Revised RV camera update.

[Lakota Wolf]

If you have read any of my blogs on back-up cameras on the cheap, You will have read, I chose to use Vehicle back up cameras and HOME security cameras.

Ok,, for starters,, I experiment with different ideas, usually on the thrifty side, saving a bit of change out of pocket.

I have tried several different applications trying to find out what works best,, a so called tried and error type approach.

What I have learned is, The most expensive isn't always the best. I have used a $400 set-up and got the same results as a system costing me $49. 

As of to date, I am currently using a dual camera with flat panel monitor for one of my trucks, and a 6 camera set up for my other truck, including the trailer hooked up. Having 2 cameras on the truck, and 4 on the trailer.

I have 2 cameras, mounted under the front portion of the trailer facing backwards, viewing the axles, (2). the other 2 are are at the very back, 1 up high, and one at bumper level. I tow a 5th wheel so I pull a pup trailer for misc, that I will need and dont have room for inside the 5th wheel. With one camera high, I can see over the top of the pup trailer and the one at bumper level lets me view the hook-up at the hitch,, Plus the added bonus of being able to see the trailer wheels on the pup trailer, (just in case I have a tire going low or a blowout). Using a 6 camera set up, usually requires 6 mini monitors. (that would clutter up the dash. I found a dual DVD player set up at a thrift store for cheap. One monitor plays the DVD and rca jacks enable the other monitor to view whats playing on the DVD. These are the hang on the headrests to keep kids entertained while traveling. Ok,, back to original concept. I use JUST the acc. video monitor to view the cameras. (RCA jack inputs). Now having 6 cameras and only ONE RCA jacks input,, is where, a video selector comes into play. (radio shack might still carry them). But I found a video selector at a thrift store and has 6 video selections and a single output that goes to the monitor. The video monitor is 8 inch. and the video selector is about 8 inches across and about 4 inches wide,,, I mounted it under the dash where I can switch the selector where I want to view. 

(note) I have since upgraded with a dual vision video monitor,,Can view more then one camera at a time. 

I used Harbor freight camera's with flat screen monitor for my selection of cameras,, At the moment, Im not using the flat monitor in my 1 ton truck with the 6 camera set up. But for less the $70 for the whole set up, I couldnt go wrong.

With the harbor freight set up, its all hard wire set up. But having a plug in attachment near trailer plug is handy.

 The wireless camera set up is nice if you choose NOT to have to run hard line wire. I use that set up in my 1/2 ton truck.

Now, you will ask... why 6 cameras?  I have had a trailer blowout and not feel it or seen it for several miles till I started to see shreds of rubber flying all over. With a situation like that, the blown tire did damage the good tire in front of it.. I pull a 5th wheel trailer with double axles and a single axle pup trailer behind it, and rear view mirrors don't always give you a great view of the tires.

If you want to make protective covers for your cameras,, dollar stores have some really cool metal tins that can be cut and fabricated to cover the cameras. (I used the metal tin that some Tea came in..the tin was about 10 inches long and was 3" x 3" and I made 4 covers out of it.)  Not a bad investment of a whole dollar.