DISH Tailgater Review 2024
Our TV experts are checking out the DISH Tailgater portable satellite TV antenna—here’s what we think about it so far.
Is DISH Tailgater good?
Whether you’re a weekend tailgater, avid camper, or a ramblin’, gamblin’ RVer, you can bring live TV with you thanks to the DISH Tailgater antenna (and DISH Wally receiver).
Be ready to spend around $500 or more for the antenna and receiver, plus the $5-a-month DISH Outdoors service fee, and—if you’re an RVer only, possibly higher programming prices. But for a limited time, you can save $35–$50 on a DISH Outdoors bundle (dish and receiver).
The DISH Tailgater is an excellent choice for portable TV. It’s easy to install and activate and a breeze to set up. We go deeper in our expert review.
DISH Tailgater deals can include a discount on equipment
DISH Outdoors has two current coupon codes. One code, RVMILES, saves you $50 on a DISH Tailgater bundle (Tailgater or Playmaker dish and a Wally receiver). The other code, GET35, saves $35 on the same. The deals do not stack, so you’ll probably wanna go with the first code. Act fast, too, ’cause DISH Outdoors doesn’t list an expiration date.
Alternatively, you might find a deal on the same stuff from authorized DISH retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, KING (maker of the DISH Tailgater), or Winegard (maker of the DISH Playmaker).
If you’re looking for deals on DISH programming, check out our DISH deals page.
The DISH Tailgater costs a lot, but it’s worth it
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by area and are subject to change.
You can purchase a DISH Tailgater bundle when you sign up for DISH service or as an existing customer. The difference between the Tailgater and Tailgater Pro antennas is that the Tailgater works on only one TV, while the Pro works on up to two TVs.
The DISH Outdoors fee is required for service and DISH programming, as we mentioned earlier, is sold separately.
We go into more detail about what’s in the box, installation, etc., later in this article.
DISH Tailgater programming plans and pricing
If you’re more of a tailgater instead of an RVer, first sign up for DISH in your home. Then go buy your Tailgater bundle. That way, you’ll pay the regular DISH programming prices plus a $5 DISH Outdoors fee instead of DISH Outdoors’ programming prices, which are $12 more per month.
If you live in your RV and don’t need DISH in your home, then the above tip obviously won’t work for you. That means you’ll have to pay DISH Outdoors’ higher prices—but you can still check authorized DISH retailers for deals on the Tailgater bundles.
| Plan | DISH price | DISH Outdoors price | Channels | DVR storage | Simultaneous recordings | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISH Outdoors Flex Pack | $62.99/mo. | $62.99/mo. | 50+ | External hard drive required | 1 | View plan |
| DISH Outdoors America’s Top 120 | $92.99/mo. | $104.99/mo. | 190 | External hard drive required | 1 | View plan |
| DISH Outdoors America’s Top 120+ | $97.99/mo. | $109.99/mo. | 190+ | External hard drive required | 1 | View plan |
| DISH Outdoors America’s Top 200 | $107.99/mo. | $119.99/mo. | 240+ | External hard drive required | 1 | View plan |
| DISH Outdoors America’s Top 250 | $117.99/mo. | $129.99/mo. | 290+ | External hard drive required | 1 | View plan |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by area and are subject to change.
DISH programming sold separately.
Pro tip: If you sign up for DISH programming in your home, you don’t have to buy your Tailgater bundle through DISH Outdoors. Shop with Amazon, Best Buy, KING, Winegard, or other authorized DISH retailers—you might find the bundle at a better price.
We recommend DISH America’s Top 200 ($107.99 monthly through DISH, $119.99 through DISH Outdoors, 240+ channels). But if sports is your main concern, America’s Top 120+ ($97.99/$109.99 monthly, 190+ channels) is designed for sports fans.
DISH Tailgater equipment—what you need and why
When your DISH Tailgater bundles arrives, this is what you’ll find in the box:
- DISH Tailgater antenna
- DISH Wally receiver w/ voice remote
- Coaxial cable
- HDMI 2.0 cable
- Audio/video cable
- Power cable
- 3 non-slip rubber feet
- Manuals and quick start guide
- Equipment labels
What’s not in the Tailgater box
There are a few important things you’ll need that DISH, unfortunately, doesn’t provide.
