Towing w/out rear camera

I have a camera, but it only works as a back up camera. I would like a camera mounted on the back of my trailer though, only to see what's going on when I try to back up.

The screen on the i-ball camera is so small, i can't see how I'd enjoy using it.

Wireless cameras have been known to not get a very good signal when used on a truck with a camper on them.

I have been towing without a camera since day one of owning a TC. In fact I have never owned anything with a back up camera. The Truck and horse trailer combo that I use have been together since 2003 and it tracks perfectly behind the truck. The only change has been the addition of a 48" supertruss and a husky weight distributing hitch, I don't think the trailer knows the difference and it still tracks the same. I did add extensions to my side mirrors to see past the TC into the other lanes and I can spot the trailer fenders, I can also see through the camper and out the rear door that the large white wall of the trailer is still there. Total length of my rig is 57' and 17-18000 pounds (Truck, TC, Trailer, horses, gear),To tell you the truth when towing I better be driving defensively, looking ahead for hazards and stupid drivers doing dumb things in front, judging my potential escape routes to the sides using my mirrors, rather than looking at the trailer on a tiny lcd screen.

Bill, I dont use a camera. I never had an issue, been towing rvs since 69'.
Been towing utilities behind tcs since 04. I had two flats on trailers but you can feel that through the hitch and frame of the truck and would probably not pick that up on a small 'not so clear' wireless unit.

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I have been towing without a camera since day one of owning a TC. In fact I have never owned anything with a back up camera. The Truck and horse trailer combo that I use have been together since 2003 and it tracks perfectly behind the truck. The only change has been the addition of a 48" supertruss and a husky weight distributing hitch, I don't think the trailer knows the difference and it still tracks the same. I did add extensions to my side mirrors to see past the TC into the other lanes and I can spot the trailer fenders, I can also see through the camper and out the rear door that the large white wall of the trailer is still there. Total length of my rig is 57' and 17-18000 pounds (Truck, TC, Trailer, horses, gear),To tell you the truth when towing I better be driving defensively, looking ahead for hazards and stupid drivers doing dumb things in front, judging my potential escape routes to the sides using my mirrors, rather than looking at the trailer on a tiny lcd screen.

Buzzcut gets the cupie doll...lol. Seriously though Buzzcut is correct that you should concentrate on what is coming down the road at you rather than devote yourself to watching a trailer in a tiny screen that could, and would, distract you from safe driving.
I was a truck driver and have towed several trailers behind a pickup and the biggest concerns that I had about my trailers was when I felt something strange through the vehicle or I could see the trailer tracking to one side or another in my mirrors when it was supposed to be tracking straight.

just get a $69 rear view camera from walmart, etc .
bumpy

Someday I'm going to get one from this company:

http://www.rearviewsafety.com/

THey obviously cost more.

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

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

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