So many questions for Back-up camera

[urnmor]

After six years of owning our 2012 25ft FB Flying Cloud I am now considering putting in a back-up camera (a tree moved on me the other day and I damaged my bike rack). Anyway I have read most of the posts regarding backup cameras.
As a result I am more confused then ever, however, at my age that does not take much.

My first question has to do with wifi. Some of the articles I have read tell me that because of the Aluminum shell wifi can be intermittent, however, I did not see any threads on the forum saying that. So is the wifi the way to go or hard wiring the best way. Also how does one hook into wifi while driving or at a park that does not have wifi?

Although my 2012 F250 has a monitor with a back-up camera I suspect having a separate monitor is the way to go as it will show live road conditions at all times and if desire I can turn it on and off at will.

I doubt if I will do the installation myself and will probably use Camping World or a local RV dealership that is close by.

Any thoughts on which one to purchase or the idea of using a local RV dealer or Camping World is greatly appreciated.

[DoubleR]

I bought a SVTCAM WiFi camera on eBay, mounted it myself on our 25FC powered from the center marker light, and I use my iPad attached to the F150 rear view mirror.

It really works great and you can also take a picture with it.

[joshjack]

So the WiFi option is a dedicated WiFi network hosted by be camera. Depending on the system (reviews are helpful here) it will work just fine with the 25’ and aluminum, or not very well. It won’t affect Campground WiFi except you may have to sometimes make sure your phone/tablet is connected to Campground when you need internet and camera when trying to park.

Personally I’m a fan of hard wired, or at least a unit with the wireless transmitter that can be mounted very close to the hitch so that it doesn’t have to go through the trailer.

[rmkrum]

Not a lover of Wifi cameras. I don't want to depend on a wireless signal when I'm doing some critical maneuver in tight quarters.

I went with a three camera wired system. Has a rear-view camera that mounts up high and looks down, plus left and right side cameras that activate when you hit turn signals. The same outfit also makes a monitor that can show 4 cameras at once. I went with the single-view monitor because it gets confusing trying to figure out which corner of the display to look at.

Have a look at www.rearviewsafety.com They also make very heavy-duty wireless systems. It's very solid hardware, and uses aircraft-quality connectors.

It's a hardwired system, powered from the truck. Adds another umbilical cable to have fun with, and will require one hole in the aluminum (gasp) to mount the cameras.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Our's has plenty of range, (200yds as I was driving away), Al is not a problem, no interfearance at all.

An AS rule for me...drill no holes that are not needed.

Used Velcro to mount the camera. Power for the camera runs under the window weatherstrip to the rear 12v power port with a lighted on/off switch. No need to leave it exposed to the WNY Winters, easy on, easy off. 😂👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[boondockdad]

I blogged my wired setup here: http://boondockdad.com/wired-camera-install/

Some thoughts after six years of use:

- Manufacturer offers better screen and options. Saved presets for brightness/contrast is a big plus (nighttime vs. daytime driving.. it's either blinding or you can't see it)

- Not been able to find off-the-shelf mounting brackets for pigtail connectors

- Multi-camera switching is great. One of these days I'm going to mount a third camera up on top the A/C shroud looking forward... get a birds eye of view of traffic


I recently saw a wireless setup from a new 2018 FC in action. Not impressed. Poor picture quality and discernible delay in video.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you are planning to use the camera while running down the road ... consider where the screen is going to mount. It needs to be somewhere you can easily see it *and* that does not block something else you also need to see. Yes, that depends a lot on how much "stuff" you already have running around in the truck ....

Bob

[urnmor]

My thanks to all. It has given me a lot to think about. Not sure when I will purchase but will let you all know which way i go when I do. Also if other have more suggestions and ideas please keep them coming

[quietguy]

Originally Posted by urnmor

My thanks to all. It has given me a lot to think about. Not sure when I will purchase but will let you all know which way i go when I do. Also if other have more suggestions and ideas please keep them coming

Don’t think “wi-fi”. Think radio transmitter and receiver...like a “walkie-talkie”. The antenna for the camera is physically mounted to the top of the camera (outside of the aluminum shell, so no interference). The antenna for the monitor is on the side of the monitor. Most have a microphone on the camera so you have to turn down the volume if you monitor it constantly while going down the road. However it’s very useful when backing into your site and your significant other is hollering at you to stop. Two screws and caulking mount it to the trailer. Fish the hot wire for the marker lights through a small hole you drill and tap into that. Rubber grommet into hole. Turn on parking lights to power the camera. Great investment in my mind!

