What's the Best RV Internet Setup? 2022 Update - RV Love

Our early work, technology and internet gear, back in 2014-15. But hey, it worked! Photo Credit: GabrielaPhoto.com

What Do We Use The Internet For?

A lot! That’s why (back in 2013) around nine months before we hit the road – before we even started RV shopping – our biggest question and concern was:

How can we ensure we will have solid and reliable internet access so we can work while we travel? 

We knew if we couldn’t get reliable internet for Marc’s 9–5 job, then we couldn’t RV full-time. It was that simple. Fortunately, we found the best available solution at that time, but of course, almost everything has changed since then.

Now if you’re a casual RV camper with low internet needs. Or you like to get away from it all and disconnect from technology, this question (and article) likely won’t be as relevant to you. 

But if, like us, your livelihood depends on being able to connect to the internet, then it’s going to be a high priority – for both business and/or personal purposes.

Marc works in the office we converted from a bunkhouse in our first motorhome

The key activities we’ve needed and used internet for:  

• Do full-time remote work for an employer
• Host and participate in Zoom and GoTo meetings
• Run our online business from the road
• Manage email, social media, upload videos, and write blog posts 
• Run our online school
• Stream YouTube videos, watch Netflix and movies, listen to music
• Access cloud-based software and apps
• Back up our iPhone photo and videos to iCloud
• Download audiobooks, podcasts and ebooks
• Checking the news and weather
• GPS and trip planning
• Campground research and making reservations
• Have FaceTime and Skype calls with family and friends
• Take care of online banking and other business/personal transactions

Our first RV – a Class A gas motorhome – in Badlands National Park, SD

Other common activities RVers use internet for include:

• Doing VOiP calls
• Road schooling kids
• Teaching or taking online classes
• Gaming
• and more

Marc kicks back to watch a movie on Netflix in our first motorhome

How To Get RV Internet Access On The Road?

Advancements in cellular technologies over the last decade mean you can work quite efficiently on the road simply using cellular WiFi. 

If you’re an occasional, low level internet user, you may be comfortable using public WiFi networks, and/or campground WiFi. But keep in mind that while ‘free’, these are almost always open, unsecured public networks. And despite what the RV park website or marketing materials may claim, campground WiFi is almost always WAY too unreliable and inconsistent to rely on for work, or dealing with secure information.

When a solid internet connection is critical to you – say for work or online school for kids – you really need to take your own internet solution with you, as you travel. 

The three main things you’ll need to consistently get internet on the road are:

• Cellular plan(s) with sufficient GB data from a major, nationwide carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) and/or a Starlink plan
• Related hardware that will both work with your data plan (a device to put your SIM card into) and help ensure you get the best cellular signal and/or a satellite like Starlink
• Areas that actually HAVE decent cellular signal – or a clear sky to point your satellite – so plan accordingly!

These days, in most parts of the country, it is surprisingly easy to find decent internet coverage with the three major carriers. You can even find good cellular reception in some remote boondocking locations, where it’s less populated, and therefore has less demand on the cellular towers! Starlink is becoming more popular, but it’s just not reliable enough to be an exclusive internet solution. It’s really more of a backup / addition for redundancy, so while we touch on it, we don’t cover it in detail, as it’s not part of our core ‘set and forget’ RV internet solution.

Boondocking – and working – on BLM land near Saddle Mountain, in Arizona

What RV Internet Device Options Are Available?

There are a handful options that are very commonly used. Because our total connectivity solution has grown over the years, we have all of these in our arsenal, except satellite.

1. Smart Phones and Tablets

You can use your smart phone and/or tablet to access the internet via the data plan with your cellular carrier. This can be a good option for checking email, social media, having FaceTime or Zoom calls etc. You can also connect a computer to your mobile device, using the “personal hotspot” feature. However, there is usually a limit on the data allowed for the device, and a smaller data allowance for use as a personal hotspot. 

We use our smart phones/tablet to check emails, social media, news, weather

2. WiFi Hotspots, MiFis and Jetpacks

These are all basically the same thing – a portable device powered by a lithium battery – that comes with a SIM card/data plan from a cellular provider. They work quite well, but if left on for for hours at a time, they can overheat (and be a fire hazard), batteries can swell and you may need to reboot. In our early years, we had two Jetpack / MiFi devices (we had one each with AT&T and Verizon) for extra coverage and redundancy. Now we just use MiFis as a backup, and take on road trips in our vehicle when we know we’ll be driving in areas not well covered by our phone cellular carrier (we have two iPhones with T-Mobile). But these can still be a useful, portable internet option, especially if you can find a big data plan to go with it.

