Question Of The Week

Internet Solutions for the Road

This week’s Question of the Week was, “How do you get internet from the road?”  Fifty-two readers responded with the devices, service providers, and experiences of obtaining internet on the road.

“I use a Verizon MiFi hot spot for $54 a month.  I am soon to drop the MiFi and utilize the hotspot on my Galaxy SIII smart phone. ” – Neil Womack, 2007 GMC 2500, 2004 Lance 915

“We too had the expensive Verizon hot spot for one cross-country trip, and this year upgraded to the mobile internet on my cell phone.  But we also use the Wi-Fi at campgrounds, when available, and look for public libraries to use their service too.

I agree with Gordon.  The Verizon hot spot seemed to work better, especially the USB version that I could put on an extension cord and stick in the camper window, but using my phone is sure fast and easy.  Public libraries, especially those in tourist areas, are very generous with their Wi-Fi; many don’t even require a library card.” – Toni Robertson, 2013 GMC Sierra 3500, 2012 Lance 1191

“We have used the free Wi-Fi available from most chain restaurants and fast food places.  This has been adequate for email and some web usage.  We used this with our cell phones, the Nexus 7 tablet I use for navigation, and other devices.

This past year we added an AT&T data plan using a Samsung Galaxy S3 as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.  Since we usually like to boondock, this does not always work despite an RF amplifier and external antenna for the cellphone.  It does provide greater connectivity however.

MickeyD’s, reliably clean restrooms and Wi-Fi.  What more can you ask for?  Real food?  Now that’s expecting way too much!” – Bill B. Peters, 2013 Chevy Silverado, 2013 Four Wheel Campers Hawk

“We have a Verizon MiFi 4510L.  It’s $80 per month for 10GB and $10 per GB coverage.  We have also used available networks at campgrounds and businesses.  We have a BEAR Extender antenna which boosts the wireless signal for our laptop enabling us to get a much stronger signal when we aren’t using our MiFi device.  McDonalds has always been a reliable Wi-Fi location for us.” – Dave Neumann, 2010 Toyota Tundra 4×4, Adventurer 80GS

“We use Verizon cell service over the iPad, iPhones, and a Verizon hot spot for the computer.  When we used to pirate, it was at libraries, Barnes & Noble, Panera, and most anywhere we could pick up a signal. Verizon is remarkable for the coverage all over the country, even in very remote locations.” – Anne Brown, 2013 Ford F450, 2011 Chalet DS116RB

“I use an LG Spectrum as a hot spot.  The service is by Verizon.  My wife uses an iPhone 4 by Verizon.  I usually don’t use Wi-Fi although I know I should.  The hot spot was helpful last year when we had a blow out on I-25 near Albuquerque.” – Bill DeYoung, 2013 Ford F350, 2007 Okanagan 116ULT

“We take along a laptop and a Kindle that we can access our email and Facebook with.  We do not have mobile Wi-Fi.  We do not have smart phones.

When we are not parked by our children where we have access, we get it where we can find it.  We will also stop at a city library and spend an hour or so catching up with and sending emails to our children and siblings.  We cannot justify the expense of having mobile access even though I would like it sometimes.” – Allen Brummel, 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 2008 Northstar TC650

“My service provider is AT&T for cell phone and Wi-Fi.  I travel with an Apple iPhone 5 and Apple Macbook Pro.  We also get Wi-Fi from Starbucks and miscellaneous hotels.” – Terry Hensley, 2006 Four Wheel Camper Kestrel

“I use a Samsung Tab2 7.0 for Wi-Fi.  The cost of internet is zero dollars at McDonalds, libraries, Subways, etc.

Most of my vacation and travel research is done before we ever leave home.  We have a Garmin GPS that I loaded with places and address in advance.  If you plan a little, you might not need live internet service while driving down the road.  A good GPS is relatively inexpensive.” – Thomas Bender, 2011 Ford F250, 2009 Sun Valley Apache Chief 8.65 WS

“I travel with my iPad which has built in Verizon 4G broadband.  This gives me an internet connection in most of the places I have traveled.  I also take my laptop and can use the iPad as a mobile hot spot.  It works great with the only two downsides being limited to how much data I can use (currently paying for 6 GB a month) and the cost which runs $10 a month for the iPad access plus $80 a month for the 6 GB of data and unlimited talk and text on my cell phone.” – Eldon Rhodes, 2008 Chevy 3500 HD, 2011 Lance 1050

“I use Verizon 4G.” – Jim Wright, 2002 Dodge 2500, 2007 Lance 981

“Argh… the life of a pirate!  I’m a light user of internet on the road; usually email and light browsing searching for campgrounds.  Generally it ends up being AT&T, and whatever is there and free.