[Anders79]

No problems with wifi in my 25' FC. Just as a FYI - i installed one myself for around $50 and use my ipad as the display. no drilling; took maybe 10 to 15 minutes; have it installed on back window (near top) on inside of glass. Id say I have had under 5% iof the time, when display would lag; but 95% of time it is right on (and IPAD is a NICE big display).

[NWRVR]

I started with an under $200 wireless Safety Rear View camera on my 25' Serenity but would lose the signal at the critical time when in a sharp backup turn. I bit the bullet and installed a Voyager which I should have done in the first place. Works great and now have one on my Classic 30, never lose the signal and like to see the guy tailgating me when traveling down the road.

[PKI]

Originally Posted by NWRVR

I started with an under $200 wireless Safety Rear View camera -- snip -- bit the bullet and installed a Voyager -- snip --

Same - went with the 7" monitor. Only issues are - the loss of signal for a few seconds - the numerous wiring connections on the monitor cable (easy to connect, extras just in the way, bag them) - having to put hole in AS shell - $ cost.

Won't wait for signal to return when backing? Towing and backing is not a race. There should be no critical/time sensitive actions. Having said that, going hard wired is a very good way to run signal and power. Just don't make it a mandatory install requirement. It is not.

Holes in AS. It's just a necessity. The value of the camera exceeds the negative of the holes. Seal well and move on. Folks do use existing tag light holes for wire access and mounting. Additionally someone should design and fabricate a clearance light spacer with wiring access and camera mount provision. AS design team, are you listening?

Extra cameras - had not thought of the traffic birds eye view - great idea! Extra cameras are a someday plan for us. May never get to it. The one in back, however is priceless. We put off the investment and learned with a low cost, no hole required system. It worked, but no where near as well and was worthless at night. The upgrade was worth the cost to us.

A camera is not a replacement for good mirrors or active eyes, but it does help with additional information. Pat

Edit - Take note that you can't block the clearance lights with the camera mounting position. That compromise takes some thought.

[boondockdad]

Before I went the wired route, I built a little wireless system from a kit off eBay (pretty similar to this https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F253502688834)

Transmitter got very hot, so I put a cooling fan in it.



Worked like a charm... 1.5W plenty of power even about 40’ back... except for interference I’d get on the highway from who knows what... truckers? Troopers? Weigh stations?

[guskmg]

A rear view camera is worth is weight in gold. I could have paid for mine several times. Don't ask how. I have a hard wired one mounted on the rear center of the TT. I find this the most usefull place in order to interpret the reaview obtsacles. It uses a video switch to go between the TV or TT on the TVs GPS screen. One note of interest: it is illegal to have a video on while driving. That includes switchable rear view cameras viewable by a driver. I had to provide a letter to the installing company that I accepted complete responsabitly for any liability resulting from the use of the camera while driving. But, I would not let that deter you because of the added safety a camera provides. Besides most MHs have esentialy the same set up. However, they may use a seperate screen even though that would also be viewable by the driver. Beats me!
guskmg

[PKI]

GUS - at least in California, the use of a video screen for vehicle information is not prohibited. An entertainment system is prohibited. Of course, what goes on behind might be considered entertainment, but generally that is not an ASer's analysis. Pat

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by PKI

Same - went with the 7" monitor. Only issues are - the loss of signal for a few seconds - the numerous wiring connections on the monitor cable (easy to connect, extras just in the way, bag them) - having to put hole in AS shell - $ cost.

Won't wait for signal to return when backing? Towing and backing is not a race. There should be no critical/time sensitive actions. Having said that, going hard wired is a very good way to run signal and power. Just don't make it a mandatory install requirement. It is not.

