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Topic: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken (Read 685 times) previous topic - next topic

Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

I posted on this a few years ago but can't find the post.  On our 2002 the reflector broke loose from the mount and I replaced it.  Now on our 2003 this has happened twice, once in March and again last week.  All three times we were driving Interstate speeds on windy days when I heard a rattle on the roof.  After the first time on our previous coach I knew immediately what it was and pulled over.  I was afraid to go to the next exit knowing the damage and injury that could be caused if it came loose.  I don't like being on the roof inches from a 75 MPH interstate walking on a roof wet from AC condensate when the wind is blowing.

I called Winegard this time and sent photos.  She said they've never heard of this happening.  This is on two coaches, twice with the original reflector and now with a replacement Dish reflector.  (They appear to be identical except for the logo.)  There is no apparent rust or corrosion.

Am I the only one who has had this problem? 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #1
Interesting, because you have 4 bolts holding it on. The Directv version, only has 2, and the other part just slides in.
Personally, it may be the dish is stowing too hard to the roof, and putting too much pressure on the dish.

All the Travelers I have installed (including my own) never had an issue.

I would bolt it back on with fender washers, then watch as someone stores it, and see how hard the dish parks against the LNB when in stowed position.

The only other thing that comes to mind is, maybe the dish got loose on the bolts, and wore through.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #2
This is our second traveler dish and no issues either.  However when I get up there and wash the roof, I do check items for any wear or looseness.  I did install SS fender washers on our 3 air conditioner covers.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #3
Yes, it happened to mine as well.  I caught it before the pieces were completely broken out and using some large stainless fender washers seems to have arrested the problem. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #4
Happened to us also. I caught the first one before it failed and replaced it. Second time I welded the crack before it got bad. A year or two ago I replaced it again.
My dish is located behind the front air conditioner and suspect weird air currents stressing it. I suspect driving in crosswinds is a contributing factor but that's just a guess.
David Bethard
2003 U320 - 40ft. Build #6159
ISM 500hp
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
2021 Honda Goldwing DCT

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #5
Ours lands on that roller and it seems to me a heavy crosswind could turn it some because it doesn't lock in place.  There is no stress on anything when parked. 

I admit to driving with the traffic when we have a long way to go.  Also the crosswinds don't bother us much with the 42' tag coach but all that could add a lot more stress to things on the roof than a 60MPH leisurely drive. 

At least I know we aren't the only ones who have had the problem.  Someone messaged me about another coach that lost the reflector. 

The liability and guilt could be enormous if one of those ever came flying off. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #6
Ours lands on that roller and it seems to me a heavy crosswind could turn it some because it doesn't lock in place.  There is no stress on anything when parked. 

I admit to driving with the traffic when we have a long way to go.  Also the crosswinds don't bother us much with the 42' tag coach but all that could add a lot more stress to things on the roof than a 60MPH leisurely drive. 

At least I know we aren't the only ones who have had the problem.  Someone messaged me about another coach that lost the reflector. 

The liability and guilt could be enormous if one of those ever came flying off.


FT had manny issues with where the dish is/was positioned on the roof. I moved mine back closer to the air cond. The dome I have now is back also.

The theory is when the wind hits the front of the coach, it rolls back, and hammers that area right in front. that is why the bat wings rattle so much. I did make some deflectors for some customers, and it helped. The Daytrons were the worse.

Just installed a Winegard Ryazar, in the same position as the bat wing. It's where the customer wanted it. he has a slight whistle now, but can play with the ant and make most of it go away.
Chris


Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #7
I just recently removed our direct tv setup.  Could never get it to completely quiet down and not rattle going down the highway.  We also went with fire stick/Roku on all the TVs and have been very happy with current setup.  I was concerned that that thing could get loose and kill another motorist on the road.  So off it went along with dealing with the great customer service at Direct TV
2003 U320 4220 42' Tag Axle
"Babe The Big Blue Ox"
Motorcade #18069
🤔Mark and Angela Bumgarner 😎

Re: Winegard Traveler Dish Broken

Reply #8
I had the same issue, used fender washers and seems to have fixed the problem.
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839