WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Apr 18, 2022 18:02:36 GMT -8
Folks, a backup camera is not a replacement for side mirrors nor is it intended to be. If you rely solely on your camera, your heading for a heap of hurt, or at least scratches and dents down the side of your TV. I have an '08 Silverado 4x4 with a camper shell / topper / cover, whatever you call them these days. I can back a trailer at about 15-20 mph, backing is not an issue. I have been able to get fairly close with side mirrors. What the camera does help with is determining distance. 1. No bumping the trailer hitch 2. No dented up license plate from when the trailer is a bit too high. 3. No dented bumper when your "off" just a bit to one side or the other. Oh and lets forget about the trailer for a bit, parking an extended cab 4x4 into a parking spot... 4. It keeps me from buying a radiator or bumper cover when backing into a parking spot 5. I can stop short of running my ball / tailgate into the bushes 6. Ever "bump" (read: thud) your hitch into a concrete wall at a city parking garage? Ya, you know what I'm sayin', like to have jarred your i-teeth loose. Sometimes you have to "hitch up" at an angle, on a "canter", or even almost sideways at times. I don't care who you are, you ain't that good without getting out several times. (speaking of getting hitched, we won't even address the wife helping with backing instructions) The camera does work folks to literally give you "eyes in the back of your, well, bumper". Shucks, I even bought an extra camera for the front of my truck so I can see how close I'm getting to stuff when I pull in. Hard to judge where that big square nose it at. (still talking about the truck people, leave my wife out of this) If I understand the original post, this is referring to a backup camera on the actual back of the trailer / camper / travel trailer. I, for one, like the idea. Even if it's one of those license plated mounted ones. If it keeps me from bumping (or ramming) the back my camper that I've spent so much time painstakingly assembling from a pile of pieces, then I'm all for it. Sure beats my wife hollering "whoa, Whoa, WHOA!" while all the other "campers" are staring at you (and you know you do the same, we love this kind of cheap entertainment at someone else's expense). Wouldn't it be great to back in one time and stick the landing like a Boss while everyone stands in awe? It would also be handy, like has been said, to see how close the person is behind you 'cause sometimes they get so close you can't see them. Have it on a push button so it's not on all the time. May not use it a lot, but sure would be handy if you did. As always, just my opinion, didn't say it was a good one. Now, would someone please come over here and help me down off this soap box before I twist an ankle!
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Apr 20, 2022 8:21:16 GMT -8
WhitneyK, now you are talking me back into it. Sure wish I knew how well they worked, if they transmit well wirelessly, what night vision is like, etc
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 20, 2022 13:46:43 GMT -8
I’m a bit confused. Our backup camera, as well as the side and front cameras are integrated into the bumpers and sides of the car, so if we’re pulling a Hamlet, the rear back up cam only picks up what’s behind the car… which is Hamlet. The side cameras act very much like side mirrors. We can’t see a tailgater, but they do eliminate blind spots on either side. In a dozen years, most new cars will be made without side mirrors (and maybe even rear view mirrors), I suspect, as the technology improves. They do take a bit of getting used to, but a car to the side turns bright red if it’s not possible to change lanes safely. While it’d be nice to see what’s directly behind Hamlet, I’ll wait until someone figures out how to have a remote camera that’s integrated into the rest of the camera system. I love new technology, just not too much at one time!
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Apr 20, 2022 18:53:39 GMT -8
The dynosaur is back! I too, appreciate new technology. But a mirror is not subject to any kind of electronic failure. It will always work as long as you are accustomed to using it.
I feel the same about electronic maps or nautical charts. Can you imagine how totally "lost" you'd feel if you were 30 miles offshore in a boat and your batteries crap out? All of your electronic devices will be useless.
In my opinion, people have become too dependent on electronics. Losing the ability to have a physical paper chart (or map) in hand, and being unable to understand the incredible detail compiled over centuries of observation is a significant loss for humanity.
There are few experiences more rewarding than being offshore in a boat, totally engulfed in fog...without radar, using just a paper chart, compass and nautical aides like fog horns, buoys, red and green flashing lights to find one's way to a safe harbor. It is called "dead reckoning" for good reason.
These skills, once learned...are imprinted in a trained person's mind, completely independent upon modern technology. They can be a lifesaver.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 21, 2022 6:01:57 GMT -8
AMEN to that Turbodaddy...
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Apr 21, 2022 17:55:59 GMT -8
Has anyone rigged up some kind of camera to give a good view to the rear. "There are few experiences more rewarding than being offshore in a boat, totally engulfed in fog...without radar, using just a paper chart, compass and nautical aides like fog horns, buoys, red and green flashing lights to find one's way to a safe harbor. It is called "dead reckoning" for good reason." I think we've lost the intent of this thread and reeaaallly drifted (pun intended) off topic here...
