Starlink for Overlanding Connectivity

[cdement]

We’ve had our R1S for about 6 weeks. I recently got a Starlink mini for it because cell service is spotty in my area. My plan was to mount it inside in the 3rd row glass with one of the many suction cup mounts. I can’t get it to work from the inside through the glass. I think Rivian might have added some layer to the glass that prevents the signal from going through since it works fine when I put it on the roof. For reference it’s a Gen 2 built in March ‘25.

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[SwampNut]

We’ve had our R1S for about 6 weeks. I recently got a Starlink mini for it because cell service is spotty in my area. My plan was to mount it inside in the 3rd row glass with one of the many suction cup mounts. I can’t get it to work from the inside through the glass. I think Rivian might have added some layer to the glass that prevents the signal from going through since it works fine when I put it on the roof. For reference it’s a Gen 2 built in March ‘25.

Correct, the Gen2 glass has metal in it. You cannot mount it inside.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

We’ve had our R1S for about 6 weeks. I recently got a Starlink mini for it because cell service is spotty in my area. My plan was to mount it inside in the 3rd row glass with one of the many suction cup mounts. I can’t get it to work from the inside through the glass. I think Rivian might have added some layer to the glass that prevents the signal from going through since it works fine when I put it on the roof. For reference it’s a Gen 2 built in March ‘25.

Works great mounted on the crossbars. I really enjoyed being able to stream music without hiccups driving on I-70 across southern Utah. I continue to be amazed by Starlink. What a great product.

 

[KBabione]

An update after using my Starlink Standard at two tailgates...

It works beautifully! I just set it on top of our R1S and plug the router into a powerstrip (which also powers the TV) inside the R1S and voila! We have internet and are able to stream football games to watch while we tailgate. I did buy a 15' cable (the 50' cable that it came with was overkill for my use case) and bought a bag to transport the entire setup. It's coincidence, I'm sure, but I've used 11GB of my 50GB monthly at each of the two games streaming (total "consumption" of 22GB).

I'm happy because I can watch other games while we tailgate and my wife is happy because she joins my "Tailgating" WiFi network and is able to use her phone as if there aren't 120,000 other people trying to use the same cell towers.

 

[cdement]

Correct, the Gen2 glass has metal in it. You cannot mount it inside.

I wonder if this means all glass is capable of the dynamic glass roof but it’s not enabled in the software . If the hardware is capable maybe a pay option to enable it?

 

[SwampNut]

I wonder if this means all glass is capable of the dynamic glass roof but it’s not enabled in the software . If the hardware is capable maybe a pay option to enable it?

I don't know if all of them have metal, I don't know what roof options there are besides the electric darkening. For sure, I've seen people simply reporting that Gen2 roofs don't work with Starlink or even with an inside-glass cell antenna. I have no other info on it. There may be some that do work, but I've never seen a post about a G2 working with the inside antenna. I didn't mean to suggest that ALL of them fail for sure.

 

[the.phd]

Older thread, so feel free to kick me to a more recent one if it works better, this just came up when I searched.

Looking at mounting my mini on the R1T roof, and using my switch to power it that I also use for lights. Do I need to put anything between the switch and the mini or can I just run the power cord straight from the switch assuming output is enough?

 

[JM.]

You need at least a compatible plug and wire from the switch. The Mini *can* run on 12v and some people say that's fine, but others report a problem. The common recommendation is to run a 12v to 24v or 48v converter in line. All of this is commonly available on Amazon.

 

[Michal]

Older thread, so feel free to kick me to a more recent one if it works better, this just came up when I searched.

Looking at mounting my mini on the R1T roof, and using my switch to power it that I also use for lights. Do I need to put anything between the switch and the mini or can I just run the power cord straight from the switch assuming output is enough?

You will need to use of of the step up adapters to hardwire: https://amzn.to/3PsOVKr

Here is a referral code for a free month of service:
https://starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-DF-11042467-41924-91

 

[Fax]

Starlink newbie here...I just set it up and tested it in a local park yesterday before its "debut" tailgating at the Penn State game tomorrow. As I was setting it up the graphic clearly showed that the bottom edge of the dish (I have the Starlink Standard) should be facing north. I can't imagine that would matter, but wanted to ask.

Also - Do they sell a shorter cable to connect the dish to the router? I don't need 50' to go from my roof to the interior of the R1S.

What specific bracket do you use and how do you route the cable into the R1S?

 

[KBabione]

What specific bracket do you use and how do you route the cable into the R1S?

My first two tailgates I just used the kickstand that came with the Starlink (I have a standard). I bought the official Starlink Roof Rack Mount and it worked well with our Rivian crossbars, but I pulled it off for this year. I just don't need it to be mounted like that and sometimes it wasn't facing the optimal way when we parked so I'd have to switch the crossbar orientation. I went back to the kickstand, but I did put some non-slip tape on it so I can just put it up on top of our glass roof without worrying about it.

In terms of running the cable, I just bring it up through the bottom of the R1S tailgate. It's crazy, but I'm able to run all of my extension cords (and the Starlink ethernet cable) through that and close it up without pinching the cables. Let me know if you don't know what I'm talking about and I'll see if I have a photo. Sadly, our R1S is in the SC right now (and is likely to be there for a couple of weeks while we're waiting for parts) so I can't take a quick photo and show you.

 

[Redmond Chad]

HERE is a video showing how to run cables out the tailgate of an R1S. Handy, I've used it too.

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