Rear view cameras

Redtail Cruiser posted this link to a rear view camera some time back. Do a search for "camera" for more info if you think that might help.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Wireles...ype=10&veh=aff

[Troglodyte]

I am pulling a 2922 with a Toyota FJ Cruiser. I use towing mirrors but really like seeing behind me when changing lanes or getting on a highway. For me the solution was a rear view camera that jacks into my Rand McNally RV7720 GPS. I purchased from here: http://www.dieselboss.com/Travrout/g...nd_rv_rvnd.htm

The camera has been updated in this listing so I can't speak to its quality. The one I have from last year has been excellent. I did buy the optional trailer disconnect. I also added a tractor LED utility light to the reverse light circuit on the TM for night campsite parking.

What if you don't have a Rand McNally GPS to plug the camera into? Does anyone have a good rearview camera system that they like and would recommend?

I have heard that the wireless cameras aren't that great, maybe too grainy...

The most stressful part of towing my TM is having to make quick or even slow lane changes and not being able to see behind me well enough. It seems dangerous, I even tried to change lanes once on my first trip after I thought I had checked the lane out, I heard a faint horn back there and so I returned to original lane and sure enough I had almost forced someone off the road (at highway speeds).

Thank you,
Trudy

[Redtail Cruiser]

Hi Trudy, I have been using the GE wireless camera system for some time now and have found it to be helpful. I mounted the camera in a magnetic parts bowl, purchased at a local auto parts store. I simply put Velcro strips in the bowl and then I could use it on my truck's tailgate to assist with hooking up the TM, although I don't use it this way anymore, my new TV has a built-in camera system. I additionally Superglued a small, 2"x2", steel plate to the rear roof of the TM and use the camera there while towing. I mounted the viewing screen on an old Garmin screen holder that sits on the dash.

The screen image is good, a little grainy, but clear enough to identify what type of vehicle is behind you and if it's safe to change lanes or not. I had a similar experience to yours before I got the camera, in that I started to change lanes unaware of the corvette that was coming up behind me doing about 85mph. Whew, that was a close one. No surprises anymore.

I purchased mine on eBay for $100, but Wallmart sells it for $150. TravlinOn posted the link in his post.

Thank you Tim!
Trudy

Hi Tim,

I have read your post a few times and plan to get a wireless camera. I even went to the auto parts store to see what the magnetic cup was... but I am wondering what does the magnetic cup accomplish for you? Why not just bolt the camera to the top of the TM? Doesn't the magnetic cup collect water when it's raining and cause your camera to sit in a bath?

Thanks,
Trudy

[Padgett]

On my Jeep and RV I use a wireless camera that bolts at the top of the license plate. I plan to put another on the back of the TM and power from the brake light that way I can ride on the brake slightly and turn the camera on. I would suggest that a 4" display is pretty much the smallest you can see. I have the display in the RV in a mirror that clips on the essentially useless dash mirror.

If you buy separately say from Amazon, make sure the camera can talk to the display.

ps I would not mount the camera more than about three feet off the ground or you may miss close low objects like a curb.

[Bailey'sMom]

Originally Posted by Redtail Cruiser

Hi Trudy, I have been using the GE wireless camera system for some time now and have found it to be helpful. . I Superglued a small, 2"x2", steel plate to the rear roof of the TM and use the camera there while towing..

Hi Tim

Does the GE come with a magnetic base? Is this all that secures it as you go down the highway? And it stays up with no problems?

I just ordered one and am awaiting its arrival. I mainly want it for backing into campsite but if can be secured well, I might also use it on highway.

[Jeff the marmot]

Just to mention another possibility, I recently installed a fairly nice wired camera and display with trailer disconnect on my TM. My wife and I are very impressed with it. The night vision is cool too. Actually, the first reason why that one caught my attention is that it has a proper trailer disconnect as part of the kit. The link to where I bought it is:
70CHNV-TRLR kit at www.rvcams.com
The resolution of the camera and display is really nice. It's a 7" color display. We used velcro on the windshield to hang the display in our TV. That way we can easily relocate the display to our other TV or even temporarily relocate the monitor to the interior of the TM if we want to check the camera while we're inside. I'm sooooo glad I have this camera while towing -- it makes such a big difference in safety and knowing if anyone is behind me.

I'm glad I didn't go with anything smaller than a 7" display because it's difficult to see the speed of distant approaching vehicles behind me. That is, the wide angle view of this camera is pretty wide at 130 degrees. So it's really nice to see almost to the bumper while simultaneously seeing above the horizon. But I'd say this is the widest camera lens that would still be acceptable. That's because the size of distant approaching vehicles on the display becomes smaller as you go with a wider angle lens. I can see fine if there's any vehicles within a few car lengths behind me. But beyond that, I really can't tell what speed they're approaching because the image is too small.

Oh - and this camera and display have audio! That's really useful for backing while someone directs me. There's a volume control on this display, so it's all built-in and really easy. Nothing extra or external required to get the sound.

A 2nd port on the display is available for another camera, although we only have 1 camera right now.

I mounted the camera fairly high, but below the running lights and above the top of the rear window covering. The window covering blocks half of the view when it's open and I'm viewing the image from inside the trailer. I mounted it below the running lights because the instructions that came from RVCams recommends it that way so you don't see a red glow in the bottom of the image at night if you were to mount it above those lights.

I routed the cable underneath the rear solar panel and then followed the solar wires back along the legs and underneath along the frame. I don't see any interference from the cable being near the solar wires (especially since that's DC instead of AC wires). I would have found it confusing where to route the cable and how much slack to give the cable near the hinges if I didn't have the solar there as an example.

Overall, my wife and I are really happy with this camera system!

Edit: I used a drill and a Dremel to make the slots a little longer which hold the camera at a slight angle downward. This allowed me to rotate the camera closer to horizontal. It's still pointed below horizontal, but we are much happier with this because distant cars appear larger in the monitor due to perspective or the fish-eye effect of the lens. This means I can get a better idea of how quickly distant cars are approaching. And we don't need to see what's immediately off of the rear bumper. Love it!

Hi Jeff,

Thank you so much for this post. I can see all the advantages of the system that you mention and I appreciate the details about your installation. I believe that I will have one of these before my next major trip. It's quite pricey for me but then I will remind myself that safety is priceless and it will be money well spent.

Thanks again,
Trudy