Back Up Camera

[weekend_hooker]

Has anyone installed an aftermarket back up camera to their tow vehicle to help with hitching up to your trailer. I find myself hooking up alot solo and constantly having to get out and check my alignment. I have read about some online. Just wondering what is the best kind to get that won't break the bank. Wired or Wireless? Thanks in advance.

[TOXIC]

I had a wireless on my last truck.  Loved it.  New truck has one built in to the tailgate.  My first one was a Yaba or Yolo something like that.  Got it from Costco.

[Bolar]

Not a camera but I've used these for many years.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-trailer-alignment-kit-69778.html

 

[2tall79]

I bought one of these.  It's only for hooking up (not full time)  but it involves no wiring and has really been great in my case where I fish alone most of the time.

https://www.amazon.com/5-8GHz-Wireless-Magnetic-Trailer-Monitor/dp/B0035WSQEC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521043406&sr=8-1&keywords=iball+backup+camera

[RPreeb]

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

I had a wireless on my last truck.  Loved it.  New truck has one built in to the tailgate.  My first one was a Yaba or Yolo something like that.  Got it from Costco.

My F-150 has it built in.  I don't know how anyone hooks up a trailer alone without one.  I suppose you get pretty good at estimating, but unless the trailer can be moved a bit by hand, that would take a lot of running back and forth.  Mine has regular view and a zoom view.  I can hit it perfectly in one shot every time.  

 

That said, I can't answer the OP question since I've never used an aftermarket set up.  I know that many of the newer Garmin GPS receivers have the ability to add a wireless backup camera to them for multi-functionality.  I know that some RV'ers mount them on the back of the trailer for backing their campers.

[TOXIC]

Now with the camera's in the tailgates, I've been told that there are a lot of tailgate thefts.  Luckily I can lock my tailgate with my key fob.  Another thing about the portable camera's is that they are level with the bumper/hitch whereas my tailgate camera is much higher up on the tailgate at the lift handle.  

[J Francho]

This is nothing you can't practice and learn to do yourself.  I might have to get out and check once or twice, but I usually get it on just a couple minutes.

[livemusic]

I am pretty good at it, but it still might take, like last time, getting in and out of the truck 3-4 times. I also have those yellow ball telescoping things and they help, for sure, I just forget to put them on, it seems.

 

The camera seems a good thing, as you can also use it to make sure you aren't about to run over something. I have wanted that for a new dog I have.

 

Here is one by Yada...

https://www.target.com/p/yada-174-wireless-backup-camera-with-5-dash-monitor/-/A-50801472?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Home+Improvement+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Home+Improvement&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9025440&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkKPVBRDtARIsAA2CG6EFmX9BsXdTErfORuyAvIdJl3oQSF4869qLjyQZVnfIRF1uagrcDWAaAlgXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[weekend_hooker]

The angle that my garage is on when I back up to it to hook up is elevated to where I cannot see the boat, makes it a real pain. but I like the idea of the yellow balls.

[Way2slow]

I bought one of the wired in models.  Very easy to install the wiring, just finding a good place to mount the display proved to be the hardest part.  For mounting the camera, I used a piece of 1" square tubing about 6" long.  I drilled a hole for the camera mount and cut down that side about and inch so I could bend it down to adjust the angle, then mounted that between the bumper and tail gate, centered over the ball.   The wiring harness have terminals on both ends so you can either connect it from under the dash or from the backup lights so it automatically comes on when you put it in reverse.   Works great and cost me less than $50 for everything

I bought the telescoping magnet mounts and yellow balls years ago.  By the time I dug them out of the tool box and got them stuck in a place that they would stay, I could already have the trailer connected.   Like JFrancho said, with a little practice you can back up to it just fine, and that's fine if you are just backing up to the same trailer,  I rarely missed my connecting point for my Javelin far enough that I had to get back in the truck and move it again.  My problem is I have about  1/2 dozen trailers and some, like the ones on the jon boats, are too narrow to even see in the mirrors when backing up to them. 

I installed mine a couple of years ago and wished I had done it when they first came out.  

[Way north bass guy]

 Cameras, meh. You’re not a real boat fisherman unless you’ve got at least one small dent in or around your licence plate!

[A-Jay]

49 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said:

 Cameras, meh. You’re not Raymond Babbitt unless you’ve got at least one small dent in or around your licence plate!

Fixed that one for you.

