Towing w/out rear camera

[billtex]

Occasionaly tow our 17' Classic Whaler, or a Boy Scout trailer behind the TC.
Currently do NOT have a camera back there.
Am not comfortable not being able to see what is going on...
Are there many others towing behind a TC that do not have a camera?

If you previously did not, and have added one, was it worthwhile?

I am thinking of the iball

Anyone using one of these?

Tx, B

[jimh406]

billtex wrote:
I wish I could find one to use my iphone as the screen...

Here you go. IPhone, iPad, android backup camera.

[Simplygib]

My sub-$50 setup is always on when the ignition is on. Zero issues.

[billtex]

Super_Dave wrote:
A couple of key points:

Regardless of whether the camera is called, "backup", wire it to running lights and not the backup lights

Many GPS units like Garmin or TomTom have the capability of being the screen for the camera. So, if you already have one of those, you likely just need the camera and not the camera and monitor.

I wish I could find one to use my iphone as the screen...

[Reddog1]

Good point Super_Dave. But, you still need to check to insure you are getting what you are going to pay for.

[Super_Dave]

Reddog1 wrote:
When I was researching for a camera, I found many of the backup cameras stated for intermittent use only, and not to be used full time on. The point being, make sure it can be full time on.

Wayne

The only ones that I've ever heard of this being the case was the cracker jack box models. Non of the cameras in the couple hundered dollar range seemed to be limited. You get what you pay for.

[Reddog1]

When I was researching for a camera, I found many of the backup cameras stated for intermittent use only, and not to be used full time on. The point being, make sure it can be full time on.

Wayne

[Super_Dave]

A couple of key points:

Regardless of whether the camera is called, "backup", wire it to running lights and not the backup lights

Many GPS units like Garmin or TomTom have the capability of being the screen for the camera. So, if you already have one of those, you likely just need the camera and not the camera and monitor.

[Ski_Pro_3]

I got a wireless camera/monitor off eBay, gray market probably, out of China for about $65. Works great! I power the camera off the rear running lights, so I have to turn on my head lights to power up the camera. To turn on the monitor, I wired it to a switched 12volts.

I'd be lost without the camera. My camper does not have a window in the rear door that would allow me to see out the back. I tow a very narrow trailer, one for a single wide jet ski modified to carry a kayak. My other trailer is for towing a motorcycle.

I'm able to back my trailer down a boat ramp and launch my kayak without anyone spotting for me. For $65 it's worth it to give it a try and see if it works for you.

[GMCPU53]

A little over a month ago, I had a wireless camera installed on the TC.
The camera is mounted on the rear ladder and is wired into the license plate light. I can have it on all the time by just turning on the lights. I find very little distortion on the screen, overall a very good picture . It is a great improvement over the view out the small window in the camper door or the side mirrors. Complete view of the rear several lanes wide. We are planning on towing a car occasionally and I feel a lot better being able to check what's happening out back.
The camera I purchased was as follows:

Ultra Wireless Backup CCD
Camera and 7" LCD Receiver
Item#: 9901AV from www.4ucam.com



Joe

[Farmerjon]

We have towed a lot of trailers behind different trucks and campers over the years and like others have said when things go wrong you can feel it or see the side of the trailer when you shouldn't.
Our mirrors stick out far enough that we can see a little bit of the fenders on the horse trailer but when the jeep is flat towed we can only tell it is behind us when we turn a sharp enough corner and catch a glimpse of it.Other than that it is an act of faith that we keep on going down the road thinking we have a jeep behind us.
We have seriously considered some kind of camera to be able see the Jeep and maybe also mount it in the horse trailer to observe the horses.

[Lynnsr]

I tow a bass boat a good 75% of the time when we are on the road.

I would never be without a good rearview camera.

It's worth its weight and price, in gold and peace of mind.

Lynnsr

[Bumpyroad]

without a doubt, go with a wired one if at all possible.
bumpy

[Simplygib]

I added a rear view camera to my rig a couple of years ago. Originally went with the el cheapo Walmart wireless one, and had same results as Reddog1. Dismal. I suspect most of my trouble with that one was due to the aluminum siding on my camper blocking the signal. It is now sitting in my shop until I figure out what to do with it.

Later added a wired one and love it. It was actually cheaper than the Walmart one but works a thousand times better and has a much bigger and better picture. Anyway, I mounted the monitor on the sun visor. Whether towing or not, I like the ability to be able to glance at the monitor every once in a while like I would a rear-view mirror to make sure everything's ok back there (sometimes I have my motorcycle on a rear rack, or carry my bicycle back there). It also helps with passing vehicles that might be in my blind spot otherwise. I often spot them on the monitor with my peripheral vision. I find it to be a great addition. And obviously, it helps greatly with backing up.

Camera

Monitor

[Bumpyroad]

Reddog1 wrote:


I installed a Walmart wireless camera on my wifes car. I have nothing to nice to say about the camera or its use. It is unbelieveable how many wires were required to install a wireless camera. The camera would go nuts for no obvious reason, and all you would see was snow. I then did some research on wireless Cameras, and discovered what I experienced was very common with wireless cameras, especially the cheap ones.

RVCAMs

I had exactly the opposite results with my walmart wireless camera. mine had two wires to connect for both the camera and the receiver/viewer, one plus and one neg for each. what extra wires did your have? yes, if you want to wire it as a back up camera, you have to locate/fish the right wires to the camera but it is still just two wires. I would NOT recommend one if you want an excellent picture however. but IIRC the OP just wanted something to check on his tow. a walmart $69 special is certainly adequate for that. mine rarely went "nuts" or "snowed". you should have returned your original one as walmart has a good return policy.
yes, if you have a motorhome and want an excellent rear/side view system, the walmart one is not for you. if all you want is to watch a small trailer/boat/etc. to see if it has disappeared, it is adequate.
yes a $700 system will be more useful than a $69 system. 🙂
bumpy

[Reddog1]

If you were blind at birth, you would be totally OK with it. If you drive only being concerned with what is in front of you, I doubt there would be laws requiring rear view mirrors. I have driven many trucks with TCs over the years, towing and not towing. I was OK with that. With limited visibility to the rear, I hopped when I changed lanes I did not cause an accident. Who cares if an emergangy vehicle wanted to pass.

I installed a Walmart wireless camera on my wifes car. I have nothing to nice to say about the camera or its use. It is unbelieveable how many wires were required to install a wireless camera. The camera would go nuts for no obvious reason, and all you would see was snow. I then did some research on wireless Cameras, and discovered what I experienced was very common with wireless cameras, especially the cheap ones.

I finally ordered a real camera. It took longer to read the instructions than to do the install. Three screws to fasten the camera, one wire from the camera to the monitor, two screws to mount the monitor, and plug the power into the cig lighter. It was not cheap, about $400. It does include night vision, sound, and wide angle.

I use my camera as much when I am not towing as when I tow, day or night. I still have one small blind spot on the passenger side of the TC, but I can see to change lanes. It is especially great in tight spots when backing up. It exceeded my expectations. If it were to quit working, I would replace it. As I said earlier, if you were born blind, you would not know what a great thing it was to have vision.

Wayne

EDIT: This is where I bought camera, several years ago. They are very easy to talk to, especially in identifying what would work best for you.

RVCAMs