In our early years, we relied on WiFi and cellular hotspots from AT&T and Verizon 

3. Cellular Router with Modem

This is a more advanced piece of hardware and considered a serious mobile cellular router for the advanced user. It is extremely robust, stable, and powered by plugging into an AC outlet or 12V power source. They come with one or two modems, so you can use it with more than one SIM card / data plan simultaneously for the best coverage across multiple carriers. It provides a central hub from which you can connect all of your cellular devices to access the internet. If you like to really geek out, there’s a lot more you can do with this router to enhance your internet connectivity (but we didn’t have the need to). We have had a dual modem router for over 2 years now, and it’s been amazing – stable, fast and reliable. We have found this is the closest thing you can get to ‘home internet’ while traveling.

We’ve had a Pepwave cellular router with dual modem since 2019

4. Starlink Satellite

Like any new technology (and anything related to Elon Musk) there’s been a lot of buzz about Starlink satellite. Early adopters, especially RVers, have also been discovering Starlink’s limitations. A Starlink satellite needs a largely unobstructed view of the sky, so you cannot park near trees. The original dish was big and took up a lot of storage space, which is usually at a premium in RVs, and you needed to set up and take down the dish every time you move. Finally, Starlink originally could not be used while in motion. So it should not be relied upon as a sole internet solution if you need to be connected for work. If you’re staying in an area with little to no cellular coverage, Starlink can be a great additional internet option. But Starlink is not essential to a core ‘set and forget’ RV internet setup.

Late 2022 update: Starlink now offers a new dish that can be permanently mounted and used in motion on RVs, removing multiple challenges mentioned above. RV data is deprioritized compared to stationary plans, but is still probably adequate for most users, especially since it might be the only data you can get if there is no cell coverage in the area.

Original Starlink dish temporarily mounted on a Class A motorhome

Why we don’t have Starlink

We do NOT have Starlink as part of our RV internet solution, hence we aren’t covering it in detail in this post. We have only used Starlink once. When staying at a remote Colorado campground, parked opposite an RV friend who has Starlink as an additional backup option to his main RV internet solution. It was definitely handy to access it via his Pepwave router (which combines his multiple internet connectivity sources) to get try it out for ourselves, and get online at a place where we normally can’t.

And while we did order Starlink a few months ago, after reviewing our internet needs – alongside the challenges and costs of Starlink ($599 for the hardware, plus $135 a month) – we canceled our order. Personally, we could not justify the size, space, additional cost, and hassle of Starlink, when our needs and usage would be very occasional. This may change, but right now it is overkill for our needs. So while Starlink is nice to have, it’s not a must-have, in our opinion. That is, unless you often camp in remote places, far from cellular towers.

To learn more about the pros and cons of Starlink, and decide if it is right for you, we recommend you check out the many Starlink resources at the Mobile Internet Resource Center. In the rest of this article, we’re staying focused on cellular connectivity, as that’s all we really use and need.

We parked opposite our friend’s motorhome and used his Starlink

The Biggest Internet Challenges For RVers

Internet connectivity is not something most people at home or work usually have to worry or think about. But internet anxiety can be very real for RVers! Suddenly you have to be constantly mindful of a whole lot of other things you never had to think about before. These include:

Getting decent cellular reception

This is almost always top of mind for RVers who rely on the internet, as it changes every time you pack up and move your RV. No matter which carrier you are with, signal will not be consistent, as it is when you are stationary. As an RVer, you need to plan your travels around connectivity; and ensure you have the right equipment to maximize the cellular signal. As well as a carrier that has coverage in the areas you visit. Regardless, you’ll need to beware of camping in locations like canyons, valleys and mountains, which impact reception, even if your cellular carrier’s map shows coverage!

Finding a high GB high speed cellular data plan 

To date, this has probably been THE biggest challenge of all. Most of us consume so much data on our devices these days, and it has been very difficult (often impossible) to find TRUE unlimited data plans – especially direct from a carrier. It is highly likely your so-called ‘unlimited data plan’ actually de-prioritizes or throttles your line, after say 22GB or 30GB of usage. (Read the small print on your data contract). 

In 2014, we were lucky to secure a grandfathered unlimited data plan before Verizon closed a loophole. We still had to be careful about how we used it (and not abuse it) so as not to raise any attention. But eventually it was shut down by Verizon in March 2022, after a good run of 7.5 years.

Some RVers have managed to find a similar plan on the black or grey market (which often involves ‘renting’ a line through someone else). These have been in short supply due to high demand, and also come with a level of risk. Over the years, we’ve also seen plans from resellers come and go, leaving their customers in the lurch when they close down. This is also why we have never shared or promoted any of them – as we knew it was just a matter of time and we didn’t want to share or recommend anything we weren’t 100% confident in!

Finding a legitimate, high speed data plan with sufficient GB for your needs has traditionally been extremely difficult to find. Fortunately, there is now a solution to that, with the new wireless plans from MobileMustHave. But keep reading, we’ll tell you all about it in a bit!

