Internet For Full Time Motorhome Van Life
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- I've had a lot of questions about how I get internet in the motorhome for full time living and how others can get internet for their own van life needs. In particular I will been asked to explain how mobile dongles work in simple terms.
In this video I go through the three mains ways I know how to get internet on the road including their pros and cons and I then go into detail on the way I use and like the best.
I use a 4g mobile dongle with unlimited three mobile internet for all my needs on the road.
How do you get internet for van life? Drop a comment below sharing your own hints and tips 😁😁😁
Please feel free to drop a comment below with any questions you have, I’m always happy to help where I can 😀 oh and give the video a like and share if you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it.
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-------- Check out these other videos of mine --------
★ Motorhome Technology: Tech & Gadgets I Use For Full Time Motorhome Vanlife
➜ • Motorhome Technology: ...
★ Finding Water - While living full time van life
➜ • Finding Water - Full t...
★Watch Me Find A Urban Parkup
➜ • Watch Me Find A Urban ...
-------- Products, resources & links mentioned in this video:--------
★ Three Mobile SIM Cards Plans (I have 2 SIM cards personally with three)
➜www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Plan...
★ 4G Dongle Ariel
➜ eBay - www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_od...
➜ Amazon - amzn.to/2VzewQC
★ 4G Mobile Dongle
➜ eBay www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...
➜ Amazon amzn.to/2TebqVi
★ GiffGaff Internet (I don't personally use them, speed caps apply)
➜ www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-pla...
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Just watched this video mate 😂. I haven't got half way through and can't stop laughing 😂 when you was explaining about the WiFi beingsucked from the internet .and I thought it was little sky fairies all this time . And then I noticed you have your t shirt inside out . brilliant mate 😂 .best laugh I've had in this lock down.
another well informed video... i always hit the like button before the video starts as we all know your awesome... all the best !!!
good video m8 i have been with 3 since day one never had any trouble ty for the wifi tips keep it up m8
Good video Darren👍🏻, I’m moving to Scotland 🏴 around March this year, so been looking at mobile broadband, moving to the coast of Aberdeen, a little place called Garden-town near Banffshire.
Just hope it work with PS4 online...lol.
Love your channel mate, the Monday blogs are great, I look forward to my Monday’s after work now😂😊👍🏻.
Hopefully, I’ll get to some meets this year with the WBO, so I’ll come and hi 👋.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great video - Just what I needed to know as I've just bought a reolink argus smartcam cctv for my camper. Very well explained. 👍
Thanks so much for this video. I was quoted £450 for a kit. You have saved me hundreds. Thanks so much.
Great video mate lol i reckon three Mobile should sponser you lol you love them
thanks Darren you've answered all my questions great help
Thanks for the video. I am a bit of a techno-phobe so appreciate the straight forward description. I only motorhome part time so probably stick to my phone hotspot.
Great info, just what I needed, thank you.
Hi, I too have a dongle that I have had and used for as long as I can remember. Like yours, it is a 3mobile, However, it is pay as you go because unlike you I do not live in our van permanently. I have used my dongle for caravan trips and it works brilliantly. As a photographer, I upload my photographs regularly and I have never had a great problem. Having seen your I may now upgrade.
Wow, the vid I’ve been looking for , it explains things in an easy to understand way and has made my mind up that the dongle,, and even maybe an Ariel is the way to go,,, 👍👍👍
Darren this is great advice until now I’ve only used the contract on my iPad and phone but they are limited to combined 30gig pcm so will definitely look into this dongle thanks
Its worth considering a different network to the one used in your phone. I had 2 phones, one which I used for work which were both on the same network. When the network went down I lost all connections on everything. Now I have 2 networks which gives me peace of mind if one goes down.
Top tips mate. Thanks very much!
I've just cancelled virgin and as a weekend van lifer I've ordered a mifi dongle for £22 a month off 3 network and will be using it at home as well.Its cheaper for me and I can use it on my travels.Also 3 network give you the dongle for free .
I use the 3 Huawei when we go wild camping up in the land of nod in Haslingden , i only have a small amount of data though & pay £30 for a year !! depending on how much i use i may run out before the year but it's only when we camp & it is good .
Great video and interesting.I’m learning lots thanks.👍🇬🇧🍺
Thanks to this vid , I questioned unlimited with 3 , I used to have that years ago then they stopped me , then you posted this , so I went straight to them and they said yes , as I had always been on that tariff they just gave me it back , thanks for letting me know 3 ? 😉
Wicked! Your welcome mate 👍🏻😀
Brilliant videos mate thanks for the advice
3 are absolutely great,been with them for 5 years now and never had a problem.
