Rear View Camera

[JoanE]

I am not happy with the camera on my rig. It is b/w and I find it difficult to see clearly. I've brightened the monitor but not much improvement. Can these be switched out easily or have you found a solution to this problem?

[Birdie]

My 2005 rig did not come with a rear camera. I had one installed on the back (always on, no audio - no one there to talk to any way ), and a second at the gas tank which is activated by a remote switch. Both show on the same monitor but switch from one to the other by the remote. Both are in color.

Are you positive yours is black and white? Or might there be a malfunction with the color? One can hope it is a malfunction and you get it fixed rather than plunking for another setup. Not sure if you would have to replace both camera and monitor or not. Could perhaps use the same wiring. Best get a techie for an answer - don't listen to me! I only know how to turn it on and off and switch from back to gas. I'd bet your dealership will know the answer. But I do love mine.

[JoanE]

I'm curious as to why you have one by the gas tank?

[cpatinjones]

I'm curious as to why you have one by the gas tank?

Me too.

[Liz]

I believe it makes it easy for her to line up at the pump.

[AlmostThere]

My 2004 MH has a backup camera as I have no rear window at all. It's on the back of my sunvisor and it comes on when I lower the visor (but also has a switch to turn it off. It is black and white and I agree it is fairly hard to see in bright sun, but perhaps mine needs to be cleaned. My 2007 Honda Pilot car has a backup camera that is in color. In both cases I like having them, but don't rely soley on what I see as they tend to use a "fisheye" lens so things are a bit distorted.

[Bethers]

I had and got rid of a poor back up camera. Didn't replace it. Use my mirrors. Works for me. My ex and I had trucks that I had to use the mirrors only so never felt the need for the camera. Now, if a rig came with a good one, wouldn't turn it down (kind of like my feeling on automatic levelers).

[HorizonSeeker]

Don't have a back up camera and wondering if it's worth cost for adding. I use my mirrors religiously mostly to see what others on the road are doing. How does having the back up camera help besides in backing up? What kind of costs am I looking at?

[OregonLuvr]

I have a backup camera and 2 side cameras on my MH. Mine is black and white and I do use them when backing up (after getting out several times to check and recheck, look both ways and UP) Getting out helps with me getting the "lay of the land", then the cameras let me see if there is anything in my way. I also tow a Toad so lets me keep a look on that too. I do use my mirrors more than the camera tho but love the side cameras that come on automatically when changing lanes. Lets me see that I am all clear. I am 58ft long when towing so I guess I love my cameras.

Karen

[AlmostThere]

Don't have a back up camera and wondering if it's worth cost for adding. I use my mirrors religiously mostly to see what others on the road are doing. How does having the back up camera help besides in backing up? What kind of costs am I looking at?

The backup camera on my MH works whenever I turn it on and can be used as a rearview mirror also when driving. The one in my car works only when the car is in reverse. I really like the one in the MH when I'm backing into the stall at the storage place. I can see how close I'm getting to the trailer behind me, but there was a learning curve. Would I go the extra $$ to get one in the MH if it didn't come with one? Probably not.

[Forestgal]

I don't have a backup camera on my trailer, and I'm pushing 40' with trailer and car. What's most important for me to see is what's on my sides, and my mirrors handle that. Most trailers do NOT come with backup cameras, and if you think about it the combination of trailer & tow vehicle is almost always longer than the biggest diesel-pusher. If they're pulling a toad, that's a whole other story ...

That said, learn your rig, learn how it moves -- even if it means taking it to a parking lot with a bunch of cones/flags -- and learn to put it where you want it. It might be a nice luxury, but I don't want to depend on something that will probably fail at a crucial moment, leaving me to wonder why I didn't hitch up my big girl panties and learn the old-fashioned way. It's taken me 4+ years to feel comfortable backing into campground sites, but I can do it without a backup camera -- AND I can hitch up without any help (even if it takes me looking 3-4 times to get it right).

Okay, I'll put the soapbox away now ...

Laura

[JoanE]

Having driven lots of trucks and towed horse trailers in my day, I was always accustomed to using just my mirrors and/or getting out to take a look. I like technology so would use the backup camera if it worked better. Hate to start relying on something that is not up to par.

[HorizonSeeker]

Yes, I agree that the technology always seems to fail when you need it most. There was a back up camera on my MH but the previous owner took it with him. I think I'll do a little more driving/relying on my side mirrors more before I make the decision. And I'm one of those get out and walk around 2 or 3 times before backing kind of gals anyway. Don't know if I want to get out of that habit just yet.

Vickie

[sharon]

Yes, I agree that the technology always seems to fail when you need it most. There was a back up camera on my MH but the previous owner took it with him. I think I'll do a little more driving/relying on my side mirrors more before I make the decision. And I'm one of those get out and walk around 2 or 3 times before backing kind of gals anyway. Don't know if I want to get out of that habit just yet.

Vickie

As was stated before, those of us with B/U cameras still get out and look. That's a habit you don't want to get out of. B/U cameras aren't really used for backing up, they are used more or less to glance at to see how far back you are or if something's in the way and you need to see how close you are. They're just another tool, not a replacement for your side mirrors. Since I can't see my toad in my side mirrors, the camera comes in handy to keep an eye on it and to see when I'm past a truck or rv that I'm passing. Also saves my bacon when I'm backing into my quad trailer. I can put the ball right under the hitch.

[Acadianmom]

I put one of those plastic lenses that stick on the glass in my back window so I could kind of see down. I can't see small cars that are following close. It helps some but distorts everything. I have an electronic connection in my entertainment center labeled camera but I don't have a camera. Sometime when I have it in for something I am going to ask about it. A camera would be nice to have but I'm not going to spend a lot to have one.

I also have a problem seeing things that are low beside my motorhome. I have been in a couple of campgrounds that used big rocks to mark sites and roads. I came very close to hitting one of those.

Martha