Generally, I’ll use McDonalds along with lunch!  I’ve also used Lowe’s, Home Depot, Starbucks, Panera, etc.  The best Wi-Fi was at Devil’s Tower in Wyoming where I was able to pick up the signal in the National Park campground from the KOA next door.  I’ve never had good luck receiving Wi-Fi from private campgrounds even when I was staying in them.” – Mike McMahon, 2006 Ford F350, 1999 Lance 1030

“I have a jail broken iPhone 5 allowing me to tether with an app called MyWi and avoiding the tethering fee (which is BS).  I am paying roughly $85 a month for the phone service, unlimited data, and texting.

I also use a Wilson AT&T Sleek dual band (3G and LTE) booster cradle with a standard stubby antenna when driving or, I can deploy the 22″ Wilson Trucker antenna that’s mounted to the roof of the camper when parked (for double the gain).  Because ATT can notice the jail break when users abuse it (talking GBs), I keep the use within reason to emails, internet surfing and no streaming.

I have had great reception in places like Devils Postpile near Mammoth and Monarch Cave in Utah.  The Wilson Sleek isn’t as powerful as their home unit but it’s less complicated and has dual bands.  I have also gotten Wi-Fi from Starbucks, Panera Bread, McDonalds, and motels that I’ve stayed at before.  Surprisingly rest stops are getting Wi-Fi.” – Jason C, 2012 Toyota Tundra, 2013 Phoenix

“In 2010 we purchased a MiFi 2200 from Verizon.  We pay about $60 a month for unlimited data.  It works great wherever we have Verizon which is everywhere, but Canada.  I have used Chick-fil-A and Barnes and Noble.  I also got Wi-Fi from a hotel in Wyoming.  I was not a guest so I bought a beer and then sat in the lobby.” – June Morrissey, 2012 F350 Ford, 2012 Lance 850

“We travel with two iPhones and an iPad that have 4G capability.  We have found that we have AT&T service about 90% of the time while on the road.  Since I have not retired yet, I have to stay in contact with the office while on vacation.  Sometimes vacation ends up being a workation.” – Terry Berg, 2013 GMC 3500, 2013 Arctic Fox 992

“We have access via our iPhone through Verizon.  Otherwise, we look for a freebie or use the free campground, if available.  I had thought about a card.  We have travelled 250+ days in a three year period and have paid all bills and managed to keep in touch with everyone needed.” – Woody Flickinger, 2003 Dodge 3500, 2012 Arctic Fox 1140

“I am self-employed and can work anywhere as long as I have internet. We use an AT&T dedicated hot spot.  It is 4G.  We pay the 5 gig cost of $50 a month and if we go over it is $10 a gig.  This works well.  We can be on the beach in Galveston, Texas or on the lake anywhere.  So we pack up and go whenever we get the notion.  That happens a lot.

I do have a smart phone that I can use for a hot spot.  The software on the smart phone uses a lot of bandwidth and I have to be talking on the phone a lot, so the smart phone is not a good fix for me.  If you only need internet once in a while, most truck stops have internet at a reasonable price.

The big thing to remember here is that using public Wi-Fi is you are opening yourself up to hackers and they will try to get in.  I wouldn’t use the free Wi-Fi you are to open to hacking.” – Barry Anderson, 2005 Ford F350, 2013 Arctic Fox 996

“When we have Verizon cell phone coverage, or extended coverage, we utilize the iPhone 4 Wi-Fi hot spot.  We only energize this hot spot service on our Verizon Phone when we are traveling.

When energized, it costs us an additional $20 per month of use.  Whenever we can get 3G service coverage it works fine for email and casual internet use.  Some remote communities have cell phone companies with really slow internet speeds.

