Can I Use My Home DirecTV Receiver in My RV?

Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Can I Use My Home DirecTV Receiver in My RV?

Yes, using your home DirecTV receiver in your RV is possible. However, some considerations and steps must be followed to ensure a seamless transition. For most RV owners, a TV is a must. The loneliness and boredom can get to you. Plus, it would be best if you stayed in touch with what’s happening around you with news channels.

• Compatibility: Ensure RV compatibility for your DirecTV receiver.
• Satellite Dish: Obtain a compatible mobile satellite dish.
• Options: Choose between temporary or mounted satellite dishes.
• Installation: Connect the dish to the DirecTV receiver.
• Signal Acquisition: Orient the dish for satellite signal acquisition.
• Setup: Purchase and install a mobile satellite dish.
• Alignment: Adjust the dish for optimal signal reception.

Traveling across the map in your RV is exciting and adventurous till you’re under the dark and vast sky with nothing to do. 

This is why having some TV to watch is a brilliant idea while you’re driving through the country. But what must you do to have a TV connection in your RV? Can you use your home DirecTV there?

Here’s a complete guide that answers these and other related questions. Read on! 

How to Use your Home DirecTV Receiver in your RV

If you already use DirecTV in your house or apartment, then yes, you can also use it in your RV. While you may not need a different RV account, you need separate equipment. 

Your home or primary DirecTV subscription can easily be used in your RV with a few steps. Even though DirecTV doesn’t allow you to use the same account in two different non-moving locations, you can use the same account in your RV. 

However, there are some drawbacks to this that we’ll discuss later on.

Gathering the Equipement 

Here is everything you need to set up DirecTV in your RV.

1. Receiver 

First, you’ll need to decide whether you’ll have someone using DirecTV back home while you’re away. If you have someone using DirecTV at home, you’ll have to buy or rent out another receiver for your RV.

If no one will be home, you can take the leading receiver and hook it up in your RV – you won’t need a separate receiver.

2. Dish 

Sadly, you can’t rip off the dish from the roof of your house and plant it on top of your RV (wouldn’t our lives be so much easier if we could do that?)

It would be best if you bought a separate dish for your RV. But which type of dish should you get? This depends on how much you’ll move around in your RV and your preferences.

For instance, if you will be on the move and have people who need entertainment during long journeys, then an in-motion satellite dish will be your best bet.

This means your dish will automatically point in the right direction as you keep moving, so you will get uninterrupted signals no matter where you go.

The second type is roof-mounted, which can only be used when your RV is stationary. You can return these before hitting the road so they aren’t damaged.

Lastly, you can get a simple tripod to support a portable satellite dish. You don’t mount these on your RV’s roof; instead, you’re supposed to bring it out in the open and pack it up when you’re done watching TV.

The last one is the cheapest option. However, the second and third dishes are only suitable for those who aren’t always on the move. 

Setting the dishes at the correct angle daily can be quite a nuisance. Also, you won’t be able to watch anything while driving. Hence, it’s best to invest in an automatic dish that lets you watch anything, anytime, anywhere. 

Some of the best dishes are available from Winegard, KING, and Signalconnect.

3. Other Tools 

Cables and mount brackets are other things you need to fix your dish on your RV’s roof. These things are usually included with your satellite dish. 

4. Power Source 

You need a power source to get the whole setup to work. While you can use your RV’s battery, buying a dedicated power source like a battery or generator is a good idea. 

This way, you can watch TV for more than just a few hours and save your RV’s battery. 

5. DirecTV Subscription

Lastly, but most importantly, you’ll need an active DirecTV subscription. Whether you’re using your home package or a separate account for your RV depends on you. 

Setting up DirecTV in your RV

Once you have all the components, set up the whole thing in your RV, here are the directions:

• If you have an automatic or another type of roof-mounted dish, go ahead and clean your RV’s roof. 
• Follow the instructions to install the dish on your roof for a secure fit. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, it’s best to call in a professional.
• After your dish is set, connect it to the receiver at the ‘satellite in’ socket using a coaxial cable. 
• Next, connect your TV to the receiver at the appropriate inlet. 
• Now, power up your generator if you’re using one. Connect your TV and receiver to your power supply. 
• After this, switch on your TV. At the main screen, click on Menu>satellite>view signal strength>signal meters.
• Using this meter, you can set your dish at the correct angle for maximum signal strength. 
• You can watch your favorite channels once you get a strong enough signal! 

Is Using Your Home DirecTV Account Worth It? 

Now that you know how to set up your home’s DirecTV in your RV, you need to weigh your pros and cons to decide whether it’s worth it. 

With a home subscription, you get 185 channels. However, once you’re outside your local area, you won’t be able to watch any local channels. 

These include Fox, ABC, NBC, etc. So, if you need to watch these channels, subscribe to their DNS (distant network service) for a small additional fee. 

However, these local channels are from NY or LA, so keep that in mind. In a nutshell, it depends on whether you’re okay with not having local channels. If you are, you can go with your home’s DirecTV! 

If you’re not, you can subscribe to the DirecTV RV package with DNS (more on this later.) 

Are There Any Additional Costs? 

If you’re using your primary DirecTV account in your RV, you won’t be charged any additional charges for this. The only cost you’ll have to bear is buying a separate dish and a receiver if you need one. 

Unfortunately, you can’t use your home’s DirecTV and DNS together. So, if you want to use the DNS to access more channels, you must have another account and subscribe to a whole new package. 

