Do you want to know how to stay connected while travelling in your motorhome? At Inlander Low Voltage, we’re here to help, and we know the importance of a strong connection to the wider world through the internet.
In this blog, we will go through the best options for you, including Wi-Fi, 4G, and satellite, so that you can make the best decision for you and your personal circumstances.
If you want to find out what else we have to offer at Inlander Low Voltage, why not read everything you’ll want to know about going to France in your motorhome, the type of licence needed to drive a motorhome, what fridges can go in a motorhome, or the best UK campsites to visit, we have the answers you’re looking for?
Why Stay Connected at All?
It might be tempting not to stay connected at all while you’re travelling in your motorhome, but we don’t recommend it. In today’s world, internet access is crucial for far too many things to leave behind in the UK. While it could work in other countries where we don’t depend on it so heavily, everything from banks and bookings are primarily done online.
Not only that, but depending on how long you will be travelling for or where you’re going, there’s a good chance that you are going to want to stay connected with your loved ones. So, while it costs extra, and it can be troublesome, staying connected when travelling is key.
How to Stay Connected While Travelling in Your Motorhome
Want to know how to stay connected while travelling in your motorhome? Wi-Fi is the most common solution, but this won’t work for everyone’s personal needs on their travels. Below, we will go through three popular options that you might want to consider in order to stay connected:
- Smartphone tethering (perfect for occasional or short-term use) – doing this will allow you to share your phone’s mobile data to other devices via turning the phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. It’s easy and effective, but there are data limits to be aware of, particularly with multiple devices.
- Using a MiFi device (perfect for larger groups in less remote areas) – this is a portable router that will connect to 4G networks to create one network that several devices can use wirelessly. This solution is reliable and can be paired with suitable data plans, but you won’t have signal in very remote locations.
- Plug in some dongles (perfect for a single traveller with limited internet needs) – a dongle can be plugged into a laptop to give it internet access. This is slower in comparison to other set-ups (e.g. MiFi), but are a great option if you want to be cost-effective and useful as long as you aren’t relying on them in very remote areas.
Routers and Antennae
If you want to be able to maintain a strong connection, you need to make sure that you get the correct equipment for it. Unfortunately, this does mean that it can be a costly process, but the results and stable internet connection is well worth it.
There are some simple rules to follow if you want a strong connection in your motorhome. Namely, you should be looking for routers that:
- Offer automatic failover when you are between networks
- Can support external antennas in order to get better strength and connectivity
- Can accept mobile network SIM cards
Get a router that does all that (such as the 4G-RUT240), and you will be good to go. Just remember that there are two kinds of antennas to be aware of when shopping around. High-gain antennas offer stronger signals, but are more difficult to install and bulkier, while medium-gain antennas are easy to install, lightweight, and perfect for short and mid-range connections.
What About Satellites?
Satellite is a good option for anyone who is planning to explore the road less travelled and wander off the beaten path. In these situations, Wi-Fi simply won’t do, and if you want to stay connected wherever you go, satellite is going to be your saviour.
These options are more costly than Wi-Fi (and also 4G), but they are reliable, and will give you a chance to speak to your loved ones where you otherwise wouldn’t. It works by getting connected to the satellite network that orbits Earth, which in turn allows you to get service from anywhere.
Because of the heavy price, we only recommend that people who truly need a satellite to get it. You can expect to pay close to a thousand pounds in some cases for quality products, and this can be off-putting and unattainable for someone who is just starting out on their motorhome journey. However, if you know that the investment will be worth it, we encourage you to pursue it.
4G or Wi-Fi – Which is Best?
If your options come down to 4G vs Wi-Fi and you want to know how to stay connected while travelling in your motorhome, you’re going to need to pick one. You will do this by determining where you are going to travel, and what you will need the connection for.
Overall, 4G offers wide coverage and great reliability, but additional data costs can be more expensive than you expect. On the other hand, Wi-Fi is likely to be most cost-effective, but the strength and availability leaves much to be desired depending on where you are going.
Many people will recommend both as a way of ensuring that you get consistent internet coverage, but this is for you to decide. You need to know where you’re going, the price of the plans, and how much internet you are going to need on your travels. If you are going to be working from your motorhome, you are probably going to need more internet than many other people, so factor this into the decision-making process.
What Are the Benefits of Travelling in a Motorhome?
Life in a motorhome is the dream for many, and it isn’t hard to see why. There’s a lot to love about it, and while electrical appliances can be limited and insurance costs are high, this is the price you pay for the freedom that comes with this lifestyle – and it’s can all available to you just by having a standard car licence.
For anyone planning to live in a motorhome full-time or for most of the year, there are lots of benefits to think about, as well as disadvantages. There can be confusion about claiming benefits when you live in a motorhome, and you will need to sacrifice space, but in the end, you need to decide if motorhome life is something that you want.
Remember that there might be connectivity sacrifices along the way, and if you want to stay connected wherever you go, you need to pay for the privilege.
Final Thoughts
At Inlander Low Voltage, we want to help you live life to the fullest with quality appliances for your motorhomes. To learn more about motorhomes, feel free to have a look at our articles on what food you can take to France in a motorhome, if motorhomes are worth it, and the new 2024 rules and regulations you should be aware of.
We also have guides on motorhomes, look at the average life of a motorhome, and even break down the best UK motorhome campsites and Europe road trips to take, so you will know what you are getting into ahead of time.
Now that you know how to stay connected while travelling in your motorhome, you know what it takes to get the connection you want, and that it comes at a price. No matter which option you choose, make sure you do your research and determine which one is right for you.