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 22, 2022 12:04:18 GMT -8
Well.... back to the camera idea.... I say learn to back into a tight space without it first. Then, if you really want it, get a rear camera just for confirmation of what you think you are doing. I did that with flying. I learned to fly and to use thermals to go up in altitude without instruments. Then once I knew how to do that I added the instruments just to confirm what I thought was going on.
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 22, 2022 13:21:24 GMT -8
I was anti camera too because watching my wife rely on it makes me nervous. I got the solar wireless one from Costco, 2 minute install, can be moved to the back of the camper easily and I like it. I still use my mirrors for nearly all backing but for that last foot, it's nice to know exactly where your bumper (or hitch) is. Turns out, I was greatly overestimating how close I was to cars in a truck I've owned for 15 years. Worth the $100.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 22, 2022 13:27:42 GMT -8
I think the original question was about a rear camera, not a back-up cam. It would require a connection (?by wire or over the air?) to the driver and it would require a screen aside from whatever the car has, if any. Would it be on all the time? Even with the smallish vertical view out the Tesla’s rear window, we can still see through the back window of the camper. We can tell If we have anyone tailgating us, otherwise the side mirrors and cameras suffice.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Apr 22, 2022 18:38:20 GMT -8
Well.... back to the camera idea.... I say learn to back into a tight space without it first. Then, if you really want it, get a rear camera just for confirmation of what you think you are doing. I did that with flying. I learned to fly and to use thermals to go up in altitude without instruments. Then once I knew how to do that I added the instruments just to confirm what I thought was going on. BINGO!
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Apr 22, 2022 18:41:49 GMT -8
I think the original question was about a rear camera, not a back-up cam. It would require a connection (?by wire or over the air?) to the driver and it would require a screen aside from whatever the car has, if any. Would it be on all the time? Even with the smallish vertical view out the Tesla’s rear window, we can still see through the back window of the camper. We can tell If we have anyone tailgating us, otherwise the side mirrors and cameras suffice. Have you had any issues (window breakage) without the rock guard on the front of the trailer? That would be the only drawback I could see. (no pun intended) When I pulled one of mine home, I was amazed at how well you do actually see through them with the windows lined up.
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 22, 2022 19:49:01 GMT -8
This is the screen of the Costco wireless solar backup camera. It fits perfectly in the console of my Tacoma. It turns on with the accessory power but you can also wave your hand in front of it to activate at any time so it can act like a rear view camera also (the angle could be adjusted up for better rear view). Because it's wireless and solar battery powered, no wiring required.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 23, 2022 10:00:46 GMT -8
This is the screen of the Costco wireless solar backup camera. It fits perfectly in the console of my Tacoma. It turns on with the accessory power but you can also wave your hand in front of it to activate at any time so it can act like a rear view camera also (the angle could be adjusted up for better rear view). Because it's wireless and solar battery powered, no wiring required. Interesting, I like the no wires. So it would transmit from the back of a 16+ foot trailer (including hitch) to the cab of the truck? Also where and how large is the solar array?
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 25, 2022 20:34:40 GMT -8
It has a large battery and the panels are in the two side bulges. I haven't tried it on the camper yet but I assume it would work and Costco will take it back if it doesn't. $129 in warehouse now. www.costco.com/type-s-6.8%22-widescreen-solar-powered-hd-wireless-backup-camera-2.0.product.100681295.htmlThis is the screen of the Costco wireless solar backup camera. It fits perfectly in the console of my Tacoma. It turns on with the accessory power but you can also wave your hand in front of it to activate at any time so it can act like a rear view camera also (the angle could be adjusted up for better rear view). Because it's wireless and solar battery powered, no wiring required. Interesting, I like the no wires. So it would transmit from the back of a 16+ foot trailer (including hitch) to the cab of the truck? Also where and how large is the solar array?
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Post by Teachndad on Apr 27, 2022 22:06:26 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
My response is not to Joe's original post, but to what has morphed here to a rear camera on the vehicle for backing up to set the ball in the coupler. I really like the idea of no wires. This transmits to me as less time and effort with trying to remove body panels in the doors or pull up trim pieces for the carpet as you figure out the pathway for the wiring. How much time is lost when you are by yourself and trying to match the ball up to the coupler when it's blind and you are eyeballing it's placement. We have all done the seat door jig to check the ball distance. Ugggh. Sometimes you get lucky and it's lined up, other times, it's not...
Then, there is the possibility the camera might transmit from the rear of the trailer. This comes in handy when you are pulling into a campsite or other unknown area. Hey, when you get to the campsite, pull the camera off the rear of the truck and place it on the rear of the trailer - Dan, does mounting allow for this in simple quick terms, or are we talking screwdrivers and beer? Sometimes it's just nice to see behind the trailer when backing even with mirrors especially when you fly solo.
Cheers,
Rod
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