Rear Observation Camera Question

Bud 1 · 10-04-2020, 04:45 PM

I am a true newbie. First time posting in the forum, first time travel trailer owner, and soon to be first time camping with it. Hope this is the correct forum for my question.

I purchased a 2021 Cougar Half Ton 26RBS and want to install a rear observation camera in the prewired Furrion camera location. I have tried to research the best camera and would like to hear from folks in this community. The Furrion cameras seem pricey but obviously fit with no modification. Tadi cameras seem to fit with some additional hardware as does the Hallowview. I am leaning toward the Hallowview MC5111 but am concerned since the antennae is on the opposite side of the Tadi and the Furrion which I suppose means I would need to cover and seal the slot where the Furrion and Tadi antennae would go.

I am towing with a 2012 F-150 Lariat Supercrew. Any thoughts?

Tullbooth · 10-04-2020, 06:55 PM

I have a Furion 4.3" screen and camera. I do not have frame of reference to other brands, but I can tell you that the angle of view on the Furion is impressive. Because of the field of vision from the camera, I do not need big extension mirrors on my Tacoma. I am very happy with mine; granted I only tow a 21 footer. The screen is not huge but is plenty sufficient. My only complaint is that the camera is tied to the brake lights and I have to have my lights on when I drive to use it. I would love to someday find a hot wire so that it can be powered without the lights. But that's a project for a later day.

GordKey22 · 10-04-2020, 07:12 PM

I have just installed a Furrion system, three cameras and a 7(?) inch screen.
I have a left and right camera, mounted at the front of the trailer and powered off of the running lights. Same as the rear camera.
Seems decent

Bud 1 · 10-05-2020, 05:57 PM

I decided to go with the Furrion S with the 4.3" screen. Figured that since the TT was set up for Furrion that would be the most straight forward. Went with the 4.3" because my reason for getting the camera primarily was to check for tailgaters and traffic and thought the 4.3" would be good enough for that.

I appreciate the replies.

**chuckster57** · 10-05-2020, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud 1

I decided to go with the Furrion S with the 4.3" screen. Figured that since the TT was set up for Furrion that would be the most straight forward. Went with the 4.3" because my reason for getting the camera primarily was to check for tailgaters and traffic and thought the 4.3" would be good enough for that.

I appreciate the replies.

Not trying to be rude, just curious. What do you do if you see a tailgater? I’ve been towing a fiver since 1989 and never had a camera, but I do deal with people that cut me off..153Db train horns.

GordKey22 · 10-05-2020, 06:58 PM

I got mine so that I would have an extra bit of information on the vehicles around me. I found that I was really, really cautious pulling back into line after passing someone. The side views will help, as will the rear view.
Since I have them wired to my running lights, I need to ensure that I have the lights on while towing.
I am still trying to figure out a place for the screen though.

Schbobby · 10-06-2020, 01:57 AM

Before a 3000 mile trip installed a new Haloview camera with 7 inch screen. Saved a few hundred and works great! Got the Furion cable with bracket from amazon, removed the fusion holder and mounted new bracket. One issue was the three feet of extra cables with connectors to put into the back of the camper! Scraped the styrofoam enough to insert all cable sealed and covered! Great view of cars creeping up where you can’t see while driving and a great view behind the camper allowed me to maneuver forward and back in a tight gas station that was overrun by people!

Bud 1 · 10-06-2020, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Not trying to be rude, just curious. What do you do if you see a tailgater? I’ve been towing a fiver since 1989 and never had a camera, but I do deal with people that cut me off..153Db train horns.

I slow down. If I do have to make a sudden stop, the slower the tailgater is going before hitting me is better. Brake lights seem to encourage others to slow down too.

Schbobby · 10-06-2020, 07:59 AM

Awareness is worth the price of not getting in an accident! Seeing them helps me to make my decisions with them there!

**flybouy** · 10-06-2020, 08:50 AM

I could care less about tailgaters either in my mirror or in my camera. If they want to buy me a new bumper than have at it. I do however, watch them a little more closely because if they are that aggressive then they will most likely dart out from around me to pass (on either side), usually just as I'm about to change lanes.

