I’d like to mount a Weboost Drive X RV on/in our 2018 Escape 19’er.
Reading the instructions and viewing a couple of YouTube videos about the installation, I learned one wants to have maximum separation between the outside (OTR) antenna, and the inside antenna the cell phones communicate thru.
Since the dinette is forward in the trailer and we’d like the indoor antenna at/near the dinette, that means I’d like to mount the external antenna as far back on the trailer as possible, yet in a position such that it doesn’t shadow the rear roof mounted solar panels.
My question is…
Have you had success snaking coax (wire) from the refrigerator roof top exhaust vent (pictured) then obviously between the outside, side of the bathroom module and the trailer’s fiberglass shell and down to the electronics under the front, driver’s side dinette bench? It seems to be a rather convoluted path, potentially with the solar panel and other wires run before the bathroom was installed.
Looking at the inside of the bathroom module (see picture), it does appear that there is space to run wires between the top outer side of the module and the outside fiberglass shell, as the bathroom module’s wall is angled.
Also… Might you know how these side corner panels are mounted (see picture)? Velcro? A screw/bolt behind the button in the middle of the panel. Behind this small panel is an obvious place that Escape has run wires and I’ll probably want to take one of these panels off without damaging it to run a wire.
I’m open to any suggestions. I’d like to permanently mount the Weboost’s OTR antenna so I don’t have another thing to do when we pull into a location for an overnight.
Thank you, in advance, for your thoughts.
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... Greg
2018 Escape 19'er & 2018 Highlander
Not all who wander are lost
One question: did you happen to configure your trailer for TV when you ordered it? The reason I ask is that the external antenna is connected to the amplifier via a R6 Coax cable. If you have the Coax port somewhere on your shell with the internal lead inside one of your cabinets, that may be an ideal spot for the booster. That in turn may open up different solutions for the internal antenna.
In my case, I knew I wanted the WeBoost system so I had ETI route internal coax cables for everything as part of the build on my 5.0. (Note: my trailer was one of the last one's built under Tammy and Reace's ownership. So this my not be an option now.)
In answer to your question, I have not routed anything behind the shower walls so I don't know how possible that is. But if you have the external antenna mounted on the rear brace for the driver's side solar panel, and the internal antenna mounted on the cabinet above the sink by the door, that would be enough separation. Then you could run the cables in the upper cabinets over the bed around the back, stove and sink.
I would suggest looking into someway to have the mast fold down for travel if mounted to the solar panel. Or get a pole that attaches to the rear bumper and is removed for travel. That is how I do it.
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- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
I've routed several cables etc. from one end to the other on both my 19 and 21. A bit of wiggle and jiggle process but not a problem.
Pop the cap off the corner piece, undo the screw and you have a path for vertical wiring.
The fridge vent is a very easy path for wiring to go from the roof down to the interior. The easiest way is to remove the 4 screws holding the vent cap on. There is a bug screen, depends if the wire has a larger end piece whether you have to snip a bit of the mesh to drop it through.
At the bottom of the fridge chase, accessible from the exterior hatch, you can drill a hole in the compartment "floor" and drop the wire down into the space below. From there you can either go towards the front or rear.
-- you can drill a hole in the compartment "floor" and drop the wire down into the space below. From there you can either go towards the front or rear.
Ron
Maybe I just hadn't seen this before, but great info, thanks for posting this Ron
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The Sweet Suite
Ronn and Colleen
Arnie: We did have Escape route a custom cable for our Victron battery monitor, but didn’t think about a Weboost at the time of our build.
It’s interesting that the TV cable is also RG6 (75 ohm), but I guess that makes sense. Good idea about using the TV cable(s) for the Weboost, but unfortunately, where the TV cables run, and the TV cable terminates in the trailer won’t work. But thank you for the info though.
I’ve considered a removable pole to set up when parked. But would prefer a (semi) permanent attachment. I just want to keep it simple when we park - especially at rest areas, etc.
Ron: Thank you for the info about running wires under the floor and the info on the vertical, side panels. That’s a great help!
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... Greg
2018 Escape 19'er & 2018 Highlander
Not all who wander are lost
I’ve considered a removable pole to set up when parked. But would prefer a (semi) permanent attachment.......
Here's my current setup. I use a directional antenna atop a 16 ft telescoping pole. Both which fit nicely in the front storage box. Cable entry is next to coax connector on driver's side front of trailer. Easy to get set up. Aiming the antenna for best reception takes longer than anything else. But like just about everything these days, there's an app that helps with that process.
Can you tell me where you purchased you telescoping pole. Can you take a pic of how you attached you directional attend to the pole. Thanks
Got the telescoping pole from Home Depot paint dept.
The directional antenna comes with mounting hardware to mount to a pole.
I'll be going camping again here in a few weeks and will try to remember to take a picture.
The Weboost OTR antenna is the best I've seen thus far and glad I did not permanently mount the previous Trucker Antenna as technology keeps advancing.
Here is another way to install: the amp is under the passenger side dinette and I drilled a hole in the floor for the external antenna wire. As it is not coax the hole is small. Sealed up with Proflex. To mount external antenna I used PVC to attach to the solar panel for the upper rubber Storage Clip for the bottom one I attached to a plastic door shim with a screw then put 3M VHB tape on to attach to trailer. When traveling the antenna stows easily in a 2nd Hose Carrier.
Valterra A04-5094BK EZ Hose Adjustable Hose Carrier - 50" to 94", Black
Bought on Amazon for $44; I see they now want $124! - Price Gouge Alert! Walmart has them though for $44.
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"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
This is how I did it. Escape told me to run it thru air conditioning chase. Then I drilled thru the cabinet at the dinette. Here is my setup.
It was pretty easy.
What kind of bracket did you use to mount the OTR antenna to the solar panel? The bracket that ships with the OTR is for the horizontal arm of a truck mirror; Also, I assume that the antenna folds down for travel?
I used the one enclosed. However I mounted it incorrectly. On purpose. Look closely at the image and you can see normally you would sink the four bolts but I wanted to mount it the way I did, using the one big bolt. Which is backwards.
I use my driver to make sure I got a real tight installment. It is not coming off any time soon. But I did use the bracket they sold me. It does not fold down for travel and so far I have not hit anything.
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