Best RV Satellite Dishes for RVs and Tailgating

These antennas are all a little pricey, but they offer convenient features like multiple outputs and flexibility in service providers. Plus, they all have automatic satellite tracking, so they’ll search out a signal for you. Let’s take a look at the picks!

The Winegard RoadTrip offers the best overall experience for watching TV while riding along in your RV. It’s the best option for people who want entertainment in motion (many other satellite TV receiver dishes don’t work while the vehicle moves). It’s in a protective domed, so you don’t have to worry about scraping it on a tree branch or harsh weather. It supports both DISH and DIRECTV, so you can choose your provider and switch whenever you like.

As a nice bonus, it’s available in black and white, so you don’t have to ruin the look of your RV with an unmatched dish. This satellite TV antenna also has a 25-foot coax cable and a 25-foot power cable for easy installation.

Best satellite TV antenna for tailgating: KING One Pro

The KING One Pro is our pick for the best tailgating antenna for several reasons. First, it’s compatible with both DISH and DIRECTV, so you aren’t stuck with a single provider. Second, it’s fully automatic, so you’re ready to watch with just a button press—no need to fiddle with aiming the dish while your friends stare awkwardly. It's 17 inches by 18.75 inches by 13.5 inches and weighs 8 pounds, making it fairly easy to bring along to the campground or outside the stadium. It’s got a convenient handle that makes carrying the dish much easier while you find a setup spot with a clear view.

Check out all the KING satellite antennas on Amazon. 

You can get more than satellite dishes for more than TV in your RV. Satellite internet for RVs is now a possibility with Starlink Mobile. You can get in-motion and stationary versions of Starlink Mobile (formerly called Starlink RV), but the in-motion equipment and plans are costly. Starlink's $2,500 High-Performance dish was initially marketed for use on boats but can still be used to get high-speed internet for your RV as it's on the move. If its cost is too prohibitive, you can check out other ways to get internet for your RV.

If you need portable internet to support your on-the-go adventures, our Portable Internet guide will help you explore your options. There are more than you think.

Satellite antennas are generally pretty straightforward devices, but there are a few important features you should look out for.

One of the biggest headaches with satellite dishes is aiming them to maximize signal strength properly. Automatic satellite dishes can track orbiting satellites and aim themselves to receive the strongest possible signal. These antennas cost more than their manual counterparts, but their ease of use makes up for it if you often change locations (like traveling with an RV or sailing on a boat).

If you want to watch TV in your RV while moving, you’ll need a particular type of antenna with a dome cover. The dome serves two purposes: it protects the antenna and prevents the wind from causing interference. These dishes are ideal for tailgating or camping, thanks to the dome's protection and portability.

Not every satellite antenna that supports DIRECTV can receive an HD signal—even if you have an HD receiver. Due to the type of signal DIRECTV uses for HD programming, an antenna needs a particular receiver. For this reason, most universal dishes that support both DISH and DIRECTV support only standard-definition DIRECTV programming.

If you want to watch DIRECTV in HD, you’ll need an antenna specifically designed for its signal. These typically work with only DIRECTV. 

If you’re a DIRECTV customer, double-check the specs for any antenna you’re considering to ensure you can get the most out of your service.

There are several great satellite antennas on the market, depending on how you want to use them. If you’re looking for an RV-mounted dish, we recommend the Winegard RoadTrip. If you’re looking for a portable antenna for tailgating and camping, then we suggest looking at the KING One Pro. Both are high-quality devices that are compatible with the big two satellite TV providers.

The KING One Pro is the best portable satellite dish for its universal compatibility, convenient carrying handle, and automatic tracking.

No, your DISH Tailgater won’t work with DIRECTV. For DIRECTV compatibility, you either need a universal antenna like the KING One Pro or a DIRECTV-specific dish.

DIRECTV does sell a portable satellite dish kit, but you can also buy more advanced dishes from other manufacturers like KING and Winegard that are both portable and powerful. Check out Winegard’s tailgating dishes.

You can get several Ku-band antennas for satellite TV and some for internet, but there aren’t any Ku band satellite dishes that work for both internet and TV. You’ll need a separate Ku-band dish for your satellite TV service and another for your internet.

No, the DISH Playmaker Dual satellite TV dish doesn’t work while you’re in motion—you must have the vehicle parked for the satellite antenna to pick up a signal. This model is a good option for tailgating (with a tripod) or for roof mounting on your RV (although bear in mind that your passengers can’t get a signal while the vehicle is moving).

No, most satellite dish antennas made by Prodelin are not designed to be used for satellite TV in RVs. Prodelin manufacturers quality satellite dishes for satellite internet service and TV, but they are not designed for in-motion use or for mounting on an RV.