TV (or projector)
Obvious, right? You can’t watch TV without a TV or a projector. The DISH Tailgater works with any TV or projector that has HDMI or audio/video ports.
Indoor TVs will work best when it’s not too bright outside. If you plan to take your Tailgater out into the sun, consider packing a pop-up gazebo for shade. Or consider buying an outdoor TV.
Projectors, of course, are best in the dark. Any projector is portable, technically, but some are made for that purpose—and they’re surprisingly affordable. We used the very affordable DBPOWER RD-820 projector to test the Tailgater, and it worked quite well—in the dark.
If you choose a TV, you’ll want one that’s bright enough to watch outside. If it’s extra sunny out, you’ll need either an outdoor TV or projector.
DISH Tailgater power sources
To power your DISH Tailgater and Wally receiver when you’re tailgating, camping, or traveling, you’ll need a generator or a power inverter.
Generators
A generator can cost hundreds of dollars, plus gas—which makes them even more expensive. But if you don’t have an RV, a “genny” is ideal for using the Tailgater while camping. You’ll probably have to crank up the volume on the game, though, ’cause gas-powered generators get loud.
Power inverters
A power inverter gives you a standard 110-volt AC outlet—just like at homes—for as little as $15. For regular vehicles, get an inverter that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter. For RVs, you’ll want the inverter that connects to your RV battery (requires more technical knowledge).
Also, you’ll need power for the Wally and your TV. The easiest thing to do is use a single-outlet inverter with a surge-protected outlet strip—that’s what we did. A power inverter with at least 2–3 outlets works fine, too. Note, however, that too many devices can overload the circuit. To avoid problems, keep it simple and use only the Wally and your TV or projector.
Pro tip: Many of the cigarette-lighter power inverters have USB ports. It’s okay to use those to charge phones and other devices while also using the Tailgater.
Now that we’ve covered power sources—don’t plug anything in yet. Connecting to a power source is the last step when installing the DISH Tailgater.
DISH Tailgater accessories (partial list)
DISH Outdoors offers dozens of accessories for your Tailgater bundle, but many of them are way too expensive. Rather than buying from DISH Outdoors, pick up your equipment from third-party sellers.
You can get a 4TB Seagate external hard drive for $109.99—that’s twice the storage for $20 less than DISH Outdoors charges for a 2TB drive. Same with a Wi-Fi adapter or Bluetooth adapter, either of which is under $20 on Amazon. Skip the DISH power inverter, too. You can find better ones for the same price.
| Tailgater accessory | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| KING SureLock Signal Meter | $34.99 | Signal location |
| ROKU-2000 Roof Mount Conversion Kit | $99.00 | Roof-mounting |
| KING Tailgater Removable Mounting Feet | $39.99 | Roof-mounting |
| RV Power Inverter 155W with AC and USB port (one each) | $19.99 | Convert car power to AC |
| DISH Wally over-the-air tuner | $59.99 | Local channel access |
| 1TB DVR upgrade expansion | $99.00 | DVR storage |
| 2TB DVR upgrade expansion | $129.00 | DVR storage |
| DISH Wally Wi-Fi USB adapter | $49.99 | Internet access (for streaming apps, etc.) |
| DISH Wally Bluetooth USB adapter | $24.99 | For connecting to Bluetooth devices, like headphones |
| DISH Wally receiver mount | $49.00 | Mounting Wally receiver to TV |
| DISH Outdoors Portable Satellite Carry Bag | $49.99 | Cushioned transportation of Tailgater antenna |
| Receiver bag | $20.00 | Cushioned transportation of Wally receiver |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by area and are subject to change.
You can probably pass on the DISH Outdoors carry bag, too. I use the Tailgater box, which has Styrofoam shipping protectors molded to fit the antenna to prevent scratching the antenna dome. It’s basic, but it protects your antenna and saves you 50 bucks. There’s also room in the box for the Wally, cables, and smaller accessories—just put ’em in a microfiber bag so you don’t scratch the antenna dome (like, ahem, we did).
Finally, don’t forget roof-mounting accessories if you want to mount the Tailgater to your vehicle. You don’t want your swanky new antenna flying off on your way to the stadium.
