Wireless Back Up Camera on Trailer

hbomb9000 wrote:
Sorry to go off-topic a bit from the OP, but I have been researching this topic quite a bit. My requirements may be different for some, though I doubt they are far off for others.

I don't really dig the idea of permanently modding my new rig (4 mos old) to add a backup camera. Not yet. Call me what you will.

My requirements are...

-Battery operated camera option
-Function as backup camera as well as general surveillance camera
-Realtime viewing
-Viewable from any TV, smartphone, or tablet within 2.4ghz range
-No internet required
-Not tied to any proprietary software in order to view feeds
-100% Wire Free


Ideally the solution would function as follows:

I would have a cheap(ish) tablet mounted to the dash or windshield with an adjustable bracket (I could also use the tablet as GPS when desired). I would employ Google Chromecast on each TV to receive video feed from cameras (I have these anyway for Netflix, etc.).

I'd like to mount the (battery powered) wifi cameras on front, sides, and rear of the coach. A wireless router would be setup inside the coach or somewhere else centrally located and configured to be a hub for cameras and clients as well as repeat signal from my Verizon mifi when desired (that part sounds complicated, but really isn't too bad).

The solution I have described fulfills each of my requirements. Too bad it doesn't exist

One of the key differentiators here is that the wireless router is a very powerful transmitter compared to other "wireless" backup camera solutions, resulting in markedly better range and reliability, and because this is an open protocol IP camera system, it leaves you with a ton of flexibility in how you use it.

This is pretty much what I'm doing. WiFi router for the trailer directly to 12v line (so it's always live as long as there is battery power). Several weatherproof IP Cams mounted on the outside of the trailer and directly wired to 12v. Any of various IP Cam Apps from Google App store on tablet or phone. This started as a "rearview mirror," but now I use the setup to monitor the trailer when we are away. The router can connect to our house internet and I can login and view anywhere I have internet, which means I can also monitor the trailer remotely while we're traveling as long as the trailer router is connected to the web via either a host's internet or our Verizon Mobile Hotspot.