Part of the challenge of RV life is finding quality Internet service. It’s nonexistent in many campgrounds and where it is found, it’s overtaxed by those camping. Reasons are many, but the good news is there are affordable RV Internet solutions now offered by many of the cellular providers.

Cellular Internet service

At the date of this video, Verizon now offers an unlimited pre-pay cellular Internet service using a MiFi device. There’s nothing uniquely RV Internet about the Verizon plan other than it is very portable. The MiFi is a wireless cellular modem and router combined. Our MiFi supports up to 10 wireless devices which is ample for our work computer, iPad, cell phones and other devices in the RV. To date, we have not run into an area where Verizon was not accessible. We don’t boondock or dry camp and most of the private, state and federal parks were close enough to a Verizon cell tower for service. We did not always have the fastest of service, but have yet to travel without finding downloads at least 4Mb or higher and similar upload speeds.

Joan and I wanted to have some assurance our two kitty travelers were safe while we toured an area. After a scare last year where power was lost for most of the day in a very hot climate, we wanted to have some way to monitor temperatures in the 5th wheel as well as some form of video. With the MiFi as our base, we were well on our way.

WiFi temperature monitor

The first component was the addition of the GoVee WiFi temperature monitor by Minger. This is a standalone device that has built-in WiFi along with temperature and humidity monitors. It is battery operated making installation simple taking minutes to set up with the GoVee App. The big selling point for us was the ability to set a temperature alarm. In the event the temperature increases to the point we set, we receive an alarm and can return to the 5th wheel to make sure Mink and Molly are safe.

WiFi Camera

We also added a WiFi camera. This was the most challenging part of this project. Almost to the point, I feared it wasn’t possible to operated a WiFi camera over a cellular modem. After several attempts, multiple camera models, I settled on the Amazon Cloud Camera. This was a little higher of a price point that we had hoped, but bottom line, it works. Simple set up, very friendly app and additional security features offer that we could use at a later date. Features such as motion detection has to be disable with the movement of Mink and Molly constantly setting off alerts. Simple to disable. Now with the Cloud Cam, we can simply access the app, check on Mink and Molly anytime along with having that extra assurance they are safe in the event we receive a temperature alarm.

One note. Some may ask if the GoVee temperature monitor or Cloud Cam could be operated on campground WiFi. Maybe, but I would not want to risk when needed most and we failed to receive a temperature alarm.

Overall, a fun RV Internet project. A little challenging, but good results.

Products discussed on this video:

WiFi Temperature Monitor – https://amzn.to/2DjIjVS
 
 
 

Amazon Cloud Cam – https://amzn.to/2GC2LEu
 
 
 

Verizon Prepaid Plan – https://www.verizonwireless.com/internet-devices/prepaid/
 

 
Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel? Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.
 

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Music by: [No Copyright Music] ON AND ON – Nicolai Heidlas Music – https://youtu.be/Skxx0KnGGHw