A couple of ideas for the 2017 5.1 5th....

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Nice catch there Jim on the camera, something one could use to see the 5th set up and with a 300' range why not set up inside back window to watch traffic on your phone?

Not a fan of traffic watching on my phone, but I would imagine that unless the view is too wide of an angle, a camera could be set up inside near the top of the rear window to see the hitch clearly.

[cpaharley2008]

I hate having to buy these cameras when my truck has one, except it is on the tailgate, if I can somehow move it to the rear center light it may work.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If being able to see the connection of the hitch is what you want, why not just use a camera? One I was looking at was this one from etrailer.
https://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Came...ge/RA7710.html

What I am liking about it, is you can just set it up when you and where you need it, using your smartphone as a screen. Heck you could use it as a baby monitor, wife/husband monitor, or many other uses. Self contained wifi transmitter, and it is rechargeable so no 12V connection needed. Just download the app, not really any installation required. Why have a separate monitor if you don't need it. Use a big tablet if you like too.

Seeing it is magnetic, I would just glue a steel disc to my aluminum toolbox, and mount it there whenever I am connecting.

Just a thought. I imagine there is similar devices out there, this is really the first one I looked at with these features.

Don't forget a disk over your cooler, so you can keep an eye on your beer when you're facing the campfire.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

This is my hitching camera, from etrailer. I can attest that it is durable. I had it attached when I slammed the rear hatch and it dropped to the pavement. Still worked. Bit more expensive.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Bac...ift_Hitch.aspx

I looked at that one too, and it looks good, but was thinking my phone would make a better screen

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

why not set up inside back window to watch traffic on your phone?

Because you are supposed to be watching the traffic in front of you, and in BC you will get a hefty ticket for using a hand-held device while driving.
Speaking of which, Victoria police recovered a text message from a cell phone, after one of their members was rear-ended.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Don't forget a disk over your cooler, so you can keep an eye on your beer when you're facing the campfire.

Especially at the Escape rallies, eh?

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If being able to see the connection of the hitch is what you want, why not just use a camera? One I was looking at was this one from etrailer.
https://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Came...ge/RA7710.html

What I am liking about it, is you can just set it up when you and where you need it, using your smartphone as a screen. Heck you could use it as a baby monitor, wife/husband monitor, or many other uses. Self contained wifi transmitter, and it is rechargeable so no 12V connection needed. Just download the app, not really any installation required. Why have a separate monitor if you don't need it. Use a big tablet if you like too.

Seeing it is magnetic, I would just glue a steel disc to my aluminum toolbox, and mount it there whenever I am connecting.

Just a thought. I imagine there is similar devices out there, this is really the first one I looked at with these features.

Yeah I did try the Iball camera, small field of view. I just find it so much easier being able to look over my shoulder and hook up.

I gave it to my son in law for hooking up his Hewescraft, making it easier to take me fishing for halibut. Win, win! Scott

Scott and Lori

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If being able to see the connection of the hitch is what you want, why not just use a camera? One I was looking at was this one from etrailer.
https://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Came...ge/RA7710.html

...

Seeing it is magnetic, I would just glue a steel disc to my aluminum toolbox, and mount it there whenever I am connecting.

That setup looks convenient to set up. Since it is only for temporary use (not permanent outside mounting), another way to use it would be to stick it on the trailer's (steel) frame under the loft, looking forward and slightly down at the approaching truck and hitch, if a suitable frame location can be found. Just a thought...

[Donna D.]

Or just stick it on the pin box. Jim, if you figure out how to move the camera from the tailgate to up on the cab.. let me know!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Because you are supposed to be watching the traffic in front of you, and in BC you will get a hefty ticket for using a hand-held device while driving.
Speaking of which, Victoria police recovered a text message from a cell phone, after one of their members was rear-ended.

Would any of us really hold a phone in one hand while backing a truck into the trailer with the other hand? Dash mounts are readily available to hold the phone, and with it in the holder and running as a monitor, it wouldn't be either a hand-held device or a distraction from driving.

With people replacing their smartphones at a ridiculously short interval, there are lots a perfectly functional used phones lying around. Deleting all the other apps and running it without a SIM card makes one of these phones (or a tablet - same thing in a larger size) into a dedicated monitor with a good screen plus WiFi and Bluetooth connections for inputs.