On the road prior to having the Verizon hot spot we used to go to community libraries in the small cities we prefer to travel through.  We used to pirate a Wi-Fi connection once in awhile.  We do appreciate RV parks that have Wi-Fi internet service, however we seldom stay in commercial RV parks.” – Gary and Laurii Gadwa, 2012 Ford F350, 2011 Eagle Cap 950

“I use a laptop computer, Kindle Fire, and an iPhone 5 while on the road.  Usually I use the Wi-Fi at the campgrounds, if available.  Otherwise I use my iPhone 5 with Straight Talk 3G.  My wife uses a work-provided laptop with a Verizon air card if Wi-Fi is unavailable, or too slow.  Besides campgrounds, we also get Wi-Fi from McDonalds, Starbucks, Jack in the Box, hotels, marinas, libraries, and colleges.” – Henry Nelsen, 2007 Toyota Tundra, 2012 Northstar Liberty

“We hope the campground we choose has Internet.  When in the United States, we use our iPhone 4.  When in Canada, we use as little as possible and may be out of service for several days.  We catch up when we can at campgrounds.” – Linda Clark, 2006 Dodge 3500, 2008 Snowriver RK10-2

“We use an iPhone with an AT&T hot spot while we are actually on the road.  As long as we have cell phone coverage we have the internet.  We seldom use public internet sites, even at campgrounds” – John Schlobohm, 2013 Ford F150, 2013 Lance 825

“We have Verizon service through Millenicom.com using a 3G/4G Novatell Mifi hot spot.  It’s 20GB a month, no contract, and nationwide coverage.  You can also turn it off and on when you’re not traveling.  You can also connect up to ten devices at a time.  As full-timers we have been using this service for about two years and it has never let us down.

When we were in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, we found free internet access at libraries, visitor centers, McDonalds, Tim Hortons, etc.  Turn off the data and voice on your cell phone as it is very expensive.  There are international plans available, but they come at a price.” – Judy Funk, 2012 Chevy 3500, 2011 Lance 1181

“I have an iPhone 4 and Macbook Pro laptop through Verizon.  The cost of phone service in our thirty-two days in Canada on our Alaska trip this summer was approximately $375.  Ouch!  I have also used McDonalds, Wendy’s, Tim Hortons, and, like you, unnamed stores in strip malls and shopping centers.” – Pete Clark, 2006 Dodge 3500, 2008 SnowRiver 102-K

“I have used a Sprint air card for six years.  The service good, except when on roaming.  Then it’s rather slow, not unlimited, and expensive. I have used county and city libraries in California and Oregon.  RV parks usually need passwords.” – Sal Warren, 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 1994 Northstar pop-up

“I purchased a T-Mobile hot spot and a pre-paid account about a year and a half ago so that we can have internet service while dry camping for four months in Key West.  All went well while we were there.  However, while traveling to Alaska this Summer, my service was not available beginning in South Dakota, through Wyoming, Montana, Canada and Alaska.  When available, we would use the free Wi-Fi service in public libraries and various restaurants such as Tim Hortons in Canada.  We also used A&W Restaurants in Alaska.  Of course we did not use these public services for sensitive nor personal postings.  The public libraries were our favorite places because the atmosphere was quiet and comfortable.” – Joyce Harding

“We use a Jetpack from Verizon on a family plan.  It allows for two smart phones and 10 gigabytes monthly.  It’s $185 a month, and I get a 15% discount for being a retired military member.

We swing by hotels, lots of restaurants and Starbucks.  We never do banking on the free Wi-Fi though.  If we need to do any banking or making purchases online we use the Jetpack because it is secure.” – Henry Huizenga, 2005 Chevy 2500 HD, 2004 Arctic Fox 860

“I use a Verizon mobile hot spot, plus a Wilson cell phone booster with an internal and external antenna.  Anywhere there is one bar of cell phone service I can use it.” – Carlyle Isner, 2012 Dodge 5500, 2012 Alaskan

“I have a Samsung Galaxy 3 which I purchased at Costco for $20 last June with a two year plan with AT&T.  I was formerly with Sprint, but they were not represented through the Costco I go to.  That was the reason for the switch.  Plus, I feel I have better coverage with AT&T.

The plan now runs between $78 and $82 per month.  I have to pay twenty cents to send texts and thirty cents to send photos.  I have a gmail account for sending emails which my wife and I both prefer.  I can read my home emails on my phone but I am unable to respond to them.  When we are traveling I tell everyone to contact us through the gmail account.

Of course we use Starbucks.  We can’t start the morning drive without my Americano.  We mostly stay in campgrounds with full hook-ups where you can get Wi-Fi with their code.  Walmarts and casino parking lots also seem to have connectivity.

It really doesn’t matter if I don’t have internet access.  We will find it somewhere.  We both prefer to read actual real books and newspapers.  I am not completely sold on a Kindle yet.  It’s fun to go to new towns and find used book stores and find something we just have to have, or even book sales put on by local libraries.