Making sense of the vast array of hardware options

From MiFis to Jetpacks, routers to boosters, antennas to extenders, and more! Not all equipment is created with a total solution in mind, and many don’t perform in the way their marketing materials claim, either. Maybe the device itself works fine, but simply isn’t necessary for what you need. Or perhaps it causes a conflict with other pieces of the technology puzzle.

Many RVers end up wasting a lot of time and money on various devices and systems that they don’t understand, and often, may not even work well together. For example, while a cellular booster sounds great, it can actually hurt your signal. Is it any wonder people are so confused!? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

So now you’re wondering…

Have internet will travel! Working while boondocking in the Arizona desert

What is the solution? You’ll need the right equipment (hardware) plus a cellular data plan with high GB capacity – that won’t be throttled or de-prioritized – on a reliable cellular network with strong nationwide coverage. 

So, What Is The Best RV Internet Setup?

Yep, here comes our reminder again… there is no one size fits all when it comes to RV internet! And what is best for us may not be best for you. Maybe you don’t need an internet setup as solid as this one. And by the way, this isn’t the cheapest internet option available either. But that wasn’t the title of this post, as this is about the BEST RV internet setup. But don’t worry, there are a few bundles to suit different budgets.

To be honest, after years of navigating this minefield, we are relieved to finally have an internet solution that has proven to be the best, most robust and reliable system for our needs. The best thing is the new data plan, which makes for a TOTAL solution that we can recommend with confidence. It was difficult to do that before when we knew people would still find it challenging trying to hunt down a big data plan!

We genuinely believe what we’re about to share is the best RV internet setup for road warriors and working RVers who simply don’t want to worry about their internet connection. 

So let’s take you through it.

The Pepwave Router, Rooftop Antenna & High GB Cellular Data Plan

There are the 3 key elements of our best RV internet solution. They are:

1. Pepwave Mobile Router

If you are not familiar with Pepwave routers, they are the units normally used in commercial applications like police, fire, ambulance, military, and transportation companies – where connectivity is absolutely essential. They are designed to be super reliable, rugged, and consistent and come with built-in antennas which may work just fine for you. But adding a compatible rooftop antenna will significantly improve the strength of your connection.

This is a mobile cellular router with a built-in cellular modem, that you insert your SIM card(s) into. This broadcasts WiFi throughout your RV (outside too). There are several models to choose from. Pepwave MAX Transit Pro Dual Modem CAT-7/CAT-12 LTE-A Router, PrimeCare Edition. Specific reason why this mix 7+12.  Cat-7 has specific band optimized for T-Mobile, Cat 12 optimized for Verizon and ATT.

It is a dual modem that allows us to insert up to 4 SIM cards from different carriers, using 2 simultaneously.

Pepwave Router with in-built antenna. Photo Credit: Annandale Photography

2. Rooftop Antenna

This is a MIMO (multiple input-multiple output) antenna that works well with the Pepwave router. It is an excellent pairing for extending cellular coverage and performance. And although a rooftop antenna is not essential, it really does significantly enhance connectivity reception. We got the Pepwave Mobility 42G (formally Puma 421) Antenna which works great with our Pepwave MAX Transit Pro Dual Modem.

The Poynting roof antenna on our previous motorhome – it looks a bit like a shark fin!

3. High Speed Cellular Data Plan With High GB

You may already have a high GB data plan – and you can use SIM cards from any compatible carrier with the Pepwave router. But the final piece of the puzzle, if you DON’T have a big data plan) and the good news is you can now get a true high speed data plan, with large data amounts from any of the three major carriers directly through MobileMustHave to use with their Pepwave. This solves a major and long standing pain point for RVers who require a lot of data!

As mentioned earlier, we had an old Verizon unlimited data plan, and an ‘unlimited’ AT&T plan subject to de-prioritization after 26GB for years. Those plans are no longer available, so we chose to replace them with the MobileMustHave R1000, and a P800. We now have FAR more data and connection ability than ever before.

We inserted both SIM cards into our Pepwave for glorious streaming and screaming fast and stable internet!

Julie’s RV office in our first motorhome. Photo Credit: GabrielaPhoto.com

Get Your Complete Internet From A Single Source

The Pepwave router and antenna have been available to RVers for a while. And you can buy each of these three pieces individually, or in a total internet bundle from MobileMustHave.com – an internet e-commerce store that focuses on the needs of RVers, and especially tech gear and internet solutions. 

This cellular plan and the internet bundles are MobileMustHave exclusives. This means, you can get your total internet solution – hardware and cellular data – from a single provider. 

Here’s why this has huge benefits:

• Solves the big problem of finding a high GB high speed data plan
• Your Internet just WORKS, as all parts are designed to work together – resulting in a more reliable, stable connection
• Simplifies the process of shopping, buying, setup – and even technical and customer support – when buying from one provider as they know what you have and how it’s all meant to work together

OK, let’s cover the details of the new high speed high data plans in more detail first because this is really exciting! Then we’ll take a look at the three RV Internet bundles, that you can add this data plan to.