While many Escapees and Xscapers are living and traveling full-time in their RVs, there are also many of us who only RV part-time – from shorter vacations to seasonal excursions.
While a full-time RVer who needs a reliable setup may see the benefit of putting a lot of money into a robust mobile internet arsenal, someone who only travels part of the year may not want to make as large of an investment.
The occasional traveler will need to balance costs and complexity of their setup while considering how often it will actually be used. Complicating matters is if you need a reliable setup, such as for remote work – this can be difficult to achieve without some upfront investment and learning.
You may even need to reassess your setup with each trip, as the options are constantly changing.
Here are some things to consider when determining how you’ll stay connected if you’re only traveling in your RV part-time.
Be Flexible
For part-time RV and boat travel, flexibility with your mobile internet needs is key. Flexibility in the mobile internet options you select, in your own approach to using them, and maybe even the locations you choose to visit.
You should be prepared for the variability of mobile internet. There will be good days and bad days. Redundancy is a common approach for full and most-time nomads, so that there are multiple options to tap into at each location.
However for shorter trips, you may not be able to justify having multiple options on board. It just may not be practical to sign up for data plans on all the carriers, purchase expensive signal enhancing gear, or even to spend the time to understand all of these factors.
So make sure your expectations are realistic.
Unless you spend the time and money to understand the challenges, you might arrive at a new location and not be able to get online with the options you have.
This can be particularly frustrating if you have work commitments, and you end up spending more time trying to get a stable connection than you are enjoying your travels.
Use Public Wi-Fi Sources
Using Wi-Fi access points you find in your travels is the most flexible and least expensive source of internet – and will require the least amount of pre-setup on your part.
Public Wi-Fi sources can be relatively easy to find – they’re often found at many commercial RV parks, coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, stores and libraries.
But make sure you’re familiar with the realities of relying on public Wi-Fi.
Very often the internet access offered in public places are only capable of allowing you to perform low-bandwidth activities, such as checking email. Or the signal you get at your RV spot may not be strong enough.
More bandwidth demanding activities like streaming movies or having video conference calls can be much harder over public Wi-Fi. Especially if you need to relocate to a cafe.
We rarely recommend relying solely on public Wi-Fi sources, but it is a very flexible, inexpensive option that might meet your needs for some basic uses – or as a fallback if your other approaches don’t work.
For in-depth info on Public Wi-Fi, the realities of using it, and devices that can help you make the best of a usable signal, see our guide on Using Wi-Fi As A Mobile Internet Source.
Cellular Data
Using cellular data is an option that is easily obtainable, available in most places you might travel, and probably something you already have access to.
Cellular data can be used on a variety of device types – from hotspotting off a smartphone, using a cellular enabled tablet to dedicated data only devices like mobile hotspots and cellular embedded routers.
Here are some examples of types of plans that may be use for part-time needs:
Hotspotting off a Cell Phone:
Most data plans include a bucket of personal mobile hotspot to use to get other devices online. You can enable the feature phone’s settings to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal that you can connect laptops and other devices to.
This can be a great way to get online without needing additional equipment.
You may also be able to upgrade your plan to include more hotspot data just for the months you need it. But make sure you know the fine print on your plan so you’ll know of any potential limits on hotspot use.
Cellular Enabled Tablets Plans:
A cellular tablet plan can provide a lot of data, especially if you can do most of your online activity on the tablet itself. Unlimited data plans for tablets can be quite affordable, especially if you can ad; d them as a line of service to your phone’s plan.
Tip: And if you watch a lot of movies or television, using screencasting with your unlimited smartphone or tablet plan can be a great way to get your video fix without needing much extra gear, and still get the big screen experience. We cover this in our TV & Video Guide.
Prepaid Data Plans:
Prepaid plans offer a lot of flexibility, and there are plans available on dedicated mobile hotspot devices & SIM cards around for your carrier of choice. They will likely be capped data plans, but tend to be flexible in adding data.
Third Party Rental Vendors:
Those with extended travel or large data needs may want to look into leasing a month-to-month data line from a vendor. These types of plans are typically available on all of the major carriers. But be aware of any plan limitations and risks. You can read more about this type of plan in our Guide to Third Party Vendors/Resellers.
Cellular Signal Enhancing Gear
If you are part-time traveling, it’s likely you don’t want to invest in dedicated gear that isn’t going to be used much. But there are some gear options that may be worth considering.
If your cellular device has ports for external antennas, having an antenna to plug in can be very useful in getting a better signal. This is a reason for having mobile hotspot devices or routers.
Mobile cellular boosters are also an option, particularly for use with devices that don’t have antenna ports (like phones and tablets). These however tend to have a much higher price point and come with other drawbacks.
For more information on antennas and boosters, see our Guide to Antennas or our Guide to Cellular Boosters.
Satellite-Based Mobile Internet
Satellite internet technology is definitely a potential solution for part-time travelers – especially Starlink.
If you happen to be a Starlink user at home, your Starlink service may be worth considering taking with you. Starlink lets you easily change your service address when you get to a new location, or you can switch to plans that allow for travel or even in-motion use.
If you don’t currently use Starlink, the data plans can be paused or discontinued when not in use. And then activated only when you need it.
For those who are interested in how Starlink could be part of your mobile internet arsenal, see our dedicated Starlink for RVers and Cruisers Guide that stays on top of all things Starlink.
Satellite communicators are a cheaper option that can give you the peace of mind that you can send and receive critical information no matter where you are. There are dedicated satellite options available, and we’re quickly moving into an era of direct to cell phone satellite service when away from towers.
Using Mobile Internet Year Round
Some part-time nomads may rely on mobile internet options like cellular or satellite year-round, even while they are stationary in their stick-and-bricks.
The best place to start finding the best solution may be your stationary location. Find out what types of mobile internet work at that location – and build out from there by choosing options that can easily be transplanted to your RV.
Just keep in mind, taking your internet on the road would leave your home without internet access for remote monitoring.
We have a full guide with info on using mobile internet-based options in a single, stationary location in our Guide to Stationary Set-Ups.
Part-Time Mobile Internet Conclusions
Creating a part-time mobile internet setup is a little different from building a full-time solution, but it is attainable. It takes some research and a thorough consideration of your personal travel style and needs to balance the complexity and cost of a solution that will work for you.
We recommend beginning research of your mobile setup no less than a month before you launch into your next RV adventure.
For more on considerations for part-time travelers, see our guide: Part Time RV & Boat Mobile Internet Considerations For Seasonal & Vacation Travels
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Author:
Jen Nealy
Jen and her husband Deas were full-time RVers for 5 years, and now they part-time travel in their van from their home base in Asheville, NC with their dog Finn. Jen works part-time for the Mobile Internet Resource Center.
