jas67
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Joined: 10/12/2009
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My DW and I are currently in the selection process of a new (at least new to us) travel trailer or fifth wheel. Once of the choices, of course is aluminum vs. fiberglass exterior. Most people seam to like the smooth look vs. the "ribbed" look of the aluminum. I don't really care about that, and the durability seems to be about the same.
One question that I do have, is what affect does an aluminum skinned exterior have on cell phone, and WiFi reception. I use my iPhone for internet when away from WiFi, and my get an aircard as well. The WiFi situation is easier to deal with via an external antenna, but that is harder with a cell phone. I guess for the aircard, I could go USB with an extension cable, and put it near a window, or outside if it isn't raining.
Please share with me your internet usage in your RV experiences.
Thanks,
Jay
2006 Jayco 31BHDS
2006 F-350 SRW,4WD,6.0L Powerstroke,crew/long bed
2004 Coachman 106 (2,000lb GVW, 1526 DVW) --SOLD.
2000 BMW 323iT TV for the popup above (towed it just fine, TV rated for 3400lbs tow weight in europe, the hitch I have is rated for 2000).
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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Joined: 06/21/2007
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Interesting question. I use the iphone as well and also a Verizon air card. My moho is fiberglass but I have not noticed a difference in the cab which is metal. I doubt you will have an issue one way or another. I have the extension antenna for the air card and frankly it really makes little difference in reception.
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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My experience with all off-air signals in aluminum rigs----severely reduced or no reception....UNLESS using outside antennas, or trying placing them near windows--my wifi usually works fine through the window--but even that has limitations if your windows aren't conveniently facing the signal source directly...I've also heard that rig AC/DC wiring can also affect signal...
....but, a friend of mine gets REAL uptight if he can't have wifi 24/7----he removed his BR roof vent screen and puts his card in the Max-Air vent cover housing----says it does the trick almost all of the time!!!!
....if it's an important consideration, and you have a laptop, I'd take it along on my shopping trips and sample operation in both types----particularly if/when you get close to settling on a rig that's on the lot...
....no idea on the glass rigs. I'm partial to steel frame rigs....haven't found a glass rig w/steel full framing, so I've stayed with steel/aluminum....no real complaints to date....
Good luck!
J
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RodT82721
Pine Haven, Wyoming
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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My 2001 Minni is fiberglass. I live in it during the 6 months of cold weather, here in FL, and use DSL via a Wifi router from a house about 75-100 feet away. No external antenna, just the laptops (Dell Studio) internal. Signal is always good - excellent. Same with Alltel cell-phone, that wont work inside an aluminum single-wide trailer on location.
2001 Winnebago Minni - 31C
Ford E450 - V10 Triton
Tow - 2005 Jeep Liberty
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Don in Niagara
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 01/14/2004
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The framing and exterior skin on the Barth are all aluminum. I can't compare wifi reception to fibreglas but the laptop seems to work better out on the picnic table than it does inside. I do think an exterior antenna is a good idea with either type of construction. Too many rv parks have lousy wifi
Don
1990 Barth Regency 34'
Spartan/Cummins 8.3
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NanciL
Bakersville, NC, USA
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We have aluminun, and have no problem with eithr Wi-Fi or our cell.
If we can get outside the trailer, we also get it inside.
Jack L
Jack & Nanci
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Jim-Linda
Livingston, TX
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Joined: 09/06/2003
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As mentioned, an external antenna will solve your concern.
Jim
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JoeChiOhki
Keizer, Oregon
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Joined: 11/20/2003
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Aluminum siding WILL cut your signal strength. The aluminum body acts like a make shift Faraday cage, albeit a very poor one, and reduces the amount of radio signals penetrating the rig. Case in point, I was at the Sumpter Pines RV Park with my camper this past summer, sitting on the picnic table outside the camper, maximum wifi signal strength, inside the camper, down to 2-3 bars.
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wandering1
Texas
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Joined: 06/18/2002
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I have never had a problem with cell phone service in my aluminum skinned RV.
HR
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NanciL
Bakersville, NC, USA
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JoeChiOhki wrote:Aluminum siding WILL cut your signal strength. The aluminum body acts like a make shift Faraday cage, albeit a very poor one, and reduces the amount of radio signals penetrating the rig. Case in point, I was at the Sumpter Pines RV Park with my camper this past summer, sitting on the picnic table outside the camper, maximum wifi signal strength, inside the camper, down to 2-3 bars.
You need to do a little more electrical engineering study.
A farady cage prevents the entrance or exit of electomagnetic fields.
A cell phone or Wi-fi signal is not electromagnetic.
The aluminum siding should be no difference then the fiberglass.
jack L
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