Stopthewar Taylor Some of us miss the boat sometimes! Hope your back is improving?
Just found your channel.love the videos keep up the great work.
Thanks Leigh 😃😃👍🏻👍🏻
Cheers for this video m8,Finally decided my network of course its going be Three £22 pm 12 month contract.
But going be using it in a Netgear AC 790
As of 30.11.19
Vodafone £30 pm Totally unlimited
Giffgaff £20 40gb or £25 always on but Heavily throtted after 40gb.
Going be used for camping and everyday use while out n about.
Good, honest and very informative video, thank you. I am at war with virgin over my land line and internet, they keep putting up the price. After watching this I'm seriously thinking of sacking them off and getting a 3 dongle, it will more than half my bill. I would be interested in your internet speed please, have you ever done a speed test? Again, great video, thank you.👍
Hi - Great channel - keep up the "good work"- have you already uploaded a video about where you get fresh water and empty "grey water" etc. Many thanks kind regards. Clay.
Dongle talk from 7:38... you're welcome 👍🏾😁
T H A N K Y O U !!!! He just kkkeeepppttttttt talkinggggggg!!!!!
He knows how to waffle
if I can lay it out in simple terms.... 7.38 into the video.....
That was pretty useful, thanks!
I've got unlimited data with Three and use my phone as a hot spot for mi internet. Got rid of Sky as it's cheaper to have Three. Halved mi bill. 👍
Holistic-Healing UK what speeds are you getting I’m thinking of doing the same, but also don’t know how my PlayStation will handle it for gaming online?
@@adamowen5982 A friend of mine used to use his phone to play Rocket League with us while on Discord. He could definitely play the game but his issue was the reliability. He'd get lag spikes frequently and sometimes got kicked offline completely.
Snap. Works great in most places
you're a cool dude man! Awesome vids!
Thank you kindly for this information :)
I have an Iboost it works very well but for it to work have to have some form of signal to start with. A mistake some people make is they think it’s creates your own internet, but as said this is not the case it basically turns a weak signal into a strong one. They are pricey at £179, but you do get very good customer support and if you have any issues you can send it back and they will repair and send it back. Personally I’m at one fixed point in my caravan and works 100% however I’m only 1000 meters from the internet source, however when researching I’m sure I read it works up to a mile away.
Over the years I’ve tried tethering from my mobile but found you cannot always tether your whole data allowance and your constantly charging your battery. I’ve also in the past purchased a separate SIM card and modem from EE this worked great but was very expensive to me, paid £30 a month for 50 gig. So it didn’t take long for the Iboost to pay for itself.
This was my experience relating to my situation hope it helps
Hi Darren. Good video. I've been using 3 network for many years on dongle same as yours.
But they have a very good price for business
£11 month which I've had for over 10yrs. You're in business. But they don't ask for any proof of it. And also they've always given me a free dongle
They never seem to tell anyone about this.
Spot on thanks mate !.
great video Bloke!
I use the Vodaphone version & we can use lap top, plus 2 phones & 2 tablets great way to use the internet in your Campervan.
Thanks for the info. 👍
Good info mate x
Really useful. Thank you
Helpful, thanks.
You are looking good ! Are you dropping weight ? It's great to catch up with the videos again. Even us house dwellers need free WiFi and extra data, can absolutely suggest 3 as a provider as I was ripped off by vodaphone for many years. I love that that I can hotspot (yes you can) and I can use my data abroad.
3 mobile unlimited is good and signal in uk is really good now, use ours as hotspot all the time. but we are not living in our van
There's also the Mifi option.
It's mobile wifi, apparently you plug in the Simcard into a router of sorts and use it as a wired / wireless internet hotspot.
Very interesting , cheers 👍
Nice one Darran, any chance you could let me know what cctv cameras you have. Thanks 👍🏼
Try "Smarty". Cheapest SIM contracts l have seen. And it's a rolling monthly contract. Some of the plans give you money back for unused data.
I already have a little router like yourself. Cost me £99. I bought it when l was having talk talk problems last year. Now l have a motorhome so glad l have it
Good info 😊
His channel has a more recent "tech" video that includes what he upgraded to. Here's the link
ua-cam.com/video/izu6Vs_seVA/v-deo.html
my mifi is unlocked so that I can use different provider's sims which is handy in places where you cant get 3. I found EE was pretty good when 3 couldnt be accessed. You can buy a data card 'internet with legs ' that are time limited which is useful for holidays.
