back up cameras

[suebobby]

Does any one have experience or recommendations regarding the use of back up cameras for hitching up? Wired or wireless? or would it just as easy for me to ask Sue to go back there and give me hand signals. Bob

[MOKID]

We tried using a mounted mirror on the tongue which came with the trailer but found that using Mary Jane's hand signals was just as easy and besides, it helps on our communication skills.

[Steve Collins]

Our new Jeep came with the factory installed backup camera and collision avoidance system. I hooked up the boat for the first time yesterday. All I can say is, "WOW!" It was amazingly easy to back right up to the coupler, perfectly lined up and ready to drop onto the ball. The camera in the Jeep is mounted high on the rear hatch, and the ball is visible in the picture plus there is a small black line right in the center of the screen which makes it super easy to line up the ball and coupler.

I am now looking around at the wireless camera systems to install on the truck. But none of them have the large screen that the Jeep does. Guess I'll just have to give one a try, though.

[kanyonkitty]

I purchased one of the back-up cameras that mount over/to your rear license plate, and the wire is fed to the "screen" that is in the cab of the truck.
Here is the camera:


And here is the rear view mirror that becomes the monitor when I put the truck in reverse.



Takes a little time to get the camera aimed just right, but once it is, hitching is a breeze.

I went this route because I almost always hitched up by myself.

Kitty

[mainah]

My Tacoma has a built in camera in the handle for the tail gate it can't be beat I can see the ground right at the edge of the bumper (with the tail gate down I can see my tag really well!). Be careful of cheap wireless ones they are not that great.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

I have one of those cheapie ones that aren't that great but I only paid $15 at a yard sale. It is wireless and I do like the portability of it since I don't have it mounted permanently. My only suggestion is to make sure the camera has as wide a viewing angle as possible. Some are not so wide and why have a camera if you cannot see it all?

jim

[pwb01]

I paid $20 for telescoping rods with magnets on one end and bright orange tennis ball size balls on top. Mount one on the hitch and one in front of the ball on the truck. Just line up the two in your rear view mirror as you back up and hook up by yourself first try every time. The actually work.

I would like a back up camera mounted on the back of the unit but I don't think they make one with that range at a reasonable price.

[suebobby]

Thank you all for the information, it was very helpful. I think we are going to try Paul and Sheri's solution first. You can't beat the cost and for the number of times we hook up per year it appears to be a great solution. Sue & Bob PS: looking forward to the Western NY M&G.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

My wireless system I made portable. This picture shows the monitoring screen with the accessory plug added to the powercord so it can easily be carried to other vehicles.


Here is the back of the camera itself showing how I mounted the camera with some pipe strapping to a camera swivel mount that I then mounted to a magnet out of a old CD antenna. The magnet will be replaced by a suctioncup mount, one day.


This last view is of the business end of the camera.


I did get a good deal on this camera but they are less than a hundred at WallyWerld and probably cheaper from eBay.

The strength of the wireless is pretty powerful. I hooked the camera in the car, running off of the car battery, about 80 feet from the house and mounted the viewing screen in the house, operating off of a 12V powersupply. I could see clear enough to monitor the drive for company coming. I have not tried it on the back of the camper to see how the metal may effect the dignal.


I have used this camera on neighbors van hooking up his boat and BIL motorhome hooking a utility trailer and I Mentioned connecting it in the car to watch the driveway. I do like the handy anywhere use of it.


jim

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by suebobby

Thank you all for the information, it was very helpful. I think we are going to try Paul and Sheri's solution first. You can't beat the cost and for the number of times we hook up per year it appears to be a great solution. Sue & Bob PS: looking forward to the Western NY M&G.

I found them at an auto parts store, Advance Auto I think and I believe Camping World has them too. I remember thinking it was a lot of money for styrofoam balls on a stick but they are well worth it. Sheri and I used to get into lenghtly "discussions" while she directed and I backed up. The task is much more civil now.

[suebobby]

We ordered them today from Camping World. Thanks again. Sue & Bob