish is very secure. The connection to the base is the weakness, and the throughbolt will make it very secure. If you haven't already, make sure to watch the full install video done earlier, and that will show how I did the complete install.

[@Terry-zs4ir]

Great videothank you. What mount is that please?

[@rvlifediy]

It is a volcano mount. Check the starlink Playlist for all install methods.

[@volofly2011]

Morning Craig, I'm not all that interested in the subject of this video but I watched all the way through. In the future if I'm looking into this it will be great to have your videos as reference. Totally off the subject, did you install the VG's on your bunk over the cab roof? I pretty sure those are not OEM from Winnebago. At least I've not seen them on any other Navion/View roof in videos/pictures before except yours.

[@rvlifediy]

Mark I was going to send you an email on this so good timing. Yes I installed the VG's but without any thought originally. I was worried about possible wind turbulance that may or may not be present to impact the starlink. By placing the VG's in that location I'm not sure if it created a negative characteristic I may not be aware of. I was even thinking of removing them today. What's your thoughts? I'm very sensitive to the handling characteristics in the wind so I don't want to create a negative effect. I was going to place them in the very back tail end of the roof line but not sure if there is enough surface area to make Any difference. I don't want to put them on the sides as they look pretty ugly. Before I do anything, you could probably give the best insite. Main goal would be to have the RV more stable in windy conditions as well as passing semi trucks. Not sure if this would even be possible. Thoughts?

[@volofly2011]

@@rvlifediy well, honestly, I really only have direct experiences with the use of VG's for commercial jet transports. And based on that (this could long), I question their usage on relatively low speed ground vehicles. Race cars, it might make sense to try using them, but as far I know, VG's aren't used on race cars. Gurney flaps sure, but that's to make the rear wing more effective in down force but also is very dragy. F1 uses lots of wings, front and back, to control vortice to good effect. And generally that's also the point of VG's, to make the surface more effective or control vortices. For example, to make the wing lift more (up or down) or a make control surface more effective at a given angle. And they do, they are very good for that purpose. Even at "low speeds", like landing and take off speeds of jet transports, 150 to 200 mph. They are ment to energize the flow so that it stays attached longer as angle increases. Without them, flow will separate from the surface at lower angles resulting in lower or loss of lift or effectiveness. So concerning VG's on an RV, I'm not sure what practical situation would be equivalent to this. Maybe, as you suggested, putting them on the sides near the back (not right on the back maybe a few feet forward) would create more side force in the back to offset that at the front to reduce yawing moment due to side winds (stabilizing?). But this will likely also increase overall side forces (destabilizing?). A Gurney flap right at the back might do this too and not look so ugly. BTW, the VG's you have, which are typical of what people put on cars, are overly stylized. A simple L shape, set at an angle would be just as or more effective and might not be as obvious or ugly. As for using them on the top, you would do that to create more down force on the front and rear for cornering traction or just on the front to spoil high speed lift off forces. I think having them on the bunk of the cab roof will either do nothing or create more lift (destabilizing?) or will likely just be creating more turbulence right behind them. Which could be causing more fatigue damage to your Star Link mount and might also be causing your vent cover to rattle more. Putting them on the top in back will not likely result in any benefits for an RV, just more drag. There you have it, my thoughts, not sure if that was helpful. BTW, I have done collaboration aerodynamics research with my Alma mater, Purdue University in Indiana, and I think this could make for an interesting investigation. "Where to put VG's on an RV, if any place, to gain some benefits to stability and/or gas mileage?" Hmmm, I might need to contact my people back there... 🤔. (I was born and raised in Elkhart County Indiana afterall. 😉)

[@rvlifediy]

@@volofly2011 Mark I really enjoyed your detailed explanation and concur with most of the items I could follow along with. I think the RV industry could really use more engineering on aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing. Even the under carriage could use some help. I notice that many cars have some type of damn under the engine, but the sprinter vans don't (heard they do in Europe as an option). Many things to consider, and the RV industry overall needs more engineers in their build.

[@volofly2011]

@@rvlifediy Thanks Craig, I could share all day about this stuff. If you'd like to know more send me an email. BTW, does your chassis have the Crosswind Assist® which "helps stabilize your van and boosts safety in strong, gusting crosswinds."? (Got that right off the Mercedes website. 😊)

[@rvlifediy]

@@volofly2011 Will do. Yes my chassis has the cross wind assist. The feature started with 2019 sprinters (2020 RVs) Marketing is much better than the actual product. It goes off way too much and slams on the brakes even in slight medium wind. Upon chassis inspection, it is just 1 ride height lever on the back driver side axle and 1 on the front axle. When the ride height over extends, it slams on the brakes. Kind of annoying more than anything. However, since I've done my suspension mods, I haven't had them go off yet which is a good thing. That means my suspension isn't over traveling with just a little wind force applied.

[@anthonybastian8246]

Is this still working? Its been stated by Starlink that they will be blocking in-motion connections once the unit detection motion above 10MPH then allow connection once it detects motion stops.

[@rvlifediy]

I've heard that rumor many times and by other large youtubers. Mine works flawless. Not sure why they would want to lock you out. That just doesn't make sense.

[@rachel7550]

Are you still liking the setup? I am between converting that to a starmount (lots of risk), getting a hp dish, and waiting for the new v3 to come out. I feel like the general public thinks the standard can’t work in motion but looks like it can even going fast on the freeway?? Any input or advice would be helpful lol

[@rvlifediy]

The starmount looks better being flat and lower profile but of course expensive and more work to do. If your roof needs the max space, and lowest profile the Starmount may be better and looks the best. Mine is just the simplest way but does stick up higher. It looked really good on the Winnebago because of the stepped roof. It works fine in motion. It seems most that never have it mounted keep mentioning that it is an issue. Make sure to check my newer install on my new RV if you do decide to do it. I use thinner metal plate that is lighter and easier to work with. But version 3 may come out soon so who knows. All I can say is that mine works flawless. 30,000+ miles used on my Winnebago and 10,000 miles on my new RV. Good luck whatever you decide.

[@rachel7550]

@@rvlifediythank you!! Yea stealth is definently a big factor in wanting a flat mount for me. I figure I can Macgyver a way for the hp dish to sit lower then the roof deck but still be at an angle (maybe a seperate platform that sits under the roof deck). But that would be just as much work as the starmount anyways. I think with the higher power draw of the hp and new 10mph thing I’ll just do the risky starmount setup & hope it doesn’t fry my dish in a year😅

[@MarkSneed]

Can the RV dish just be installed flat on the roof?

[@rvlifediy]

It could but you would have to remove the arm. The arm is physically attached to the dish, so it would need to be hacked into aka taken aprt. There are videos out there on that modification and many have done so with success.

[@cjroberts8807]

Does it still work in motion even with Starlinks ban?

[@rvlifediy]

Has for me. Just went through 4 states and 3000 miles in the last 2 weeks with no issues. I've heard of some people not working but that has not been the case for me.

[@cjroberts8807]

@@rvlifediy thank you, I just bought one and will be driving through Canada from US

[@cjroberts8807]

For anyone else looking for this information, mine has worked all through Canada and into Alaska, in motion. It drops out from time to time for 30 seconds at times but other than that I've gotten up to 150mbps download