Backup Camera ?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Me too! But, then again as a single traveler... if I don't do it by myself it doesn't get done.

And your conversations on the road, how do they go?

(says the guy well known for talking to himself)

[Donna D.]

My travels are very peaceful. I get to sing along to the radio at the top of my lungs and no one seems to mind that I sing off key. Beside, there is ALWAYS someone that agrees with me when I bumble under my breath at some of the lousy drivers on the road.

[Brian B-P]

Someone in another forum posted the best piece I have ever read about FRS radios: he said they worked great, because instead of the driver's partner yelling directions to him, with the radios he could just turn his off and back in undisturbed.

[tractors1]

I've ordered a wireless system with a clip-over-the-mirror monitor and a very small license plate style camera. Idea is to mount the camera at the top of the rear window in a 21 instead of drilling holes for an outside camera.

RVS-091407 wireless back up camera | Rear View back up system | Rearview safety

Primary use is for backing the trailer into my shop and into a campsite, although I might use it on the road. Will experiment with it when it gets here - if it works as expected, I'll send it to ETI.

It's freeze the build list day tomorrow! YIKES!

[J Mac]

Could suction cups do the trick? If so, you could mount where you want.

[techfan]

[QUOTE=tractors1;54045]I've ordered a wireless system with a clip-over-the-mirror monitor and a very small license plate style camera. Idea is to mount the camera at the top of the rear window in a 21 instead of drilling holes for an outside camera.

You might want to look at my addition for the outside camera. Totally bolt on with no drilling so it is easily removed. Works great. Mine is wireless from the trailer to the tow vehicle. I wired it to the running lights so I can use it going down the road as long as the parking lights are on on the tow vehicle. Great for in town driving.

See Here at our site:

https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...ns/stabilizers

I used readily available angle iron with holes and fabricated a stand which attaches to the spare tire holder with stainless screw bands.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by J Mac

Could suction cups do the trick? If so, you could mount where you want.

I may have to resort to cups if wifey whines about it impeding the view. When it gets here, I'll find out how well it works through glass first.

If need be, I can fabricate a mount from ABS plastic. That's what my business does!

[tractors1]

Tim, good idea! I may go that route if my camera doesn't see through the rear window very well - I can experiment with my truck rear window. I just like the idea of not having to clean the lens and no outside wiring.

[FMLNM]

We mount our camera in the back window of the Escape and the visibility is fine. We stow it away when parked. Easy.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by FMLNM

We mount our camera in the back window of the Escape and the visibility is fine. We stow it away when parked. Easy.

Using suction cups?

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Using suction cups?

Yes, but in a Rube Goldberg sort of way. We had used the camera previously in our Scamp 5er. For that trailer we had mounted the license plate camera type onto a nice piece of varnished oak and attached it to the underside of the cabinet with magnets. On the Escape the position on the under-cabinet light did not allow us to do that...so....we found this Oxo Strong Hold Suction Large Basket, Amazon.com - OXO Good Grips Strong Hold Suction Large Basket - Home Storage Baskets
I fastened the oak mounted camera into the basket with Velcro and used the suction cups to hold it against the back window. I did add a hook-on suction cup to each side if the bar at the bottom to keep it from bouncing against the window. Not sure anyone would want to completely duplicate this BUT it gives you some 'out of the box' ideas on how to make it work.
I notice that OXO sells the suction cup with a little metal loop which might work with the camera that does NOT have the wide license plate mount. The suction cups hold really well! Just an idea...
Amazon.com - OXO Good Grips Strong Hold Suction Hook, Set-of-2 - Bath Towel Hooks

Our setup:

[tractors1]

Very inventive! Mr Goldberg would be proud.........

[Vermilye]

After traveling solo for 48,000 miles with a back up camera on the trailer, I've found it useful for those few times I needed to back up in a crowded gas station (no one to get out & check for someone standing or walking just behind the trailer), useful for pulling back into the lane after the rare passing of another vehicle, and handy as a rear view mirror for seeing those idiots that insist on tailgating inside the limits of my rear view mirrors.

It is not very useful for backing into a campsite - get out & look is still my method. The camera view is too wide for precision backing; the mirrors are more useful. If I ever change trailers, I'll have a back up camera on the new one.

By the way, the second camera on the back of the RAV4 is invaluable for hitching...

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by FMLNM

We mount our camera in the back window of the Escape and the visibility is fine. We stow it away when parked. Easy.

Very clever idea! Do you think this would work with a license plate wireless camera without the oak mounting bar?

[tractors1]

I'm considering a Dropcam - streams video over WiFi to a smart phone. At $149 and no additional monitor required, seems like a good fit for infrequent uses. Field of view is 107 degrees and 4X zoom, better for backing into narrow places. Think I'll pick one up and do some testing.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by Sandra L

Very clever idea! Do you think this would work with a license plate wireless camera without the oak mounting bar?

I can't imagine why not...you just need to secure the camera to something that sticks to the back window. The nice thing about that particular Oxo device is that the suction cups rotate all the way around the bar so you can use it in positions it was never intended to be in. Sometimes you have to experiment a little....

[tractors1]

F&D - What camera system are you using? Wired or wireless?

[drpaddle]

Dave, dumb question, sorry, but how do you connect the camera to power?

[FMLNM]

We are using the Peak PKCORB system...wireless. We tapped into one of the 12v lights in the loft of the Escape to power the transmitter and purchased the PEAK extension cable to reach the camera mounted in the back window over the dinette.

Amazon.com: Peak PKC0RB Wireless Back-Up Camera System with 3.5-Inch LCD Color Monitor: Automotive

This model is a newer one than ours...looks like some changes in the monitor design.

[tractors1]

I'm sending this system to ETI - I need the night LEDs to back into my shop; easier than climbing up a 24 ft ladder to hang lights on the ceiling!

7" Mirror with Wireless 120° RV Backup Camera