What is the best internet for an RV? There are many internet options you can pick from when RVing.
But, it would be best to settle on a reliable provider to meet your browsing needs while moving. Hence, our guide today will explore the best internet for RV traveling.
Table of Contents
- How to Pick the Best RV Internet Solution
- Average Data Use
- Boondocking Destinations
- Internet Security
- Best RV Internet Options
- Public wifi
- Tips to Get the Most Out of Your RV Internet
- Internet Alternatives for RVs
- Conclusion
How to Pick the Best RV Internet Solution
As we’ll illustrate below, there is a wide range of considerations to make when picking the best internet options for an RV.
Budget
Are you operating on a lean budget? Then it would be best to choose cheap internet options such as free Wi-Fi.
Nonetheless, you will have vast internet options if you can spend some cash.
Internet Use
Using the Internet outside an RV.
Do you intend to use the internet for simple browsing tasks like Googling? If that’s your case, you don’t need to invest in an expensive internet plan.
But you need a strong high-speed internet for teleconferencing, video streaming, and other internet-intensive applications.
The bottom line is that how you use the internet determines the data plan you require when RVing.
Average Data Use
How much data do you use monthly for a particular browsing task, such as video conferencing?
Tracking your average data use will be imperative in choosing the best internet service for your RV.
It is the only way to know if a small plan, such as a monthly 15GB subscription, is enough or if you require more.
Boondocking Destinations
Working outside an RV.
If you’re boondocking in remote areas, you need a reliable internet option such as satellite internet to sustain your usage during the entire period you’ll be out there.
On the other hand, you don’t have to spend heavily on an RV internet plan if you’re near urban areas.
It is because, in this case, there are many options to rely on, such as browsing from a public or hotel wifi.
Internet Security
Accessing the internet via public WiFI sounds like an inexpensive option, especially when RVing in urban areas.
Nonetheless, you must beware of the risks of this internet source.
Hackers will likely hack your data more easily on public wifi than on a private connection.
Therefore, if public wifi is the best internet option for RV, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) would be best.
It will conceal your browsing data, protecting you from malicious attacks and infringements.
Best RV Internet Options
An RV.
Here are the main ways to access the internet while camping or RVing.
Public wifi
An RV.
RVers can access public WiFI from private campgrounds. It was not among the best internet for campers in the past years.
However, with the increasing number of digital nomads who work on travel, the providers have significantly improved the internet speed and quality.
Hence, check out if your campground can provide public wifi.
If unavailable, you can access it from libraries and supermarkets, such as Walmart, that provide space to RVers.
Public wifi Upsides
- It’s a cheap option.
- Using wifi is akin to having unlimited data.
- Also, It allows you to focus on other outdoor activities.
Public wifi Downsides
- Public wifi is unreliable, and its connection speeds are slow. Hence, you cannot use it for internet-intensive activities like video conferencing.
- Also, RVers are exposed to hackers when connected to public wifi if they don’t use a VPN.
Mobile Hotspots
A mobile hotspot device.
If your cellular provider has extensive internet outreach, even in remote places, you can bank on it while RVing. A mobile hotspot involves creating a private connection on your cellular device from which you can access the internet.
Hence, this applies if you have another device, such as a laptop, to access the internet.
Consider an unlimited data plan, especially if you want to use the internet heavily. Such a plan is nonetheless more expensive than the limited one.
Mobile Hotspot Upsides
- It guarantees reliability and impressive internet speeds as long as you’re in an area with good cellular data coverage.
- The option also allows you to buy numerous data plans to replenish your internet upon exhaustion.
Mobile Hotspot Downsides
- It is limited to areas with cellular network coverage.
- Also, if you’re on an unlimited plan, the ISP can reduce the data speed once you hit the limit.
Satellite Internet
The Satellite Dishes.
Satellite internet is an excellent option for RVers, especially due to its reliability and extensive outreach.
In the past, satellite internet was not among the best for campers as it required a high upfront investment in acquiring the antenna dish.
But, we now have reliable and cheap satellite internet options such as Starlink.
It assures you of a strong internet connection with top internet speeds as high as 100 Mb/s. The Starlink for RVs plan also goes for $2,399 per annum.
Satellite Internet Upsides
- It’s reliable from anywhere as long as you’re in a location with a great line of sight of the satellite.
- Also, it grants you access to unlimited data.
Satellite Internet Downsides
- It has a prohibitive initial outlay cost.
- Satellite internet also requires a lot of equipment that could be bulky to carry.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your RV Internet
There are many proven ways of optimizing your RV’s internet to match your needs while out camping. Check them out below.
Choose an Unlimited Plan
A couple is cooking a meal outside an RV.
An unlimited plan is ideal for RVers as it ensures you can use data without worrying about exhausting your internet bundles.
Again, it allows you to keep working remotely and even hold video conferences.
The main downside of the plan is that it’s relatively expensive. Nonetheless, you’ll save a lot in the long run, especially if you are a heavy data user.
Conversely, a limited plan means the internet speed significantly diminishes once you exhaust your allocated bundles.
Invest in a cellular signal booster.
An RV Vehicle.
If your cellular signal reception is poor, a booster will go a long way in boosting the internet speed.
While cellular boosters don’t significantly improve your connection, they are helpful, especially in remote areas.
Their main downside is that they are pretty expensive to acquire. Also, using the device is not advisable, especially in an area with a strong signal.
In such a case, the booster may interfere with the signal strength.
Carry a wifi Extender
A wifi extender.
A wifi extender works similarly to a cellular signal booster. However, this works in extending the wifi outreach.
Hence, this is the go-to device if you are boondocking in an area with wifi, but it is not as strong as it should be primarily because of the access range limitations.
Nonetheless, using a wifi extender in your RV means you’re accessing public wifi.
Hence, taking the necessary wifi precautionary measures we highlighted earlier would be best.
Internet Alternatives for RVs
A family outside an RV.
Say, for instance, you cannot access the above internet options. So what are some of the alternatives that you can go for? Let’s explore below:
Take the Co-Working Option
A work Station.
If you’re in town, consider renting a working space to access the internet. It will serve you well, especially if you want high-speed and reliable internet.
However, you can only opt for it near a town; thus, it is not dependable in all situations.
Borrow Internet from Friends
You can consider using their internet when boondocking near your friend’s place. The advantage of this is that it’s safer than connecting to public wifi. Thus, you don’t risk exposing your data to hackers.
Subscribe to Campground Cable Internet
Cable Internet.
Some camping grounds avail cable internet for use by RVers while on their sites. Hence, this is an excellent option to hang around the ground extensively.
The advantage of this alternative is that you don’t have to spend on infrastructure, as most such campsites have it all sorted out.
Again, this internet is strong and reliable; you only need to pay the subscription fee.
Conclusion
Above, we’ve elaborated on all the insights on the best internet for RV travel.
But, before settling on any of them, you must consider the factors we mentioned at the beginning, such as the cost, data use, and internet security.
Thanks for reading to the end, and we wish you all the best in your next camping expedition.