A-Jay

[fishnkamp]

Here in MD there is a company called Westminster Speed and Sound. They specialize in high quality stereo, car alarms, back up cameras etc. I know there is a terrific place like that down in Northern VA because they installed a killer stereo in a friend's bass boat.  If you can not find such a place near you please pm me and I will look on his website for the company. My Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport came with one in the mirror, I was not satisfied with its size of display.  I also noticed with that raised "scoop" area of the front hood it was nearly impossible to properly estimate how close to objects my front bumper was. I figured before I crunched my new to me truck I better add a front camera. Westminster hooked my back up camera so it displays on both my radio and my mirror. They then added a video switch and a front video camera.  Now I can see very well while backing up, as well as going forward when needed.  This made parallel parking on the tight and busy streets of Rehoboth Beach really easy last fall.  The nice thing about the radio option, if you have to replace them, is you can get a nice modern radio with the backup camera, usb and 3.5 mm inputs and bluetooth capabilities for somewhere around $600 to $800.  Going this route your video display will be the full screen. I use mine not only for lining up to hitch, but to aide me when lining up at the ramp too.

Garmin offers one for their gps units as an option. I looked into it for on my wife's car, but it uses wireless technology and did not have a good reputation for clarity. I am not saying that is a problem across the board, just be aware of it.

[slonezp]

On 3/14/2018 at 11:25 AM, RPreeb said:

 I don't know how anyone hooks up a trailer alone without one.  

Mirrors.

[RPreeb]

20 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Mirrors.

If you can do that without at least having to get out 2 or 3 times to check, then you're a better man than I am Gunga Din.  You can't see the hitch with mirrors.  My camper is immovable by hand, so I have to hit about a 1/2" window between too far and not far enough (I get about 1/2" more leeway side to side, because I can give it a kick if it's off a little and it will drop in).  With the camera it's no problem hitting the right spot every time, without ever leaving the cab.  To each his own, I guess.

[J Francho]

I do it all the time.  I usually have to get out once, and make an inches adjustment - fwd or rev - and then get out and drop the jack.  When you're hooked up, take note of what's in the mirrors, and commit to memory.  I know I use the indent in the gate where the handle is to center the hitch and boat.

[A-Jay]

Positioning the truck to the trailer is clearly do-able without the camera.

However, a tailgate mounted camera is very convenient and pretty much like cheating. 

Of course, one can not miss it if you've not had it to miss.

The other option is to replace that sappy plastic trailer jack wheel with a unit that actually allow the trailer to be maneuvered effectively.  Then (if the surface is reasonably smooth and not an incline or serious decline), you can bring the trailer safely to the truck / tow vehicle - with minimal effort.

First time I did it I actually laughed out hold at just how stupid easy it was - I'll not got back to the sappy little goober wheel.

 

Don't Raise the bridge - Lower the River. 

 

A-Jay

 

http://abtlures.com/trailer-skate/

 

 

[Way2slow]

AJ, those fancy devices work fine, "IF, you park on concrete" a lot of us have to park ours on dirt and those fancy wheels don't role that easy then.

Almost 3,500 pounds of boat, motor and trailer sitting on soft dirt, you hope you don't have to move it by hand.  I have to put a flat, stepping stone under my trailer jack just so it doesn't bury the wheel four inches in the dirt after sitting a few weeks.

[Way north bass guy]

8 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

AJ, those fancy devices work fine, "IF, you park on concrete" a lot of us have to park ours on dirt and those fancy wheels don't role that easy then.

Almost 3,500 pounds of boat, motor and trailer sitting on soft dirt, you hope you don't have to move it by hand.  I have to put a flat, stepping stone under my trailer jack just so it doesn't bury the wheel four inches in the dirt after sitting a few weeks.

Don’t let it sit that long man, get out there and fish! ?

[A-Jay]

@Way2slow ~ 

 First problem I see is the 'sitting for weeks' deal - Hate to hear that.

Hope that improves.

Also (and I'm certain you're the last man on this board that needs to hear this):

Right tool for the job.

A-Jay

 

[slonezp]

6 hours ago, RPreeb said:

If you can do that without at least having to get out 2 or 3 times to check, then you're a better man than I am Gunga Din.  You can't see the hitch with mirrors.  My camper is immovable by hand, so I have to hit about a 1/2" window between too far and not far enough (I get about 1/2" more leeway side to side, because I can give it a kick if it's off a little and it will drop in).  With the camera it's no problem hitting the right spot every time, without ever leaving the cab.  To each his own, I guess.

If it's a straight shot, I'm about 90% accurate with zero adjustments. I line up the outside of the frame/inside of the fenders with the mirrors. If it's not a straight shot, I'm about 50/50. 

[gim]

Lol there are some good comments on this one.  "Sappy little goober wheel" made me laugh.

 

I'm lucky enough to have a flat spot with good concrete to store my boat, plus its not overly heavy, so I can back up into position close enough every time and then just move the trailer slightly onto the ball and hook up.  I could certainly see how having a heavier boat that sucks trying to move on an incline or on dirt would be a problem by myself though.  And a back up camera would certainly help with that.

[Further North]

On 3/15/2018 at 12:11 PM, slonezp said:

Mirrors.

I absolutely cannot back up with mirrors.  Not possible.

 

Gotta turn around and look.

 

Back up camera...no problem...hooked up and gone in about a minute...