I do watch some cable television while we’re at campgrounds, because we don’t subscribe to cable at home.  Why pay for television?” – Roger Odahl, 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 2004 Eagle Cap 950

“We have a mobile hot spot, plus we both have an iPhone 5.  All of it is through Verizon.” – Peggy Sego, 2005 Dodge 3500, 2011 Lance 992

“I don’t have a smartphone, but I want access to the internet when I am on vacation.  So, with my Verizon Jetpack, as long as I have a cell phone signal, I can get internet.

I chose the 3GB plan for $60 and it was plenty for streaming video for some television and checking emails for a week or two of vacation.  I reactivate when I need it for the next vacation.  Thus I’m only paying for when I need it and not year round.

It’s $15 weekly for 250 MB, $60 monthly for 3GB, and $90 monthly for 10 GB.  I have never tried to pirate because I just didn’t want to take the time to find it.” – Kevin Presson, 1997 Dodge Ram 2500, no camper yet, using a Leer cap

“We use an iPad mini with a Verizon mobile hot spot.  My wife can use the iPad and I use the laptop.  We pay $30 a month for 2 GB.  We’ll use it all in ten to fourteen days, which is about all we’re out in the camper each month.

We used to use the Verizon MiFi with 10 GB when we were full-timing.  This suits our needs right now and we’ve been happy with Verizon for twenty years.  When we go to Canada and Alaska we use McDonalds and Tim Hortorns restaurants as Verizon’s international data charges and telephone charges are way out of line.” – Jim Cornwell, 2011 Chevy 3500 HD, 2012 Lance 1191

“Verizon is my service provider.  80% of the time it’s in 3G.  I have a droid Motorola razor.  We are waiting for a gadget that will work 95% of the time.  Camping off the grid most of the time I try to find a place to quietly stand to connect with the rest of the world!” – Sue Surateaux, 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500, 2008 Arctic Fox 811

“We use a Verizon Jetpack, 291LVW-41CE, with 14GB a month of data. It’s very expensive at $120 a month and that’s just for the shared data. Then add on the cost of two smart phones and we are talking big money!  It costs me more per month than I pay to heat or electrify my house.

We live out in the country where there is no DSL or cable internet service, so our only other choices were a very slow dial-up or satellite internet.  I hate the cost, but it works well.  The 4G is fairly fast, and it is our only internet service, whether at home or on the road.  We almost always use our Verizon Jetpack or our smart phone connections for our internet.” – Buzz Merchlewitz, 1998 Dodge Ram 2500, 2007 Four Wheel Grandby

“My wife has a smart phone that she uses to check email and navigate.  It’s with Verizon and we pay about $250 a month but that includes five or more phones.  I myself have a not-so smart phone and would prefer to leave it home.  But I take it just in case it’s needed.  I also take my tablet but it’s not hooked to wireless.  I use the tablet mostly to take pictures of places I have visited.

I have used free internet Wi-Fi at McDonalds or a cafe.  Some campgrounds I have stayed in have also have wireless.  Everyone have a happy safe holiday!” – Jeff Hagberg, 2002 Ford F250, 2006 Travel Lite 800SBX

“My wife and I use T-Mobile.  We use the phone as a hot spot to get computer access.  So far it has performed well for us.  Of course there are times that we are in a zone where we can’t get a signal, but that doesn’t happen often.

We used to have Verizon and, I have to say, we had better coverage in more areas, but we also had a much higher monthly bill.  I like the fact that T-Mobile does not have contracts any more.

Before we used the phone as a hot spot, we would check out motels and hotels for Wi-Fi signals.  That was in the earlier part of the 2000s.  Now we are finding that most RV parks have that service, as well as restaurants and places like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and such.” – Albert Cerf, 2003 Dodge 3500, 2011 Adventurer 86SBS

“I have AT&T unlimited data that is $30 a month.  I was grandfathered in and can’t tether.  I used an iPhone 3G for five years, and just upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Tranquility base here, the next dimension has landed.   I also use an iPad 2 and an HP DV7 lap top.  Other sources of Wi-Fi are all AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots, various restaurants, including McDonalds, Texas roadside rests, RV parks, Sisters and Cousins, Motels, and ah yes, Pirate Booty!” – Dan Wilson, 2008 Ford F450, 1998 StarCraft 952

“I only use the iPhone 4s with AT&T.” – John Walicek, 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, 2009 Lance 815

“I use a Verizon 4G Jetpack.  In the pre-camper days I usually used the hotel Wi-Fi (being careful not send out any personal or financial information).  But, occasionally I would would want to look up something while on the road and simply pull over, check for a cell phone signal, and if available, fire up the laptop and activate the device.

