View Full Version : Mounting a Dish on a Trailer?
I haver purchased a Box trailer that I am converting to make it into a Tailgate Party Trailer. I am wanting to mount a bracket on the roof so that when I stop and setup tailgate I can just go to the roof and slide on my Dish and set it to the satellites. I am concerned about make sure the Dish is "plumb" so I can get a signal.I am looking at the wall mount shown in below link.. I would mount the wall mount on my trailer roof with a J pipe attached to the actual TV base mounting area. When I parked the trailer I could slide the dish on the J pipe and then I could "tilt" the base to level Dish if needed? I would think since the dish doesn't weigh much that any LCD wall arm would be stable enough to hold the dish in place. I know the base of the mount wouldn't tilt a huge amount but the trailer should be fairly level no matter where I park and I would just need a few degrees of tilt toward the Front/Back and Left/Right. What do you guys think?
http://www.beachaudio.com/Fpm90s-p-146989.html?GCID=C12585x005&gclid=CNvj977cjZUCFQ9KQgodq37rgw
Mertzen
08-14-08, 11:40 AM
What dish would you be using. Plumb is important but I wouldn't loose my head over it, especially with SD only dishes.
What dish would you be using. Plumb is important but I wouldn't loose my head over it, especially with SD only dishes.
The last 3 years we have used the 3 LNB dish on a Tripod but I have changed the receiver that I use from my home from the old D10 to a new H21. I guess I could still use the old 3 LNB dish but I wouldn't get any of the New MPEG4 channels while tailgating(not sure if I need any new MPEG4s there) so I might need to get a new Slimline 5 LNB dish for the Trailer.
houskamp
08-14-08, 01:52 PM
Just mount the 5lnb to your tripod.. either make up an adapter or have someone weld a piece or 2"OD pipe to it..
Just mount the 5lnb to your tripod.. either make up an adapter or have someone weld a piece or 2"OD pipe to it..
I want to eliminate the use of the Tripod that is why I am trying to figure out a way to mount something on roof of the trailer like you have a mount on the roof of your house that is permanently in place. Since the trailer maybe parked at different locations at different times for tailgating I need some mount that has some capability for adjustments.
doctor j
08-14-08, 02:56 PM
Tripod is your friend!!
Short of a $1500.00 to $1800.00 automated mount you're going to have problems with plumb in most of the tailgate settings i'm familiar with.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SK-3005
Doctor j
deboxer1
08-14-08, 03:27 PM
It all depends on which dish you plan to use. As long as you can get a flat mounting surface that will support the foot of the dish ( figure at least 6 bolts for a kaku, plus 4 more for the monopoles) you could use the standard j mount. Have a 1/2" or 13mm wrench and a magnetic level to get it plumb and level. Can you post a photo of the trailer.
houskamp
08-14-08, 03:35 PM
biggest problem with it on your trailer is if the trailer shakes at all the signal will dropout..
For a rock-solid signal lock with an unstable object such as
a trailer, get a KVH phased array -- it'll even work on a boat.
Kvh = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
It all depends on which dish you plan to use. As long as you can get a flat mounting surface that will support the foot of the dish ( figure at least 6 bolts for a kaku, plus 4 more for the monopoles) you could use the standard j mount. Have a 1/2" or 13mm wrench and a magnetic level to get it plumb and level. Can you post a photo of the trailer.
The trailer is parked at a friend's house. I'll get a picture and get it posted.
Kvh = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Not so much...it's more like $,$$$, but for anyone who can afford a tricked-out
tail-gate trailer, the $,$$$ shouldn't be a problem. It's all about spending your
extra bucks on what's important to you.
Here are Pictures. Note the Picture of roof shows a Pole in the background it isn't on the trailer.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m141/RonH54/trailer-5.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m141/RonH54/trailer-6.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m141/RonH54/Trailer1.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m141/RonH54/trailer-4.jpg
Nice rig, Ron. Now just trick it out, add your team colors,
top it off with a low-profile KVH and you're good to go!
Nice rig, Ron. Now just trick it out, add your team colors,
top it off with a low-profile KVH and you're good to go!
