Good Tailgate Tripod? (for Slimline)

You might also search for Direcway/hughesnet tripods as they are usually sturdier to support the larger dish.

I have seen some neat solutions for those, just cant bring any up right now. Searching on google their are quite a few homegrown solutions.

All tripods that I'm aware of require a level mounting surface, or very close, in order to get the pole plumb.

You might want to get a non-penetrating roof mount (NPR) that can use the standard Slimline mast, which is adjustable.

http://www.universalsat.net/Services.htm

Pick and shovel, do some minor landscaping. Just rerplace your divots.

paragon said:

I'm interested in putting together a set-up for tailgating. I'd like to use a Slimline because my locals are on 99 and also to get HD. Can anybody recommend a good tripod for the Slimline?

I saw some recommendations from Doctor J for a Ronard tripod, however, that seemed to only be good for flat surfaces. I usually am tailgating on an area that is hilly so I need a tripod that can be adjusted to compensate for the slant.

Thanks.

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Threaded rods work great to"level" tripod. I've used wood and plastic feet.

Also ronard makes tripods for slanted roof.
www.ronard.com

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods 0703/4009.html

stake to ground and check level of mast.

Doctor j

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=RON4009

Haven't used it, but heard it is very good.

paragon said:

I'm interested in putting together a set-up for tailgating. I'd like to use a Slimline because my locals are on 99 and also to get HD. Can anybody recommend a good tripod for the Slimline?

I saw some recommendations from Doctor J for a Ronard tripod, however, that seemed to only be good for flat surfaces. I usually am tailgating on an area that is hilly so I need a tripod that can be adjusted to compensate for the slant.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Here is some GREAT pictures of doctor j 's tailgate slimline with that ronard tripod :

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1321396&postcount=5

Sweet

jhillestad said:

Here is some GREAT pictures of doctor j 's tailgate slimline with that ronard tripod :

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1321396&postcount=5

Sweet

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That does look nice. Looking at the third shot I had a vision of a D* hater or a cable fan giving the contraption a slight bump whilst walking past.

I've been using this one for tailgating this year and it has worked great.

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Install/NPR4A-roof-mount.htm

I use a tripod from a surveryor's transit. You can get them for about $60.00. The legs are adjustable. The mounting suface is flat. Some come with a mounting screw for the transit. All you need is a nut that matches the mounting screw thread.

Mount the dish, dish mounting arm and foot to the tripod and your done! It may not look as good as some of the set ups, but it won't you cost alot of money. I've been using this set up for a couple of years...

Here's a link to one...

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100083507

SledDog said:

I use a tripod from a surveryor's transit. You can get them for about $60.00. The legs are adjustable. The mounting suface is flat. Some come with a mounting screw for the transit. All you need is a nut that matches the mounting screw thread.

Mount the dish, dish mounting arm and foot to the tripod and your done! It may not look as good as some of the set ups, but it won't you cost alot of money. I've been using this set up for a couple of years...

Here's a link to one...

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100083507

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This seems very promising. Do you just mount the standard foot onto the tripod like it were the side of the house?

paragon said:

This seems very promising. Do you just mount the standard foot onto the tripod like it were the side of the house?

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Yep.. Mount the foot to the flat surface. There is a mounting screw (that you would screw into the transit) in the base. I believe it's 11mm. Put the screw thru the foot. Put on the nut and tighten.

To level it, I have a 2 dollar round bubble level I place on the mounting surface. Once that is level, I use a small 6 inch level to make sure the dish mounting arm vertical.

I guess if you have the level that's in the mounting arm, you could use that one instead of that I listed above.

It may look a little funky and not as pretty as some. But, it's cheap, easy and can be leveled on any surface. It can be as tall (when paked next to an RV) or as short as needed.

Let me know if you need more info...

paragon said:

I'm interested in putting together a set-up for tailgating. I'd like to use a Slimline because my locals are on 99 and also to get HD. Can anybody recommend a good tripod for the Slimline?

I saw some recommendations from Doctor J for a Ronard tripod, however, that seemed to only be good for flat surfaces. I usually am tailgating on an area that is hilly so I need a tripod that can be adjusted to compensate for the slant.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Do a search on ebay for a tripod that us designed for RV owners with slimlines. It's a very heavy duty surveyors tripod that should work great for you. Very nice kit that includes a carry bag and everything.

bluemoon737 said:

Do a search on ebay for a tripod that us designed for RV owners with slimlines. It's a very heavy duty surveyors tripod that should work great for you. Very nice kit that includes a carry bag and everything.

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Look here (although they seem to be closed until the end of the month)

http://www.tv4rv.com/slimline-tripod.htm

bluemoon737 said:

Look here (although they seem to be closed until the end of the month)

http://www.tv4rv.com/slimline-tripod.htm

Click to expand...

That's a good set up. But you can buy the pieces separately for less than $119.00

Don't get me wrong, the standard mounting arm and foot work just fine, but it looks like I have new project. I'm going to ditch the standard arm and install a single vertical pipe to mount the dish on. The one in your link appears to be PVC. But I'm sure I can fab one in metal.

I dont have a mount but I do have a honda EU2000i like in those pics and cant say enough good things about them ! Thinking of getting a second one since you can hook them together in unison.