Sarge2 · 10-06-2020, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Not trying to be rude, just curious. What do you do if you see a tailgater? I’ve been towing a fiver since 1989 and never had a camera, but I do deal with people that cut me off..153Db train horns.

Love it!! 153Db train horns.... I thought about a rear camera but sort of figured the same... do I really care who's behind me? The wife does a good job when I'm backing it up... BUT...I might consider the train horns though...

Gary Rivers · 10-13-2020, 06:45 AM

I have a 2019 Springdale travel trailer it to was pre wired with Furrion Camera. I installed a Voyager Camera system and found when I removed the Furrion mount they Drilled a hole over 1.25 inches in diameter for the wiring to go thru. I was able to use the Voyager mount and sealed the mount well. Just needed to cut the wiring leads and strip the wires back and attach to the camera wiring harness. Good Luck. BTW I do not use my camera while driving due to large view screen.

Bill-2020 · 10-13-2020, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Not trying to be rude, just curious. What do you do if you see a tailgater? I’ve been towing a fiver since 1989 and never had a camera, but I do deal with people that cut me off..153Db train horns.

If only you had a set of horns facing rearward, under the 5er bumper. That'd scare off the drafter!

packnrat · 10-18-2020, 02:03 PM

i have never understood the rime or reason for them.
i have been a truck driver for over 40 years.
yes i know about blind spots. ( very well ).
but if one is driving down the hwy. all you need to do is watch out for others. including coming up from behind you. hard to do in some of the older cab overs. and beaware of what is around you.
if worried about your toad. first make sure is is connected correctly. and stop every so often to recheck all connections.
as to backing up. i find that to be no problem. as for many a year i had to back up into very interesting places. and now ( lucky me ) past three years i get to drive the yard goat. so i am backing up a hundred times (more) each night.
modern computer geeks corp staff? came up with a gag word ”goal” get out and look.
i have been doing that long before the b,o,d found about it.
now i do see cams as a good way for proof in a crash.

dutchmensport · 10-18-2020, 02:23 PM

I have the Furion 7 inch Observation system. Yes, pricy, but no real challenge hooking up with the pre-wired electric.

The antenna is built into the camera, it does not take a separate mount. It installs very easy, and has a range of about 300 feet (or more).

For Christmas last year, my son and wife went together and purchased the side camera's and I installed them on Christmas day last year. What a thrill.

Mire is wired so when the running lights are on, the camera is powered. My biggest problem is remembering to turn my head lights on. I don't know how many time we've been hitch, ready to go, and no camera. I panic, and the wife say ..... "Turn the headlights on dear!" "OH DUH!"

I thought long and hard about wiring so it would be active without headlights on. I so no advantage. To use the monitor inside, you have to have a USB plug in inside the camper. We have them, but then asked the hard question... are we REALLY THAT paranoid that we have to sit up all night monitoring the camera just in case, someone walks behind the camper in a campround at night on their way to the bathroom??????

edepp · 10-18-2020, 06:43 PM

We have a 2021 Premier 30RIPR and a 2011
Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. We installed an AMTIFO FHD 1080P RV Wireless Backup Camera with 7'' Touch Key DVR Monitor High-Speed Rear Observation System. Our trailer was prewired for a Furrion but this camera fit fine with the adapter bracket which we bought separately. The camera works great and was a bargain for what we got. Bought it from Amazon for $160. The only ‘problem’ we had was that we didn’t know that we had to have our truck lights on for it to work.

Casemaker · 10-20-2020, 01:04 AM

I have a Furion that is pmug and play. Won't travel without it. Helps enormously when backing into blindside camping sites. It does work only with headlights on but I always drive with lights on. Just dont understand why there is not a law for this. Cant stand it when someone driving a gray vehicle turns in front of me on a foggy morning or drives on a rainy day with no headlights.

Bill-2020 · 10-20-2020, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casemaker

I have a Furion that is pmug and play. Won't travel without it. Helps enormously when backing into blindside camping sites. It does work only with headlights on but I always drive with lights on. Just dont understand why there is not a law for this. Cant stand it when someone driving a gray vehicle turns in front of me on a foggy morning or drives on a rainy day with no headlights.

Florida law states to use headlights when the wipers are on. Never heard of anyone being cited for just that, bit it may be a secondary offense here. Cited for speeding and no headlights while raining, that would be more likely.

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