One of our greatest challenges to living & traveling full-time in our RV was internet access. We’re working remotely and need a reliable internet solution. We also have family that we want to keep in contact with frequent phone calls and video chat.

This article is our personal review of the WeBoost Cellular signal booster. We are no longer using this booster, you can read why below. If you want to read about what has worked for us the last few years, click here to see our review of the Pepwave router.

Cellular Data for Internet Access

After about six months of struggling with unreliable campground WiFi to access the internet, we decided to get a couple of Verizon Jetpacks, which function as internet mobile hotspots using a cellular network. With a cellular company like Verizon, you can choose the amount of data you want to pay for. This was a definite improvement, as they work well when we have a strong cellular signal. The problem is when we don’t have a great signal.

Our friends at TechnoRV have a FREE Cellular Information Guide you can download to learn more. 

WeBoost Cellular Signal Booster

That’s where we turned to the WeBoost, a cellular signal booster. It is a 50 dB gain system, which is the most boost allowed by a cellular booster that can be used in motion. It has both an omni-directional outside and inside antenna. We decided to purchase it in a kit that comes with the following components:

• WeBoost Amplifier
• Omni-Directional Outside Antenna with Mounting Bracket
• 20 Feet RG6 cable for outside antenna
• Desktop Inside Antenna with 15-foot cable
• AC and DC Power Supply
• Mounting Hardware

This system makes it easy to set up when you arrive at a location or to permanently mount it.

Basic Details:

• Omni-Directional Antenna
• Boosts Voice and Data
• Works with Smart Phones and Mobile Hot Spots
• Works with the Major Cell Carriers in US and Canada

Installation

Installation was very simple. Sean used the brackets to mount the omni-directional antenna to our ladder on the roof of the RV. The outside antenna would also work great with the TechnoRV Suction Cup Mount.

Then he drilled a hole in the vent fan cover to run the cable through to the inside of the RV. Afterward, he applied some silicone sealant around the cable and hole to avoid any leaks. He used command hooks to run the cable along with the ceiling inside the RV to the back wall where we have a power outlet. Then he mounted the amplifier to the wall. Finally, we have a little ledge on a loft space in our RV where we put the interior antenna and keep our Jetpacks.

WeBoost Review

The WeBoost Cellular booster was a definite improvement. We used it for a year from the east coast to the west coast in numerous campgrounds (and boondocking). It did helped increase our signal on both our iPhones, as well as our Verizon Jetpacks.

We dry camped in northern Texas for 2 weeks and had NO cellular service outside of our RV. However, inside the RV with the WeBoost, we always had at least 2 bars.

The ladder-mounted exterior antenna stayed firmed in place over some seriously bumpy highways. The wall-mounted interior amplifier has stayed in place as well, BUT the soldering broke. We called WeBoost customer service when it quit working and did not get a good response. They acted like it was an operator error. Sean opened it and saw the breakage inside. Since it was past the warranty date, we did not send it back, but we also decided to look for a more sturdy option.

We switched to the Pepwave router and it has worked perfectly for us for three years now.

We’re always looking for ways to protect our RV investment, and we’ve found RV SnapPads to be the perfect leveling and stability solution for our Fifth Wheel. In this article we’ll discuss the installation, how they’ve held up to multiple moves, and the financial benefits of using them.

RV SnapPads Explained

Please note that the RV SnapPad link in this article is an affiliate link meaning we’ll receive a small commission if you purchase them. However, we promise that we will only provide an honest review of any product, including this one, to you.

RV SnapPads are permanent jack pads made from recycled rubber. We were initially impressed with them because there was no need to put down wood blocks or plastic squares before lowering our jacks when setting-up the RV in a new spot.

Other benefits, include decreased vibration, no worries of slippage, and protection of the mounted feet from the elements and road hazards. The pads increase your rig’s surface area/footprint and improve stability. Perhaps the most often ignored reason to have a good set of SnapPads for your rig is jack foot protection. The metal leveling jacks on your automatic system are absolutely integral to how your levelers function.

Installation

Installation was very easy. We were parked at a campground, so Sean had to hook up the fifth wheel to the truck, so he could install them without any safety issues or having the RV drop all the way to the ground. He followed the simple instructions and was able to install them in less than 15 minutes. This included hooking-up the RV to the truck and re-leveling the RV when the SnapPads were all installed on the leveling jacks.

All it took was placing some dish detergent around the lip of the SnapPad and the edge of the landing pad on the levelers. Once that was complete, he lowered the jacks so the landing pad snapped in place in the SnapPad. Once in place, he wiped off the excess detergent. He repeated the process working from front to back and that was it!

The great thing is that once they are installed, they are designed to stay on. There is no need to remove and re-install. Less than 15 minutes to protect your expensive investment is time well spent.

Review

We are very happy with our RV SnapPads. First, we have traveled well over 1,500 miles with them on, including many miles in strong rain, wind, and heat, without any issues. They stayed secure and did not receive any road damage. We were also parked on different surfaces.

Initially, we were on a concrete pad in an RV park. One thing we noticed once these were installed was that the vibrations throughout the RV were reduced. Before the SnapPads, if I wiggled my toe in the garage, Sean would feel it in the bedroom. That was no longer the case once we had the SnapPads installed. From concrete, we went to a couple of gravel sites. The rocks did not cut any chunks or knicks in to SnapPads.

