I am a new fifth wheel owner & I back up most of the time by myself. I thought maybe it would be a good idea to have a wireless camera & monitor in my truck for backing up & possibly when travelling just to see behind me. Thoughts? Any recommendations? Do they work? Will they work 50' back there or is that range too far? Thanks!

My toy hauler is 43 ft long and has a Voyager wireless camera system on it from the factory. I have had marginal luck with it. About half the time it says "no signal" on the screen. The other half of the time it has 1 or 2 bars of signal strength out of the 4 bars of full strength (at least I think it is 4 bars, but I have never seen it that high). The Voyager manufacture knows they don't work well at that distance and sent me an 80 inch extension for the antenna to bring it closer to the front of the camper. It doesn't work much better with that on it. So, I would say it's really nice to have when it works, but it doesn't work well. It also has a microphone and night vision on it, neither of which work at all.

I have a hard wired back up camera on my 5th and the picture and sound are fine. I have it wired where I can turn it on in both forward and reverse. I use it about 1/2 the time I back up and when I need it it is great to have. I use it more when pulling in congested traffic like in city driving.Jim

I use this system. Not as easy to set up as wireless, but it always works. Back up cameraI have mine set up work all the time to monitor my Goldwing on my Swivel Wheel.

I have a 5er about 40' long. I do not have a camera, but I am sure they have blind spots like anything else. When I get to a site and have to back in, I just take my time and get out of the truck occasionally so see how things are going. Keep in mind, that you not have to be aware what is to your rear, but on your sides, and above.

Hi folks, not logged in in a while I'm afraid.I tow a Seadoo behind my trailer, the only time I could see it is when taking a farily sharp corner, so, I got one of these:http://4ucam.com/Wireless-Backup-Camera-Monitor-AZR-Color-RV-Cam-Truck-Trailer-Rear-View-IR-Night-Vision.htmlTalked to my electronics buddy, who said "they're (wireless cams) all about the same, get whichever".I put the camera up on my ladder, the transmitter under the nose, wired to the parking lights. I can see the 'Doo fine while towing, and it has some usefulness when backing as well, as I can see that I am not about to run over something, such as for example, the DW:) As the camera is aimed downward I can't see especially far back, but installing it lower would help that. It works reasonably well for what it cost, and for what I use it for.The vendor was helpful before the sale as well. Yeah, you can get better stuff, but not for this price:)Can't imagine not having it now. And as a bonus, when the trailer is not hooked up, I can sometimes get a signal from the Taco Bell drive-thru:)

Camera | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
May 14, 2014
The Heavy Haulers RV Resource Guide has some great info.
(Escapees HDT forum)

These guys have *NO* back windows - and many tow *very* long trailers.

Most also use additional cameras for blind spots.

Be sure to see/use links to Jack Mayer & Mark Bruss info.

Some (other) info might be outdated, but Jack & Mark continually update.

Backup Camera Systems

~
GON2SKI
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
I had the factory install a wireless camera……works great, I can park it without the wife's guidance. Also nice for seeing traffic behind you or double towing!
johnvb
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
I recently installed the Garmin BC20 wireless camera on my 30' unit, that is designed to go with the new RV760lmt GPS. When using the optional 50' extension cable, and mounting the transmitter on the vertical wall just behind the pin box, it works fine.

Probably not as clear a picture as a wired unit, but sufficient.
C_B_
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2013
Hunter4593 wrote:

I have the same problem with the same camera on the same size rig. Very handy when it does work, which is seldom. Where did you find that antenna extension cable?

Link
rvcams.com

Go to Wireless back up camera systems.
Then to wireless accessories.

I added this extension to my 39' Cedar Creek. It didn't help much.

C.B.
Hunter4593
Explorer
Nov 29, 2013
DodgeVoltage wrote:
My toy hauler is 43 ft long and has a Voyager wireless camera system on it from the factory. I have had marginal luck with it. About half the time it says "no signal" on the screen. The other half of the time it has 1 or 2 bars of signal strength out of the 4 bars of full strength (at least I think it is 4 bars, but I have never seen it that high). The Voyager manufacture knows they don't work well at that distance and sent me an 80 inch extension for the antenna to bring it closer to the front of the camper. It doesn't work much better with that on it. So, I would say it's really nice to have when it works, but it doesn't work well. It also has a microphone and night vision on it, neither of which work at all.

I have the same problem with the same camera on the same size rig. Very handy when it does work, which is seldom. Where did you find that antenna extension cable?
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
I have a hardwired camera on the back of our 28 ft fifth wheel.
I like it when on the road and it helps me in getting back in my lane after passing slower traffic.,
dacar
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
installed hard wired systems in 35ft 5th wheel - works great. in addition to parking it is nice to know what is behind you going down the road
Veebyes
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2013
I use the DW model. Works great. Talks, gives hand signals, gets the leveling boards out & sets them up, does the chocks, gets the shorepower cable out, extremely reliable. I would not travel without her.
rtazz17
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
I had one on last camper.A wired one.Worked flawlessly but in reality never had a REAL use for it.If theres any question of whats behind me I get out and look when backing.I wouldnt trust a camera to judge distance from tree ect.As far as traffic,mirrors always worked better then camera.Also its just not natural to look at a video screen when switching lanes.I found it was almost making it harder.I have the old camera sitting in a box not to be put on fiver.Thought it would be cool to see whats behind me while driving.In reality who cares?Its behind me.Im going forward.Mirrors are the workhorse of changing lanesIn my everyday car I never use rear view mirror to switch lanes.Only sideviewJmo.
Simplygib
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
I had a wireless camera on my truck camper but half the time all I got was snow on the screen. I think it was mostly due to my camper's aluminum siding interfering with the signal. Replaced it with a wired system that is always on (I can turn it off at the monitor if I want). The installation is just slightly more involved than a wireless system but it was worth it in improved performance.

You don't need to spend a lot on these things these days if you don't want to. My system was under $50 and works great. The monitor will accept input from two cameras but I'm only running one. You will need more video cable than comes with this for that long of a run but it still should work fine. I have about 45 feet of cable on mine and the picture is great.

I love having it - if I'm towing or hauling my motorcycle on the back rack I can keep an eye on things, and of course it helps with backing up.

Camera

Dual Input 7" Color Monitor

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Camera

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