Alternatives 

Don’t you think using your home’s DirecTV account in your RV is worth it? Fret not; we have an extensive list of alternatives for you below that will help you decide which one is best for your trip:

1. DirecTV RV Subscription 

If you dislike not watching any local channels, then the DirecTV RV subscription with DNS will be the best option. 

With this package, you have almost all the channels you get with your home subscription, although local channels are not included. 

But wait! With a small additional fee, you can access the DNS and watch broadcast channels like NBC, ABC, Fox, and more from NY or LA. 

There are some drawbacks with this package as well. For instance, you don’t get seasonal packages for sports channels. You also don’t have the option for pay-per-view in the RV package. 

Otherwise, DirecTV’s RV package, especially with DNS, is a good choice if you plan to travel long distances across the country. 

2. Streaming Services 

If satellite TV isn’t what you’re looking for, you can use the numerous streaming services available (that need an internet connection) to view your favorite shows and even live TV! Here are a few of them:

• Amazon Prime Video 

You can subscribe to Amazon Prime’s monthly or annual package for a small fee. This unlocks many original shows, movies, and events you can watch anytime and anywhere. 

You also get access to a library of millions of free songs and more, with a 20% discount. Moreover, you can download movies and shows on tablets or phones for offline viewing. 

This is especially useful for RV’s. If you get weak signals and can’t stream peacefully, you’ll have downloaded movies and shows to enjoy your leisure time.

• Netflix 

How could we not include Netflix? This option is for you if you want unlimited access to tons of original shows and movies. 

With a Netflix subscription, you won’t spend nights flipping through channels, searching for something good to watch on your TV. You’ll probably be hooked on one of their shows for days! 

You and your family can spend those long road trips streaming some incredible content for a small monthly fee. 

• YouTube TV and Hulu

With streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu, you can view around 100 live channels. These include sports, entertainment, and broadcast channels. 

3. HDTV Antenna 

Don’t want to spend money on satellite TV or internet streaming services? No worries! Buy yourself an HDTV Antenna. 

You can easily install this readily available and cheap antenna on the top of your RV whenever you want to watch some TV. You only need to fix it at the correct angle for solid signals. 

With this, you can watch many local channels, like NBC, Fox, and many more (depending on your location) for free! 

Which Option is Better for Whom? 

If you’re confused between DirecTV and the streaming services we just mentioned, don’t worry. We’ve sorted it out for you below:

For Long-Distance Travellers 

If you’re moving in your RV for several months at a time, you may want a DirecTV RV subscription, along with one of the many streaming services available. 

Watching local news is essential when traveling for months to keep in touch with the world. Hence, a satellite dish with a DirecTV RV package plus DNS is necessary (you can’t rely on HDTV Antenna everywhere!) 

And, of course, to stay on the grid, you’ll need to have an internet connection. Since you’ll have an internet connection, you may as well subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or any other such service. 

Having something different and exciting to watch for a change can feel good, especially if you’re away from home for long periods and have other family members with you. 

However, a DirecTV RV subscription with DNS does cost more, not to forget the added cost of your internet plan. 

For Quick Trips 

If you’re traveling in your RV only for a few days or a couple of weeks, you are good to go with your home DirecTV subscription. You can even make do with an HDTV Antenna if you don’t want to spend money on a dish and other equipment. 

Although you won’t get to watch the local news with your home account, you can try catching up using an HDTV Antenna (even though it will be tiresome work setting your dish and this antenna each time.)

For Entertainment Without DirecTV

If you’re not interested in the local news and other channels, especially for short trips, you can use an internet connection and any streaming service. 

Even YouTube will be fine if you only travel for a few days and don’t need to watch TV. Remember, though, that you won’t be able to catch up with the local news, which is often essential. Also, cellular internet is often not reliable in remote areas. 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Before you go ahead in your RV using your choice of TV and internet service, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You must ensure you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky for satellite TV. Also, be ready to set it each time at the correct angle if you’re using a manual dish. 
• Ensure you waterproof your setup on your RV’s roof while installing it.
• For satellite internet, you will have to install an additional dish. This may not give you fast enough internet, but it can work in remote areas because you have a clear view of the sky. 
• Using a hotspot device and cellular data is a good idea for those needing fast internet. However, this may not have wide enough coverage. 

How Much Does DirecTV for RV Cost?

The cost of DirecTV for an RV varies based on the selected plan.

The DirecTV Entertainment plan offers more than 75 channels for $69.99 per month, making it an economical choice for entertainment on the go.

For those looking for more variety, the DirecTV Choice plan provides over 105 channels for $84.99 per month.

The DirecTV Ultimate plan, priced at $114.99 monthly, provides access to over 140 channels.

The DirecTV Premier plan offers over 150 channels for the most comprehensive package for $159.99 per month.

Final Thoughts 

As a DirecTV subscriber, you may wonder, “Can I Use My Home DirecTV Receiver in My RV?” The answer is yes. First, you must ensure your DirecTV receiver is compatible with your RV’s electrical system. Not all receivers will work with the power outlets available in every RV.

The next step involves acquiring a mobile satellite dish compatible with your DirecTV receiver. There are two options: temporary satellite dishes, which can be set up and taken down as needed, or mounted satellite dishes that remain affixed to your RV.

Once you have acquired the appropriate satellite dish, it’s time for installation. This involves connecting the dish to your DirecTV receiver using the provided cables.

After installation, the dish must be oriented correctly to acquire a signal from the satellite. This may require some trial and error and possible adjustments to the dish’s position.

The setup process includes purchasing and installing a mobile satellite dish. This can be done by yourself or by a professional installer. Finally, it is necessary to adjust the alignment of the satellite dish to ensure optimal signal reception.

Home page
Back to the top of the page