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Old 02-05-2020, 06:42 AM   #1
Camp CA
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Wireless Vehicle Observation System

I installed a Furrion Visions FOS7TASF Wireless Vehicle Observation System on my new fifth wheel. I found the system useful driving the 500+ mile trip from Palm Desert to San Francisco over the last couple of days. By rotating the rear camera to its highest position I was able to view on approaching traffic some distance behind and on both sides of the trailer, while focusing on the road ahead. Still testing is usefulness during parking.

What has been your experience good, bad or indifferent?
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Old 02-05-2020, 07:22 AM   #2
Tbos
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On the road it’s more useful than when backing.
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Old 02-05-2020, 07:53 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
On the road it’s more useful than when backing.
That's what I've found as well. Regardless of the brand and whether it's wireless or wired, a rear view camera is helpful while towing, but when backing, it's extremely difficult to judge distances and clearances on a small screen with a camera 30' behind you. With 20+ years of "backing with a rear view camera" I've never "really trusted what I see in the monitor" and still prefer to have a spotter behind me. I can't begin to count the number of times "the monitor said I'm good to keep backing and the spotter was yelling to stop"....
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Old 02-05-2020, 08:42 AM   #4
dutchmensport
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I installed the Furrion Observation system and just recently installed the 2 side cameras (front).

Mine is 41.5 feet long I've gotten pretty good at backing in, even without a spotter. The thing that helps me the most is when I purchased an orange cone to use as a marker. I will pull forward of the campsite slot, stop, examine the terrain, and then place the cone exactly where I want the pivot point for the trailer tires to start. This also help for low hanging branches from trees too. Place the cone where you want the pivot point to be.

After getting the observation camera installed, it was great when towing on the road, and I do find it useful when backing into a spot. It just takes time to get use to using it.

I've not been on the road yet with the side cameras as they were installed on Christmas day and I haven't been on the road. So I'm now wondering and waiting for the first tow to see how how much more beneficial the side cameras will be.

Just from sitting in the drive way, I think they will be very beneficial for backing in, along with the rear camera. I still will continue using the cone though. It helps spotting that pivot point so much easier, on either side of the vehicle.
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Old 02-05-2020, 10:38 AM   #5
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I have a wired camera on the back of the camper. Image is always on when hitched. It has a microphone so I can hear what's going on.

When driving I check it often paying particular attention when changing lanes or if a siren is heard from the monitor. When backing in to a spot I use the mirrors more than the camera. Pay more attention to the camera's image when I'm backing in a straight line as then I know the sides/wheels have no obstructions.

I also have one other aid if the spot is super tight or has unavoidable obstacles. I took a 50' length of 3/8" poly rope in fluorescent yellow color. I played it out beside the camper and cut it to length from hitch to bumper. Then I cut 4 pieces the length that the slide outs protrude when extended. Then I affixed one of these ropes to the first rope at the front and rear of each slide. The reason for doing this? I've been in a few places where the electric and or water connection is low on the ground and would end up under a slide (or damage the skirting) if not aligned in between the 2 slides (about 18" in between the two.)

So if the placement is difficult and critical I can lay out the rope, know where the slides need to be and use the long line as a guide to getting it straight in.
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Old 02-05-2020, 05:30 PM   #6
Jim2366
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I just picked up the 5th wheel from etrailer, they installed the Furrion observation camera. It has one on each side of the trailer and one on the back. Etrailer took 40 minutes with me showing how it works and we were both surprised that the side camera that are mounted on the RV do not show the RV. The edge of the picture is where the RV is. He went to the back of the RV and moved his hand off the RV and I could see his hand when it was inches away. There was not away to adjust the side lens which is something I do not like.

Driving just 10 miles back I did go through busy city traffic and it was very helpful in changing lanes. The back up camera helped in knowing when to stop but it does not take the place of mirrors and good backing skills. I am not sure it was worth $1000 but time will tell, it may save me from an accident.
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Old 02-07-2020, 02:31 PM   #7
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Started doing wired rear view cameras in 2011. AWESOME as rear view but not much help backing. Need DW good at watching over camera any day. Unfortunately watching someone backing into a spot is still a great spectator sport.
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