wtbman
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Re: My WiFi backup/security camera & trailer network project
Just took a 4,000 mile cross country road trip with this setup and it performed wonderfully! It was so nice having a high quality long range view of what was behind the trailer. You can see the crazies flying up from behind and safely make lane changes. Everything ran off the inverter while traveling and never put a dent in the battery capacity. I can swipe the screen and see the two rear views and the front view when hooking up.774Views0likes0CommentsRe: Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal
TV 2014 Ram 2500: 8,380 lbs - 5,060 front - 3,320 rear (fueled up + me) TV + 5er: 5,060 front - 5,020 rear (axle GAWR 6,000 front 6,500 rear) GVW: 10,080 (GVWR of 10,000) leaves me 80 lbs overweight plus wife and kid :( Trailer 2006 FR Wildcat: 11,120 lbs total - 9,420 axles - 1,700 pin Trailer dry rating: 9,500 total - 1,300 pin GCVW: 19,500 lbs I am happy to find out I am within axle ratings and GVWR fully loaded but not so much that I'm over GVWR (in my mind I thought it was 10,500 lbs). I don't have any safety concerns about the GVWR but worry about possible issues with the law. I would rather have more truck than I need and be under the numbers but this is what I have to work with. Honestly I wouldn't want tow anything heavier with this 2500. I added airbags to soften the bucking but doing it all over I'd opt for the 3500, DRW if towing anything bigger long distances.482Views0likes0CommentsRe: My WiFi backup/security camera & trailer network project
I'm going to add a second camera below the rear camera so I can have a higher view of traffic in addition to the backup camera that can see the bumpers. Also I bought this today: Ubiquiti NanoStation loco M5 It's a 5ghz directional wifi antenna that will replace the old client router I setup. The cat6 cord dangling in the picture above will be ran over to the ladder where I'll mount the antenna... unless I decide to mount it to the old tv antenna instead.778Views0likes0CommentsRe: My WiFi backup/security camera & trailer network project
The initial road test went well. The cameras had great response time and worked wonderfully. The only issue I had is I think my batteries are dying so the inverter in the trailer kept turning off taking the cameras and router with it. Signal between the ipad and router was great because I placed the router near the front of the trailer and the cameras are wired. I'll post some pictures soon.777Views0likes0CommentsMy WiFi backup/security camera & trailer network project
Previously on my TT I bought a cheap wired backup camera that I sent to the truck with a wireless RCA transmitter. The setup was low quality and constantly fuzzy. I upgraded to a 5.8GHZ wireless RCA transmitter not meant for automotive purposes. It really wasn't any better. The camera died, replaced it with another cheap low quality camera... I was reluctant to purchase one of the many wireless backup camera solutions available on Amazon. They are either tied to a specific screen or cost a lot of money and come from questionable chinese origins. There are a few WiFi backup cameras available with mixed reviews. Most of them won't do a good job of being constantly "on" while driving. I wanted a high resolution, constantly on solution and I wanted to be able to chose my screen. This is what I have come up with: - mount wireless router in storage near the front - there will be two old routers (asus N-16 and N66) - routers are running TomatoUSB (https://advancedtomato.com/) - one router setup as a wireless client - router can connect to rv park wifi or hotspot to watch rv cameras remotely while on day trips - one router is the wifi access point for gadgets/phones in the trailer/truck - routers will act as repeater to connect to home wifi when in range - old ipad mini mounted on dash connected to trailer wifi - mac mini running inside connected to inverter - http://sighthound.com security software for dvr on mac mini - front and rear cameras: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR7LBFC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - cameras are 2.8mm lens version with 103 degree wide view - mount rear camera on rear wall with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BKRKPPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - front camera mounts offset under front overhang with shot of hitch - cameras are poe, power with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BP0SSAS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - run cat5/6 cable from cameras to poe switch and router - cameras will be part of home security system when in range - need to find 180 degree side cameras I chose Hikvision cameras for this setup because they are high resolution and low latency with their proprietary app: ivms-4500 which I've tested with my home setup. Night vision is good. I can also reverse the image for the backup camera. The two routers are setup and my wifi repeater network is working great. The two cameras are streaming to the app on my ipad and the latency is low so it will work great as a backup camera. The quality is excellent (4 megapixels). I haven't mounted the routers or camera yet. The router I'll connect the ipad to will be mounted in the front storage compartment for the shortest distance to the truck. Cost so far: - routers $free (old asus wireless N routers) - cameras $83 x 2 = $166 - poe switch $60 - cat 5/6 cables ~$10 - old tablet $free - proclip charging tablet mount $99 (many other cheaper options) Total: $336 Having a commercial grade system that won't fail: pricele$$2.6KViews0likes6CommentsRe: Backup and Side View Cameras - Network IP Cam
I am about to build a system similar to what you describe. Here are the details: I have a 5th wheel - mount wireless router in storage near the front - old ipad mini mounted on dash connected to trailer wifi - mac mini running inside connected to inverter - http://sighthound.com security software for dvr on mac mini - front and rear cameras: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR7LBFC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - mount rear camera on rear wall with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BKRKPPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - front camera mounts offset under front overhang with shot of hitch - cameras are poe, power with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BP0SSAS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - run cat5/6 cable from cameras to poe switch and router - router will act as repeater to connect to home wifi when in range - cameras will be part of home security system - router can connect to rv park wifi or hotspot to watch rv cameras while on day trips - need to find 360 degree side cameras Cameras arrive Monday so hopefully I'll have good news to report about my setup. I chose Hikvision cameras for this setup because they are high resolution and low latency with their proprietary app: ivms-4500 which I've tested with my home setup. Night vision is good. I can also reverse the image for the backup camera.438Views0likes0CommentsRe: From the frame up - Complete gut job & remodel - 1984 TT
Continued progress on the side out couch/bed: It's starting to look like a bench. I got it screwed in and installed a board underneath to limit how far it can be pulled out. This really is a "1000 pound kid bed". I can stand on any point and there is no hint as to the limit it can hold. Maybe I built it too well.471Views0likes0CommentsFrom the frame up - Complete gut job & remodel - 1984 TT
This thread is a small selection of photos and description of our travel trailer remodel. It is documented on http://blog.whenthingsbreak.com/ "Today we brought home the trailer... It's a 1984 Petersen Excel 22' travel trailer. It seemed like it was in pretty good shape with the exception of knowledge that the hot water heater had exploded and needed replacement. Well we were very wrong about the trailer being in good shape as you will see in pictures in future blog posts." The dust that used to be the floor is what convinced me we would need to rebuild the entire bottom structure of the trailer. To do so we would need to remove everything touching the floor in the trailer. Most of the "floor" was broken up by hand, vacuumed, or swept out of the trailer. I can't believe this thing made it home in one piece. These pics really sum it up. The floor has disintegrated and caused a gap in bottom of the wall. Here's a good shot where you can see how the flat 2x4 acts as a surface for the subfloor to screw into. You can see the 2x4 floor joists (I would have loved to stand them up for added support but couldn't change the height of the floor without causing a lot of other work). You can also see the type of foam insulation used and how I filled the gaps with spray foam. Ikea butcher block countertops. 2nd trip. The appliances are all working. This is where I am at. Building a custom sliding couch bed where the dinette used to be. If you want to know more about any of these projects please visit the blog which has more/larger pictures. Thanks!3KViews0likes7Comments
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