Community Forums

KC1BUD · 08-16-2010, 10:27 PM

I tow a trailer a lot. So I hook up the trailer a lot. I got tired of crawling into and out of the driver's seat a lot in order to get the job done by myself.

Since my license plate is directly over the hitch I bought a second camera that mounts on the license plate and can be aimed at the hitch. Since the camera comes with a couple of wedge washers you can aim the camera almost anywhere. RV's with plates mounted off center, it might also be possible to aim it at the hitch successfully.

These Cameras are wireless other than a power cord and come with their own color monitor and it is easier to see than the black and white one is on my backup camera, and that one is larger than the color monitor.

You can get them at Walmart for under $100.00, I got mine for $22.00 when our Walmart was in the process of remodeling and they had clearanced it.

PNWGirl · 08-17-2010, 05:54 PM

Wow, good deal!!

Has anyone done that only on the rear of the trailer, so you can see what is behind you when you are backing up?

Sheila

frankdamp · 08-17-2010, 08:27 PM

I need a CCTV camera to help me get the RV into the driveway alongside the garage. Son-in-law and I modified the roof overhang to give a bit more clearance, but it's still tight.

I've been considering a wifi webcam that I can place at the fence to show the left-side wheels, which I need to keep as close to the kerb on the driveway as possible. I would use a netbook as the display to see where I was positioned. The camera would be put out there when I had to dock the rig and taken down again once we're docked, so it doesn't need to be weatherproof.

Is the camera you got capable of being independently powered, so I'm not depending on USB to run it? Brand and model would be useful, so I can go to Mall-Wart and check it out.

RVhauler · 08-18-2010, 12:08 AM

Believe that almost any auto parts store will carry the same type of camera of which he speaks. i know pep Boys and Advance both carry the cameras which are on sale from time to time

NITEHAWK · 08-18-2010, 07:25 AM

I installed one of those inexpensive cameras in our 31' Georgi Boy Maverick. The results were less than spectacular. Apparently the distance and anything between the sendor unit and the viewer attenuates the signal. There is a wardrobe door in the bedroom that has a full length mirror and the sending unit was inside the back cap. Whenever the wife positioned herself in front of the viewer/monitor the picture disappeared.
Possibly the metal "skin" used to create the mirror foiled the signal.
I did not experiment with different placements as we found a real deal on a class A Foretravel so I returned the unit.
Suggestion: Be careful opening the packaging in the event your results are not satisfactory.

NOW a happy RVer

Doggy Daddy · 08-25-2010, 01:03 PM

I changed my factory fixed B&W camera for one that is color, tilts up over toads and down to the hitch, and pans left to right with a 180 degree view from Rod at Total Vision. Total Vision Products:
The cost of a quality camera system is cheaper than the repairs and cost of an accident not to mention the memories. I also added color side and 2 nose cameras, and one above the dash looking back. The factory camera was relocated to the garage area in my Outlaw to watch my Harley.

KC1BUD · 08-27-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

I need a CCTV camera to help me get the RV into the driveway alongside the garage. Son-in-law and I modified the roof overhang to give a bit more clearance, but it's still tight.

I've been considering a wifi webcam that I can place at the fence to show the left-side wheels, which I need to keep as close to the kerb on the driveway as possible. I would use a netbook as the display to see where I was positioned. The camera would be put out there when I had to dock the rig and taken down again once we're docked, so it doesn't need to be weatherproof.

Is the camera you got capable of being independently powered, so I'm not depending on USB to run it? Brand and model would be useful, so I can go to Mall-Wart and check it out.

The camera I got is wireless and I connected it to one of the back up lights for power. That way it is only on when I am backing up. The monitor though small, 2.5 inch, is in color and gives me more information than does the stock black and white monitor in my Motor home. I think the box says it has a 300 foot range, but I am not sure you can wire it to a notebook, it seems to be a dedicated system.

It is called a "Vr3 Wireless Back-up Camera system with color monitor" Stock number is VRBCS300W. The camera has a 110 degree viewing angle from side to side and 80 degrees from top to bottom. I am not sure how easy it would be to build a way to get the camera feed to a computer monitor. The monitor has four view settings, normal, reverse, inverted, and inverted reverse.

I hope this helps. Good, luck!

KC1BUD · 08-27-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVhauler

Believe that almost any auto parts store will carry the same type of camera of which he speaks. i know pep Boys and Advance both carry the cameras which are on sale from time to time

For $98.83 ?

KC1BUD · 08-27-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy

I changed my factory fixed B&W camera for one that is color, tilts up over toads and down to the hitch, and pans left to right with a 180 degree view from Rod at Total Vision. Total Vision Products:
The cost of a quality camera system is cheaper than the repairs and cost of an accident not to mention the memories. I also added color side and 2 nose cameras, and one above the dash looking back. The factory camera was relocated to the garage area in my Outlaw to watch my Harley.

Mind you I was talking about a $100 camera system that I managed to buy for $25 that I got for a dedicated reason. To help me with the alignment of my rig when connecting the trailer and for no other purpose.

If I had $1250 to throw at the Motor home I would probably but a decent dual bander transceiver.

KC1BUD · 08-29-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWGirl

Wow, good deal!!

Has anyone done that only on the rear of the trailer, so you can see what is behind you when you are backing up?

Sheila

I almost never get myself into a situation where I have to back up once the trailer is attached, but If I have to backup then I use a person on the ground. I also physically check behind the rig before I back to avoid any problems.

PNWGirl · 08-30-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC1BUD

I almost never get myself into a situation where I have to back up once the trailer is attached, but If I have to backup then I use a person on the ground. I also physically check behind the rig before I back to avoid any problems.

I have to put the TT in a tight location and I go out single.

Back up all the time, when I am putting her in my spot at a campground- no biggie. Viewing the area behind my TT is not the problem, fitting the TT in it- without taking off the corner of my house- is. That is where a camera would come in very handy.

Sheila

powderman · 08-30-2010, 04:07 PM

I have used the Peak wireless with a 7" display. I hooked it to the running lights, as I want it on when traveling and I always use my headlights. I ran the transmitter wire up the inside and attached it to inside of a side window. Worked great until someone got into my truck and stole the monitor. If you can stand a smaller display 2.4" you can get one @ Advance auto for $79 and they have a $30 off coupon till sept 1 which makes the price $49. You can't buy much for that amount of money.

KC1BUD · 08-31-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderman

I have used the Peak wireless with a 7" display. I hooked it to the running lights, as I want it on when traveling and I always use my headlights. I ran the transmitter wire up the inside and attached it to inside of a side window. Worked great until someone got into my truck and stole the monitor. If you can stand a smaller display 2.4" you can get one @ Advance auto for $79 and they have a $30 off coupon till sept 1 which makes the price $49. You can't buy much for that amount of money.

I bought the whole camera system including the 2.4" color monitor for $22.00, it was mistakenly clearanced at Walmart, it normally sells for $98.83.

I really missed on that one though, I should have bought all they had at that price. I could have sold them for $50.00 on Ebay and doubled my money.

KC1BUD · 08-31-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWGirl

I have to put the TT in a tight location and I go out single.

Back up all the time, when I am putting her in my spot at a campground- no biggie. Viewing the area behind my TT is not the problem, fitting the TT in it- without taking off the corner of my house- is. That is where a camera would come in very handy.

Sheila

Shelia,

You certainly could put one on the back of the trailer you could even aim it in any direction you needed to get it looking in the right direction. Because it is wireless and transmits to the monitor, it does cut in and out on occasion. At least mine does, of course, I am holding the monitor and this could be blocking the antenna.