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Old 10-26-2018, 10:41 AM   #41
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Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
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When I bought my trailer I didn't think I'd need a rear-view camera on it. but now I'd like to have one. It would be useful to see if I'm holding up traffic when towing, and I just don't like backing up the trailer without being able to see behind it. So I may retrofit a camera on my trailer someday.

Fortunately the rear view camera on my 2013 Tacoma is close enough to the center line that it is useful for hitching. Glare sometimes causes a problem, as does lack of contrast. But the reflective tape ETI put on the trailer coupler helps, and I painted the flat top of the hitch ball with white enamel to help see when it goes under the coupler.

The truck's backup camera is a must-have when traveling alone. Without it I'd have to get married.
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Old 10-26-2018, 11:53 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis:
The truck's backup camera is a must-have when traveling alone. Without it I'd have to get married.
Shudder, the thought!
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Old 10-26-2018, 12:52 PM   #43
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i haven't used my trailer rear camera yet. Cant get the monitor to stay on my windshield (and yes i cleaned the glass before applying the suction cup).
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Old 03-19-2019, 02:39 PM   #44
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I recently watched a great back-up YouTube video. He used the phrase (with hands on top of the wheel) "steer toward the problem". That made sense to me - as does with hands on the bottom - "steer where you want it to go" Ultimately, I think practice is the answer.
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Old 03-19-2019, 02:43 PM   #45
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Yes, it works great for hitching! I just tried my very first time ever to hitch up (practicing on a uHaul), and was within 2" in the very first attempt. Planning to perfect that...
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Old 03-19-2019, 03:26 PM   #46
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I use the real camera to watch the bike's swaying on the 1Up going down the road, not so much for backing up.
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Old 03-19-2019, 03:46 PM   #47
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I had a receiver mounted on the front of my F150. This makes it easy just drive it down my very narrow driveway.
You still need to have a spotter or get out and check often, but it still is much easier than backing down with only 6 in. on each side.
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Old 03-19-2019, 05:29 PM   #48
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Have you tried hooking the trailer to the front of the truck and backing out the drive?
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Old 03-19-2019, 07:59 PM   #49
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Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Have you tried hooking the trailer to the front of the truck and backing out the drive?
Yeah, that's how I get it out. It's easier than pulling it out driving forward. It's all about not scraping the trailer on the house or fence.
I spent 45 years tugging airplanes around and they were almost always towed by attaching to the nose gear and pushing them backwards. Do anything long enough and it becomes reflex.
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Old 03-19-2019, 10:15 PM   #50
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Originally Posted by rotorbudd View Post
Yeah, that's how I get it out. It's easier than pulling it out driving forward. It's all about not scraping the trailer on the house or fence.
I spent 45 years tugging airplanes around and they were almost always towed by attaching to the nose gear and pushing them backwards. Do anything long enough and it becomes reflex.
Question Rotorbudd Is it easy to do ? How about pushing up a hill in Street , doing a turn not to hit the concrete blocks and rolling gate , then up another hill in driveway . After in entrance lots of room to work with . Pat
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Old 03-20-2019, 07:00 AM   #51
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Question Rotorbudd Is it easy to do ? How about pushing up a hill in Street , doing a turn not to hit the concrete blocks and rolling gate , then up another hill in driveway . After in entrance lots of room to work with . Pat
All I've ever done is push up and down my driveway into the street. It does have an incline, nothing big. It's not difficult to make any turns because you are looking directly at the sides of the trailer. It is much safer and simpler than backing in and out.
Maybe next time I pull the trailer out I'll make a video. (if I can remember!)
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Old 03-20-2019, 11:59 AM   #52
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Originally Posted by rotorbudd View Post
All I've ever done is push up and down my driveway into the street. It does have an incline, nothing big. It's not difficult to make any turns because you are looking directly at the sides of the trailer. It is much safer and simpler than backing in and out.
Maybe next time I pull the trailer out I'll make a video. (if I can remember!)
Thank you that would be great ! Pat
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Old 03-24-2019, 08:14 AM   #53
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In my yard I have to do a serious jack-knife when backing my trailer into it's spot. I rely on the tow mirrors for this. Have never considered adding a camera to aid in the process, though it's often very tedious. Have banged into the canopy poles 3-4 times and when that happens the (manual) awning brackets get busted.

Have decided this is simply a technique problem. Working on it. A bigger issue for me is shmooshing into my proud tongue box with the tow bumper. Issue has recently been resolved. I changed the ball mount to a longer version.
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