Is Starlink Worth It For RVers?
Starlink threw it all on the line and said we're going to provide fast, reliable, and affordable internet out on the road where other providers can't reach. But after six months of owning Starlink, we have some information to bring you. In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of having Starlink Internet and how some RVers may not benefit from having Starlink as their main choice. Is Starlink for full time RV living?
When it comes to internet connection while RVing, there is no one size fits all. Let’s look for the best internet for RV travel. As the Hanks always say; find what works for you, and your lifestyle, then roll with it!
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you!
Make trip planning a breeze
Input your RV information and let RV Trip Wizard provide you with an RV approved route. We love to estimate our trip expenses through the app!
25% off code: THANKSHANKS
RV WiFi Solutions
Now, before jumping directly into everything you need to know about Starlink, I think it would be a little unfair not to discuss other RV WiFi solutions available to you out on the road. We’ll share some insights as to what we've been using, what's worked for us in the past, and what definitely has not worked for us. Basically, your main options are cellular, local WiFi, or RV satellite internet. What are the most affordable RV internet options for you and what is the best RV internet available to you?
Cell Phone Hotspot
Cellular provides us with a hotspot, which basically means the phone acts as our WiFi. The internal SIM card has its own data plan, meaning the cellphones and the hotspots that they provide strictly run off those cellphone towers.
You can use it while driving so you don’t miss out on work during travel days! As long as you have cell service, you have internet. Another perk of using your phone as a hotspot is it doesn't take any installation at all. When you buy the phone, you basically already have an integrated hotspot within the cellphone, ready to use.
One of the biggest frustrations and cons of using the cellphone is when you leave your RV. Devices that were originally connected to that cellphone become disconnected because you're taking that source away from the RV. If you wanted a way to track temperature, monitor a security camera, or other things that run off WiFi, it's a no-go.
Most cellphone data plans have a limit of gigabytes and you know, gigabytes go fast. Using the cellphone as a hotspot chews through the battery like no tomorrow. Just know that it's very normal to chew through a couple hundred gigabytes of data a month especially if you stream TV.
In this video, we show you a hack to streaming videos from your phone to your TV without chewing through hotspot data. Check it out. ⤵️
Peplink
Another RV Wifi solution for cellular data is a pep link router. We want to bring up the Pepwave or the Peplink because it's another way to use cellular data as internet. A SIM card goes inside the device and that becomes your home internet which solves the issue of not having it on your phone if you leave. Nailed it!
The reason we're going over all this is so you can circle back to this when we tell you that you might not be a good fit for Starlink for RV. Techno RV carries the supplies needed for Pepwave. There are a ton of resources for this product if you decide it is the best internet for RV travel!
Free Wi-Fi
How about when the RV park says they have free WiFi? Trust us, if you do anything with internet out on the road, do not rely on the RV Park WiFi! We believe the RV park WiFi used to work great until all the streaming came into play. Sometimes the Wi-Fi is only good near the office, so if you can’t choose your site then you can’t guarantee the service. While this it the most affordable RV internet option, it may not work for your needs.
I'm going to share this hot tip now before we move on! If you have decent RV park WiFi at the office, you can usually go in with your computer, download a TV show or movie, and then watch it later!
Driving? Wrangling bears in Alaska? No worries - you can catch all of this information below on our YouTube channel!
What is Starlink Internet?
Starlink is a satellite internet connection by SpaceX. Are you asking, should I get Starlink for my RV? If you decide to buy the StarLink kit for your RV, it comes with a few things: the Starlink dish, router, and a cord that goes from here to the moon. Just kidding! But it basically comes with a 50-foot cord that connects to the router. It's nice to have that extra cord because it allows you to move the dish wherever you want. Now is Starlink the best internet for RV travel?
Pros of Starlink Internet
Starlink for RV provides unlimited data with minimal latency. We've been places where our cellphones could barely get a signal and this is where Starlink really comes into play. A cool feature of the Starlink is having a heating element built into it that prevents ice and snow from building up on the dish. The dish is built to withstand weather conditions, and for extreme conditions, you can opt for the higher-performing kit options.
You can start and stop this RV satellite service at any time, either through the app or the online version. This is fantastic for seasonal RVers or if you need to get that priority access for a one-time thing and then go back to your standard plan. We love the flexibility!
Cons of Starlink Internet
In our experience with Starlink, there are a few cons to make mention of:
You need to have 110-volt power to plug it in. Some RVers have solar/inverters/generators but keep in mind, you’d have to run the generator full-time to have uninterrupted service.
Buying the basic package for Starlink for RV is over $600 which can be considered pricey, not to mention the monthly fee that seems to continually increase. They increased their pricing from $135 to $150 each month.
The Starlink signal can be spotty. Trees and other obstructions will cause you to have disruptions with your internet connection. When you go into highly populated areas, expect delays. The RV satellite works great in the middle of the desert but in a congested city, not so much. That's where the cell signal for your hotspot we talked about is handy!
If you're in a congested area, your speeds could be de-prioritized to accommodate everyone in the area. It's not that they're trying to de-prioritize you on purpose. The people who have the standard residential Starlink get priority on their speeds.
Of course, like everything, the more you pay, the more you get. There are options out there that you can pay for higher speeds, but it's more money.
You cannot use the traditional Starlink while in transit. You would have to purchase the mobile hardwired specific dish and the equipment is $2500.
Accessory Mention For The Win!
We opted for a pole buddy for our Starlink dish. This allows us to attach it to our ladder and adjust the height of our Starlink dish so we can get better service in wooded areas. This accessory does not come with the Starlink and is a separate purchase, so feel free to use the stand that Starlink sends you. After some time, you can decide if the pole buddy is a good option for you.
Reconsider Starlink at These Destinations
Who should consider an alternative to Starlink for full time RV living? In our opinion, folks in the southeast should really reconsider if Starlink is a good fit for them. During our time in Florida, we battled the crowded areas and got deprioritized often. In the Carolinas and Georgia, we found trees to be our nemesis. As we traveled further and further west across the states, our service continued to improve. Basically, what we're saying is Starlink works great in rural, desolate areas.
As always, we want you to be able to make a fully informed decision on what works best for you! We hope this provides insight as to what the best internet for RV travel is right for you!
Trip planning for the summer? Check out these awesome destinations below!