Removing antenna

HoMiPa · 05-26-2017, 06:24 AM

Has anyone removed the antenna from their TM? I have no use for it, so would like to remove it, but wondered if it can be reinstalled at a later date if I was to sell my TM. I have no TV service at home - I live too far in the boonies for any sort of reception, and I see no sense in paying for cable/satellite service. If I want to watch something while camping, I usually bring a couple of DVDs, just in case, and I can always stream Netflix if there is wi-fi available. If I removed it, I would leave the cabling in place, I would just remove the physical antenna on the roof.

TrailManorMan · 05-26-2017, 08:17 AM

Why? If it isn't leaking then I'd ignor it. If removed totally you have a hole.

HoMiPa · 05-26-2017, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailManorMan

Why?

Because putting on, or taking off, a cover over my TM, is a pain, unless I drag out a large ladder so that the tarp doesn't catch on it. I never use it, it rattles around up there while driving down the highway, and in fact there are a few small spots where the corners of the antenna have worn a spot through the paint on the roof from the rattling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailManorMan

If removed totally you have a hole.

A small metal plate, utilizing any holes already present in the roof from the antenna mount, should be sufficient, and can easily be caulk around the edge WAY easier than caulking around the edge of the antenna mount, which requires either you manipulate around the closed antenna, or opening the trailer, putting up the antenna, close the trailer, to finally get on the roof to caulk the antenna mount.

I understand the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' way of looking at it, but for me, the hassle of having it up there and dealing with it every time I take the cover off or put the cover on, far outweighs any hassle of patching a hole in the roof once after removing it.

TrailManorMan · 05-26-2017, 09:40 AM

Sounds like you knew the answer for you is to remove it, so.......
"Nike" says Just do it!

HoMiPa · 05-26-2017, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailManorMan

Sounds like you knew the answer for you is to remove it, so.......
"Nike" says Just do it!

Ha ha - no, I knew the answer to the question "do I want to remove it", but I don't know the answer to "is it easy to remove", or "can I reinstall if I was to sell the TM" - things like that.

They will definitely sway my decision to remove or not remove, so looking for someone with experience in already removing their's.

I've followed the "just do it" theory before, not always with good results. With age comes wisdom - the wisdom to ask questions before you "just do it". LOL

grubbyjeans · 05-26-2017, 09:52 AM

I shortened mine, somewhat, to accommodate this. More pics and details if anyone is interested.

HoMiPa · 05-26-2017, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grubbyjeans

I shortened mine, somewhat, to accommodate this.

Oh Lord, that thing is huge! LOL

grubbyjeans · 05-26-2017, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoMiPa

Oh Lord, that thing is huge! LOL

Looks are deceiving.

The dimensions are 17W x 13.5H x 18.8L inches and it only weighs 8lbs.

https://www.amazon.com/VQ4400-Tailga...dish+tailgater

klpauba · 05-26-2017, 12:27 PM

Kewl! Is that any higher (when folded down) than the A/C unit? My 2720SL just barely (and I mean, just barely) clears the opening of my storage garage now -- and I modified the top trim to be removable.

**Bill** · 05-26-2017, 01:18 PM

Holly -

If you look at the antenna body, you see a coaxial cable screwed into it. If you remove the antenna, you will have to do something with the cable. As I recall - and it has been a while - the cable is threaded down through the mast to the roof level, and you have to pull it out of the mast. Then the cable drops down through the hole in the roof. The connector on its lower end is screwed into a connector on another piece of cable that lives in the hole in the ceiling. The reason I recall this is that the space in that hole is really tight. There isn't really space for all these connectors, and it is hard to get your fingers far enough into the hole to screw or unscrew the connectors. Furthermore, the mating cable is so short (and there is no slack) that if you accidentally pull the connector apart - which would be easy to do, it is poorly assembled - you may be unable to put it back together.

This is not to say that it can't be done, but it will be a PITA kind of job.

Bill