We also spent close to 3 weeks boondocking. We were parked on dirt in a fairground field. The ground was extremely unlevel, so we had to use some wood blocks on the right side so the levelers would level the RV. There was no slippage on the wood with the SnapPads installed. I was a little worried because of the angle, but they held firm on the blocks. Additionally, we had some fairly bad rain storms, which caused the dirt to turn to mud. With the increased surface area created by the SnapPads, we did not sink. The pads that did sink a little, did not go far enough for us to have to re-level. Also, the metal pads on the levelers were not exposed to the dirt and mud, protecting them. Click here to read more about our first boondocking (dry camping) experience.

Besides the quality of the product, we have heard nothing but positive reviews of the customer service. Some friends of ours had a problem with one of their SnapPads and called the company. Without any questions, the company sent out a replacement pad. As an RVer, it is difficult to plan on receiving mail and getting products when needed. The type of customer service provided by the SnapPad manufacturers is what we need as RVers. Predictable and timely service is what is needed when on the road.

Financial Benefits

There are several financial benefits to installing the RV SnapPads on your rig. Read below to see what Sean’s research came up with our watch the following video.

Jack Pad Protection

The primary financial consideration is of the metal jack pads that the RV SnapPads protect. cost to replace one of the foot pads on the leveling system is between $35 and $45 for the part according to what I have been able to find. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, you are going to have to pay labor to have the standard foot pads installed by an RV Tech, which can be around $100 per hour depending on where you live.

None of this is necessary with the purchase of SnapPads. They offer protection for the leveling system foot pads by taking the punishment of the road, dirt, and elements instead of the metal feet. The metal feet will not be damaged from sitting in mud, gravel, jagged concrete, or asphalt, which all have the potential of decreasing the life expectancy of the metal feet that come installed on the leveling system. If the entire leveling system needs to be replaced, it can cost from $500 to over a couple of thousand dollars. The SnapPad XTRA set costs about $150 and comes with 6 pads. Our Heartland Cyclone has 6 leveling jacks, so this product is perfect. That is $25 per pad, which is cheaper than the cost of a replacement metal foot pad for the leveling system.

Electrical Protection

Since the pads are rubber, they offer some protection from electrical surges caused by storms and lightning. We recently met someone who had a brand new fifth wheel out for its maiden voyage and the first night was affected by an electrical surge from a thunderstorm. Although less common, these things do happen. He suffered over $5,000 worth of damage including the transfer switch, inverter, converter, television set, refrigerator, and the microwave. If he had SnapPads installed on his leveling system instead of having just bare metal, the chances of having as much damage may have been minimized since the pads are rubber and the metal would not have been directly on the ground.

There is some disagreement on this in the RV community. Some experts say to make sure your leveling jacks are up during lightning and others say it does not matter. Having the SnapPads is good insurance no matter which of these theories are correct. As a side note, for indirect power surges, a good surge protector will also provide protection for your electrical components. We have the SnapPads and a Progressive Dynamics surge protector for our RV and are confident these small investments will provide protection. Click here for a free Electrical Information Guide to help you decide which protection system is best for you.

Parking Surface Protection

If you park your RV in your driveway or concrete pad, the metal feet on the leveling system will leave rust marks on the concrete that need to be cleaned. It is not expensive to clean them, but does require some cleaning product expense along with elbow grease and time. This can be avoided with the SnapPads.

Environmental Protection

The final financial benefit of the RV SnapPads is for Mother Nature. SnapPads are made from recycled tires in Indiana. The EPA estimates that recycling tires saves us millions of dollars. There are also savings in health costs, which are incurred from the health effects of burning tires and from diseases from mosquitos, which use these tire disposal sites as breeding grounds. There are also social costs associated with aesthetic changes to the environment, which is difficult to price. For RVers, environmental damage is huge. We love to spend time in the outdoors. Damage from tires stockpiles and pollution damage limit our ability to enjoy all of nature.

Overall, we could not be happier with the product and highly recommend them to other RVers for all of the benefits and qualities mentioned above.

What better place to fill your technology needs than to purchase them from a business owned and operated by full-time RVers? Eric and Tami Johnson, the owners of Techno RV, are full-time RVers, and personally test and use all the products offered on their site. We’ve met them personally and wholeheartedly endorse them!

Business Model

One of the things that really impressed us about TechnoRV is its business model. It is built on three pillars: educating customers, providing great prices, and supporting their products after the sale. You can’t go wrong with a slogan like “Learn Here. Buy Here. Get Support Here.” Their prices are competitive with bigger stores and Amazon, but you have a real person providing support after the sale. Even better, a full-time RVer!

Products

Some of TechnoRV’s most popular products include:

• • RV GPS
  • WiFi Boosters
  • Cellular Boosters
  • Electrical Protection Systems
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Customer Satisfaction

In addition to their online business, they attend several RV rallies every year where they stay in touch with the RV community. This gives them the unique opportunity to be available to customers in person. They also bring a few of their most popular products so customers can get a hands-on view of them before buying.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with them at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, FL. In the video below, Eric tells me a little bit about the company and their mission.

Still not convinced? Check out all of the 5-star reviews on their Facebook page.

Want to see what products we can’t live without? Click here to see our Essential Gear Guide, which consists of the 17 items we still use after 6 years of full-time RV travel.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave