Backup cameras for trailers
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Backup cameras for trailers
I think we all (or at least most) of us have backup cameras on our trucks. In my opinion they are the greatest thing since sliced bread; especially when backing up to hook up a trailer. That task would be error prone and frustrating with 2 people, and even worse with only one person. Now with a backup camera, one guy can backup to a trailer, and position it perfectly in one try. Wow, what a major advancement.
What I'm wondering about now is attaching a camera to the back of a travel trailer. I've seen a couple that have a magnetic base, and can transmit over WiFi to a smartphone. Those look pretty nifty. I've also seen one or two that are complete systems; camera plus display. I've also seen one that can have multiple cameras that talk to one display. Does anyone have any experience with any of these, or have any comments/likes/dislikes?
What I'm wondering about now is attaching a camera to the back of a travel trailer. I've seen a couple that have a magnetic base, and can transmit over WiFi to a smartphone. Those look pretty nifty. I've also seen one or two that are complete systems; camera plus display. I've also seen one that can have multiple cameras that talk to one display. Does anyone have any experience with any of these, or have any comments/likes/dislikes?
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
Look at a product called Lockpick. It allows all sorts of things through the factory head unit.
https://www.coastaletech.com/synclockpick.htm
https://www.coastaletech.com/synclockpick.htm
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Not what I am looking for.
What I'm looking for is "eyes" in the back of a trailer. Something that lets me see what is behind a trailer when backing up, or even when just driving down the road.
What I'm looking for is "eyes" in the back of a trailer. Something that lets me see what is behind a trailer when backing up, or even when just driving down the road.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
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From: Utica, Nebraska
So you want a constant live feed? Really wish I knew what the company F750 has for a camera. It's mounted above the pintel hitch and ball, but has a constant feed and has a microphone as well. The monitor I believe is 9" or 10". So that'll take quite a bit of space.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Constant feed would be nice. I've looked at battery operated ones, as well as hard-wired ones. Either would probably work, but some of the battery operated ones can eat the battery in as little as 6-7 hours.
Our TT has marker lights up high mounted on a rear spoiler of sorts. So we could get power from the marker lights. We could also get power at the license plate holder (some of the cameras replace the license plate holder.
The other issue is wireless versus wired. I'm OK with running a signal wire from the TT to the TV, but it's not clear to me how I get the video to a display. Can I get an alternate video into the dash display? If so, where do I connect it?
Alternatively, I could add a secondary display, but then there is the wiring again.
Just trying to figure out what works, and how to display it.
Our TT has marker lights up high mounted on a rear spoiler of sorts. So we could get power from the marker lights. We could also get power at the license plate holder (some of the cameras replace the license plate holder.
The other issue is wireless versus wired. I'm OK with running a signal wire from the TT to the TV, but it's not clear to me how I get the video to a display. Can I get an alternate video into the dash display? If so, where do I connect it?
Alternatively, I could add a secondary display, but then there is the wiring again.
Just trying to figure out what works, and how to display it.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 30
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From: Oak Harbor, WA
Is it possible to use the remote camera that is optional on the super dutys to work with the F150? It wouldn't give you a constant feed, but would work with the factory system.
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From: Fort Wayne
Furrion FOS48TAPK-BL,
just put one on the back of my rockwood last night. I'll see how it works this weekend when we drag down to the local state park for the weekend.
Word to the wise - power is polarity sensitive for camera - schmucks who assembled my TT had it backwards(came prewired), and camera wouldn't power up....
just put one on the back of my rockwood last night. I'll see how it works this weekend when we drag down to the local state park for the weekend.
Word to the wise - power is polarity sensitive for camera - schmucks who assembled my TT had it backwards(came prewired), and camera wouldn't power up....
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Furrion FOS48TAPK-BL,
just put one on the back of my rockwood last night. I'll see how it works this weekend when we drag down to the local state park for the weekend.
Word to the wise - power is polarity sensitive for camera - schmucks who assembled my TT had it backwards(came prewired), and camera wouldn't power up....
just put one on the back of my rockwood last night. I'll see how it works this weekend when we drag down to the local state park for the weekend.
Word to the wise - power is polarity sensitive for camera - schmucks who assembled my TT had it backwards(came prewired), and camera wouldn't power up....
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Joined: Dec 2014
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I very recently put in a hard-wired one in my truck (20' cable from the cab to the back of the truck which plugs into another 20' cable from the trailer hitch to back of TT). Can't recall brand, it was a gift. I've rigged it up so that the 12V feed is from a car charger unit that plugs into cig lighter. I had a 12V charger that I cut off the plug, and soldered the wires to the 12V and Gnd of the camera/monitor unit.
So whenever I want to use the trailer backup camera, I just plug the unit into the 12V cig lighter port on my dash. Just a thought, in case you don't want to hard-wire the power to the truck.
So whenever I want to use the trailer backup camera, I just plug the unit into the 12V cig lighter port on my dash. Just a thought, in case you don't want to hard-wire the power to the truck.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 357
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I very recently put in a hard-wired one in my truck (20' cable from the cab to the back of the truck which plugs into another 20' cable from the trailer hitch to back of TT). Can't recall brand, it was a gift. I've rigged it up so that the 12V feed is from a car charger unit that plugs into cig lighter. I had a 12V charger that I cut off the plug, and soldered the wires to the 12V and Gnd of the camera/monitor unit.
So whenever I want to use the trailer backup camera, I just plug the unit into the 12V cig lighter port on my dash. Just a thought, in case you don't want to hard-wire the power to the truck.
So whenever I want to use the trailer backup camera, I just plug the unit into the 12V cig lighter port on my dash. Just a thought, in case you don't want to hard-wire the power to the truck.
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