I would love to have the KVH but the Trailer only cost $1800 and we have added a Laminate Floor,Tile Side Boards on wall,Pole mount for LCD TV and Storage bin all for about $200 so we only have $2000 in the trailer,the KVH is like $2000 itself isn't it?
TigersFanJJ
08-14-08, 10:01 PM
I think I'd just use the standard J-mount and mount it on the front side of the trailer, high enough that the dish would clear the roof once you put it on the mount. Just make sure you reinforce the inside of the wall so the screws don't pull out.
That way wouldn't have to climb on the roof or use a ladder. You could probably step on that storage box on the tongue and install it quickly and with ease.
I think I'd just use the standard J-mount and mount it on the front side of the trailer, high enough that the dish would clear the roof once you put it on the mount. Just make sure you reinforce the inside of the wall so the screws don't pull out.
That way wouldn't have to climb on the roof or use a ladder. You could probably step on that storage box on the tongue and install it quickly and with ease.
That seems like a Great idea thanks for the input.
Johnnie5000
08-14-08, 10:50 PM
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SK-3005
Wonder what happens to that dish when you hit 80mph on a freeway....
Wonder what happens to that dish when you hit 80mph on a freeway....
"• Stows to a low 10" travel height "
Wonder what happens to that dish when you hit 80mph on a freeway....
We won't travel with the Dish in place,we will just have the Dish in place while we are Parked.
TigersFanJJ
08-15-08, 06:25 AM
You could add something like this (http://www.maxwellsatelliteaccessories.com/measure-cable.htm) to the outside of the trailer next to the dish mount so that it would be easier to manage your cables. It says it is a kit for satellite internet but it would work just as good for sat tv.
Tiger62
08-15-08, 06:42 AM
I am looking at the wall mount shown in below link.. http://www.beachaudio.com/Fpm90s-p-146989.html?GCID=C12585x005&gclid=CNvj977cjZUCFQ9KQgodq37rgw
To answer your original question, that mount won't work. There's no way to lock it in place.
BTW, don't get too bent out of shape about the "plumb thing". The ONLY benefit of the plumb mast is that it makes it easier to initially "find" the 101 sat. using the Az/El presets from Dishpointer.com
You could add something like this (http://www.maxwellsatelliteaccessories.com/measure-cable.htm) to the outside of the trailer next to the dish mount so that it would be easier to manage your cables. It says it is a kit for satellite internet but it would work just as good for sat tv.
Thanks for that Link,I definitely need to get some of those items.
Ron
houskamp
08-15-08, 06:47 AM
stop by a muffler shop and just get a length of tubing.. run it straight up a side..
To answer your original question, that mount won't work. There's no way to lock it in place.
BTW, don't get too bent out of shape about the "plumb thing". The ONLY benefit of the plumb mast is that it makes it easier to initially "find" the 101 sat. using the Az/El presets from Dishpointer.com
Thanks, I really didn't think that would be the Best solution that is why I wanted input from you guys. I found these pictures from another site that seems to be the way to go.
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/mydish1.jpg
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/mydish2.jpg
Ron
Tiger62
08-15-08, 06:58 AM
stop by a muffler shop and just get a length of tubing.. run it straight up a side..
Now this is a great suggestion!
(Cue the Plumb Nuts :lol: )
stop by a muffler shop and just get a length of tubing.. run it straight up a side..
Sounds like a plan to me. I guess the key to this or any solution is when whatever is mounted make sure it at 90 degrees and level as possible?
If I were doing it, I would have a jack for each corner of the trailer to take the 'slack' out of the suspension so I would have as stable a platform as practicable. One could also attach the pole to the side of the trailer through brackets that could be adjusted to help plumb the mast.
TigersFanJJ
08-15-08, 08:44 AM
Sounds like a plan to me. I guess the key to this or any solution is when whatever is mounted make sure it at 90 degrees and level as possible?
You got it. The mount doesn't have to be perfectly plumb but you do want it as close as possible. There have been many threads around here where people have lost one or more satellites because their mount wasn't plumb.
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