Benefit of Rear Camera

[sourdough]

We are having a new HC outfitted with what we think we need. What do folks think of having a camera at the rear of the trailer? Is it useful? Does it help backing into a situation? I've read lots of posts about how beneficial it is to use while driving or pulling back into your lane after passing...but I have that down I think. After many years of backing into "unknown" spots I've learned to use my mirrors, judgement and DW in the back with a cell. The camera seems like it might be beneficial but from the comments I've read on this forum and others it seems like it doesn't really work that way and the detail doesn't really help. Thoughts/comments on the usefulness of these would be helpful and appreciated. I've seen there are just single backup cameras and multiple; any benefit to either? Thanks.

[JRTJH]

When compared to the "rear camera" that's installed on a truck or car, the one on the back of a travel trailer won't be nearly as "defined" in the monitor and it won't have the "relative surroundings" that you "feel and experience" in something where the camera is 8-15' behind you. On a travel trailer, you've got the "blind side" that you never have on a car or truck, you've got the "rear end swing", the tracking swing and the 35-40' of "space" between the camera and the monitor. There's no "annoying beep" when you start getting close to an object behind you and there's no "depth of field" to judge how close you are to that "post you can clearly see". You'll know the post is there, and you can watch it get closer, but is it 1' or is it 5' or maybe 10' from the bumper ???

For me, the camera is worth the price, just to have a means to see directly behind me when towing. In the campground, when backing, not so much. I tend to trust my DW's judgement much more than my own, when watching a little monitor, an image from 40' away, and the bit of glare in the image. I regularly use the camera on the truck and DW's Edge and trust the image I see. On the trailer, not so much for backing, but priceless when towing.

[sourdough]

Thanks John. For clarification; it's useful for seeing directly behind you when towing? I know I always have a big blind spot back there but I've never really worried about it because I can't stop quicker than anyone else and don't move without a long period of turn signals. Is it to "know" vs "guess"? I watch shadows, move left to right to move the tail of the trailer while towing to see what is right behind me. Is the camera more beneficial? I think they will install the system for about 700 but wondering if it is sort of like the bed camera...never use it? Of course, I've said I never wanted a 5th wheel, washer/dryer, 1 ton truck, slide toppers or a backup camera.....I've been shown the light.

[chuckster57]

You have choices if it Furrion. . You can get the single camera that mounts to the back, or you can splurge and get the whole system that includes a larger monitor screen and cameras on the side marker lights. You can flip through the different views or set the screen to see all 3 views.

I have installed both, and if the rear housing is there it’s real simple. The side cameras simply replace the marker lights and then you just pair the cameras.

Is it worth it? It very well may be, I’m a cheapo on something’s, been backing fivers for a long time without cameras but as I grow older it might be nice not to have to get out and look.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

You have choices if it Furrion. . You can get the single camera that mounts to the back, or you can splurge and get the whole system that includes a larger monitor screen and cameras on the side marker lights. You can flip through the different views or set the screen to see all 3 views.

I have installed both, and if the rear housing is there it’s real simple. The side cameras simply replace the marker lights and then you just pair the cameras.

Is it worth it? It very well may be, I’m a cheapo on something’s, been backing fivers for a long time without cameras but as I grow older it might be nice not to have to get out and look.

Thanks Chuck. My concern is what you have mentioned. As I grow older I worry about my "right here, right now" attention span that used to seem like I could see 360 constantly. That may be diminishing and I'm sort of thinking it might be useful. I just really want the rear view for backing into areas but the watching approaching traffic from the rear might be beneficial although I've never needed it....I don't think?

[Old Mustanger]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Thanks Chuck. My concern is what you have mentioned. As I grow older I worry about my "right here, right now" attention span that used to seem like I could see 360 constantly. That may be diminishing and I'm sort of thinking it might be useful. I just really want the rear view for backing into areas but the watching approaching traffic from the rear might be beneficial although I've never needed it....I don't think?

You might be a little disappointed in it for backing but I believe once you start using it to see what's behind you when driving you may start to wonder how you felt safe without it.

[Ccrew]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

You can flip through the different views or set the screen to see all 3 views.

You mind telling me how you got yours to display all 3 at the same time? I can get 3 (actually4) up on the home screen, but then it rapidly flips back to the last viewed camera.

Thanks

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Ccrew

You mind telling me how you got yours to display all 3 at the same time? I can get 3 (actually4) up on the home screen, but then it rapidly flips back to the last viewed camera.



Thanks

I don’t have any system, I’ve just installed them. The Furrion with the rear view and 2 marker light cameras includes a monitor that you can scroll through the views and I thought all 3 at once.

[Tbos]

I like my rear camera. It does help on the road.

[flybouy]

Danny as I've stated in several posts lately I use mine for both. In my thinking, the more info the better and just as "looking at an object 40' away" in the mirror took some getting used to so does that image in a monitor. I don't have any "glare" in my image but My camera is a quality Sony unit and the monitor is 5", large enough and high enough resolution to see without issue.

