roof camera?

[Usmcsousa]

May be a strange question, but has anyone ever mounted a camera to their roof? For on the fly analysis of low hanging branches and power lines ect? I've noticed a lot of these old oak trees here in the south like to stretch their arms over back roads and most don't come with a clearance height sign. I was thinking having a higher perspective of low obstacles would avoid constantly stopping and measuring before I pass. Obviously this wouldn't be my only trusted determination of clearance but it seems like it would avoid a lot of unnecessary stopping .
your thoughts?

[wmoses]

I'd say 95% of the time it is not needed hence it would not come from the factory as standard equipment. Good idea though.

[Jim-Linda]

FWIW, been pulling 40' 5th wheels since 1989, NEVER had damage to roof. Did get an awning once in a campground when a tree limb leaned against it, camera would not help in this instance. We have been fulltime since '96, big roads, little roads, small towns, state parks, etc. After awhile, one can usually tell if it will fit. YMMV

Jim

[Usmcsousa]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
I mount camera systems in lots of vehicles and equipment and many times do odd installs where the customer is looking to view a very specific area / angle around the unit.
Your idea is fine, but I would suggest a few details: Get a multi-camera capable monitor so you can easily view both rear and top on a split screen or switch to either one in full screen. Once you have chosen the equipment, wire it all up temporarily so you can view the screen and move the camera around for the best view of what actually matters for your situation.
I see too many installs where people mount a camera so it just looks out into space with no real way to judge the relationship of that picture with the vehicle.
In the case of watching for roof height clearance, I think mounting the camera in the middle facing forward would work. Set it in place and then use a known height indicator - maybe a 12 foot 2x4 sticking up in the air - to move around the RV at different points and watch on the screen to see where you can / can't see it. You can adjust the camera position as needed to get a know view of good / bad conditions. On the roof, the view could be such that you can see the roof as sort of a horizon line - anything above it that can be seen in the monitor picture will clear - if you can't see it, it's too low, STOP! You'll just have to play around with it 'till your happy with the view.

thanks for the info, I'm surprised these RVs don't come with a roof monitor option, with all the other gizmos an gadgets. Or maybe they do and I just have ancient technology. Seems to me those simple "back up alarms" standard on a lot of passenger vehicles would work great for early overhead detection. Just a little beep beep beep to alert you of an overhead obstacle.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

I mount camera systems in lots of vehicles and equipment and many times do odd installs where the customer is looking to view a very specific area / angle around the unit.
Your idea is fine, but I would suggest a few details: Get a multi-camera capable monitor so you can easily view both rear and top on a split screen or switch to either one in full screen. Once you have chosen the equipment, wire it all up temporarily so you can view the screen and move the camera around for the best view of what actually matters for your situation.
I see too many installs where people mount a camera so it just looks out into space with no real way to judge the relationship of that picture with the vehicle.
In the case of watching for roof height clearance, I think mounting the camera in the middle facing forward would work. Set it in place and then use a known height indicator - maybe a 12 foot 2x4 sticking up in the air - to move around the RV at different points and watch on the screen to see where you can / can't see it. You can adjust the camera position as needed to get a know view of good / bad conditions. On the roof, the view could be such that you can see the roof as sort of a horizon line - anything above it that can be seen in the monitor picture will clear - if you can't see it, it's too low, STOP! You'll just have to play around with it 'till your happy with the view.

[Markiemark32]

Had a friend who had to purchase and mount a Go-Pro, to video his roof coming up when traveling down the road, in order to get a roof warrantied on his fifthe wheel TH!!!

He utilized the ladder to mount it.

Not live time, but did the trick and learned a lot about rubber roofs!

Markiemark:C