Reviews with different backup camera systems for travel trailer

There are a lot of threads here that mention backups camera systems, some folks have gone the DIY route, others have various kits.

I have seen Furrion, Haloview mentioned here as far as complete kits go.

Immediate goal is a good rear view / backup camera, with the possibility of expanding to have two sideview and maybe even one forward facing camera someday that can all be viewed on one display device, so I know I need a 5" or larger display system to start with.

My trailer (Coleman Rubicon) is supposedly pre-wired for a backup camera, the "shark fin" style mount, so the Furrion systems would be an easy git for the backup / rearview camera. I would prefer a wireless system so I don't have to run wires everywhere. My days of working on my own vehicles extensively are over, due to spinal issues.

The Furrion systems are mega $$$$$$$$, but high quality is what I am after, and reliability.

I'll break out the google-fu, but I'm sure there are an endless number of products out there. I like to have personal experience recommendations whenever possible.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

I went cheap with mine, replacing an even cheaper unit. I like it, it works, I dont have connection or brightness issues. Because of my pop-up I have to mount the camera down low, and that causes minor issues at sunrise/sunset. Also, refresh isn't super hot (I dont think it is on any system) - it isnt noticable until you have a black car with led headlights in your rearview. Thats when you get to play "Are the headlights flickering because of bad refresh or am I getting pulled over?" If you mount the camera high and pointed down like a proper camper should be, I don't think you'll experience those problems.

Its also a challenge finding a mounting solution for a 7" monitor that wont block the windshield. For a truck, our glass real-estate is surprisingly small. A 7" screen takes room. The only place I could find that works is just above the right side of the radio. 5" screens are easier; my old monitor sat in the very left corner of the dash, covering the state registration sticker. Can't do that with anything larger than 5", I've discovered. Your solutions may vary.

$94 Travelers RV Backup Camera Wireless for Trailer: RV Enthusiast Back up Camera with 7" DVR Recording Monitor - Install-Free Magnetic RV Camera for Furrion Voyager Series RVs A8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HC1KBT8?ie=UTF8

 

I am hoping to find a system that the display unit uses a standard Ram ball mount. I have the Taco Garage DMM dash mounting system already, so it would be trivial for me to add one more mounted device there. As far as taking up viewing space, I have a very tall torso, my head is already scraping the roof liner, and the damn rearview mirror already blocks 75% of the center of the windshield for me, so this probably wouldn't be all that much extra. I would only have the display up there in place when I am towing the trailer, which would probably be a very few times a year. But that is a very good thing to keep on mind, thank you.

 

Great point about 7 inch screen.

I too have the Furrion 7 in system (our trailer was pre-wired for Furrion) , mostly because she was only $50 more expensive than the 5 in. I mounted my screen to the rear view mirror using Velcro, since my DMM already hasa phone and HAM radio on it. I also tapped into power from the connector behind the mirror, so I don't have extra power wires all over the place. I do think 7 in screen is a little bit too big for what it's worth. Also the screen is very bright even at the lowest setting , so when driving at night the glare is actually bothering me a bit (again, huge 7" screen right in front of my eyes).

As for performance, I think it's OK, but... Pricey. I didn't expirence any disconnecting/freezing issues during our 6k mile trip (some people complained about that on cheeper systems). But It did shut off a few times at speed when it couldn't make out any movement on the highway (no road markings, etc).
Night vision sucks. Gives me only kind of a circle lit up by IR diodes. Way not enough to maneuver. Found out hard way 1st time backing into a spot at night. (still have to upgrade back up light on the camper). Also, it sometimes switches to night vision while driving under overpasses. Weird, but not too much of an issue.

Over all, I'm not 100% satisfied, especially for the price, and often wonder if cheeper system wouldn't do just fine.

 

Outstanding feedback, thank you so much.

I'm kinda going back and forth right now between the Furrion and RVS systems. With the display and single camera (backup), they are both about the same price, cameras claim to be basically equivalent. Depending on how well the single backup camera seems to provide pseudo side coverage, I may or may not end up getting two additional side view cameras as well, as the truck stock mirrors don't quite give me the necessary field of view to people coming up behind me who are about to pass my on either side - when I am towing our new trailer. Seeing who/what is coming up behind me so I don't end up changing lanes at the worst possible moment is my primary concern at this point.

 

All camera talk aside, You might want to invest in some decent tow mirrors
I bought one of the cheepest universal sets, and I'm not happy at all. Mostly because of field of view. They aren't "convex", just flat, straight, plain mirror.
I actually added a cheap convex glass on top of passenger side, and it makes a big difference.
This is what I bought, but don't recommend

Spoiler

Fit System K-Source 3791 Standard Universal Clip-On Towing Mirror

$21 Fit System K-Source 3791 Standard Universal Clip-On Towing Mirror

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0018OY742?_encoding=UTF8

 

How long is your trailer? Mine is 17.5 hitch to bumper, and there is quite a bit of overlap between the camera and stock mirrors. Camera tells me who is approaching from left or right, mirrors catch anyone from trailer axle to truck axle without having to move my head. I feel pretty confident with that.

 

it's marketed as 20' total from hitch to rear end of the trailer, and 16' actual trailer, single axle. It's also supposedly only 7' wide, rather than 8', and my stock mirrors do a reasonably good job of letting me see anyone on either side once they are about even with the rear end of the trailer. So if another vehicle was behind me, and then pulled into the next lane to pass me, I would see them as soon as they moved out from directly behind the trailer. But I am just a tad nervous about moving to another lane myself when I don't if there is someone directly behind me who may also decide to move to that same other lane as I am, at the same time I am. If I can see directly behind me, and there is no one there, I'm safe to change lanes myself. Not everyone pays attention to turn signals, so even if I had a turn signal going, for a mile, and then started to slowly change lanes...... some dumbass yahoo sitting on my rear end might not have seen my signal, and may decide to move over at same time as I am.

 

You'll love the rear camera then. I was in the same boat. For the first year of owning mine, I'd swing the trailer out onto the shoulder just to catch a brief glimpse before changing left. The camera was a game changer.

 

Hello, sorry to resurrect and old post.. but how are you mounting your screen to the dash? are you using some sort of adhesive mount? Your setup looks clean and I don't want to do any permanent mods to my dash.

Thanks!

 

Thanks. It is a permanent mod, but at least it's not terribly noticable. I took the base to the screen mount and bolted it to the bezel. Looks like this when the screen is off.

 

Ok got it, thanks for the reply!