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Old 09-24-2020, 03:11 PM   #1
popsshopga
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Lightbulb Backup Camera for 36' Springdale

Want to install a WIFI Wireless backup camera on my TT. Since my tow vehicle is a RAM 2500 fourdoor, the distance from the back of the trailer to where the monitor will be is about 45'. The one I have now is lousy at best - keeps breaking up and such.

In reading specs about wireless cameras, they say "good" reception up to 50' without obstruction. Not good enough in my opinion.
Would any of y'all give me a good hint as to brand and model of a camera system that will "make the grade"?

I will certainly appreciate it. If you want to keep the info private, just leave a private message for me.

Thanks in advance

Fred
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Old 09-24-2020, 04:15 PM   #2
chuckster57
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What do you have now? I have installed Furrion cameras, walked at least 50 feet away and get a clear picture.
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Old 09-25-2020, 10:32 AM   #3
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Our 5er is 32" pulled by a crew cab. I have this unit in my opinion it works great and like it. Rear View Safety RVS-155W Wireless Backup Camera
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Old 09-25-2020, 12:19 PM   #4
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I installed this one. So far has worked perfectly


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 09-25-2020, 02:07 PM   #5
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One of the wikipedias of RV on this forum talked me into installed a WIRED rear view camera (I can see tailgaters and what I am about to back into as well) after I tried THREE (3) wireless set ups. I have a PERFECT PICTURE when going over bridges and going by shopping centers and there is no flicker or delay. It does mean crawling under the trailer to run the wire and I have a connector up in the king pin area that I connect right next to my 7 pin in the bed of my truck. I run the black wire up on the rear in while D channel.
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Old 09-25-2020, 02:22 PM   #6
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A "wifi camera system" would require a wifi network. I bought a wired system from rvcams.com 9 years ago and it's still going strong. No interference, great picture quality day and night, and has a microphone. With the sound I can hear an emergency vehicle coming from behind as well as hear the DW when backing.

It wasn't cheap (as in cost) but it isn't made cheaply either. Camera is in a metal enclosure and it's very durable.
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Old 09-25-2020, 02:41 PM   #7
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Tried a wireless, with poor results.
Purchased an RVS wired camera and now I can always look back.

Camera on the back of the trailer and I added a 2nd camera to the Center High mount lens above the bed that looks into the bed. Great for rear view while driving without the trailer and makes hitching a breeze.
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Old 09-25-2020, 08:18 PM   #8
wiredgeorge
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Here is a thread I started while going through the same questions about a rear view camera system:
https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=40594
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Old 09-26-2020, 07:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by popsshopga View Post
Want to install a WIFI Wireless backup camera on my TT. Since my tow vehicle is a RAM 2500 fourdoor, the distance from the back of the trailer to where the monitor will be is about 45'. The one I have now is lousy at best - keeps breaking up and such.

In reading specs about wireless cameras, they say "good" reception up to 50' without obstruction. Not good enough in my opinion.
Would any of y'all give me a good hint as to brand and model of a camera system that will "make the grade"?

I will certainly appreciate it. If you want to keep the info private, just leave a private message for me.

Thanks in advance

Fred

There is a "SIGNIFICANT" obstruction between the location of the camera and the location of the receiver in the tow vehicle. Hitch your trailer, then walk back about 100' to the side and look at the "direct line" from the antenna on the camera mount and the location of the receiver in the truck cab. You'll see about 35' of "solid obstruction" between the two. Your trailer roof, rafters, interior walls, wiring, appliances, front cap with aluminumized bubble wrap will all act as a "signal breaker" between the two points.

There are "signal repeaters" available for most wireless camera brands that may help improve the reception. Typically, they mount about midway between the two points and boost the signal that's being "degraded by RV blocking the signal"...

The "ultimate solution" for weak signals is a hardwire system... As previously posted, the RVS wired camera system is reliable and not difficult to install. Mine has been in 3 tow vehicles and on two fifth wheels, is 11 years old and still going strong.

Anyway, IMHO, your problem is that you have a substantial "solid object" between the camera antenna and the receiver in your truck.
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Old 09-26-2020, 09:21 AM   #10
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"The "ultimate solution" for weak signals is a hardwire system... As previously posted, the RVS wired camera system is reliable and not difficult to install. Mine has been in 3 tow vehicles and on two fifth wheels, is 11 years old and still going strong."


