How to Install a Winegard Connect 2.0
The Best Wi-Fi Boosters and Extenders for RVs
With a booster, you can strengthen Wi-Fi signals or your cellular connection so that "on the road again" doesn't mean "off the 'net again."
Published on May 26, 2021
Whether you use your RV for weekend getaways, full-time living, or a home office on wheels, there's one thing that rings true: getting online is more than a wish—it's a necessity.
But it's hard to find good Wi-Fi on the road. You can search RV park Wi-Fi ratings for hours but still end up staying somewhere with terrible internet. Often, even upgraded campground Wi-Fi is unsatisfactory. That's why many RV owners get a Wi-Fi extender to strengthen wimpy campground Wi-Fi into something faster and more dependable.
You can also get a booster that will strengthen your cellular connection, so you can use it in areas with poor service. Cell phone boosters for buildings can provide up to 100 dB gain, but for RVs the highest gain is around 65 dB. Boosters can be used with cell phones, mobile hotspots, and LTE home internet plans. Boosters may be designed for 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks and can be used with cell phones, mobile hotspots, and LTE home internet plans.
Sure, youcould get your Netflix fix in by perching your laptop on a folding chair inside the campground office. Or hightail it into the nearest Starbucks every day to check the news. But scrambling for an internet connection will pull you away from the forests, beaches, lakes, marinas, and waterfalls that you set out to explore in the first place.
Besides, what's your comfy RV furniture for if not to relax once in a while?
Instead of wasting time in coffee shops or the campground office, we recommend getting an RV Wi-Fi booster or extender. Like a magic wand, you can turn that crappy RV park Wi-Fi from bad to good with the right equipment.
We've reviewed dozens of options, and here are the best Wi-Fi range extenders and cellular (4G LTE) signal boosters.
5 best cellular boosters and Wi-Fi extenders for RVs
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
Making the best of campground Wi-Fi
Have you ever wondered how your neighbors in the next RV are streaming the latest episode ofBlack-ish orShadow and Bone on campground Wi-Fi while you can't even google nearby restaurants? They probably have some sort of booster or repeater to extend their signal.
Best equipment to upgrade campground Wi-Fi
*Amazon.com price as of 5/7/21 11:15 MST. See full disclaimer.
Best overall: Bearifi BearExtender
Bearifi BearExtender
● Protocol: 802.11ac
● Band: 2.4 and 5 GHz (dual-band)
● Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-Enterprise
● Connection: 16 ft. USB cable
● Mounting: Tabletop, wall, or pole
● Price: $54.97*
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
Dual-band option
Water- and dust-resistant case
Weak signal without USB dongle
No Mac compatibility
Our favorite feature of the Bearifi BearExtender? It's priced under $55 and it offers 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band connections. That means if your campsite comes loaded with a 5 GHz network, you can zoom into the internet fast lane since fewer wireless devices use the 5 GHz network. (Fewer devices on the network means a better connection for you.) It will boost campground Wi-Fi signals to (hopefully) useful speeds.
You can pop this budget priced Wi-Fi antenna on the top of your travel trailer and not worry too much about rain, sleet, or snow because it's water resistant. It's also dust-resistant, so driving through long stretches of desert in Nevada won't shake it.
Is your campground lacking Wi-Fi?
Best design: Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router and Range Extender
Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router and Range Extender
● Protocol: 802.11b/g/n
● Band: 2.4 GHz
● Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2
● Mounting: Tabletop
● Price: $149.99
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
Easy-to-use touchscreen
Router and range-extender combo
Connection issues for some users
With its colorful touchscreen and unique design, the Securifi Almond feels like a case of "one of these things is not like the others" compared to other Wi-Fi boosters on our list.
But while our other Wi-Fi booster picks are made for the outdoors, the Almond is more of an indoor cat that's chock-full of user-friendliness. Give us that touchscreen over a cold, spartan router settings page any day. (There's a stylus hidden underneath too.)
By the way, the Almond is both a router and a Wi-Fi extender, but since you have to pair it with your campsite's modem for it to act as a router, we've focused on singing its praises as an extender.
Set this bad boy up in your camper window or on your dinette counter, and it'll scoop up that notoriously weak RV park Wi-Fi signal, beef it up, and boost it straight to your laptop, tablet, or phone. Bring on the Netflix.
Best combo: Winegard ConnecT 2.0 4G LTE and Wi-Fi Extender
Best extender/hotspot combo
Winegard ConnecT 2.0 4G LTE and Wi-Fi Extender
● Protocol: 802.11b/g/n
● Band: 2.4 GHz
● Security: WPA, WPA2-PSK
● Connection: 20 ft. power cable
● Mounting: Vehicle roof
● Price: $332.03*
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
4G LTE hotspot backup
No-drill mounting option
Issues working with Verizon plans
Prepaid plan requirement for 4G LTE connection
Let's say you're on the road, and you pull into a parking lot to check your email. But bad news: all the Wi-Fi networks are locked behind passwords. Sounds like a nightmare, right?