DISH Tailgater specs and features
DISH Tailgater DVR
The Wally receiver does not include a physical hard drive for DVR storage—but you can still record DISH programming. All you need is a compatible external hard drive plugged into a Wally’s USB port. Keep these specs in mind:
- Use a USB 2.0-compatible cable.
- Storage capacity must be 500 GB–4 TB.
- Use single disc drives only—no flash memory.
- DISH charges a one-time activation fee of $40 for DVR External Hard Drive service.
DISH Tailgater video and audio quality
The great thing about the DISH Tailgater is that it’s satellite TV, which has about 99% coverage in the US. So expect a clear HD picture as long as your antenna has an unobstructed view of the southern sky. But you might have some reception problems when piloting your RV through mountainous regions or downtown areas.
DISH Tailgater installation in 9 steps
While a DISH technician installs DISH satellite TV service in your home, you can install the DISH Tailgater yourself. DISH recommends that you set up and activate the Tailgater from home before taking it on the road.
- Place the adhesive rubber feet on the Tailgater antenna.
- Place the Tailgater antenna on level ground with a clear view of the southern sky.
- Using the included coaxial cable, connect the Tailgater antenna to the Wally receiver.
- Using the included HDMI cable, connect the Wally receiver to your TV or projector.
- Plug the included power cable into the Wally receiver.
- Connect the Wally receiver and your TV or projector to a power source. (The Tailgater antenna draws power from the Wally.)
- Remove the battery sticker to activate the DISH voice remote.
- Turn on the Wally and your TV or projector.
- Call 1-844-327-0829 to activate your Tailgater and Wally. A DISH representative will guide you through activating your devices and scanning for channels.
Once your DISH Tailgater and Wally receiver are activated, you’re free to hit the stadium parking lot—or the road.
Roof-mounting the DISH Tailgater
If you’re going to roof-mount your Tailgater, you’ll need some extra gear. And maybe a helping hand, if you’re not handy. You may want to have this done professionally to make sure you don’t damage your vehicle.
DISH Tailgater FAQ
Is the DISH Tailgater worth it?
The DISH Tailgater and Tailgater Pro portable satellite TV antenna bundles are absolutely worth it if you’re a sports fan who loves to tailgate or if you’re living the RV lifestyle. The DISH Tailgater and Wally receiver bundle costs $480–$530 (pre-tax), and you’ll pay an extra $5 monthly for DISH Outdoors if you already have a DISH programming package. Otherwise, you may pay up to $12 more than regular DISH pricing ($84.99–$114.99/mo.).
How much does DISH Tailgater cost per month?
The DISH Tailgater doesn’t have a monthly fee, but the required DISH Outdoors service is $5 monthly if you already have a DISH TV plan. If you don’t, sign up for DISH first because it’s cheaper than going through DISH Outdoors. All charges will appear on the same DISH monthly bill.
How much does a DISH Tailgater cost?
A DISH Tailgater is $480, while the Tailgater Pro is $530. There is also a $5 monthly fee for DISH Outdoors service. DISH programming is sold separately.
What is the difference between the DISH Tailgater and DISH Playmaker?
KING makes the DISH Tailgater, while Winegard manufactures the Playmaker. They do basically the same thing. The main difference is that Playmaker bundles are $50 cheaper than Tailgater bundles. We’ll cover the Playmaker and other DISH Outdoors options in a future review.
How do I get free TV in my RV?
All you need to get free TV in your RV is an over-the-air (OTA) TV antenna. Since you’re in an RV, you can use an indoor or outdoor version (go for indoor—they’re way easier to install). The antenna will cost you $25–$70 up front, but it will pick up every local broadcast station within 25–150 miles (range depends on the antenna).
Can I use my DISH Hopper 3 in my RV?
Unlike car CD and DVD/Blu-ray drives, the disc drive in your DISH Hopper 3 isn’t made to withstand a bumpy ride. Using a USB external hard drive with the DISH Wally receiver is better. And an external SSD drive is even better for portability, but it will have less storage capacity.
Why you should trust us
The experts at CableTV.com have thousands of hours researching and testing cable and satellite TV providers like DISH Network and DISH Outdoors. For this DISH Tailgater guide, we spent six hours researching plans, pricing, features, and competitors’ offerings. We also set up and tested the DISH Tailgater. We then turned our research data and personal experience with the Tailgater into helpful recommendations for our readers.
For more information on our process, see our How We Rank page.
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