[Roscommon48]

A camera when backing up may help a little but the best way is to have someone back there telling you what is going on.


If it is an option I'd say skip it.

[notanlines]

We installed a Furrion on the Raptor years ago. I no sooner hit the interstate and the reception went to hell. Furrion sent a broadcast booster and, you guessed it, we hit the interstate and the reception went immediately to hell again. This was about seven years ago. One can only hope that the companies have made great strides in their broadcast abilities. I would like the camera to keep an eye on the little trailer with the bike on it, not at all for backing.
In their defense, I did get a refund with no trouble at all.

[Northofu1]

I like my hard wired camera, mostly for what's behind me on the highway. It does help backing up, but, it takes time to get used to actual distance. Mine has the grid line option.
I opted for hardwired because wifi 2 yrs ago wasn't as good as it is now. Each 6 months to a year there are software updates and new versions. Each time getting a little better.
My truck is already wired for the cam so I will be removing it from the TT and installing on 5th.

[larry337]

So speaking as a truck driver who pulls doubles and triples everyday I see little to no value in a rear camera. Personally I don't need help backing, and from what I'm reading it doesn't help anyway. I use my mirrors driving, and if a tailgater is so close to me that I can't see them in my mirror then what am I gonna do about it anyway? The only possible use I could see is if im pulling a narrow boat or golf cart trailer behind me that I can't see in my mirror. Even then all it can do is let me know it's still there I guess. A little peace of mind. I don't think I'd want the monitor cluttering up my dash either. I have a couple million miles "towing" and just don't see much benefit. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it. Maybe it's a case of I just don't know what I don't know.

[JRTJH]

My system is an RVS wired camera system. There is NO interference, NO loss of signal, NO blackouts/blank screen. That said, the camera is invaluable for knowing what's behind the trailer. We do "triple tow" nearly all the time, with either the boat or the slingshot on a trailer behind the fifth wheel, the ONLY thing I can see in the truck side mirrors is an "occasional tire/fender" during turns. It's extremely comforting to know the cover is on the boat or the slingshot, that nothing is loose, that both tires are still "rolling not bouncing" as we tow. If you've ever triple towed, you know that there's no way to know if you have a "blowout on the fifth wheel" and it's even more difficult to "know what's happening" on a second trailer. So, a rear camera is a "must for me" when triple towing.

That doesn't even approach the subject of knowing what's behind me and beside me when changing lanes or passing a slower vehicle. When I pass someone, I "KNOW" that if I can see them in the rear camera view, they are BEHIND the trailer, there's no "watching the passenger side mirror and judging by shadows or flashing lights" whether I've got clearance to merge back into the right lane.

As for glare: The only glare I get is sun glare or at night, glare from street lights, security lights around the parking pad. That "bit of glare" is more than enough to "confuse my old eyes" so I prefer a spotter over "guessing there's nothing I don't see in the monitor" when backing my trailer.

My "one shot with a wireless system" was a dismal failure, I then bought the RVS wired system and have had no problems in 10 years of using the same camera/monitor/wiring. If it was up to me, I'd always opt for a WIRED camera system over a wireless system. After 10 years of using this one on 3 trucks and 2 trailers, for me, it just seems "reasonable that wired systems are more functional" That said, if I were buying a system, I'd want to get the "latest and greatest version" not the "easiest for the serviceman to install".... YMMV

[Lawdog]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

My system is an RVS wired camera system. There is NO interference, NO loss of signal, NO blackouts/blank screen. That said, the camera is invaluable for knowing what's behind the trailer. We do "triple tow" nearly all the time, with either the boat or the slingshot on a trailer behind the fifth wheel, the ONLY thing I can see in the truck side mirrors is an "occasional tire/fender" during turns. It's extremely comforting to know the cover is on the boat or the slingshot, that nothing is loose, that both tires are still "rolling not bouncing" as we tow. If you've ever triple towed, you know that there's no way to know if you have a "blowout on the fifth wheel" and it's even more difficult to "know what's happening" on a second trailer. So, a rear camera is a "must for me" when triple towing.

That doesn't even approach the subject of knowing what's behind me and beside me when changing lanes or passing a slower vehicle. When I pass someone, I "KNOW" that if I can see them in the rear camera view, they are BEHIND the trailer, there's no "watching the passenger side mirror and judging by shadows or flashing lights" whether I've got clearance to merge back into the right lane.

As for glare: The only glare I get is sun glare or at night, glare from street lights, security lights around the parking pad. That "bit of glare" is more than enough to "confuse my old eyes" so I prefer a spotter over "guessing there's nothing I don't see in the monitor" when backing my trailer.