Holes in AS. It's just a necessity. The value of the camera exceeds the negative of the holes. Seal well and move on. Folks do use existing tag light holes for wire access and mounting. Additionally someone should design and fabricate a clearance light spacer with wiring access and camera mount provision. AS design team, are you listening?

Extra cameras - had not thought of the traffic birds eye view - great idea! Extra cameras are a someday plan for us. May never get to it. The one in back, however is priceless. We put off the investment and learned with a low cost, no hole required system. It worked, but no where near as well and was worthless at night. The upgrade was worth the cost to us.

A camera is not a replacement for good mirrors or active eyes, but it does help with additional information. Pat

Edit - Take note that you can't block the clearance lights with the camera mounting position. That compromise takes some thought.

Pat,
I’m looking at the voyager with 7” monitor. Can you post a pic of you monitor mounted in the TV. I can’t figure out where to mount it so it does not block the whole windshield.
Thanks
Ronnie

[PKI]

Goes directly in the center, just above the navigation screen on the provided suction cup. Seven inches is not as big as it sounds, but I am tall and sit high in the vehicle. Visit your local camping world or similar distributor and review the screen in person. Locate a cardboard model where you think it should go and see if it blocks your view. There was a video on Youtube that showed install on a MoHo. They mounted it on the dash and oriented the screen toward the driver. Pat

Edit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA4wf1Bzjkc

look at about 9 minutes into the video.

[BoscoMN]

I am a nerdy engineer so I may have gone overboard. I am using an Axis Communications F44 Dual Audio Input Server with 3 F1005-E cameras. The F44 is a professional surveillance quality server that formats and records the cameras video. I have it tied to a TP-Link AC750 Wireless Travel Router sitting on the forward dinette table with a clear line of sight to the TV dashboard. The router provides a Wi-Fi hotspot for my iPad in the TV.


The 1080P video is very clear both day and night. The F44 provides a number if ways to set up the screen views. The F1005 cameras provide 113 degrees of view. The rear camera is looking out the back window and gives great visibility of vehicles immediately behind the Airstream as well as vehicles overtaking in adjacent lanes. Vehicles over 200 feet behind are a little small in the screen. The other two cameras are mounted externally on the upper brackets of the rock guards.


As a backup I have a Wansview IP Camera W2. It is also 1080P and has a 65 degree view which shows vehicles behind the Airstream a bit better at greater distances but does not cover the adjacent lanes as well as the wider angle Axis camera. It ties into the router via Wi-fi.


The Wi-Fi will occasionally pause and sometimes loose connection. My navigator then has to restart the iPad. I believe that this is caused by the RF interference of other vehicles and possibly other transmitters along the highway. On highways out in the country with little traffic I have had zero issues. I might run an ethernet cable directly into the TV and tie it into a tablet at some time in the future. Maybe make the connection with the TV cable happen in the battery box out of the weather.

It is a work in progress that I am still experimenting with. My goal is to have 1080P rock solid video. No wired off the shelf system I have found will provide this and I do hate another corroded connector to worry about. Wireless systems have some lag and some interference issues and some setup quirks at times.


The Axis F44 with three cameras was around $1,100. The TP-Link router was $45 and the Wansview camera was $60. The old iPad I already had.

[sleuthin3]

We have the WiFi backup camera installed by Airstream. Maybe it's the product and not necessarily WiFI but I don't care for it for the below reasons:

1. It frequently cuts out, particularly when going through mountainous terrain;
2. The picture frame rate is slow so there is a time lag - frustrating, particularly if using it for situational awareness while driving.

I'll deal with the above for now. I'm too cheap to hardwire the system.

Matt

[Overstreet]

We use the one that came with the 2018 trailer. We mount it on the passenger side of the dashboard where it is out of the way. We only mount it when backing in a tight spot. It has a mic and speaker so I can hear what the "flag-person" is saying. Which can be unsettling if the volume is turned up at both the person and the screen.

I couldn't decifer the display until I turned the screen upside down. Then things were in the right perspective.

You can turn it on during travel to check on the bikes. That view is noisy and unnecessary.