Great video buddy, I’d like to know more about the WiFi security if you are making a video! 🤝
Ace video mate
Hi, I know this is relatively old video, but I bought the same dongle you have, and got a phone sim with unltd data. Seems to work. Got through 2gb today no problem streaming UA-cam, music and TV. I am rather data hungry too. Is this what you have done? Or did you get a mobile broadband sim? Anyway thanks for a great solution.
All Good 👍 Thanks for sharing
Welcome mate 👍🏻😁
Hi ya let's start off with fantastic videos thank you, you really are expiring me 2 live motor home life full time myself but however I'm still walking the minefield of trying to find my first camper van tho. Anyway back to the content of this video I have a question my question is if you're using your mobile data yet you use it through a VPN is it possible to use your mobile data while you are abroad for example Spain as most of the mobile providers in the UK seem to have a 25 gig Internet limit while you're abroad even though you are paying for unlimited Internet in the UK?
I have a mobile plan that gives me a second SIM card for a tablet - so I plan to use that with my WIFI dongle when I'm out and about in the Campervan.
Nice one, that should work a treat while your out and about 👍🏻😀
Thanks for this. Can you do the VPN video for dummies please?
may I offer a tip on 1 very small point ! I have the same dongle/3 set up , and yes when friends visit they can connect 2 your dongle/wi-fi but for gods sake do yourself a favour and write your passcode down on a bit of paper for them ! I once gave a friend my card so he could log in and he just out of habit pocketed it and of course the next day my wi-fi had a fit and needed re-booting and I didnt have the code 2 log back in and I didnt know who had the card or where it was and it was just a pain in the ass ! so when your bored with a spare few mins just write the code down on a few bits of paper and nightmare avoided ! just one of silly things we never think about until it happens ! anyway hope this helps some one out there , happy trails
That must be down south up in the highlands of Scotland its a hit or miss for a signal of any kind unless your are in a town or city. thanks for the tips xx
Pretty similar here in Devon. There's no mobile signal where I live. EE is better for rural areas but is still patchy.
The dongle (MIFI) device is the way to go, using a phone for a hotspot, tethering to a chromebook or similar is super hard on the battery and kills it quickly.
My phone hated it even for fifteen minutes while streaming on a chromebook, luckily I had it out of the phone case and noticed how HOT it got. It was most definitely a HOT SPOT lol.
I think the deal you got is now £26.00 a month from three, not 100% sure though.
Good video mate!👊
PS. My phone was also slow internet speed wise as a hotspot were as my MIFI device is super fast.
Sounds like there is a problem with your phone or your Chromebook is doing something in the background that it shouldn't be doing. I have been using hotspot for years using not just expensive phones but very cheap ones as well and never had a problem with over heating or battery draining fast, in fact it shouldn't use any more power than if the phone was connected to a Wi-Fi network, as for speed if your phone has 3g or 4g then its speed will be the same as a 3g 4g dongle on the same network after all a dongle is basically a simple version of a mobile phone. I would never go back the using a dongle
@@michaeleddison6765 My Chromebook was brand new at the time and my phones battery is excellent, it sorted itself out with a charging technique I used but mainly works if damage was recent.
My dongle is the HUAWEI E5577S and best thing I've purchased in a while.
My chromebook instructions say "It's not recommended to use a mobile phone as a hotspot for the chromebook" So this is not to be taken lightly or why say it is how I see it?
If it works for you Michael then that's fine but others should be warned to keep an eye on their phone until sure, there's good apps for that.
It's good to know that some phones are better equipped to function as a hotspot though.
I'm using an old iphone 5 I got given to me and replaced the battery, I am 100% the battery is great as It's been in use for 6 months but yes the phone is old tech now.
PS. I've had the phone for two years and only for the battery upgrade it's been great, no problems at all 😊
I find the phone's 'mobile hotspot' really eats battery-life, I find I can sensibly only use it while the phone is on charge
Also, it's very short range, I can use it while leaning on the van but if I start wandering around it cuts off pretty quickly.
very interesting Daz . are you still running the same system now and have you made updates or changes to the setup
What type of cctv do you have? I ask because you mentioned that it connects to your WiFi, most DVR/NVR’s require a Ethernet connection.
If you use your phone as a hotspot make sure that once set up you set if to "specified devices" and only "allow" your devices!
(Even if you have a secure password!)
If set to "all devices" not only is your data not secure, but your phone becomes the local "free hub"!