Not difficult to install is a metric directly proportional to the age and obesity of the installer. It also depends on the surface below the trailer with difficulty scale from 1 to 10 with road base being a 1 and down pillow being a 10.
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Old 09-26-2020, 10:32 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge View Post
"The "ultimate solution" for weak signals is a hardwire system... As previously posted, the RVS wired camera system is reliable and not difficult to install. Mine has been in 3 tow vehicles and on two fifth wheels, is 11 years old and still going strong."


Not difficult to install is a metric directly proportional to the age and obesity of the installer. It also depends on the surface below the trailer with difficulty scale from 1 to 10 with road base being a 1 and down pillow being a 10.
I can't do much about someone else's obesity, but to address the "surface below the trailer"... They are mobile, can be pulled to a "soft grass site" or even a concrete surface where a "nice cardboard box" or a "creeper with a cushioned headrest" can be used to "offset the difficulty scale"......
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Old 09-26-2020, 10:43 AM   #12
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LOL
I have the hard wired RVS. Went from one TV to another, then a travel trailer to a 5er.
It works great and any issues are dealt with quickly by the company. I had an issue down east with a pig tail and when I got home from the trip, there was a box waiting for me with a complete set of wiring and a new pig tail. I ran my wire through plastic wire loom first, it was probably the hardest part.
I am obese and had no problem with it
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Old 09-26-2020, 12:51 PM   #13
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I have the Furrion Observation camera with both side cameras. My fifth wheel is 41.5 feet long, my total length is a few inches shy of 60 feet. My Furrion works well for me. It also has quite a range, it's never failed, and I've never had any black-out moments in 2 years now.

The only downside with this Furrion, it displays all 3 views for only a few seconds and then the side views disappear and you see only the rear. You have to touch the screen again to get all 3 cameras active again. But the rear view is always displayed.

Before I purchased mine, I did some extensive research and I stumbled into a YouTube video where a guy demonstrated the image displayed almost 300 feet from the trailer. I tested mine at 150 feet and it worked just fine.

Not everyone likes the Furrion system, but I've got no beef with it. Like everything else RV related, there are compromises in everything. The benefits out weigh the disadvantages, and the ability to learn how something works and how to, either get around, understand, or manipulate it's quirkiness is part of it. It's a matter of how much one is willing to adapt to something new.
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Old 09-26-2020, 04:24 PM   #14
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Smile

Thanks guys for all the info. Ordered a "wired" camera setup today. That seems to be the best option. I understand that stringing the wires are going to be a pain, but I have a son that will be going under the trailer.

fred
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Old 09-27-2020, 02:30 AM   #15
wiredgeorge
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Fred, I was pretty much kidding John who was the one who convinced me to go wired after I had tried several cheap wireless set ups. I had also tried using a stick-on antenna that sat on top the roof and another on top the cab of my truck. The results were very spotty and using less expensive wireless also meant that the pride of Chinese craftsmanship failed quickly.


Stringing the wire under the camper is actually not hard; we have eight dogs so when our Chewy boxes come each month there are about enough to break down and use under my camper to slide on. I did a write up in the thread I posted and the only "challenge" was fishing the wire lead between the fiberglass and backing up near and into the king pin structure. I built a small bracket that I screwed onto the king pin and this is where the coiled pigtail that connects to the truck was tacked on. I cut a small hole in the bed of the truck for the connector that the pigtail connects to right next to the 7 pin connector. I leave the coiled cable in the king pin enclosure with the campers electrical cord when not used and they stay dry and out of the elements. Has worked very well. Where the coax comes out the back of the trailer, I looped up the excess and wired tied it up and then ran the coax up the back corner of my fifth wheel's rear and hid it in white self-stick channel all the say to the camera. I can now see vehicles to my rear clearly and it is especially useful for spotting tailgaters and when backing up/parking.
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Old 10-04-2020, 07:23 AM   #16
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You might want to consider just getting a used wifi router and using it as a bridge. They are just about free used.
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Old 10-04-2020, 12:05 PM   #17
MN Roger
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Camera

I own a Voyager wireless camera system on my 36’ 5th wheel. Picks it up 1/4 mile away. They can be pricey, but they work, night or day, rain or shine.
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Old 10-05-2020, 05:04 AM   #18
popsshopga
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Wiredgeorge, great info. Thanks
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:17 AM   #19
MN Roger
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The Voyager WVOS43 has a 1/4mile range. I know because I own one. Easy pairing.
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Old 10-05-2020, 10:41 AM   #20
popsshopga
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Smile Problem solved

Thanks guys and gals for all the super information.
I purchased a wired system that includes two inputs - one for the trailer and one for the truck.
Installation was "easy" and works great. Tried it out on last weekend's camping trip.
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