Wired or wireless back up cameras????

I tried a wireless system.
I wanted a system to keep track of a utility trailer that I tow behind my 5th wheel.
Also should be very useful in heavy traffic and multi lane freeways.

The wireless worked perfect when I was setting it up in my shop building.

But when I got out in the real world I found power lines caused interference.

Also found when near large trucks system would go black. Thus of no use in heavy multi lane freeways where the system would be of the most benefit to see what is going on behind so I could change lanes safely.

I went with a wired system that works perfect under all conditions.

We have this wireless camera from netgear and we like its recordings so far. I can receive movement updates on my phone and we can check it through its mobile app. The only thing we don't like much about it is its battery life, since it's wireless. We used to charge it a few months being used. Now we're down to 8weeks.

I have not done a wired camera but if I were going to, I think I would utilize a 4 wire pair of cable like you see on boat trailers. Put an connector suitable to your camera for the video feed (usually an RCA Yellow plug) on the end near the camera, pick up a Hot and Ground (Splice in) for two of the other 4 wires and run to my rear bumper. Get a plug mount that attached to the bumper with a weather tight cap, just like if you were installing a trailer hook up. Make your connections there when you connect your trailer cord to your truck.

Then run the second part through your trailer frame, back to your fridge, up through the chase for your fridge vent and along your roof to the top rear of your trailer. Mount your camera on the center rear of the roof and make your HOT/Ground and video connections and then tape down your wire running from the fridge vent to the camera with eterno-bond tape to keep it from moving/flapping around, just like they do for solar wire installs.

Can I get some hints on how to run the wires from the camera from the back of the 5th wheel and all the way to the dash board. the whole thing of trying t install the cable and it look good is my biggest fear. Especially the transition from the RV to the truck.

TIA
56Jeff

Wired is way way better technically

Wireless can both CAUSE issues with other hardware and be subject to interference. Signal face or block and other nasties...

Wired is way better.

When I wanted a camera system I went rogue and purchased a "baby monitor" system use from "Summer Infant" and couldn't be more pleased. My basic reasoning is that I felt baby monitoring systems better works since if they suffered from signal loss or quality issues when used in a home environment for keeping track of an infant they would soon received a lot of negative feedback since parents would not accept substanded performance for such an important system. For RVing I have a camera mounted inside the trailer on the back window with the monitor setting on top my dog house in the Van. In the 4 years so far I have almost never lost a signal and the biggest drawback is it doesn't support a "reverse view", but that IMO is not a show stopper. The system handles multiple cameras, can be romotely aimed and zoomed and can be either powered by a wire or batteries and supports two way communications. I have a second camera that I have installed inside the trailer to keep track on things inside while traveling.

At home I move the camera in the rear of the trailer to our front window so I can see the goings on out front at our house along with a view of the front door. I still leave the camera inside the trailer so I can see that when at home too. I also use a camera mounted on a pole to check on my gutters at home periodically for debris and to ensure they are clean when I clean them from the ground.

For under $200 for the monitor and one camera and about another $75 per camera it is IMO a great dependable system.

Just something else to consider for those wanting to go "A DIFFERENT ROUTE"

Larry

I'd like to speak to someone who really knows these things, wired or wireless. I'm looking online at Best Buy, and wonder if they might have a "dash cam geek" on site somewhere? Knowing that you're talking to an expert makes it easier to ask questions that websites can't answer.
I'll get around to it.

I remember one guy on another forum had added a wireless backup camera to his camper van, and said he could pick up wireless/wifi security cameras in some areas. I guess the wireless bands they transmit on are similar. That might be fun in some instances.

After talking it over with the boss lady, we are going to wait on camera system. After towing for the last 20 years I can honestly saw I never needed it. Maybe in the future but not now. Thanks for all the input.

problem with wireless is the distance and grainy pictures

zell66 wrote:
MDKMDK, That is exactly where I am at. I don't know if I need it, but part of me wants it. LOL

I'll probably do it "eventually", or sooner, right after we have our first "near miss". ;)