My device works anywhere there is a cell phone signal.  This latest Jetpack version has speeds comparable to hotel Wi-Fi.  I rarely use the Wi-Fi at Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, or wherever.  If I am at a hotel I will use their Wi-Fi, but I am wary of the information I send.  The Jetpack is wireless (no USB), and my computer sees it as a Wi-Fi signal.  In fact it operates as a separate cell phone and has its own number.” – Steve Timmings, 2003 Ford F350, 2013 Four Wheel Campers Hawk

“We have a Motorola Droid Razr and a non smartphone LG. 
 Verizon Wireless is our provider.  We also have two Toshiba lap tops.  One is past being a boat anchor with Windows XP, and the other is a couple of years old on Windows 7.

Since getting our truck camper, we have been on a few extended adventures.  We have found that libraries are the best places to get free internet connections.  They have had the fastest internet connections.  McDonalds is also another of our favorite places.  The only trouble is that you have to go eat there.

A surprise place has been laundromats.  It’s a great time to catch up on emails and blogging while waiting for the clothes to get clean.  The worst places for Wi-Fi has been campgrounds.  So many places advertise that they have free internet service.  However, after setting camp you find out that the system is down or so slow that it is not worth trying to log on.  This has been the case most of the time.  We have also found the kind fellow campers who voluntarily gave us their passwords without asking for it.” – Jerry and Carin Pascazio, 2008 Ford F350, 2010 Eagle Cap 1160

“We mainly stop at places that have free Wi-Fi.  McDonald’s is probably the best.  But there are usually days between stops without coverage since we like to camp out in the middle of nowhere.

Our iPad uses AT&T, and our cell phones use Verizon.  On average, I’d say Verizon gives better coverage, but is still very spotty in the boonies.  I have a tether app to connect my computer via my cell phone to the internet when we do get decent cell coverage, but it is not an optimal solution.

We are considering a Wilson Cell phone booster with a trucker’s permanent high gain antenna or a satellite system.  I’m really looking for some good answers from the rest of the readers on this question.” – Dave Kiel, 2007 Toyota Tundra, 2011 Phoenix custom camper

“We use a Motorola hot spot through Verizon on a 5 gig plan that costs $50 month.  When we are not on the road, we suspend service so we’re not paying the monthly service charge.  Public libraries usually have free Wi-Fi.  Starbucks are usually a dime a dozen in most metro areas.  We frequent the source prior to acquiring the hot spot.” – Scott Elliott, 2007 Ford F350, 2013 Chalet TS116

“I got a Verizon Jetpack last spring.  It works well if you are near a major population center, but in the western states I got very little if any service away from these areas.  National Forests, BLM, Fish and Wildlife areas, forget it.

I tend to frequent the more remote areas where phone, television, and often radio signals are not obtainable.  In that instance, I fish, hike, read books, and write letters.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.
  I know a number of fast food establishments and big box home stores provide free Wi-Fi, but I have never attempted to use them.” – Russell Bridges, Dodge Ram 3500, Arctic Fox 990

“We have used Wi-Fi on the road.  I took my Wi-Fi capable laptop with me.  Just last month, I purchased an iPad with the Verizon cellular option.  We plan to travel now with the iPad rather than the laptop.

We haven’t activated the Verizon option yet.  We will purchase the $30 per month plan with 2 Gigs of data on a month to month basis when we travel.  I am hoping that will suffice.

I also purchased a Wi-Fi finder.  I press a buttonand it tells me if it finds a Wi-Fi signal.  Generally we access Wi-Fi at a campground or a McDonalds.  If neither of those are available we just searched around with the Wi-Fi finder.  We have AT&T DSL at home, so we can get a secure connection at locations that have AT&T Wi-Fi.” – John Bull, 2004 Dodge 3500, 2004 Lance 920

“We have a Galaxy S4 with Verizon.  We’ve used Long John Slivers, Arby’s, and college towns near campus housing.” – Bill Dalton, 2001 Dodge 2500, 1999 Lance 845

“I go on vacation to disconnect and unplug.  Most of the places I go don’t have cell service.  But, if I did need it, I guess I would get what limited information I needed from my smartphone.” – Michael Wolf, 2005 Dodge Ram 2500, 2011 Outfitter Apex 8

“I have been using a mobile Internet service for more than ten years.  I first used a card from AT&T for my laptop while doing work at race tracks around the country.  After getting on the road full-timing in my truck camper, I took my previous experience and picked up a similar device, from Verizon.

