Rear Camera

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I have this one. bought it on sale a year or so ago... really like that I can see what's behind me heading down the road and is almost a necessity for backing in site when I travel alone.

I had dealer install. He suggested hooking to "hot wire" for light just inside rear of TT. Wiring is connected in cabinet so not exposed and ugly in trailer. by installing this way it works even if I don't have trailer lights on. just be sure and put a fuse or switch in the line or it will pull power all the time.

I saw that system at Camping World. Looked great. How hard (how much) to install and power the camera?

westend wrote:

handye9 wrote:
I have a wired system, that is on, any time I have it plugged into power outlet in the cab. Purchased individual pieces on eBay.

Here is a similar monitor. It clips onto my rearview mirror. Got parts from Radio Shack, to make a power plug.

Here is a similar camera.

Here is a similar video / power cable. I wired truck and trailer, individually.

I also, have one camera mounted on a piece of aluminum that slides (for hitching up) under the license plate on the truck.

When I hitch up, I plug in (in truck bed) the hitching camera. After hitched up, I unplug hitching camera, put it back in storage compartment, and plug in camera on back of the trailer.

How does your DIY system perform? Would you upgrade any of it now that you've had it in use?
This is about the cheapest combination I've seen. Thanks for posting!

Can't think of any upgrades, I might do now.

The last upgrade, was wiring the truck, so I could plug in in the bed. When I started using the system, I ran the power / video cable through the cab, out the rear sliding window, and through the truck bed. Now I just open the tailgate and plug in.

This is second TT that I've installed it on. I've been using this system since 2005. Over the years, I've replaced a cable (or two) and a camera. I also have a camera on my truck camper.

With the camera on truck bumper, I can back the hitch ball under the coupler, first shot. Hooking up alone is fast and easy.

On the road, the camera on the trailer shows me what is going on behind me. On rare occassions when I pass some one, I can see they are behind me, even when side mirror looks like they are still beside.

On bottom of the trailer, I mounted (front to back) a one inch PVC pipe, which is the conduit for camera cable and wires for self installed back up lights. When I needed to replace a cable, I just taped the new one, to the old one, and pulled it through the pipe.


NOTE: If you are going to install a rear camera, put it up high as you can. Then point it down at an angle.

My first install was on the TT bumper, pointed straight back. I had a lot of glare from the sun.

My .02= try to avoid a night vision camera. When the led's come on it makes the camera pretty useless. My experience only ymmv.

I also have the voyager wireless setup as described two posts back. I love it and it has been very reliable. However, the OP also asked about "reasonable cost" . The voyager is NOT CHEAP! However it does work well and there is no need for running wires all through the TV and TT. One added bonus of the voyager system is that not only can you see behind, but it has a built in mic so the driver can receive directions orally from a spotter when backing into a site, without the need for yelling from the back on the TT to the driver!
Unlike many wireless systems, the camera and monitor "sync" to one another, providing a much clearer picture without "interference" than many other systems.

handye9 wrote:
I have a wired system, that is on, any time I have it plugged into power outlet in the cab. Purchased individual pieces on eBay.

Here is a similar monitor. It clips onto my rearview mirror. Got parts from Radio Shack, to make a power plug.

Here is a similar camera.

Here is a similar video / power cable. I wired truck and trailer, individually.

I also, have one camera mounted on a piece of aluminum that slides (for hitching up) under the license plate on the truck.

When I hitch up, I plug in (in truck bed) the hitching camera. After hitched up, I unplug hitching camera, put it back in storage compartment, and plug in camera on back of the trailer.

How does your DIY system perform? Would you upgrade any of it now that you've had it in use?
This is about the cheapest combination I've seen. Thanks for posting!

I have this one. bought it on sale a year or so ago... really like that I can see what's behind me heading down the road and is almost a necessity for backing in site when I travel alone.

I had dealer install. He suggested hooking to "hot wire" for light just inside rear of TT. Wiring is connected in cabinet so not exposed and ugly in trailer. by installing this way it works even if I don't have trailer lights on. just be sure and put a fuse or switch in the line or it will pull power all the time.

I have a wired system, that is on, any time I have it plugged into power outlet in the cab. Purchased individual pieces on eBay.

Here is a similar monitor. It clips onto my rearview mirror. Got parts from Radio Shack, to make a power plug.

Here is a similar camera.

Here is a similar video / power cable. I wired truck and trailer, individually.

I also, have one camera mounted on a piece of aluminum that slides (for hitching up) under the license plate on the truck.

When I hitch up, I plug in (in truck bed) the hitching camera. After hitched up, I unplug hitching camera, put it back in storage compartment, and plug in camera on back of the trailer.

We are also looking for a camera to mount on our TT so we can see the boat when we pull it as well as the trailer. We have seen on that comes recommended by a few people and very inexpensive.

It is called " The Best Hitch Camera". Retails for $175 Canadian


Wireless transmission over 200ft range ...2.4 GHZ transmitter/receiver
Colour monitor, plugs into dash
Magnetic mount camera, no wiring
100% waterproof, submersible
Selectable view, normal or mirror image

I have an I Ball setup and am very happy. Its a remote, battery operated. I attach it to the TT rear bumper when required

I can't help with the cost, but I can tell you my experience. I keep my rear camera on all the time while driving because I use it as a rear view mirror. It helps knowing what is coming up behind, it helps gauge if you are clear of a semi when passing, and I check it frequently just like you would any rear-view mirror. I really like having it for those reasons as well as backing in!