Installing and mounting tips for truck Satellite TV system (King Vu Qube and Winegard brands)
This is another common question that we get. So we wrote this guide based on the hundreds of trucks over the years that we have set up for DirecTV and Dish Network using the Winegard or VuQube antenna systems. As with anything there are several methods to solve this, and each has advantages and disadvantages. We, at Dieselboss currently offer several possible solutions receive television on the road. Here are the most common ways we have done it.

Step One: What is the best placement so my TV doesn't get blocked by obstructions? Examples: (click any picture to enlarge it) Truck mounted: (scroll further down for portable and other methods)

* Measure the height of the roof of your truck. Satellite TV is a "line-of-sight" system, so it needs a clear view of the southern sky to get on the signal. If your truck is already close to 13'6" in height, then you may not be able to leave much of your antenna higher than the roof to be able to get reception when your truck is pointing south without going over 13'6". In those cases, you have to park your truck so that it is not pointing south if possible.
BUT, hopefully your truck is 13 feet or lower and then you will have room to leave 4 - 6 inches of the top of your antenna up higher than the roof. The further NORTH that you are in the U.S. the more this matters.

Making sure the top of the antenna is as high as possible without going over 13'6" height. Winegard Durasat model shown in this photo.

Showing a truck that was already 13'4 inches tall. Could not place this one over the air spoiler

Shown with at least 4 inches above the roof so that you can watch TV when pointed south.

Step Two: How do I attach it to the truck? Examples: (click any picture to enlarge it) Truck mounted: (scroll further down for portable and other methods)

* Use either a "bolt-on" or a "no-drill" bracket
note: The manufacturer's bracket will be a bolt-on version only.

Bolt-on methods require either (a) a "nutsert gun" that embeds the mount nuts for you to screw into from the outside back wall. OR a "compression nut kit" whereby you drill 4 holes in the back of the truck and insert the compression nuts into those holes. When you tighten the bolts to hold the bracket to the truck, the compression nuts spread apart inside. OR taking apart the inside of the sleeper wall and drill clear through from the back and using bolts with washers and regular nuts inside the sleeper.

"No drill methods" use aircraft tape to attach the mount to the back of the truck. DieselBoss has hundreds of no-drill mounts in use on the road today and it works well for company drivers or those who cannot drill into their truck wall. Not all trucks can use a no-drill mount though. It must have a FLAT, CLEAN, area with no ribs or rivets, etc. for 100% mount-to-wall adhesion. And our simple, but SPECIFC instructions must be used (found at this link.) Clean, smooth, heat-sealed, and siliconed are the simple keys to this mount!

note: DieselBoss has bolt-on and no-drill brackets for the following brands: VuQube and Winegard X1 Pathway truck and Winegard G2 truck domes. We also have compression nut kits with the matching bolts. When doing a bolt-on bracket, we use our nut-sert gun. However, we realize that drivers doing it themselves will not have this gun, so we made the compression nut kit

Bolt-on bracket using nuts embedded in the back wall. A no-drill bracket could not be used in this case because of the ribs in the wall.

A "no-drill" DieselBoss sliding bracket with a Vu Qube shown. Also fits the Winegard X1 Pathway or G2 satellite domes.

Specialty features and custom configurations Examples: (click any picture to enlarge it)

Truck mounted: (scroll further down for portable and other methods)

ALL of our mounts for VuQube and Winegard X1 Pathway / G2 satellite TV domes feature exclusive DieselBoss designs, including:
* Upper horizontal slider - this allows you to position the dome or cube as close as possible to the cab. And it allows for moving it away if an upper aero lip is installed on you roof.
* Bolt holes and smooth backing allows for the same bracket to be used in drill or no-drill installations in the future if your truck changes.
* Rugged, powder-coated, and made in the U.S.A! Lifetime warranty.
* All hardware is made from rust-proof materials and Grade 8 strength.

Special circumstances & custom modifications
* Some trucks have an air gap between the roof of the sleeper and an air dome installed on the roof.
* DieselBoss has developed the Air Gap Kit to install between the roof and the top of the spoiler
* Air gap kit includes the necessary hardware to bolt the rails onto your truck, plus 2 compression nut & bolt packs to bolt it to your roof.
* Drilling holes at the top and in your roof is required.