Not to take anything away from the DW, but I am considering a rearview camera to aid in trailer hookups and general backing safety.  Does anyone have any preference of camera for this purpose?  Wal Mart has one for about $90 with a 2.5" monitor and there are several others for a little more than that.  These are wireless and seem rather easy to install.  Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated....Thanks
Marty

I've been looking at combo navigation/computer/DVD/GPS/radio with add on cameras. They have 7" to 10" screens. Price averages from $1200 to $2500. I figure why not go for gold and get everything I need in one unit. However, I've done that in the past and within a year or two the technology has advanced and I'm stuck with a dinosaur. So now I'm thinking about equipping my netbook (small laptop) with all the stuff I need and add cameras that can feed into the netbook. With this arrangement, I will be able to add in new technology and hopefully the netbook will be useable for 5 years. The netbook is small enough to mount on the dash and not obstruct my view. Or I can mount it on the center console where it would be easier to use and have a remote monitor on the dash, so I don't have to look down. I haven't priced everything, it look likes this setup will run around $1200 (including cost of netbook), plus the netbook is removable for use away from the truck.

Thanks Bear, I need to stay cheap and simple, but your ideas seem like a good plan and more technologically advanced than my Wal Mart setup.  I may continue to use the DW in the role of "backup monitor." 

You may want to hold off a bit before spending a lot of money. A good GPS can be had nowadays for a few hundred dollars, and the rest of it is all bells and whistles Backing up is a slow moving process that's best done by moving a bit and then getting out and walking around the rig to get perspective and then backing up some more and repeat till your in. After a while you get a feel for it and only have to get out once. We don't even use the walky talkies anymore, thet we bought in the beginning.

I'm with Fred on this,not even a camera can give you the same perspective as getting out and doing a walk-around.All my DW does for me now is make sure I don't hit something.

I only wanted the camera setup for TT hookup and to just make a check behind the truck when backing in parking lots and other places where a kid may be lurking...I'm with you folks when backing the trailer,  a complete walk-around followed by as many stops as it takes to make me comfortable during the backin process....Marty

We don't rely on the camera for backing, but we keep it on while driving. It serves as a rear view mirror, giving us a larger view than just the side mirrors.

-- Edited by Tylersamma on Saturday 1st of August 2009 07:20:11 AM

If you want something cheap and easy, you might want to look at this http://www.gadgetshack.com/swhipowica.html got a friend that bought one just for hooking up. It works good and easy to store.

Our motorhome came with a backup camera.  It is a fixed position so only the area directly behind the motorhome is viewable.  Its main use is to check on the truck while driving down the road.

It can't see the low hanging limbs or utility posts, and I certainly wouldn't want to trust that we would see a child standing somewhere in the vicinity of the motorhome by using the camera.

We've developed a good hand signal system.  Dan's main request is that the person outside MUST stand so that the driver can see that person in the mirrors.   He ALWAYS does a walk around before backing into a campsite.  If I'm outside, I usually stand behind the motorhome on the driver's side.  I also stand in front the the utility posts if it's a tight space.  He can see me better than the water spigot and electric box.  STOP is indicated by crossed arms held high above the head.    He says crossed arms are much easier to see than just raised hands. 

We learned the hard way to not let someone else (like a good neighbor) help when we are backing up.   The neighbor kept going back and forth behind the motorhome checking each side, but never looked up to see where the upper rear corners of the motorhome were.  Enough said.

We're never in such a hurry that we can't take the time to visually inspect the site and take as much time as we need backing in.  And you will get better with practice.

Thanks for all your replies...I'm like you folks, would not trust a camera when backing up the TT without having a live body out there to provide guidance...I only wanted this camera to aid in hooking the truck up to the TT so I would be able to actually view the hitch ball and TT connection as I backed up..these little cameras are located in the license plate area of the truck and are generally quite reasonably priced, like $100 or so. But again, nothing beats "boots on the ground" when backing a unit anywhere....

I like this camera and the other stuff sold by this seller on Ebay. Do not buy a wireless camera unlessit is just on your truck and close. They simply do not work reliably when put on the back a a trailer. At least none I have ever heard of.

If we bought a back up camera it would probably cut down on the entertainment we provide our neighbors.

We use to have a camera on our motorhome which was good. We now use a Walkie Talkie to navigate into RV sites. Sherri just tells me which way the back end needs to go and I do the rest. I have an alarm on my Carri-lite that goes off if I am about to hit Sherri. So for we have done real well without cameras...and I have never run over Sherri.