Help with getting internet cable inside Escape 19 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-24-2019, 02:06 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: El Granada, California
Trailer: Escape 19'
Posts: 25
Cool Help with getting internet cable inside Escape 19

Hello all,

I am looking for some advice. I've recently purchased a brand new 19' Escape and I am planning to live in it full time. Since I don't own or watch TV it never occured for me to get it "cable ready". Now I am parked on a private property where I have access to Comcast internet (I need it for work). Originally I thought I would use a hotspot at a campground, but I found this amazing place that's much better than a campground, and it comes with cable internet. My question is how to get the cable inside the trailer? I obviously do not want to be drilling any holes into the fiberglass. The only way at this point I can think of is through a window, but that would mean that bugs and would be getting in as well.

Thank you for any thoughts on this.

Galina
BlueIndigo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2019, 03:41 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
tdf-texas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueIndigo View Post
Hello all,

I am looking for some advice. I've recently purchased a brand new 19' Escape and I am planning to live in it full time. Since I don't own or watch TV it never occured for me to get it "cable ready". Now I am parked on a private property where I have access to Comcast internet (I need it for work). Originally I thought I would use a hotspot at a campground, but I found this amazing place that's much better than a campground, and it comes with cable internet. My question is how to get the cable inside the trailer? I obviously do not want to be drilling any holes into the fiberglass. The only way at this point I can think of is through a window, but that would mean that bugs and would be getting in as well.

Thank you for any thoughts on this.

Galina
Without drilling any holes, the best way to do this would be to use a Cable Modem Router and connect to it wifi. The Cable Modem Router could be connected to the cable internet and powered outside the trailer - it would need protection from the elements but that could be done with a plastic box.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
tdf-texas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2019, 06:37 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
If you have a push through power cord there may be room to run an extension cable through that hole. If it were me, I'd drill a hole and add a cable port. Something like this, but in white.

https://www.amazon.com/Furrion-FTVIN...YMAM0A3R16REBK
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2019, 10:39 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
If you have a push through power cord there may be room to run an extension cable through that hole. If it were me, I'd drill a hole and add a cable port. Something like this, but in white.
I agree. And you're not alone with being reluctant to drill a hole in your fiberglass. After the first one it gets easier.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2019, 01:12 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
I was happy to drill a hole and install a good exterior port. Makes hooking up to an antenna or campsite cable if we want a piece of cake. Same for WiFi booster and in the future a cell booster should we get one.

So far I have drilled 7 holes and cut 3 large openings. Doing this myself is no different that the dealer doing so, or the many inlets we have in our homes too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 12:32 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: El Granada, California
Trailer: Escape 19'
Posts: 25
Wow you guys are so confident about drilling holes... I called Escape and still waiting for their call back about this. Meanwhile how do you you know a safe place to drill in and how do you waterproof the hole you make? I am really scared to mess this up - being watertight is the main reason I bought this trailer to begin with.
BlueIndigo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 12:56 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Well, look at it this way. I built an ocean going sailboat. When I started it was one large f.g. shell without any holes. When I finished it had 17 holes varying from 3/4" to 1 1/2" below the waterline and countless dozens of holes above the waterline and it was still kept the water out.

Use a good caulk and leakage isn't an issue. For a bomb proof installation use 3M 5200.

There's no mystery about where to drill holes whether it's in the sides or the floor. Just look at your preferred location and find a reference point. Then go inside and find out what's in the area. If there's no conflict you're good to go. I use reference points like a bolt that goes from the frame on the outside to the bolt head visible on the inside. There's a lot of places where there's no conflict with other objects.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 01:19 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: El Granada, California
Trailer: Escape 19'
Posts: 25
LOL ok wow - you built a sailboat I think my experience level is a bit below that
This being my very first trailer and me knowing nothing about drilling...
BlueIndigo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 04:40 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
If you are not comfortable doing the job, find a boat shop.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 05:19 AM   #10
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,119
is your internet connection via ethernet or via coax CATV ? thats sort of a function of whether the cable modem and router is inside or outside your trailer....
John in Santa Cruz is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 06:06 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
If you search underneath the trailer, there are some holes, weep holes that could be expanded, underneath eliminates leak issues.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 08:09 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
If you search underneath the trailer, there are some holes, weep holes that could be expanded, underneath eliminates leak issues.
But trying to connect any cable to a port underneath would create a lot of hassle for many.

There are already 100's of holes in the trailer shell side and top, and to create another one done properly does not bother me at all.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 08:55 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
tdf-texas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
I looked through the pictures I have on my computer for a go by for where to install the cable port on a 19' and couldn't find one.


If someone would post a picture of the 19' cable port, maybe the OP could use that to determine where a hole could be cut without any drama afterwards.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
tdf-texas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 09:16 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
sclifrickson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Trailer: 2010 17B “MATT”, then 2017 19 “Lilly”
Posts: 1,584
This is where ETI put the factory cable connector on our 19:
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1766.jpg
Views:	26
Size:	176.0 KB
ID:	40042
__________________
💩-p+☕️+n
sclifrickson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 10:43 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Lot's of room in that area to put a cable port.

Ron
Attached Thumbnails
IMGP0028_resize.JPG  
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 12:51 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
If you are willing to drill, this is what I use to pass my power over Ethernet cable that feeds a Ubiquiti Nanostation WiFi system through the back wall of my Escape 21.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 01:09 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye View Post
If you are willing to drill, this is what I use to pass my power over Ethernet cable that feeds a Ubiquiti Nanostation WiFi system through the back wall of my Escape 21.
And I borrowed your drill bit to mount one myself 16 months ago. Thanks.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 02:38 PM   #18
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,119
its not clear to me if this is for cable tv style internet connection, or ethernet. ethernet is not normally used for outdoor applications. it all hinges on where the cable modem/router is... is it inside the trailer, or outside ?
John in Santa Cruz is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 03:01 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz View Post
its not clear to me if this is for cable tv style internet connection, or ethernet. ethernet is not normally used for outdoor applications. it all hinges on where the cable modem/router is... is it inside the trailer, or outside ?
All the internet boosters I am familiar with, including my own, use an antenna with booster which feeds inside to a router. Mine works great boosting a weak internet signal. Handy for friends camping near too.

There could be other setups, but this is just what I am familiar with. I got my setup from www.jefatech.com/.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2019, 03:18 PM   #20
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,119
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
All the internet boosters I am familiar with, including my own, use an antenna with booster which feeds inside to a router. Mine works great boosting a weak internet signal. Handy for friends camping near too.

There could be other setups, but this is just what I am familiar with. I got my setup from www.jefatech.com/.
except thats not what the OP has asked for, I don't think....

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueIndigo View Post
... Now I am parked on a private property where I have access to Comcast internet (I need it for work). Originally I thought I would use a hotspot at a campground, but I found this amazing place that's much better than a campground, and it comes with cable internet. My question is how to get the cable inside the trailer? ....

so again my question is, is he getting this connection via ethernet from a modem/router outside his trailer, or coax, and the modem/router will be inside the trailer? for the former, he would need an ethernet port, for the latter, a F type coax passthrough.

for ethernet, I do believe I would notch the bottom of the lid to a storage hatch, and run the ethernet cable through that notch and not even have an external ethernet jack. unplug the cable from wherever its going externally, roll it up securing the roll with a velcro table tie, and stuff it in the hatch for travel.
John in Santa Cruz is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.