I'm awaiting delivery of a 2024 19' Bambi. Will tow it with a Ford Ranger that's plenty capable with wdh, new Bilsteins and Sumo springs. Rated for 7500 lbs towing and 750 tongue wt. A concern is that these Rangers are skinny and Airstreams are 8' wide. I'd rather hold off on buying new mirrors and am wondering how you all make use of the rearview camera on the back of the trailer. How valuable to you is it while driving?
Does it sync via bluetooth? Do you sync it to your phone or to the screen in your vehicle? If to your vehicle, can you toggle between camera and navigation or something else easily?
Apologies for what may seem a primitive question. Will certainly go over this during walk through, but there's usually too much info to remember.
In regards to your mirror question, consider some extensions. In some states you are required to have towing mirrors. We had a VW Touareg TDI and towed a 23’ Flying Cloud (narrow body) and I did not feel safe driving it without them.
I found the Dometic DM-2899 Milenco Aero3 Towing Mirrors worked great.
About the rear camera, if your Bambi came with the factory installed Voyager unit, it’s a wireless camera that connects to a monitor inside your truck. It’s powered by the trailer’s running lights so all you need to do is turn on your truck’s headlights and plug the monitor into a DC power source (cig lighter plug).
I depend on rear camera while driving and find it very useful on the interstate to see traffic behind us before changing lanes.
Our Voyager’s camera finally died and I replaced the 4:3 format display with a HaloView 1080 16:9 wide screen. The resolution is greatly improved. That said, the Voyager did the job until it died.
Consider adding mirrors - you don’t want to be “that guy” who has an accident with his new truck and trailer.
Thanks,
Did not realize that it came with its own monitor. Finding a place for the monitor might take some thinking but that's another issue. Thanks for clearing that up.
I don't want to be "that guy" and have no issue with buying add on type mirrors. Others, on a Ford Ranger Forum, speak of 4-500 dollar mirror replacements. After purchasing a truck, new Airstream, wdh ,shocks and springs, my mind and wallet are spinning.
Just trying to sort things out. Picking up our trailer early Feb and will take off in it for a few months of shakedown, want to be as prepared as I can be. I've no doubt that I'll be stopping at auto shops and hardware stores along the route.
Thanks again
2016 27' International
1997 34' Limited
Saint Cloud
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 170
Rear Camera and Towing Mirrors
Frost,
Been there done that.
Our first trip we used mirror extensions. The problem we had was them shaking so you did not get a clear view. I bought after-market towing mirrors for my F150 from A1 Auto and they were a huge improvement. You really need to see down the sides when traveling, especially at night. The rear view camera, for me anyway, is less effective at night in determining if it is clear to change lanes.
Our 20FB didn’t come with a camera the way the new ones do; but we didn’t want an extra monitor in the vehicle anyway. Our Sierra, while well-equipped for towing, didn’t come with the GM factory camera system (uses the dash display, but is wired, not wireless), nor does we have ‘towing mirrors’ like an HD. There’s an aftermarket company working on being able to install the factory camera into vehicles that didn’t come with such, but as of yet, I think it’s still a bit flaky, hoping they get the kinks worked out. I also considered swapping to the factory tow mirrors in exchange for our regular side mirrors, but I started noticing the tow mirrors, when you’re not towing, they’re actually creating a notable blindspot.
I ordered some extensions off of Amazon: not the clamp-on rod kind, but more like a cup that slides over the mirror: they work well, were less than $100. Mine are “Longview”, but there are others like it called “Fit”.
After several years of driving now…. While I think a camera on the back of the camper would be ‘neat’, it’s not essential. Good mirrors are, though. There was once, I took off to take my camper to a shop for a bit of pre-trip service and neglected to put my tow-mirrors on, I really noticed not having them, even if you have a camera, mirrors are required. (And, some states will ticket you for not having them.)
I didn't want anything on my dash (or windshield) except the GPS.
So my Haloview 7" monitor lives on a RAM arm with a cupholder mount on the bottom and a small brace to the dash on the top. (It moved around too much just using the cup holder.)
I piggybacked the TPMS screen on top of that.
I used clamp on mirrors for a couple years and always found them lacking. They moved, or fell off, or needed a place to store, etc.
So I bit the bullet and swapped my OEM mirrors for dedicated tow mirrors from 1A Auto. Trail Ridge mirrors, installed them myself in an hour or so. Best mod I've done, they work great and they're always available.
2023 25' Globetrotter
2021 16' Bambi
Forest Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,789
Congratulations! We loved our dearly departed 16' Bambi. It was a great camper but we ended up getting the 25' GT for longer trips and working remotely.
With the mention of mirrors, we had two clamp on mirrors like those @Jeff pictured that would loosen over time to where we had to tighten after every stop but now we only have one after one eventually fell off in traffic. We have an Audi Q7 which I know isn't the norm for TV, but if there's a solution like @GB suggests, I think it would be worth it.
I posted in the Audi thread looking for something better for our vehicle and I'll look into the ones @LN suggested as well.
We are not real happy with the stock Voyager camera. It's not terrible but reception is sometimes spotty and it's not a whole lot of good at night. I'd like to replace it eventually with the Haloview. Also, we've had it one season and the mount broke so I had to modify a cell phone holder that clamps to the vent (which actually we like much better since it doesn't obstruct the view out the windshield). It's ok for seeing an approaching vehicle but mirrors are essential. We don't use it for backing up except sometimes the microphone comes in handy.
