Rearview travel camera wireless vs hardwire

[tj0855]

Am searching for an inexpensive (1-200$) system i can mount on rear of 24ft trlr. Prefer wireless(lazy) but if it demands I can hard wire just a pain. Any sound researched advice out there will be greatly appreciated. I have been researching systems via the reviews but most are very sketchy to say the least. Anyone out there that has installed a tried and trialed unit that can help me make some intelligent decisions, really would appreciate your wisdom before I spend and get pissed with the results. Thanks so much. semper fi.

[DiskDoctr]

Thanks for the wiring suggestions 😉

[bartlettj]

DiskDoctr wrote:
For a wired camera on the camper, what are you guys seeing for connecting wires when hitched up?

I bought a 30' long camera extension cable off of Amazon, and zip tied it to the frame of the trailer. It has the power connection and the video cable that the camera has, so it's plug and play. I coil it up inside the propane tank cover when I'm not using it. (I tow with a Tahoe with an aftermarket Kenwood head unit that has camera inputs). I have a license plate camera bracket mounted to the tow vehicle, and I just unplug that from under the trim panel by the tailgate and plug in the trailer camera when I'm towing. It has survived 2 years in the rain of Western Oregon without any problems.

My main complaint about the camera I have is the view angle is too wide and it's hard to interpret perspective without practice. I can see vehicles behind me and back into a space with it, but it's not the same kind of picture you get through a rearview mirror. The positive part is that my backup camera has night vision, which is great when pulling into a dark campsite.

I mounted the camera up about the same height as the rearview mirror on the back of my trailer using 3M VHB tape. It's stuck very well, no screws needed.

[RoyB]

The only part about wireless that would worry me is I hope I am looking at my wireless view and not the trailer passing me haha...

They probably have so many codes they can use and sooner or later two of us with same code ends up side by side...

I don't know anything about wireless camera views just a passing thought...

I do know that if you install a rear view camera it works best if it up as high as you can get it and pointing down... Using the low license plate models etc will pick up all kinds of strange lights from cars and truck pulling up behind you... I would want it mounted something similar to this photo...


Google Image

Not too many years back there used to be all kinds of EBAY STORE deals to purchase what the Truckers use for under $400. These had rear views and side views for changing lanes all run back to the truck using weather proof cabling and connectors...

Roy Ken

[spoon059]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkcAoZCDPqo

I couldn't find the link that detailed everything, but this is the video showing what he used and how it worked. Like I said.... $80 in parts (could have been done for cheaper) and works pretty good. I use an old phone as my monitor. Download the app, connect to the WIFI from your transmitter and it works just fine.

[WayneAt63044]

The only additional cable is a coax at the hitch. The tow vehicle cable comes through the bumper at the license plate. The trailer cable has a short pigtail wrapped around the hitch jack. I route the coax through the padlock on the hitch when connected.

[DiskDoctr]

For a wired camera on the camper, what are you guys seeing for connecting wires when hitched up?

[WayneAt63044]

I have a wired system which I use only for backing. I don't need to see behind the trailer when going down the road (I use the mirrors) so I have it mounted just under the high center rear marker lights aimed down enough where I can see a few feet behind the trailer and both ends of the bumper. That way and don't hit the pedestal, picnic table, etc when backing into a campsite or my slot in the storage lot.

I helped a buddy install a wireless unit on his trailer but he returned it as the signal was too weak. It seems most folks that have wireless have a caveat about when it won't work well. He now also uses a wired camera. We use the power available from the marker lights so the only connection at the hitch is the video coax cable. The camera is turned on by energizing the marker lights from the drivers seat using the headlight/parking light switch.

Hopefully, someone will give you specifics on which hardware to get to satisfy your desire. It seems the trailer body and tow vehicle body severely attenuates the signals for wireless that the specified distance of the transmitter to receiver is not realized.

[SoundGuy]

tj0855 wrote:
Am searching for an inexpensive (1-200$) system i can mount on rear of 24ft trlr. Prefer wireless(lazy) but if it demands I can hard wire just a pain. Any sound researched advice out there will be greatly appreciated.

I've owned a couple of wireless systems myself and did experiment with using each for a variety of views but concluded it's really only useful for hitching up. My first was a Peak wireless system that had to wired to the truck for power, the second was a wireless Swift Hitch SH02 analogue system that worked quite well and didn't require any wiring of any kind as the camera / transmitter and monitor were each self powered. Transmission was fine but I notice Swift Hitch now offers improved digital versions - regardless, I'd highly recommend the Swift Hitch system. I just sold it as my NTM Silverado has a built in camera I'll use for hitching up. JMO, but if you want a reliable system that will last for many years you're going to want to spend more than just $200 ... spend less and you'll eventually be back at this again. :R

[Bumpyroad]

a cheap baby monitor is wireless, but picture is reversed L?R, but somebody here pointed out the wires that needed to be switched.
bumpy

[spoon059]

I made my own system. I bought a WIFI video transmitter and a simple camera and use an old cell phone as the monitor. I mounted the camera to the rear of the trailer and run RCA cables up the frame towards the front of the trailer. I mounted the WIFI transmitter to the front of the trailer to beam the WIFI signal up to my cell phone, mounted in the cab.

Spent about $80 for the transmitter, camera and wires. I still need to tweak the system a little bit. My WIFI transmitter is currently mounted about 15 feet behind the truck and I would occasionally get a little bit of lag while running down the road. I'm planning to add another 15' of RCA cable and mounting the transmitter up by the battery box to get a closer, cleaner and stronger WIFI signal.

For simply backing up in an RV site though, it works great.