Modern campervans and motorhomes are designed with all the latest mod-cons, but whether you have an older or newer model, you’re going to want some of life’s little luxuries during your travels. This includes Wi-Fi.
In this guide, we take a look at the best ways to get Wi-Fi into your campervan or motorhome and why it’s useful to have.
Can you get Wi-Fi in your motorhome or campervan?
You may be wondering if you can actually get Wi-Fi into your campervan or motorhome, especially if you’re on the move but, where there’s a router, there’s a way. So yes, there are multiple ways to get Wi-Fi set up in your vehicle.
How do you use Wi-Fi in your campervan?
Wi-Fi is used to ensure you can access the internet on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and smart TV (other smart devices may need it to fully function too). If you don’t have it in your motorhome or campervan, you’ll be essentially off the grid until you reach a space with a phone signal or public Wi-Fi, or you’ll have to use your mobile data, which can be spotty in rural areas.
The best ways to get Wi-Fi into your motorhome or campervan
For every budget and vehicle model, there’s a way for you to get decent Wi-Fi. These are your best options:
Built-in Wi-Fi
Ideal for those who are converting a van, built-in Wi-Fi packages give you consistent Wi-Fi to all the devices in your motorhome and campervan, including smart TVs and laptops. They’re typically built into your vehicle externally and, like your home Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to call the provider for assistance if you have any issues.
Portable routers or dongles
Similar to how an internet router works in your home, a portable dongle can provide Wi-Fi to all the appropriate devices in your campervan. They work by using a built-in antenna and acting as a hotspot, looking for a 3G, 4G or 5G signal. There are lots of ways to store them away, so you’ll barely notice them but they’ll make a lot of difference to your travelling experience.
Campervan antennas
To boost your router or dongle’s signal, you can purchase an antenna to be fitted externally. These are ideal for travelling to more rural areas and still getting consistent Wi-Fi.
Hotspot
A temporary solution for lack of Wi-Fi or signal is using your smartphone’s hotspot. You’ll be able to turn it on through your phone’s settings but be careful, if used for too long, it will also use up a lot of your data.
MiFis
You can also buy a MiFi (mobile Wi-Fi) device, which is portable. It works like your hotspot, but these small devices allow multiple users to use the hotspot at once. As long as you have a mobile signal, you and your travel companions can then use MiFi.
Do you need power in your motorhome to use Wi-Fi?
If your motorhome has electric built-in or, like Sterling partner, Simone Stewart, you’ve added an electricity source to your campervan, you can connect your Wi-Fi device easily. Simone also uses hers to charge her devices, so it is handy but may not be realistic for everyone.
If you don’t have a built-in power source, many of the Wi-Fi options above can be bought in a battery-powered option so you can still use them wherever you go.
Insuring your campervan or motorhome
With your newly kitted out vehicle, you’ll want to protect it. Sterling understands this, which is why we can help you find the right campervan insurance or motorhome insurance.
You can call our advisors on 0344 381 9990, or book a free callback at a time that’s convenient for you.