I'm awaiting delivery of a 2024 19' Bambi. Will tow it with a Ford Ranger that's plenty capable with wdh, new Bilsteins and Sumo springs. Rated for 7500 lbs towing and 750 tongue wt. A concern is that these Rangers are skinny and Airstreams are 8' wide. I'd rather hold off on buying new mirrors and am wondering how you all make use of the rearview camera on the back of the trailer. How valuable to you is it while driving?
Does it sync via bluetooth? Do you sync it to your phone or to the screen in your vehicle? If to your vehicle, can you toggle between camera and navigation or something else easily?
Apologies for what may seem a primitive question. Will certainly go over this during walk through, but there's usually too much info to remember.
Thanks so much for your help.
Fun! But I would leave it parked at the dealer until spring vs get it covered with salt brine towing it home. I doubt they should charge you a fee, or much at all.
YOur ranger will pull/handle the camper easily.
Tow mirrors are required in all 50 states. The federal standard is 300 feet to the rear visibility. Unless you have tow mirrors by default, you need mirrors as you can't see down the side of the camper. You can find CLIP-ON mirrors on amazon that is cheaper than the ticket you get from a state trooper. I have a wrap around style that look near factory that were probably 100 bucks.
No idea how the newer rear view camers work, or if its even same brand as mine. Mine is not blue-tooth thankfully. Its wifi 2gig and is paired to the LCD so theres no connection problems and its generally not visible to others. I look at mine while going down the road all the time to see who is tailgating. Backing, is a must these days to use it to prevent expensive bumps into things !
As a side note, you will use up most of that 750 LB tongue weight rating pretty fast. Get a tongue scale to keep track of how loaded your camper is.
I've thought about that salt brine or worse,road salt. My previous trailer,a Casita, had surface rust on the frame after a bit. Seems our winter trips always had snow or slush either coming or going.
I'm planning to crawl under the new Airstream and do some crude undercoating. just a short trip from the dealer. but you have me wondering how they get Airstreams from factory to dealer. another question for the salesman. hope they don't tow them over snow covered roads
I've thought about that salt brine or worse,road salt. My previous trailer,a Casita, had surface rust on the frame after a bit. Seems our winter trips always had snow or slush either coming or going.
I'm planning to crawl under the new Airstream and do some crude undercoating. just a short trip from the dealer. but you have me wondering how they get Airstreams from factory to dealer. another question for the salesman. hope they don't tow them over snow covered roads
Usually put a couple on a flat-bed trailer, like a car hauler setup…. I’ll look for a pic…
They dont tow them with a vehicle like normal. They go on flatbeds of some sort.
That said, mine was transported to the dealer to TX in the winter, it had rust on the wheel wells already. I made the dealer scrape it off and repaint the frame.
you have me wondering how they get Airstreams from factory to dealer.
They use any and all methods. Smaller units might double up on a trailer, larger units are towed by freelance drivers.
Often an older couple with a tow vehicle, and I've heard they tow at 80 mph. (Time is money)
It's pretty standard that they cannot sleep on the bed or use the bathroom.
2022 30' Flying Cloud
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 55
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frost
I'd rather hold off on buying new mirrors and am wondering how you all make use of the rearview camera on the back of the trailer. How valuable to you is it while driving?
It doesn't replace the mirrors. It's somewhat helpful with backing up when you have obstacles to keep an eye on, and going down the highway it can give you a clear picture of when you have passed a vehicle and it's safe to change back.
It doesn't help fill in the view beside the trailer, so in the moment you decide to pass a slow moving truck, if a faster moving vehicle starts passing you you need a clear view of the lane. I also like to clearly see the trailer wheels if I'm maneuvering around curbs.
Thanks to all for your replies. Lots of good info. Add on mirrors it is, maybe replace the oem ones in a year or two. Frame check when it gets to Vermont, which is where we're buying it. Not new to hauling a TT, but slightly larger trailer and smaller TV has me wondering about some things. JJTX, when you say wait for spring, up here we go from winter to summer with a few weeks of mud in between. We'll head your direction during your spring which I take is late Feb or so. Thanks for your heads up about road brine/salt.
Although you are towing a smaller size trailer, you really need a full size half ton truck to safely tow your trailer. You could easily loose control of the rig towing with the Ranger. Just my opinion.
Although you are towing a smaller size trailer, you really need a full size half ton truck to safely tow your trailer. You could easily loose control of the rig towing with the Ranger. Just my opinion.
I think you'd be surprised by the towing capabilities of the newer mid sized trucks. A loaded 19'Bambi, at 5k lbs( likely less) should be good for a vehicle rated to tow 7500 lbs. A hitch rated at 750 lbs is more than my F150 was. Torque rating is better as well. I'm adding new shocks and springs and a wdh. I searched the Ford Ranger Forum for some time before purchase. Lots of people towing bigger and larger than my Bambi. I'll get to drive a maneuverable vehicle around when we're camping, park in a normal parking space and get 24 mpg at home when not towing.
Thanks for your input. I'll have to get back with a report once we get on the road for a few months. I'm all about safety and driving slow. We'll see.
Frost - If you want to reduce clutter in the cab, switch to a Haloview camera equipped with a monitor that mounts on the exiting rearview mirror. Various models including the MC10 and the RD10. Bonus is that it has a forward-facing dash cam built into the monitor. The screen is reflective enough that when powered off it functions as a plain-old mirror. I mount it only when traveling with the trailer but leave it mounted even when unhitched.
My mirror is powered but not enough to reliably power the monitor with an adapter. I ran the power cable above the headliner, behind the cover on the passenger-side post, behind the AC vent, and into the fuse box behind the kick panel. I tapped into an upfitter relay but you can piggyback on a fuse, too.
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