This allows us to use our iPhones and a 3G laptop data adapter or tethering the iPhone to my MacBook Pro inside the Airstream to connect to the internet.

My biggest obstacle was where to mount the external antenna and not have interference or feedback to the interior antenna.

So I decided to mount the antenna to the existing extendible TV antenna.  Since I would only use this when stationary I could get more height and separation. The cell repeater antenna erects itself when I crank up the TV antenna, and folds back down when traveling.

I ran the cell repeater antenna cable trough the same hole the TV antenna was using and then routed the cable into the compartment behind the stereo system. This was quite tricky because there is a cross beam I had to drill through.  Once I got the cable through; it was like a miracle.  I had to remove the TV antenna crank cover on the inside of the Airstream and use a very long drill bit very cautiously to drill a hole in order to pass the cable to the other side.

Then I mounted the signal booster amplifier with it’s 12V adapter inside the overhead storage just next to the stereo. Next I connected the interior antenna to the signal booster amp and then fired it up.  Wow!  The signal is so much stronger and the data connection works much better.

I was able to remote into my clients computers from the iPad running on 3G.  This is very helpful in areas where there is cell service, especially when it is quite weak.

I will often leave my iPhone in the Airstream and use my bluetooth headset to talk while walking around the Airstream.

Of course, I do recommend that when traveling being disconnected is part of the beauty, but we are not retired yet and still need to run our business while still being able to experience the beauty of all the State and National Parks.

Here are the parts I purchased (I replaced the small outside antenna from the kit with the Truck/RV antenna):

DWR Airstream with Toshiba HDTV upgrade screening Monty Python's Flying Circus

HDTV came to our Airstream. The DWR Bambi Airstream came with a 15″ Sony. It was heavy, had no built-in DVD player, looked dated, no HD, used an external power adapter, used more energy, and the picture wasn’t very good. So, I went out on a quest to find a more beautiful display. We don’t really watch TV much while camping, but it certainly is nice to watch some movies when it is cold and rainy outside. Having the built-in DVD is important since the Sony DVD/car stereo doesn’t upscale to a 720p display, so the video from the DVD player upfront would look quite bad.

Old power-brick cover box is now shorter to fit the wider TV and conceals the 12v to 110V inverter

Another benefit of HD is that I often don’t even have to elevate the Antenna to get a perfect HDTV broadcast picture within a metropolitan area.  I didn’t have to alter the VESA mounting system that held the old TV, but my brother Mark Thomas from Thomas Design/Build cut the power-brick cover plate, that used to house the AC adapter for the Sony TV, back by a third, since it was too long and in the way of the wider TV.

The reason I kept the AC adapter box was because I am using it to conceal a 12V to 110V inverter. This means we can finally use the TV when dry-camping.

Original Sony TV

The white Toshiba 19LV506 19″ HD TV looks much better with the DWR Airstream styling, uses less energy, and has a much better picture. I wish Airstream would have thought of this during production. Then they would have not have had to build a custom wooden box to conceal the AC adapter. I also wish Airstream would have run a HDMI and Cat5 ethernet cable from the stereo to the television, just to future-proof the trailer.

With our HDTV upgrade, we can watch Monty Python’s Flying Circus on rainy camping days!

Winterize Manufacturing - RV Blow Out Plug

I finally found this little ingenious adapter to blow out the water lines in our DWR Airstream to prevent the lines from freezing in the winter.  I looked all over, but I could only find hose adapters that were clunky and expensive.

I was able to blow out the whole system, including the water pump, with an air compressor attached to my city water intake on the Airstream trailer in less than an hour without having to run in and out of the trailer non-stop.  I’m so happy too have found this little, blue, nicely-machined gem.  It is made by Winterize Manufacturing and costs$17.95.