Reliable Cellular Reception for RV Owners

RV owners rely on their cell phones to stay connected on the road.  There are a few websites that claim to offer the best, most up to date information on cell phone connectivity wherever you go.  Signal Connect checked out these sites and we’ve determined that the data some of them provide is questionable at best.  There really is only one way to get the best cell phone service on the road and at the campground.  Signal Connect tells you all about it so you can make the best decision for your RV, camper, or motorhome.

My Experience With Cellular Coverage Sites

There are websites that offer the latest information about mobile phone reception in every city, town, and area in the country.  I checked out a few of these sites and found that they are peer review sites.  This means that users provide most of the information, which makes it anecdotal at best.  This can lead to inaccurate information being passed off as fact.  This can mislead some RV owners who are looking to get the best cell reception wherever they go.

I logged onto the site and punched in the zip codes of where I live and work, which is Novi, MI.  No matter what carrier each user had, they all said that cell reception in my town was poor.  (Most site users give the town a one- to two-star rating.)  I was shocked to say the least.  I’ve made cell phone calls and sent texts and data from nearly every nook and cranny of this town.  I can say with certainty that I’ve never had a dropped or missed call or data.  Since my experiences didn’t match the reviews on the website, I seriously questioned the website’s accuracy. 

Out of curiosity, I entered the zip codes of a few places I used to drive my fifth wheel.  I was expecting the reviews on these areas to be horrible.  After all, these are remote places that likely have a few cell towers at best.  The reviews for were all over the place, ranging from five stars to one.  Once again, the users’ comments didn’t reflect my experiences in those areas.  After that, I became even more skeptical of these cell coverage map sites. 

Phone Reception in RVs: The Truth

Poor signal reception in an RV has little to do with the cell towers in a given area.  It’s usually do to the RV, itself.  These vehicles are designed to repel cell signals.  Your average RV or camper is essentially a Faraday cage, which is basically a metal box that blocks electrical and electromagnetic signals from entering or exiting.  When you think about the materials used to make an RV, anyone can see that these rigs are Faraday cages on wheels.  This is why it’s common for RV owners to experience dropped and interrupted calls and data.

A cell phone signal booster system helps bypass this “Faraday effect” inside your camper.  It does this through the integrated use of the cell signal booster’s main components: an outdoor antenna, booster, and indoor antenna.  Here’s how these three mechanisms work to improve connectivity in your recreational vehicle:

  • The outdoor antenna accesses voice and 3G, 4G, and LTE data signal, then delivers it to the booster.
  • The booster receives the signal, amplifies it, and sends it to the indoor antenna.
  • The indoor antenna broadcasts the signal throughout your recreational vehicle.
  • This process works in reverse each time you make a call or send data.

As long as you have the faintest hint of cellular reception, even if it’s only the smallest bar on your phone, a cell phone signal booster can help.  Solid Signal, the eCommerce arm to Signal Connect, offers a variety of cell phone boosters from weBoost and Wilson Electronics/WilsonPro.  These devices attach to your RV and enhance the incoming and outgoing calls, texts, and data uploads/downloads.  The improved connection from a cell phone signal booster greatly reduces your risk for dropped or missed calls and data.  A cell phone booster is great to have when you’re travelling into areas with canyons, deserts, and/or deep woods.

Get a Cell Signal Booster for Your RV

If you’re an RV owner who wants reliable cell phone reception on the road, Signal Connect can help.  Our helpful customer service reps will answer your questions and recommend the best cell phone booster for your RV, camper, or motorhome.  To get the benefit of Signal Connect’s expertise, fill out this form then click “submit.”  A member of our team will get back with you in one business day or less to discuss your vehicle cell phone signal booster. 

About the Author

Jake Buckler
Jake Buckler is a cord-cutter, consumer electronics geek, and Celtic folk music fan. Those qualities, and his writing experience, helped him land a copywriting gig at Signal Group, LLC. He also contributes to The Solid Signal Blog.