Back Up cameras.. The sub $100 wireless ones any good?

My under $100 (on sale) back up camera from an auto parts chain works OK for the money. It picks up interference every now and then but is mostly reliable. It is great for lining up on a trailer hitch. For more extensive back up use I might step up the quality.

I mounted my screen on a shelf I installed that runs above the windshield, behind the visors, so I don't have to hide it from thieves like I do with my GPS. I also plugged into a 12 volt outlet with a switch so the monitor isn't on all the time, only when I need it. The camera is wired to the back up lights.

I want to add a camera to the back of the trailer and am considering options. One has two cameras and one monitor which shows the truck view when disconnected, the trailer view when connected. Whatever goes on the back of the trailer I have my doubts wireless will cover the distance but, many folks have had it work (with more expensive set ups than the $100 kind). If the cheap wireless I have would work, I might consider putting a plug connection on the camera / back up lights connection then, unplug it, move it to the trailer license plate and plug it in there.

I got one at Advance Auto. It's one that goes on the license plate. I paid $120. It's wireless, has infrared and a bigger screen than their $100 version. I use it year round in upstate NY and it's performed flawlessly.

Here's a $20 solution that works well for me:
Hitch alignment
I got mine at Harbor Freight at a parking lot sale.

If you shop on Amazon you can set your self up with a nice wired version for less than $100. I bought my camera for my Pioneer stereo and it was around $20. A decent monitor is around $70 or so. I priced it because my wife would like one for her van.

I went the eBay and Amazon route and spent about $50 for a wired back up camera. Here is the camera I bought linky that has lasted almost 2 years and several trips thru the car wash. I bought a $20 TFT monitor on eBay and a 15' RCA extension to complete the package. The video quality is not as stellar as the factory set up on my wife's Exlorer but it gets the job done. As KMP44 stated, there is no depth perception with the camera mounted low but I learend where the shadow the tounge casts on the ball to figure out where I need to be.

Look at this set up. Piece of cake to install...It's permanent and works great.

Hopkins Hitch Cam Link.

My 2010 F150 Truck came with one and it is the cats meow... This has the foot markers shown on the screen and does beeping when things in view get inside the marker area. You can back right up to the trailer hitch and see the hitch go right over the top of the truck mounter trailer ball. I hit the mark first time everytime now...



The lens is part of the the FORD REAR logo on the tail gate. The only problem I have with mine is when backing up it will flare up on if it picks a light source. Rain drops does a number on the view as well... mounted on the bottom of the LOGO catches all the rain water rolling off the logo..


I guess the newer trucks probably are prewired for these systems.

Roy Ken

I can use the wifeiball in some situations. But it will lead to getting wife version 1.2...

Does it really work to 100'? I already have the backup camera but no way to see behind the trailer. Is the view wide enough to backup a trailer solo?

the_happiestcamper wrote:
I use the iBall - works for me.

X2. We use the iball. Works really well and much cheaper than a divorce lawyer.

Whatever setup you go with, I found that putting the camera up towards the top of the tailgate makes it easier to tell when you have the ball under the tongue. Mounted it too low the first couple times and had no depth perception - which defeated the purpose.