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treewiz's avatar
treewiz
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015

New Member and First Time Owner!

Hello Everyone, My wife and I have purchase (mortgaged) our first Motor Coach, it's a 2007 Coachman Freedom Express 26SO which had only 3,749 miles on it and the generator with 29.1 hrs, in really mint shape. This was a great find we think and are really excited about our new journey! I found this web sight just by chance and like the specific RV motor home categories; so we decided to join to share our experiences and aquire some possible knowledge. One of the first questions I am interested in is if anyone has tips on installing a Garmin wireless backup camera to one of these Coachman Freedom Express 26SO. Thanks from the Catskill Mts. in upstate N.Y. and looking forward towards the membership.
Class C

7 Replies

  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2015
    Treewiz,

    Did anybody happen to mention to you that RV tires have a half life of about 7 years?? Believe it. Even if they look good, after 7 years the problems may occur with increasing frequency.

    If you are not an FMCA member and you want Michelin tires, become a member and use their tire deal.

    Matt
  • Rick_Jay's avatar
    Rick_Jay
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2015
    treewiz,

    Congratulations on the "new" rig. Best wishes for many miles of safe travels.

    I can't help with your Garmin question, but I would recommend that you put some hours on the generator to make sure it'll work when you need it. Low hours on a generator is not a good thing. They need to be run peridically. You might even consider putting some Seafoam in the tank to help clean things up.

    Good Luck and safe travels,

    ~Rick
  • NWboondocker's avatar
    NWboondocker
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2015
    I just installed a camera with separate WiFi transmitter for $75 in my Coachmen 26qb with similar rear BR. I like the WiFi unit since it facilitates using your smartphone/tablet as the display, thus consolidating multiple functions (GPS/maps, CG guides, Gas Buddy, etc.) into a single dash mounted device.

    I fed power from rear taillight up through BR closet and across to the window where I mounted the camera inside, hidden nicely behind the drapes and protected from the elements. I used taillight rather than reverse light since I wanted ability to leave it on for viewing cargo/trailer.
  • w3ozwizard's avatar
    w3ozwizard
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2015
    If this is your first motorhome. Remember this rule. A motorhome is like a regular home, except it goes through a very bad earthquake each time you go over the roads. So things are going to fail and fall off so be prepared to fix things along the way. There are a lot of good backup/rear view cameras on Ebay. I just got and installed one for $88.00 delivered to my home. Wireless and easy to install.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2015
    Enjoy the journey.

    Don't limit yourself strictly to Garmin, look around a bit more.

    Any questions you will have, attempt a search on the Forum first, you'll find answers. In fact, try a search for "back up camera" just for fun.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2015
    learn to use the search function as most questions have already been answered. I typed in wireless and came up with
    http://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28448022/gotomsg/28448252.cfm#28448252

    There are many other threads but the one above seems very useful

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