It's amazing how many times you can search and find unsecured phones!
great video
Thanks, very informative. Would like to hear more about VPN, thanks.
Try Nord VPN app , its the best and works world wide.
@@cliffy7641 Thanks, I'll look into it.
The UK is so good for internet. I’m in France for 6 months and mobile internet is such a faff and way more expensive. Looking forward to getting back to the UK for that alone ha
I like this guy bro he seems humble
I bought a Huawei dongle, plan to use it with my phone sim and antenna where my phone doesn't get usable internet. Hoping this will increase signal enough so I get me usable internet
So Fontie. You take out your Sim and put in the dongle right? So then you can`t receive call yeh? Are you always swapping it around? I guess it would be easier to just get 2 sims and have 2 separate plans? cheers
I use my three £20 sim in my phone, and use it as a mobile hotspot for all my home Internet needs. I cancelled my home broadband and TV package and saved £50 a month. I use around 500gb a month, but I think three may limit you at around 1000gb a month.
Using my phone for a hotspot almost killed it and my chromebook instructions don't recommend it. A mifi device like in the video is quicker with speed and is better designed for the job Wuku.
@@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN I've had no problems using my phone so far, and it's on almost 24 hrs a day, and has been for months. I agree that a dongle would be better, and I'm sure it's going to shorten my phones life, but it's not a new phone. Having a dongle would mean the need for a separate sim contract, and I'm trying to keep costs down. If i could afford it, and I wish I could, I would feel happier with a dongle, I agree, but so far so good lol
@@markhead21 It's good it's working for you Wuku. My internet speed is also far better with the dongle, surprisingly better.
My phone is an iphone 5 but with a new battery fitted and according to my battery app it killed 7% of it's capacity and as I said before, all within 15 minutes.
After a few proper charges it has bounced back but my thoughts on the heat from my phone and what I've read on the subject I'd be very cautious.
I know what you mean about cost, having a sim for a mifi device plus phone is expensive enough.
I'm on a £25.00 a month contract for an unlimited Virgin mobile sim and a pay as you go 3 sim in my phone. I don't use much on the phone but I hope to get my money's worth from the Virgin sim when out in my van tethering from it lol, we'll see. It's been a luxury so far streaming in general and letting others connect to it 😊
Great video's
Thanks 👍🏻
EE tends to be better than 3 for rural coverage in my experience,
Thanks
Have you seen or heard about Hydrofoil s
They are going to be HUGE
Yes, I was with Giff Gaff and they do drop the speed right down once you go over...erm...think it was 20GB, but don't quote me on that.
Its now 40GB
Love your videos but someone had ruined your subtitles with wrong words lol 😆 Hope you can get it sorted and you should watch your video and read it 😉
Haha I travel in a Hymer full time in Europe. I have a VERY old 2011 sim, I get UNLIMITED internet throughout Europe, £2 (two) a month! Average use of 60gb, up to 125gb a month usage! Lucky me...
hi mate,the lights hanging around the bottom of your cupboards are they elec or 12 volt or both.txs Dave
just a thought , wondering if you (or me lol) would be as well buying a cheap second hand phone for just leaving in the van/camper and use it as the hotspot , that way you can also have the benefit of also using it as a second telephone number for calls which you can't do with the wifi dongle , hmm have to check out if there would be any cons ?
Hey mate , thanks for the vid - could you tell me/us what your using now ? And / or if it the same ?
Cheers mate ✌🏼❤️
I’m clueless about this kind of stuff but we have bought a camper and will need WiFi. I’m liking the dongle idea but as we won’t be full time on road just weekends and sporadic times do you know if you can get dongle data for one off trips rather then go on a contract.
I was wondering with your dongle do you have any experience of playing a console online for example I’d love it if I could play my Xbox online do you think it would have enough speed to keep up with a computer game, or should I just give up with that idea?
Yes, I use unlimited 3 data plan and hot-spot
Liked your video very much, just a quick question, is the dongle unlocked, so that a different service providers SIM card can be used. E.g. I would like to use a Smarty sim, which will allow me to not have a contract, but still have unlimited access for £20. Thanks, Rod.
This help me out so much for my own build
Darren, I have the same dongle as you but mine does not have the aerial connection? Is that model not now available or did you spec it? please
HIya. With your mobile dongle would it help with the signal if your out in the wilds of say maybe Glencoe or Isle of Skye . Many thanks
LO Darren, Cos you know stuff. On downloads, what would be considered low, medium and high, mps strength? I've asked others, and I get the look. You know, that thick bs look. See you at Stratford.
