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03-20-2017, 04:13 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Jacksonville Beach Fl
Posts: 14
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Rear Backup/Observation Camera Make/Installation
I could not find any information about peoples experience with backup/observation cameras on the back of travel trailers. I initially decided not to have one on the back of my trailer but after talking with a number of people I think being able to see behind you definitely has a lot of merit.
I have been looking at cameras and it seems that the most commonly mentioned cameras are Taddybrothers, Voyager and Furrion. There seems to be people that favor one over the other but no clear winner.
Would like to hear from people that have these wireless cameras for any recommendations. It looks like an easy installation on the back of the trailer with hook ups to the running lights but before I start punching holes in the back of the trailer please tell me whether this is a job that is better done by professionals.
2017 FunFinder 21rb
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03-20-2017, 09:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Kalamazoo, MI & Leesburg, FL
Posts: 735
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2013 Highlander AWD
2010 Fun Finder 189FBR
Into Camping and RC Flying
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03-21-2017, 04:20 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 165
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This is what I have--it's not hard wired; it's magnetic and removable (I put a piece of soft cloth between the magnet and my truck when in use):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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2007 X160; Nissan Frontier 2016 6cyl
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03-21-2017, 08:52 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FFX160_CT
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Can you put it on the back of the trailer to see while you're having the trailer up?
Liz
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2008 189FBR & 2014 FORD F150 Now Full-Time
Tons of Inexpensive Camper Mods WackyPup.com
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03-22-2017, 04:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 165
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Hi, certainly you'll need something metal to attach the camera to if attaching to your trailer. As far as hooking up my trailer to my truck, I simply stuck it on my truck just above the hitch for a bird's eye view of the hitch ball. (My newer truck has a built in camera, so I don't actually use the portable camera anymore for hooking up.)
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2007 X160; Nissan Frontier 2016 6cyl
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03-22-2017, 04:22 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 165
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Hmmm, I thought I posted a reply, but it disappeared. As long as you have some metal to attach it to, you can attach it to the trailer. As far as hooking up my trailer to my truck, I simply attach the camera to the truck, just above the hitch ball to get a bird's eye view. (My new truck has a built in backup camera, so I don't actually use the camera anymore for hooking up.)
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2007 X160; Nissan Frontier 2016 6cyl
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03-22-2017, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FFX160_CT
Hi, certainly you'll need something metal to attach the camera to if attaching to your trailer. As far as hooking up my trailer to my truck, I simply stuck it on my truck just above the hitch for a bird's eye view of the hitch ball. (My newer truck has a built in camera, so I don't actually use the portable camera anymore for hooking up.)
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I need to really watch that voice to text thing, it never gets it right and I always miss at least one important word lol. I meant does it have the range to work from the back of the camper to the cab of the truck so that we could use it as we backup the camper?
Thanks,
Liz
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2008 189FBR & 2014 FORD F150 Now Full-Time
Tons of Inexpensive Camper Mods WackyPup.com
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03-22-2017, 10:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 165
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Oh, mine didn't have any voice capabilities, sorry.
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2007 X160; Nissan Frontier 2016 6cyl
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03-22-2017, 08:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FFX160_CT
Oh, mine didn't have any voice capabilities, sorry.
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Lol i am talking about using voice to text with my tablet posting here. I'm not talking about the back up camera.
Let's see if I can clear up the confusion. I was asking if the camera had sufficient range to work from the back end of the camper to the cab of the truck.
Thanks
Liz
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2008 189FBR & 2014 FORD F150 Now Full-Time
Tons of Inexpensive Camper Mods WackyPup.com
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03-27-2017, 12:58 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 81
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Beachnuts,
I just bought a rear view camera. I looked around at different brands and ended up buying a Rear View Safety Systems (RVS) set up. It is a wired system that includes infrared lighting, a microphone and a quick connect between the truck and the trailer. I bought this brand for a couple of reasons. 1) they are solidly built with heavy duty wires and 2) I was able to get a good deal through Costco.
I went for the wired system because I have tried and not been satisfied with using a blue tooth connection between two phones while backing the trailer. The phone connection was not consistent enough. We would lose connection while backing up the trailer, not a good time to reestablish the connection while you are backing the truck and trailer and are blocking a road. The cameras sold may have better connections than our phones, but it is not evident from comments I saw on the seller sites.
My challenge now is to install the system. I am debating in my head whether I should install the camera on the back of the trailer low or high. I can easily install it on the rear bumper of the trailer with an easy wire lay. or figure how to unobtrusively get the wires to the top of the trailer and install it above the running lights.
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2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L
2015 Shadow Cruiser 225rbs
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03-27-2017, 01:49 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hickory Flat, Ga.
Posts: 729
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My vote would be for a bumper install first. That way you can decide how well you like it and, if necessary, take on the challenge of a higher mounting point in the future.
Would it be something someone might try to steal/take away if it was on the bumper?
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Alan
2005 T139FK
1995 Chevy G20 aka "Big Blue",
1994 GMC Camper Van,
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03-28-2017, 02:58 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 81
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APD, Thanks. You are right that the access to the camera would be pretty easy down low.
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2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L
2015 Shadow Cruiser 225rbs
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03-28-2017, 05:05 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,105
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Appears to be a very nice system and hard wired is good. I've read of interference or loss of signal on wireless systems. Also, must be a good company as they offer a military discount for active/veterans.
IMO ~ I mount it near the roof of the camper, high as possible for security of the camera and a clear view. A bumper mount would cloud the lens with road dust, and loss of vision in rain from the swirling spray.
Just my thoughts.
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2012 Fun Finder XT 276 Toy Hauler & Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with Condor wheel chock
2014 Dodge Ram 2500 AT 4X4 Crew Cab 6.4 L Hemi, 373 gears, tow package, Rambox option, Revolver X2 tonneau cover, Equal-I-zer anti-sway hitch.
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03-28-2017, 09:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Kalamazoo, MI & Leesburg, FL
Posts: 735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle
IMO ~ I mount it near the roof of the camper, high as possible for security of the camera and a clear view. A bumper mount would cloud the lens with road dust, and loss of vision in rain from the swirling spray.
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I absolutely agree that mounting it high is the best place for it. Mine is mounted below the middle running light.
__________________
2013 Highlander AWD
2010 Fun Finder 189FBR
Into Camping and RC Flying
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03-28-2017, 10:10 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 81
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Thanks, Eagle I appreciate the thoughts. Once the rain in the PNW slows down I am going under the trailer to find a good route for the wiring and a solid place to mount the camera.
Twinster, what did you use to attach the camera to the back wall?
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2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L
2015 Shadow Cruiser 225rbs
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03-28-2017, 10:58 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Kalamazoo, MI & Leesburg, FL
Posts: 735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N&K
Twinster, what did you use to attach the camera to the back wall?
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I used caulking as the adhesive. I believe it was butyl caulk, but just about any caulking will work as long as you hold the camera in place until the caulking sets. There were no holes drill into the back of the trailer. I used the middle running light to powering the camera. Note that mine is wireless, so power was the only wiring I need.
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2013 Highlander AWD
2010 Fun Finder 189FBR
Into Camping and RC Flying
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