Wireless back-up cameras from Amazon?

[Kirk W]

I know that this has come up before but with the steady change in camera technology I was wondering if anyone has used any of the currently listed, wireless, back-up cameras from Amazon, or some other supplier? I keep considering one for our little tin box travel trailer.

[Jack Mayer]

On a very short rig, wireless may work if there is not a lot of metal between the camera and receiver for the monitor. But in "general" we don't install or recommend wireless since they still are not reliable for any but the shortest rigs. I've tested a lot of them over the years, but none in the last year.

[Kirk W]

Part of what triggers the question is that our youngest son just traded his hybrid off for a new travel trailer and in shopping, he found that many of them have a wireless rear camera as an option. 

[sandsys]

On our former Class A the backup camera was good for making sure our toad was still there--nothing else.

Linda

[Barbaraok]

I use ours for backing into a parking spot, as well as checking on the toad while traveling.

[Dutch_12078]

Like Barb, our bi-level wired backup camera system is very useful when parking, as well as for checking on the toad in transit. With our low view camera, I can check on the entire tow bar system from the rear bumper back.

[kb0zke]

I replaced the dead original (1993) camera with a wireless one six years ago. The only time it didn't work properly was when the salesman's switch got turned off. The backup camera is on whenever the Detroit is on. No, it isn't wired that way - I start the Detroit, start the generator, turn on the camera. I turn it off when I turn the Detroit off.

[Kirk W]

12 hours ago, kb0zke said:

replaced the dead original (1993) camera with a wireless one six years ago.

This is the sort of information that I was looking for, which is the reason that the subject of the thread is wireless cameras. I would be interested to know what make equipment you have and how far from the receiver it is located? 

Nobody needs to explain backup cameras to me as I have had them before. What I was looking for was current information on the latest generation of wireless camera/receivers. Technology is changing rapidly today and while they have not had the best reliability ratings in the past, I was hoping to find some owners of recent products that have served well. 

[vermilye]

I've been using this Rear View Systems Wireless for 2 years on a 21' Escape towed by a F150 with a 6.5' bed. Under normal conditions, no drop outs.  2-3 times in heavy city traffic it dropped a couple of frames, probably due to other transmitters in the area.  

[Carlos]

I want a rear-view camera more for driving than for backing.  I mean, it would make me feel good that something didn't run into my way, or whatever, but I always get out and survey the area before backing.  On the highway I'd like to have that clear view behind the trailer without putting on the tow mirrors.  This unit seems to have a great blend of price, good reviews, and screen size...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DW7981G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1DO77E5TBEWHM&psc=1

For people who run a wired system to a trailer, are you simply just using 40-60' of RCA cable?  And how do you disconnect it?  RCA jacks wouldn't be very weather-friendly.

EDITED TO ADD:  My trailer is 20' and made of fiberglass with aluminum framing.  So it should be relatively transparent to radio waves.

 

Edited June 3, 2019 by Carlos

[kb0zke]

Kirk, our system is a Voyager purchased from Camping World. The camera is about 40' from the monitor. Our Foretravel is a steel frame for the walls and ceiling, covered with foam insulation and fiberglass on the outside, walnut wood on the inside. I think we paid around $600 for it six years ago. I suspect that a similar system from Amazon would be cheaper.

[griffy]

Kirk,

I have a "wireless" back-up camera setup (RVS-355W) that works very well while traveling down the highway that I purchased from rearviewsafety.com, that is a single camera with 3-camera capability, for $357.52 last September. I have a 35' fifth wheel towed by an F-350 long bed truck. I made the setup totally temporary that can be connected or disconnected in 15 minutes. I mount the camera in my "rear window" inside my trailer and ran a 12v extension cord to an in-house 12v receptacle. Last October I started a trip from Oregon to Kansas to Las Vegas and back to Oregon. I never once experienced any interference or monitor screen fluctuation. The system setup does not work well at night since headlights from following vehicles washes out my monitor which I presume is due to the low level angle and location of my rear camera. Anyway, I rarely travel at night!    

[Kirk W]

Thank you, everyone, for chiming in! I have believed for some time that with technology improving the wireless cameras should be also. I have pretty much the same setup as Jon with our 19' Sportsman towed with a Dodge 2500, crew-cab. Watching Amazon, prices for the systems seem to be falling and selection is increased.  

