Motorhome guides

How to get WiFi in a motorhome

Motorhome WiFi

Motorhome WiFi is increasingly becoming an essential commodity for campervan and motorhome owners, be it for a rainy day Netflix binge or to put in a hard days shift for those digital nomads. The question is, how do you get WiFi in a motorhome?

Well, you’ve got a few motorhome WiFi options. Here, Van Life Matters goes through your choices, highlighting the pros and cons so you can make the right decision for your motorhome.

Using a Smartphone to tether and hot-spot

This method makes use of your smartphone or tablet and its existing data plan to turn your device into a mobile router.

Providing your device has a strong enough signal, you’ll be able tether/hot-spot to share the internet connection with any other device.

You’ll need to have a mobile data package on your SIM card/ smartphone contact – something you’re almost certainly already have but you should monitor how much mobile data you’re using.

Some contracts limit the amount of data you can use when tethering or using a hot-spot, so it’s worth checking what your package includes and how much you expect to need.

Tethering from your phone is probably the easiest way to get WiFi in your motorhome without any need for additional equipment but it does have limitations, especially if you have poor signal wherever you’re parked-up.

Pros: You'll likely already have a smartphone with a SIM data package in your pocket, ready for you to tether/hot-spot - you don't need anything else.

Cons: Depending on your data package and how you use the internet connection, you could quickly use a large amount of your mobile data. Always monitor how much you use.

WiFi dongles for motorhomes

If you don’t have a smartphone with lots of data to spare, it’s worth considering a WiFi dongle.

As well as the dongle itself, you’ll need to buy data SIM card to use with it – this is different to a mobile phone sim card.

The internet speed depends on the mobile device you are using, the network it’s connected to and the strength of the coverage where you are.

If you are using a modern device, are connected to a 4G network and have excellent coverage, you shouldn’t have any problems.

However, if you want to download and upload big files or watch 4K movies with poor network coverage, it could get a little frustrating.

Pros: A relatively simple and reliable method on connecting, providing you're somewhere with good network coverage.

Cons: You can only connect one device at a time and it still requires decent 3G, 4G or 5G mobile data connection.

Motorhome MiFi internet connection

Motorhome MiFi dongles are similar to WiFi dongles but give you the added freedom of connecting multiple devices, so you can share and access information on one secure signal, similar to your WiFi network at home.

A MiFi dongle is a portable, battery-powered wireless device that uses SIM card data to generate a WiFi hot-spot for your devices to connect to.

MiFi device batteries last for around six to eight hours and can be charged-up using your motorhome’s 12v leisure battery.

Some MiFi devices feature an external, roof-mounted antenna Wi-Fi kit to boost the internet connection quality.

Pros:  When used with an external antenna, MiFi tends to outperform tethering/hot-spotting from your smartphone. You also have the freedom to connect multiple devices.

Cons: Even MiFi requires decent 3G, 4G or 5G mobile data connection and without that antenna, you could find yourself struggling in remote areas.

Satellite internet for motorhomes

Sooner or later, you’ll likely end up somewhere with really poor 3G/4G/5G mobile data signal, the downfall of the tethering/hot-spotting and dongle options.

If you regularly find yourself in remote areas and need a reliable motorhome internet connection, a satellite internet kit could be your only option.

At prices upwards of around £3500 for the kit and ongoing monthly charges to an internet service provider, satellite internet isn’t cheap though.

Pros: Even when in the-most remote places, motorhome satellite internet kits.

Cons: It's not most practical option and it's costly too. And while satellite internet is generally the most-reliable way of getting internet in your motorhome, bad weather could still end up blocking your signal.

Campsite Wifi

While not strictly speaking a motorhome WiFi option, it’s worth considering that many established campsites now have their own WiFi which campers can connect to, sometimes for an additional cost.

While the speed and connection stability is unlikely to be as good as what you’re used to at home, it is usually good enough to connect your devices for basic browsing on the internet.

Don’t get your hope up though, you’ll unlikely be able to watch videos or use streaming services without lots of interruption.

Pros: More and more campsites now have WiFi available which is adequate for basic browsing.

Cons: You won't know how good it is until you get there - every campsite will be different.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Van Life Matters newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest UK Van Life news, tips and advice.

Van Life Matters newsletter

Related articles

Weather hacks to stay warm and healthy as clocks go back

Mike Ruff

Essential tips for driving abroad this summer

Mike Ruff

How to choose the right campervan

Mike Ruff

Top five tips to avoid a breakdown this winter

Mike Ruff

How to clean a motorhome water tank

Mike Ruff

How to clean a campervan water tank

Mike Ruff

Leave a Comment

Van Life Matters

FREE
VIEW