When a caravan is manufactured the roof of the vehicle can be built in several ways. We are only concerned with the two main groups. The UK version and the continental version.
The first type of construction technique it that of the UK built caravans. The are constructed from and inner board, Insulation material (Fibreglass or polystyrene foam). Within the roof are several struts made from wood. They are designed to make the caravan ridgid. The problem with this is that they are not designed to take any weight on the roof. The installation of a caravan satellite dish compresses the outer metal layer. This causes the seam to become parted at the edges. This in turn lets in water.
On the other hand you have the continental built caravan which is normally built to a higher standard. The construct of the roof is done in the same way as the UK version but they add walk on panels on the very top and seal the whole thing in fibreglass. The advantage to this is that the caravan is very strong, but the caravan is also very heavy. The roof so strong that you can mount almost any dish you like on the roof along with Air-Con units and Solar panels.
At a glance you may find it very difficult to see which type of roof you have so the best way to be sure is to remove one of the roof lights and have a look. You will be able to see at a glance the exact construction of the roof. I understand that not everyone wants to remove a roof light.
Another way to get an idea is to check the type of 12v power outlets that are in the caravan. If you have DIn sockets(little sockets) then you are likly to have a contenental caravan and the roof should take the weight of most systems. I must point out that I recommend asking the dealer for this information as they are sure to know the load capacity of the roof.
Tripod Type Dish
Ok,ok. You just want a caravan satellite system and dont want to know about the roof of the van.
Well then, i found that a portable dish and tripod works best. The idea behind this is to have a dish of some sort on a tripod which can be moved around when you get on site. You will also need a compass and a sat-finder device. (and someone with a bit of patience to help).
Most people find this method to be very time consuming but with just a few little pointers the whole thing is like childs play. (HONEST)
Set the tripod up using a level (VERY IMPORTANT) to ensure the dish is level. This is the key factor in setting up a tripod dish and will make everything else much easier. Now set the elevation of the dish to something like 24 degrees. (This is if you are in UK, UK=21 - 26 degrees ISH) You should have a scale on the dish. Turn on the sat-finder until it makes a noise, then turn it back down until it stops. (TIP:Turn it another couple of MM so make it less sensitive) Turn the dish until you hear the strongest signal.
Easy! Well not so easy as it seems. The reason I said to turn the sat-finder down an extra bit it because, as you turn the dish you will find 2 signals on the same elevation and the are next to each other. The first is Astra1, the second Astra28 (SKY/FREESAT). However Astra 28 has the much strongest signal so if you turn the sat-finder down a little more then you should miss Astra 1 all together. (Clever HUH)
Caravan Satellite System
The advantage of the Fully Automatic Caravan Sat Dish, is that you get to the site. Set up the van, then press the button for the dish to elevate. DONE!
The problem with the dish type of system is as we mentioned before, the WEIGHT.
The bigger dishes like the Kathrein system weigh around the 18KG mark. This is so the system can withstand wind. The arms that hold the dish in place have to be strong and the motors that turn the dish have to be quite powerfull which all equates to weight.
However there is a solution to this. I would recommend the Camos Dome Caravan Satellite system. The dome is quite different from the rest as it has no external moving parts and does not need to elevate. (You cant forget to put it down) The Camos Dome System is a dish inside a dome, this protects the dish and electronics from the elements. Therefore the dish motors dont need to be as powerful and the dish has no need to be as big. (Wont move in the wind). Thusa the unit is light enough to fit to the roof of even the UK caravans as long as it is fitted over a cupboard.
The other thing that you need to look at (if forgot to mention this) is the wind sheer factor. This is also a key factor as the stress of the dish being blown around can also cause a lot of damage to the caravan roof.
So as you can see if you want a Caravan Satellite System, then the best system for the job is the Camos Sat-Dome: 30cm Static. This unit is 30cm high from the roof of the caravan and has a footprint of 69cm square.
The Camos Dome Caravan Satellite System and the portable systems are avaliable from TSW Comsat.
I hope this information helps.