In times like these, the Winegard ConnecT is your sidekick. It'll back you up with a 4G LTE connection from AT&T or Verizon so you don't have to worry about close encounters of the world-without-internet kind. (Yikes!)
And if you do stumble upon a campsite or truck stop with decent Wi-Fi, the Winegard also acts as an extender. It helps that wireless signal reach your RV or truck without you parking on Starbucks's doorstep just for free Wi-Fi. (And the coffee, of course.)
Best all-in-one kit: Alfa Network CampPro 2 Kit
Alfa Network CampPro 2 Kit
● Protocol: 802.11b/g/n
● Band: 2.4 GHz
● Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2
● Connection: 24 ft. USB cable
● Mounting: Pole-mounted antenna
● Price: $149.99*
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
Everything you need for RV Wi-Fi
Low price for a full kit
Occasional installation issues
If you're new to life on the road in an RV, the Alfa Camp Pro 2 Kit can set you up with RV Wi-Fi pretty fast. It comes with almost everything you need to connect to Wi-Fi from the comfort of your fifth wheel, including a router/repeater combo, antenna, and receiver.
Unlike the Winegard, the Alfa's antenna rises high above the roof of your RV. (Some folks even extend it farther by attaching it to an extension pole.) This is optimal since it makes it less likely for other RVs, trees, and buildings to get in the way of your wireless signal.
Not in the market for a full kit? Get the stand-alone Alfa Wi-Fi network adapter. This suction cup–mounted booster and extender isn't too expensive. It's well worth a better wireless signal at the RV park if you ask us.
If you're more of an urban camper and want to create a Wi-Fi zone with your phone data, try out the Alfa Camp Pro 2+ Kit. Although it doesn't connect to free hotspots in town, it will work while you're driving along the road.
Best equipment to boost cellular signal in an RV
Get a cellular booster if you tend to camp or vacation in areas with a weak cellular connection (which is true for most desirable RV campsites). Other than those times you're visiting family and park your motorhome in a suburban driveway, you will probably need a cellular booster to strengthen your cell phone signal almost everywhere you travel. Beaches, mountains, national parks, lakes, and RV parks usually all have one thing in common: bad cellular service.
And even if you snagged a parking space somewhere in a city, where cellular service is top-notch, you may still deal with a weak cellular signal while inside your RV. Why? The materials RVs are made of—metal, glass, and wood—often cause signal interference.
With a cellular booster, you can amplify a weak connection in many areas you travel. Most cellular boosters work with 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE. Some also boost 5G service (when it's available).
| Model | weBoost Drive Reach RV | Winegard ConnecT 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Extends Wi-Fi or cellular? | Cellular | Wi-Fi and cellular |
| In-motion or stationary use? | In-motion and stationary | In-motion and stationary |
| Price* | $499.99 | $332.03 |
| Get it | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com price as of 5/7/21 11:15 MST. See full disclaimer.
weBoost Drive Reach RV
Most powerful in-motion cellular booster
weBoost Drive Reach RV
●Network compatibility: All networks, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, UScellular, etc.
● 5G compatible: Yes
● In motion: Yes, mobile and stationary
● Price: $499.99**
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
Strongest in-motion cell phone signal booster
5G ready
Not compatible with some of T-Mobile's 5G bands
Requires close proximity to indoor antenna for signal gain
The weBoost Drive Reach RV is well-priced and backed by a strong brand with good customer service. It offers the maximum allowable boost while in motion. It's 5G compatible, although it won't work with some of T-Mobile's 5G frequencies. This kit includes an outdoor antenna, an indoor wall-mounted booster, and a small indoor antenna that sits on a table or countertop. The boost is strongest if you use it within a few feet of the indoor antenna. Or, as a workaround, place a mobile hotspot device right next to the indoor antenna so you can get a good boost all around your RV.
The company weBoost offers several cell phone boosters for vehicles. If you want to check out similar products of varying price ranges, you can check out the weBoost Drive Sleek or the weBoost Destination RV Cell Phone Signal Booster. The weBoost Drive Sleek is designed to boost a single cell phone signal, but the advantage is it's easy to install. Priced at $199.99, you can use this on the road for directions or while parked. It has a more moderate signal gain when compared to the weBoost Drive RV or the weBoost Destination RV.
If you want the absolute maximum gain you can get from a cell phone booster, and you're okay using it when the RV is parked, check out the weBoost Destination RV Cell Phone Signal Booster. Released in March 2021, this cell signal booster kit gives you a full 65 dB gain—more than any of the boosters we review on this page. There are a few downsides, though, so it didn't quite make it into our top recommendations. It doesn't work in motion (it's stationary use only) and it requires a 10-minute setup at each location (you'll need to raise and point the antenna to the nearest cell phone tower). But for those folks who are looking for maximum gain while parked at campgrounds around the country, we recommend checking out the weBoost Destination RV Cell Phone Signal Booster.
