2020 Mallard M335 Winegard Gateway

hayward6

Member
I found this topic in a few other threads, but none of them mention the location. I have a 2020 Mallard M335 and it came prewired for WIFI. I discovered I needed to buy the gateway router, so I did that, but I can't seem to find the faceplate inside. The antenna is directly over the bathroom closet. That closet ceiling is enclosed with paneling. Would they really have hidden it in there? I don't have a problem pulling paneling and getting in there, it just seems strange.
 

hayward6

Member
Ok, I opened up the panel that's located about 16 feet from where the antenna is mounted, and sure enough, that power wire turns on and off with the connect switch on the wall near the antenna. So, here's the new question. Since the existing antenna runs the TV and Radio and is so far away, and since there are no other wires in this cutout, do I need to buy another antenna dome? And use it for WIFI/Cellular only? That seems ridiculous... I'm going to try support again this week. I work the same hours as them, so it's been hard, but I will try that again.
 
Ok, I opened up the panel that's located about 16 feet from where the antenna is mounted, and sure enough, that power wire turns on and off with the connect switch on the wall near the antenna. So, here's the new question. Since the existing antenna runs the TV and Radio and is so far away, and since there are no other wires in this cutout, do I need to buy another antenna dome? And use it for WIFI/Cellular only? That seems ridiculous... I'm going to try support again this week. I work the same hours as them, so it's been hard, but I will try that again.
Asked the same question of support about my 2021 Mallard 210 FB. Here is answer I got:
"You will need to Buy a Winegard Connect 2.0, WiFi/4GLTE model. There is a power cord for the 2.0 already prepped in the ceiling of the trailer. That will need to come up to the roof, the 2.0 will then plug right into that power cord and then need to be secured and sealed on the roof. The Connect 2.0 will come with a manual with step by step instructions to set up the unit. To get 4GLTE, service will have to be purchased. It comes with an AT&T SIM card already installed and the customer can go right into the Winegard Connect app and purchase data on a pay as you go basis. If you have a contract already with Verizon/AT&T or T-Mobile, you can go in an add service for a jet pack. Most carriers are roughly $20 a month for unlimited data for a jet pack. The manual for the connect will have all the info they need for that on the bottom right hand corner. The service provider will give you a new SIM card you would then swap out on the connect 2.0 itself. There’s a clear plastic cover on the back that is removable to swap SIM cards. Once you go through all the initial set up, whenever you powers up the unit in the future, all devices will auto connect. Very similar to a home set up. This unit will also be a WiFi extender."
 

hayward6

Member
Thank you, I knew I forgot to come back and update this. I made that same phone call. I have to tell you, I was disappointed.. These RV manufacturers are constantly saving a few bucks here and there, and selling the unit for 10's of thousands of dollars. They already have an antenna up there, why not run the power up to it and if they didn't want to upgrade the antenna, at least the owner could replace that one antenna. Now, we have add another hole in the roof and a second mushroom. It just doesn't make sense.

I am curious how well that system works. The Amazon reviews are rough... I was lucky and able to return the router I don't need, and if I want to buy the 4G antenna I now know what I need, and it's just under $300. Did you install your yet?
 
I do not plan to install. We don't camp enough to justify, and my iphone hotspot works,"good enough". But yeah, "wi-fi ready" means something different to me, then the manufacturer I guess. If they had installed an Air360+ instead of an Air360 this would/might have made sense if the antenna wires were available to. Another "buyer beware" for me, at least... did not ask the right questions... also do not like the idea I have to climb on the roof to swap a sim card with the 4G dome.
 
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hayward6

Member
Yeah, I like the camper, but there are a number of WTF things like this. And I went wild on the dealer because I did ask the question. The sales guy told me "all you have to do is through this switch and you have wifi". Being an IT Director, I know better than than, but never did I imagine the hardware wasn't included. It's like the old batwing antennas they used to put on rigs. I gave you $40,000 you can't install a $50 King Jack?

Yeah, and also from the makers of "climb on the roof to swap out a sim card" we bring you the also awesome "Climb under the camper to dump the waste tanks." :)
 
Yeah, I like the camper, but there are a number of WTF things like this. And I went wild on the dealer because I did ask the question. The sales guy told me "all you have to do is through this switch and you have wifi". Being an IT Director, I know better than than, but never did I imagine the hardware wasn't included. It's like the old batwing antennas they used to put on rigs. I gave you $40,000 you can't install a $50 King Jack?

Yeah, and also from the makers of "climb on the roof to swap out a sim card" we bring you the also awesome "Climb under the camper to dump the waste tanks." :)
same situation here. I was given so much wrong info. I was told to swap the air360 dome for the connect 2.0....and im somewhat tech savy and i asked , would i loose my TV/fm/am antennas, they said no the connect 2.0 has them.. it clearly says on the 2.0 connect box that its wifi/4g only. mine too is prewired. i havnt been on the roof yet (doing it today, happy 4th of july btw) hoping to find a panel like i have seen on a youtube video, if not i have a roof plate on the inside in the galley that at the winegard sticker on it. anyways, campingworld had no idea what they were talking about. on a second note, i did discover winegard makes a 2.0+ version that just came out and it truly is a all in one dome. however, its not avail anywhere else except directly from winegard. so frusterated! not sure to install the 2.0 has a second dome to the roof (air360 already there) or return this and order the 2.0+ and swap domes......
 

NDN

Member
I live in a rural area and my internet is wireless, cant get wired and Satellite has to much latency for real time work. So I invested in a MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-V2 modem and a Yeggie Antenna for home. The Mofi modem has a setting for travel mode. At home I have to have the Yeggie but on the road so far I have never needed a signal booster or AMP. I have a M335 and can set the modem in the bedroom in one of the OH compartments and get internet anywhere in the trailer plus around the trailer outside. Didnt spend the money for the mushroom just the modem and it works for us. Here is the where I got all of this and where I pay for service UbiFi (https://www.ubifi.net/)
 
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