If you’re asking what an RV cell booster is and why you might need one, you are in the right place. While we can’t teach an entire course on cell boosters, consider this article your RV Cell Booster 101 mini class.
Whether you’re going on an extended vacation or taking the leap into full-time RVing, there is most definitely a bit of a learning curve when you first start your RV adventures.
Staying connected is one of the first things that most people overlook when they take off in an RV. It is also one of the things they immediately start questioning as they mosey on down the road and can’t make a phone call or watch their favorite streaming services when settling in for the evening at a campground.
With that said, let’s review what an RV cell booster is, do you need one, and what are your options!
What is an RV Cell Booster?
An RV cell phone booster is a device that captures the cellular signal from a tower outside your RV, amplifies it, and then broadcasts the enhanced signal inside your RV. The booster itself is a package of components including an exterior antenna, an interior antenna, and a boosting station.
The exterior antenna captures the cellular signal on the outside of your rig. The boosting station then amplifies the signal, which is then distributed throughout the inside of your RV via the interior antenna.
While an RV cell booster can do wonders amplifying a weak signal and making it useful, it can’t make something out of nothing. If there isn’t a cell signal within the range of the antenna, there is nothing for the booster to grab and amplify. It’s sometimes surprising, however, how well a booster can take an unusably weak signal and make it work for you.
Do I Need an RV Cell Booster?
If you are fine with not having a stable cellular connection, whether for phone calls and text messages or for cellular data so you can check email and watch Netflix, then no, you probably don’t need a booster. We’d argue that there are few people that fit that description.
On the other hand, if you rely on an internet connection because you work while traveling in your RV, a cell booster is invaluable. Or if you like to boondock in remote locations where a healthy cellular signal may not be available is another good reason to have a booster.
A key thing to consider when deciding whether or not you need a cell booster for your RV is safety. It is good to have a usable cell signal if you suffer a breakdown or other emergency. A booster can certainly give you some peace of mind if you know you can (almost) always reach out if you need assistance.
What Are the Cell Booster Options?
There are several options on the market when it comes to RV cell boosters. WeBoost is the company that most in the RV world considers the gold standard when it comes to boosters. Not only does WeBoost create powerful boosters, but they also offer a variety of options to meet different needs and prices.
Below are two options from WeBoost that should cover most of your needs.
WeBoost Drive Sleek
The WeBoost Drive Sleek is a cradle-based device that attaches to the dash of your vehicle. It has an exterior antenna that pulls in the signal from outside and amplifies it to boost the signal to the phone you have temporarily mounted in the cradle.
It’s a solid device that comes at the lower end of the price spectrum. With the cradle, it offers hands free operation while driving. It works with all U.S. carriers and is 5G ready. And the magnetic base antenna is easily mounted to the outside of the vehicle and can be removed if no longer needed.
This is a good inexpensive option, especially for folks with less robust cellular data needs and smaller vehicles.
WeBoost Drive X RV Booster
If you need something with a little bit more teeth than the sleek or have a bigger rig, the WeBoost Drive X RV is one of the best options on the market.
The Drive X holds a few advantages over the Drive Sleek. Chief among the differences is that the WeBoost Drive X can reach cell towers up to 33-percent further away than the Sleek. It also allows for multiple devices to connect. You can simultaneously boost the signal to your phone, while also getting the data you need for your computer or other devices, like tablets.
Like the Sleek, the Drive X RV is also compatible with all U.S. carriers and is 5G ready.
Alleviating the Aches and Pains of First Time RVers
Overall, this was a fairly simple explanation of what an RV cell booster is and why it’s a good idea to have one. This subject truly doesn’t need to be overly complicated. And companies like WeBoost make it rather easy to understand and install their boosters, which we consider one of the must haves of any RVers arsenal.
So if you’re heading out on the road, save yourself some headaches. Install an RV cell booster before you go.
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