Winegard ConnecT 2.0 4G LTE and Wi-Fi Extender
Best Wi-Fi extender/cellular booster combo
weBoost Drive Reach RV
●Network compatibility: Verizon, AT&T, or Winegard Freedom Go
● 5G compatible: No
● In motion: Yes, mobile and stationary
● Dual action:Boosts cellular signals + campground Wi-Fi hotspots
● Price: $332.03*
*Amazon.com price as of 6/18/21 10:30 a.m. MST. See full disclaimer.
4G LTE hotspot backup
No-drill mounting option
Issues working with Verizon plans
Prepaid plan requirement for 4G LTE connection
Let's say you're on the road, and you pull into a parking lot to check your email. But bad news: all the Wi-Fi networks are locked behind passwords. Sounds like a nightmare, right?
In times like these, the Winegard ConnecT is your sidekick. It'll back you up with a 4G LTE connection from AT&T or Verizon so you don't have to worry about close encounters of the world-without-internet kind. (Yikes!)
And if you do stumble upon a campsite or truck stop with decent Wi-Fi, the Winegard also acts as an extender. It helps that wireless signal reach your RV or truck without you parking on Starbucks's doorstep just for free Wi-Fi. (And the coffee, of course.)
What to look for in a Wi-Fi booster or extender
Want to browse for a Wi-Fi booster or extender on your own? Here are some things to look for while you shop.
Security
Since you're hopping on the public Wi-Fi network at your campsite, security should be a big concern for you. If you're using a booster that integrates with 4G LTE mobile phone data (such as the Winegard ConnecT or the Alfa Camp Pro 2+ Kit), you will have a more secure connection.
Make sure your range extender or booster has Wi-Fi protection capabilities. We recommend at least WPA security mode, but if you can go with WPA2, do it.
Levels of Wi-Fi security
| Security mode | Security strength | Password length |
|---|---|---|
| WEP | Basic | 10–26 characters |
| WPA | Intermediate | 8–63 characters |
| WPA2 | Advanced | 8–63 characters |
Why is WPA2 more secure than WPA?
In a nutshell, WPA2 is more secure than WPA because it uses a stronger encryption called AES, which secures your Wi-Fi connection. Also, WPA2 doesn't allow the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) algorithm, which has certain limitations and gaps in its security.
As an added bonus, WPA2 requires you to create a longer password than WPA does. Yeah, it's harder to remember, but it's far more secure than commonly used short passwords like "123456."
Weatherproofing
Chances are your Wi-Fi booster is hanging out on the roof or side of your travel trailer. The last thing you want is for it to rust over—or worse, stop working.
Look for water-resistant and high-grade materials for weatherproofing. And if you decide to get handy with waterproof tape during setup, make sure using it doesn't void your warranty first.
Price
Wi-Fi boosters and cell phone signal extenders for your RV can vary a lot in price. But sometimes a higher price comes with a few extras. Fork over more money and you'll get a full router and extender kit with the Alfa Camp Pro 2. Or tag a couple extra hundred onto the price tag to get extremely rugged materials with the Halo Wi-Fi Extender System.
One thing to note: a Wi-Fi booster or extender intended for your RV is likely more expensive than one you plug into a wall outlet at home. That's because boosters and extenders made for campers tend to be more substantial and durable.
Stick with Wi-Fi boosters and extenders made for RVs.
We don't recommend boosters or extenders that plug into your wall for your RV. Often these need to pair with your campsite modem and stay in close range of it. But as soon as you park in that spot at the far edge of the campground, you're out of luck—and a Wi-Fi signal.
Don't rough it in your RV—get a Wi-Fi booster or extender.
Next time you load up your camper and hit the road, bring a Wi-Fi booster or extender with you.
Sure, the idea is to get away from it all, but that's no reason to not update your daughter that you made it to the KOA in Hot Springs, Arkansas. And without a strong Wi-Fi signal, you might miss the new baby photos she sent. That's a tragedy no one deserves.
Want to know more?
The best cheap Wi-Fi booster for your RV is the Bearifi BearExtender (the more expensive model offers dual-band Wi-Fi).
If you're looking for an extender, the Securifi Almond is on the lower end of the price range. And it doubles as a router too.
What's the difference between a Wi-Fi booster and a Wi-Fi extender?
If you're researching how to get good Wi-Fi in your RV, chances are you've stumbled across sites that use the terms "Wi-Fi booster" and "Wi-Fi extender" interchangeably.
Long story short, these two arenot one and the same. RV Wi-Fi boosters use a high-gain antenna to capture and strengthen a Wi-Fi signal. Sometimes you can even speed up your Wi-Fi connection with a booster.
Wi-Fi extenders, on the other hand, help send that Wi-Fi signal across even larger distances—but they don't increase the speed. Instead, they act as a bridge between the Wi-Fi signal's origin point and your computer.
*Amazon.com list prices as of 6/18/21 at 10:30 a.m. MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Satelliteinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Written by
Kristin Cooke
After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
Back To Top
How to Install a Winegard Connect 2.0
Source: https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/best-wi-fi-boosters-and-extenders-for-rvs/