My "one shot with a wireless system" was a dismal failure, I then bought the RVS wired system and have had no problems in 10 years of using the same camera/monitor/wiring. If it was up to me, I'd always opt for a WIRED camera system over a wireless system. After 10 years of using this one on 3 trucks and 2 trailers, for me, it just seems "reasonable that wired systems are more functional" That said, if I were buying a system, I'd want to get the "latest and greatest version" not the "easiest for the serviceman to install".... YMMV

Agreed with all of this. I installed an RVS wired system on the back of my fiver because I double tow on most trips, with a lot of $$$ in ATVs and UTV back there. The camera and screen was under $400 and I installed it myself in about 6 hours, taking my time. I had a buddy who is very handy help me and it was really pretty easy.

It helps backing up a little, but mostly I want to see what's going on back there as I go down the road.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by larry337

So speaking as a truck driver who pulls doubles and triples everyday I see little to no value in a rear camera. Personally I don't need help backing, and from what I'm reading it doesn't help anyway. I use my mirrors driving, and if a tailgater is so close to me that I can't see them in my mirror then what am I gonna do about it anyway? The only possible use I could see is if im pulling a narrow boat or golf cart trailer behind me that I can't see in my mirror. Even then all it can do is let me know it's still there I guess. A little peace of mind. I don't think I'd want the monitor cluttering up my dash either. I have a couple million miles "towing" and just don't see much benefit. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it. Maybe it's a case of I just don't know what I don't know.

The opinion of a pro truck driver might help other pro truck drivers but if you are a backing up amateur like me, the hard wired camera helps a lot. I have to back up off a very narrow country road to about a 100 degree turn in parking spot that is 12' wide. With 1 ton Ford truck mirrors, I soon loose sight of the passenger side and have to get out CONTINUALLY to ensure I am pretty much where I need to be in my spot. Once I get the trailer in pretty much where it is supposed to go, I can then pull forward and do a final rear positioning and am good. My backing up skills are lousy and have been lousy for MANY years and even after many years of practice and having my missus stand behind the trailer with her arms flailing crazy circles (turn your wheel this way or that) and yelling at me would be fatal to my 49 year marriage. Give me the camera; it is also nice to see tailgaters out on the road.

[Ken / Claudia]

Well, I do not have a back up camera. I do see them on RVs and if stopped behind them I always wave.

[larry337]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

The opinion of a pro truck driver might help other pro truck drivers but if you are a backing up amateur like me, the hard wired camera helps a lot. I have to back up off a very narrow country road to about a 100 degree turn in parking spot that is 12' wide. With 1 ton Ford truck mirrors, I soon loose sight of the passenger side and have to get out CONTINUALLY to ensure I am pretty much where I need to be in my spot. Once I get the trailer in pretty much where it is supposed to go, I can then pull forward and do a final rear positioning and am good. My backing up skills are lousy and have been lousy for MANY years and even after many years of practice and having my missus stand behind the trailer with her arms flailing crazy circles (turn your wheel this way or that) and yelling at me would be fatal to my 49 year marriage. Give me the camera; it is also nice to see tailgaters out on the road.

George you're right my opinion may not be relevant to everyone but the reason I first responded is because the original OP already stated that he is comfortable backing, changing lanes, and spying on that tailgater. He didn't seem like he was really anxious to spend the money on a camera and was looking for a reason. So I basically agreed with him and backed up his line of thinking. If not for his first post I would've probably stayed out of it.

I also agreed it would be useful to keep an eye on a smaller second trailer.

In your case I think that if it helps you then that's awesome. I also think you're not giving yourself enough credit and you're probably better than you're admitting! We too live on a narrow country road with a ditch on both sides and that's not an easy back. You can't cheat or cut corners. When we bought our 40 footer I had to lay down extra drainage pipe and widen the apron. So kudos to you for your backing skills and kudos to being married for 49 years!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by larry337

George you're right my opinion may not be relevant to everyone but the reason I first responded is because the original OP already stated that he is comfortable backing, changing lanes, and spying on that tailgater. He didn't seem like he was really anxious to spend the money on a camera and was looking for a reason. So I basically agreed with him and backed up his line of thinking. If not for his first post I would've probably stayed out of it.

I also agreed it would be useful to keep an eye on a smaller second trailer.

In your case I think that if it helps you then that's awesome. I also think you're not giving yourself enough credit and you're probably better than you're admitting! We too live on a narrow country road with a ditch on both sides and that's not an easy back. You can't cheat or cut corners. When we bought our 40 footer I had to lay down extra drainage pipe and widen the apron. So kudos to you for your backing skills and kudos to being married for 49 years!

Larry, you nailed it. I don't, and won't, be towing anything behind my trailer (unless DW at some point in the future tells me what I want that I never knew about....again). I'm comfortable passing and watching folks behind me by using various measures. I am/was determining what I would receive to benefit me for a $700-1000 system that would give me above and beyond what I can currently do. My thinking was for backing into a situation which I already have in hand with DWs help but any/all additional information/sighting could be beneficial. From what I'm hearing they are good for monitoring behind you but not backing....which is what I was mainly thinking about.