I picked Verizon over AT&T as it provides much better coverage in many of the remote and rural areas of the USA.  As the technology advanced, I switched to a Verizon MiFi device and have had three devices over the last five years.  The cost varies with the plan you might choose, 5GB at about $50, and 10GB at $80.  If you are using an iPad or tablet device, you might find the larger 10GB plan the better choice.

With each year the availability of internet access, through my Verizon MiFi device, improves in quality and availability.  Using an app on my iPhone, I can determine pretty well where I will find available Verizon coverage prior to my arrival in those areas.  With this information I can often let my family and friends know, before hand, that I will be inaccessible during the times I am traveling through these areas.

I have had internet in backcountry sites (accidental findings on my iPhone when selecting music on my iPhone), while backpacking in Yellowstone, when I am not able to get any at trailheads.  You can find great places to use your iPads and laptops without sitting in a lobby or in front of Panera by being creative and going to remote locations.

One of my favorite spots to use my Verizon MiFi device is, with an ice down beverage filled cooler, folding chair, laptop and my iPod Shuffle, sitting on the shore of a lake in Wyoming, many miles from any town or Panera.  I just use the flat straight shot, across the lake’s surface of a distant Verizon cell tower signal for my internet connection.  It wasn’t necessary to ride my motorcycle thirty-five miles into town to get internet service.  Cell and internet service was not available back at my remote boondocking location eight miles north of my temporary makeshift lakeside workstation.

Many locations throttle down their free Wi-Fi service, to combat those streaming movies and the such.  I take in my own Verizon Wi-Fi into places like McDonalds, not to use their free WiFi, but to steal their electricity!

For a few years, before I went totally solar, I had to be watchful on my use of battery reserve and looked for places to plug in.  It was easy to learn what to look for, like public parks (outlets in the group picnic shelters), by pop machines, late at night outside WalMart and Discount Tire Stores.

I always carry a good electrical drop cord and folding chair and my Verizon Mi-Fi!  My only tip is to watch out for the guys that clean the parking lots late at night, with leaf blowers!  Happy Trails!” – Bryan Appleby, 2008 Ford F550, 2009 Lance 1191

“We usually have a pretty good itinerary of our travel route, so using the website, www.wififreespot.com, I download a list of the cities and towns with free Wi-Fi spots ahead of time and save them to my desktop (since you can’t see the site until you have Wi-Fi).  The list has been very reliable with libraries, coffee shops, and all sorts of other public spots.  Free, free, free!” – Jane Hall, 2005 Ford 250, 2005 Eagle Cap 8.5

“I use Sprint’s Wi-Fi.  I’ve taken it to Alaska, but found the cost of sending photos while in Canada to be too much.  I have also used internet at campgrounds.  Sprint’s Wi-Fi has served me well all over the United States.” – Rod Krumlauf, 2003 Chevy Silverado 3500, 2004 Lance 1161

“The device I use is a Clear Spot Voyager Wireless hot spot that’s $35.00 monthly.  It works well if you like that sort of duality with a notebook.” – Wilbert Griggsby, 1992 Ford, 1990 Lance 8 foot camper

“Verizon still has an unlimited data plan.  I use my Galaxy Note 3 with 4G.” – Jim Dunlap, 2013 Ford F250, 2012 Lance 855S

“We both have the Apple 5C iPhone but, in the evening when we write, we use the Verizon Jetpack for our laptops. For the Jetpack’s 10gigs, the cost is around $70.00 a month.  There have been very few places in our travels that we have not had service.

Before we had smart phones, we pirated from a few unsuspecting places.  We appreciate them all.  We have used McDonalds, Starbucks, truck stops and a cable company in a small Texas town.  Thank goodness for free Wi-Fi!” – Craig and Julie Miller, 1999 Ford F350, 1997 Lance 990 legend

“Almost all of our camping is in remote off-the-grid locations.  We go there to get away from technology.  We do carry cell phones for when we do have reception, but most of our campsites don’t.

I want to add, though, that we always have a backup party back home.  They know where we are going in case we break down and they don’t hear from us by a specified time.” – Brian Hagen, 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, 2012 Palomino Bronco 1251SB

There are also some great tips from readers on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TruckCamperMagazine

 

Truck Camper Chooser
To Top