New to the forum

[Steve M]

Just bought an Alpine 3700FL and excited to take it out next weekend. I tow with an F250. Looking for recommendations on a back up camera.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Just bought an Alpine 3700FL and excited to take it out next weekend. I tow with an F250. Looking for recommendations on a back up camera.

Welcome. Good news is your purchased a sweet trailer. Bad news that your truck's payload (consult white/yellow placard in driver door frame) is less that the pin weight (3750 lbs based on 23 percent of camper's gross weight). Keep in mind that "towing ratings" and "best in class" stuff are marketing hype. The advertised pin weight of the trailer is woefully inaccurate because no one camps with a trailer that is empty and has no propane in the tanks. When you add the weight of your hitch, passengers and stuff in the truck, your truck will be dangerously overloaded. Can your engine/transmission drag that camper down the road? Sure but the truck wasn't built for 42' fifth wheel. Sorry to be a downer but I would just like to emphasize the safety aspects of what you are doing.

[tech740]

George is exactly right. On the other topic though welcome and the Furrion works great for me.

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Just bought an Alpine 3700FL and excited to take it out next weekend. I tow with an F250. Looking for recommendations on a back up camera.

Congrats and enjoy just be safe out there plenty of nuts on the road and I don’t mean the kind you eat LOL. As for a camera I have the furrion system works great and haven’t had any problems once I got it set up. No knowledge of any other brands I went with furrion because my came premiered for it. So that made it an very easy install.

[Sarge2]

to the forum... Don't have one yet but mine is set up for Furrion..

[Steve M]

According to the trailer manufacturer the hitch weight is 2440 lbs and the payload is 3470 lbs.

[sourdough]

Here is a link to the 3700FL;

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/a...orplans/3700FL

Note the gvw of the trailer (shipping weight plus carrying capacity) is 16,500lbs. Without scaled weights you need to estimate pin weight. A good average would be 23% of the gvw = 3795lbs. The numbers you listed (manufacturers hitch weight and payload) have no bearing on what your truck can/cannot safely "carry". Also note that the manufacturer hitch weight is a "dry" weight, is meaningless and will never be seen by you or anyone else. The first battery....and anything else, eliminated it.

You don't give any details about your F250 but I can safely say that it will be WAY overloaded which is something that requires your attention right away.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by Steve M

According to the trailer manufacturer the hitch weight is 2440 lbs and the payload is 3470 lbs.

The payload you are refencing is the trailers payload. What the other members are referencing is your trucks payload. Look in your drivers door jam and there will be a white and yellow sticker that says the weight of passengers and cargo shall not exceed XXXXlbs. That is your payload. Figure 150-200lbs for the fifth wheel hitch, anything else added to your truck since it came off the line (running boards, mud flaps, floor mats etc..) anything in the bed of the truck, and the weight of passengers. Subtract that number from your payload number and that is your available weight for hitch weight. With that trailer you should be about 3700ish pin weight.

[German Shepherd Guy]

Hi Steve. Welcome to the forum. Don't be bummed, these guys know their stuff. George is telling you straight. This is a great forum and these folks truly do not want to see you, or anyone else hurt in the pursuit of towing an RV.


Your 250 is under classed for the job you are asking it to do. Will it do it? Sure. Will it do it SAFELY? That's what George and Danny are talking about.


Good luck, you came to the right forum.
Oask

[dutchmensport]

Welcome, and I am another satisfied Furrion 7 inch observation camera yuppie!

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

[Uncoolron]

Welcome to the forum from NoVa. Hope you don’t get bum out too much about what our season camper are saying about your weight. I rely on their years of experience and knowledge when it comes to towing.

Anyway, I wish you happy camping and stay safe out there. I was told safety is not just for me but for my family and others.

[JDDilly]

I had a Furrion on a previous rig and lost the signal while driving. It worked great at low speeds (40 MPH) or when backing up. On my new rig, I installed a Haloview RD (range dominator) whish has and antenna your run to the front across the roof. This rig is 2 ft longer and works perfectly at 60 - 65 MPH.

[Gary R.]

Howdy and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on the new Alpine! We have the one in my signature, and works quite well.

Take care and have fun!

[jwfrede]

Originally Posted by Steve M

According to the trailer manufacturer the hitch weight is 2440 lbs and the payload is 3470 lbs.

Manufacturers often quote pin weights at 15% of the trailer weight. Typically 15-20% is recommended for stability so the manufacturers pick the lower number to make their trucks look good.

The door cargo capacity is the starting point for estimating what you can load. But you'll need to really check the axle ratings and the weight on them. And that's because-

What matters is your the actual weight on the truck axles and that can only come from the scales.

After the hitch and all the junk is added to that big pass through compartment who knows what the load is on the truck? I just put the deposit on a new fifth wheel and will be picking it up in the next week or so. My first stop on the way home? The scales. My next stop after loading all the stuff in the trailer? The scales.

[Nryder]

How did asking about a backup camera turn into trying to voice your opinion about tv and Rv… that’s why I have gone to read only and it’s not very often anymore because as it doesn’t matter what the topic is it’s next post is beating someone up for the choices they have made.

[jasin1]

[QUOTE=Nryder;452940]How did asking about a backup camera turn into trying to voice your opinion about tv and Rv… that’s why I have gone to read only and it’s not very often anymore because as it doesn’t matter what the topic is it’s next post is beating someone up for the choices they have made.


“ how did asking about a backup camera turn into trying to voice your opinion about tv and rv”
Probably when he stated the size of his fifth wheel and the “towing with a f250” ..that proceeded the backup camera question.. I took it as he was throwing it out there for feedback

[razahoryin]

Ford has a optional rear backup camera for trailers
That you can wire into the truck display.
The hassle is it’s not wireless and you have to run the wire
To the back of trailer etc..
I am considering one
There is also a way to access the truck computer
And change the settings
So that you can use it during forward motion
If you like tinkering

I do want a rear camera but don’t want a extra device on the dash..
Ford also offers TPMS for the trailer tires
Again you have to install the harness on the trailer.
The negative is it’s pressure only and not temp
At least on my 2017

[bbells]

The least expensive route is to get a wifi action camera for about $35 at Menards, pair it to your phone or tablet, and use the suction cup to mount it on the back of your trailer.

[mkellyroswell]

You picked a good one. We have the 3701, just means residential fridge. You will love it. I have an F350 dually and use the Ford trailer camera. Works well. Wiring it sucks.
I started with a Hopkins wireless and it was ok but not great.

The guys are right about towing, unfortunately for safety you might want to check into a dually. Makes a world of difference. No more sway and springs are made for it.