I've just switched from EE to Three as I got fed up with their bs. Three package I was offered is all unlimited.
To be honest , 3 mobile is the way and the only way and the best way , please don’t hook up 10 devices (they know what you are doing) they just balance it all out and shut the rest of us down , with 20 years of mobile under my belt , 3 is a great company for us all , just don’t take the piss and think of others 😉👍
Stopthewar Taylor , I have been arguing with Vodafone for the sharp end of 10 years about unlimited mobile internet , only now are they seeing the point , now I have both , Vodafone for me is £27 all in mobile 3 all in is £30 both per month so I am always covered on usage and coverage (mostly for work) but as I said don’t take the piss and let everyone in the office use it , they both know what we are all doing , so that tells me if your usage all of a sudden goes off the dial they may well shut you down 😉 happy surfing all xx
your damn lucky you live in a country that offers unlimited cell data plans. In Canada the BEST plan I can get is $150/Month for 10GB then depending on the provider, you pay $10/GB extra. I recently downloaded a program and ran it on this laptop, after 1 week, I was at 150GB, so I shut it down, that was in a week where I was busy working around the house and not on the laptop all day.
I've been ripped off also, paying monthly 40 Euros for 25 GB (so called unlimited). And that's the best plan to obtain in Belgium.
@Stopthewar Taylor well your mind is small if u think Britain is the worst country in the world. Think of the people in Asia and africa beinf beheaded on a daily basis. You dont realise how lucky you are to stay where u are.
Hi, very helpful video. This may be a silly question but with a Pay As You Go data sim, do you have do get a new sim each time you buy more data? Or do you log into a website to buy more data and keep using the same sim? I'm travelling in Europe and UK soon for 7 months in a motorhome so I'm trying to understand what would be the best setup for us. Thanks very much for your help.
U can buy top up from the shop, or buy on the network website yes.
Do you access the 3 dongle SIM account via app to check useage/cost?
Hi Do you need a data sim or can you use a sim for phone i.e. calls with txts and data?
Three have home fi.. i have a TP link archer mr200 mobile router and a unlimited home fi data card 20 pounds a month ..tp router is duel band also has large aerials great reception upto 60 devices its as fast as my old virgin and half the price its the way forward as you can take it to europe too...
When using it for your cctv does it switch off after a certain length of time? I have 1 but it turns off after 8-9 hours when plugged in. Used for my cctv
If I replace my home internet with this idea instead, which I want to do, at the end of the vid you say it does for everything, with no problems, meaning streaming youtube vids is ok (I hope cos thats all I do for hours, I literally never watch telly, just youtube vids on my smart tv instead) , but I'm wondering is it a safe sort of connection for doing your online banking, is it a secure connection for banking and payments, this sort of thing? you didnt mention security issues, are there any? Alan, Norfolk.
6.50 😁 I like your little comments, they do make me chuckle 😏
If you are with bt they have internet hotspots all over Europe, there's millions of hotspots, sometimes you might need a WiFi booster, I have a booster and can find hotspots upto a mile away!
Could you recommend a booster!
@@pulsey2001 I have an iboost amplifier, bt If you search Bt hotspot it's something like 8 million hotspots! Every bt users router has a free hotspot in it!
@@malcolmrowe5031 I have BT and use the hotspots, it works really well.
I use a Nexx WT3020 a £13 mini wifi router i installed openwrt on the router managed to get the right drivers for the £15 usb wifi antenna. I managed to get a BT hotspot from a mile away. If you have a laptop you can plug the usb wifi antenna and with a cheap rt5370 dongle you can use the laptop as wifi repeater.
@@nkelk25 Do you have links to the kit you bought?
Hiya Darren I got one of these units an exe vodaphone But unlocked I can connect to it via my phone But cannot get it to connect out to the internet Have you a video to show the setup from scratch Also the data SIM you can buy is the data cheaper than your normal phone contracts data Thanks
i just bought an ee mifi box..any good.? its unlocked..is it similar to yours?
Sorry if this is a silly question, but why would you use a Dongle if you could just use your mobile phone? It's just to increase data allowance and have it permanently "on" in the van when you're away from it. It's not necessary if you can get away with just using your mobile phone, right?
I just bought an EE dongle for my motorhome to run my wifes iPad and also my smart tv ….what’s your thoughts please
Hi with 3 on an unlimited sim it used to be only 30g for hot spot but now it’s unlimited