[Carlos]

The note about headlights causing the video to wash out remind me of another question; where to mount it.  Up high, looking mostly downward?  Or about mirror height looking straight back?  I can see advantages and disadvantages to each.  Maybe it's a matter of hooking it up and moving the camera around while its battery powered to see.

 

[Ray,IN]

Kirk I have had a wireless Voyager rear camera in the MH since 2013. The only time it did not work was when the ground got corroded at the camera. I back our MH into our garage by myself with confidence, using the camera and rear view mirrors..

I have a cheap LeekLoo wireless system off Amazon on my pickup,  I got exactly what I paid for=cheap. These cheap wireless systems operate on 2.4 Ghz, which is the same frequency as cordless phones and many other devices. This means it does not work  many times and places due to interference.

Edited June 4, 2019 by Ray,IN

[Carlos]

32 minutes ago, Ray,IN said:

These cheap wireless systems operate on 2.4 Ghz, which is the same frequency as cordless phones and many other devices. This means it does not work  many times and places due to interference.

So do the Voyager systems.  The only systems I know of NOT using that are sold for other purposes.  I'm considering getting one of the 5GHz systems used on RC aircraft.

 

[Jack Mayer]

Kirk, in your situation a wireless may work fine. It is a very short distance, and if ther is not a lot of metal then it should be "sufficient". We install these routinely and use the RVS products, and before forming our company I have installed probably 30 systems on RVs of various kinds. Both wired and wireless. In general, the wireless is not something I'd use, but for very short distances it is OK. I don't personally prefer the Voyager systems, although we work with them a LOT, since they are placed on many RVs. There are many better systems available for the same or less money.

[RickB]

I just installed a Garmin BC-20 that works well with my Garmin GPS.  Only been on one trip, but even with it raining it still never missed a beat.  I have a  21 ft Cougar TT.  Mounted it up above the rear marker lights , put the transmitter up above it on the roof, tapped into the marker lights for power.  Always powered on when lights are on.  I think it was about $140.00 for the camera.

[Carlos]

So you run with the lights on during the day?

 

[RickB]

Yes I do, been a motorcyclist and truck driver most of my life and I consider it a safety feature.  All of my lights have been changed out to LED's. Haven't ever had issues with early failure.  Some people don't like to run their lights all the time, each to their own, I just feel better knowing I'm doing all I can to avoid the idiots trying to run me off the road. (No shortage of idiots out there)  😁

[Carlos]

I have the tow vehicle set to DRL. Not sure I’d remember to turn on lights manually. But I guess the dark camera would be a reminder. I don’t disagree with lights on. 

[bobsallyh]

There are a lot of two lane roads that you must "burn" your headlights during the day. I always liked when Canada started the "DRLs". Daytime running lights.

[Kirk W]

9 hours ago, Carlos said:

So you run with the lights on during the day?

 

Like Rick, I too turn on the lights of the trailer any time we are on the highway so his system would work for me. Serving on my employer's safety committee with several thousand vehicles on the road convinced me of the value.

[Carlos]

I'm ordering this.  If it sucks, eBay's return policy is really good.  If it's good, I'll do a full review here.  I can't decide whether I will wire it to the tail lights or hard-wire it elsewhere.  I run DRLs and don't know if I care about turning on the tail lights.  I have no clearance lights.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BULIT-IN-WIRELESS-REAR-VIEW-BACKUP-CAMERA-SYSTEM-7-LCD-FOR-RV-CAMPER-TRAILER/252689313043?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Edited June 12, 2019 by Carlos

[Ed ke6bnl]

2 hours ago, Carlos said:

I'm ordering this.  If it sucks, eBay's return policy is really good.  If it's good, I'll do a full review here.  I can't decide whether I will wire it to the tail lights or hard-wire it elsewhere.  I run DRLs and don't know if I care about turning on the tail lights.  I have no clearance lights.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BULIT-IN-WIRELESS-REAR-VIEW-BACKUP-CAMERA-SYSTEM-7-LCD-FOR-RV-CAMPER-TRAILER/252689313043?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

let us know the result