Forum Discussion

mklein2836's avatar
mklein2836
Explorer
May 06, 2019

Question about Cameras

Greetings,

I'm in the research phase of joining the RV community (still some years away) but I'm looking at options

I've seen a demo of a GMC Denali 3500 Dually with its many cameras and trailer see through, but I'm looking more for real world information from the community. The truck as I believe 15 cameras and I'm also curious on how/if the various views (aerial, side, pass-through) assist in backing in and maneuvering

Also, I've read vague articles about a particular brand pairing up with GMC trucks really well. I think its Grand Design but can't seem to find specifics.

TIA
  • All depends upon your point of view.
    I will never have cameras on my rig.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My 2010 F150 Truck tow package came with a camera in the rear FORD tailgate emblem. It is perfect for backing up to the RV Trailer and hookup... It also has foot markers on it as well. I can see the BALL go right under coupler.

    This only however comes on when in REVERSE... It is worthless at night and also when it rains… Two or three rain drops completely covers the small lens I guess...

    If I was going to add camera to a RV Trailer I would want two on the rear sides... If I had a tall trailer I would also want one in the top near the roof pointing down at a sharp angle...

    Same goes for lights in the back... DOT frowns on you adding lights to the bumpers and lower back areas... They have rules for BACK UP LIGHTs.. One biggie is it has to come on only when you switch to reverse. Cannot be a stand alone toggle switch some where...

    You can mount a light on the bottom rear sides of the trailer with external switches here in Virginia at any rate. I went and asked.. This is good to aid in backing... You can't see directly behind your trailer anyway so seeing both side behind the trailer works out just as good...

    I know of several friends here in Virginia that had to remove their lights and items when it comes Inspection time... I guess the best thing to do here is get it DOT blessed before you dump money into it...

    Roy Ken
  • A friend put 3 cameras on his big Newmar years ago. One, high up on the rear and one on each side, right behind the "step", looking back. Had a 10" screen in the cab of his M2. He can toggle between a single cam, two cams or all 3 at once. He said it made is situational awareness a lot better, especially if he needed to change lanes. Biggest help was being able to see the idiots that would tailgate him.

    Now, my cousin and her husband, rehabbing a '64 GM bus into an RV, put in a 7-camera security system from Costco with a 2tb drive in it. High & low cams in the back, one on each side looking back, one inside looking forward and 2 other interior cams. http://www.beginningfromthismorning.com

    Lyle
  • There's lots of options. When I had my Tundra with a 27' Winnebago Minnie, I bought a Rear View Safety wireless camera system. Just having one rear view camera was all I really needed. The system was capable of operating multiple cameras. Having a camera mounted on the rear of the truck would have been handy for hitching up without a worthy assistant. I didn't feel the need for side view cameras, but if I were towing some of these very long trailers I see on the road now, it would probably be very handy.

    And, the wireless worked fairly well but I did get interference now and then. Supposedly, the newer systems are much better. And, I wired the camera into the running lights which enabled me to use the camera anytime just by turning on parking or headlights. If you have the skill set, I'd go for a wired system....I just didn't want to tackle the job nor pay $$ to have it done!
  • Thx all. I'm mainly looking for info on the newer GMC and/or other brands if they have a similar setup.

    this is the demo I was referring to.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1QFRdArltA&t=62s