Back Up Camera

[Geo2008]

I selected my truck long before buying my boat, it is a Hummer H3. I have no big issue with pulling the boat but it is indeed a bear to back the boat down the ramp at my local lake. I have to literally open my door and lean out of the truck with one foot on the step bars as I am backing down the ramp.
In hindsight, I would probably be better off with a Tundra V8 as I would have much better visibility when the boat starts to drop down the ramp.

Since I am not prepared to sell or trade right now, I am thinking of having a backup camera installed on my H3. I have no experience using a backup camera and am not sure if it is a viable and good way to back my boat down the ramp.

Do you have any experience with a back up camera rig? How did it work out for you? Would you recommend it?

Geo

 

[Weldor]

Re: Back Up Camera

The only one I had any contact with was in a motor home and it seams as though it would very confusing for backing a trailer. But with plenty of pratice I suppose it could work in this application.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Back Up Camera

put some guide ons on your trailer, adjust your mirrors properly, and you will have no problems. you can see the guide ons in the mirrors. moving to trailers.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Back Up Camera

Any camera you put on will be blocked by the trailer unless you mount it really high.
The camera on the Tundra shows the hitch and area directly behind the hitch, don't think it would help.

Backing a boat can be tricky, practice makes perfect.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Back Up Camera

Backing a boat can be tricky, practice makes perfect.

Ayuh,....

And,....
That's what those Sivler Shiney things mounted on your doors are For.......

 

[pugbro]

Re: Back Up Camera

I agree with Bondo about using your mirrows.......I drive a big rig and without the mirrows I would be lost,,regardless of the direction I am going...but for your problem I would suggest that you take your "rig" and some barrels, buckets, cones or what ever and just practice backing up....Trust me it will be time well spent.

 

[dave4151]

Re: Back Up Camera

Swift Hitch makes a Wireless Portable Back-Up Camera that has a magnetic base.

 

[KM2]

Re: Back Up Camera

I'm just repeating what has been said, but the back up cameras are great for hitching but won't help much with backing up.

If you don't like or want to use the mirrors. Open your liftgate you can see the boat and trailer much better.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Back Up Camera

I use my outside mirrors and the water level on the fender as a depth mark. Never any problems

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Back Up Camera

I use my outside mirrors and the water level on the fender as a depth mark. Never any problems

The problem I am having is that I have been backing trailers for years extremely proficiently but I do it by turning around in my seat and looking backwards.When it comes to backing by using mirrors, well that is a big weak spot for me.

The way my truck is built I can not see out the back too well even on flat ground but when the trailer starts dropping down the ramp it disappears completely from sight.

I did make some guide ons out of the sticks for bicycle flags and it helps a good bit but still not great.

Maybe I need to learn the mirror technique but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks....

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Back Up Camera

Just a word of warning, and maybe this should be posted in Stupid Human Tricks, but I am fairly proficient at backing a trailer, but a few years ago, I was out fishing all night for catfish with a friend, his boat, his trailer, his truck (Ford F-150). We decided to come in at about 4am (we were getting too tired), so my friend dropped me at the dock and I went to get his truck to back the trailer. Well, it was still dark, and the windows were tinted almost black (a necessity in central California during the summer). The only way I could see was to open the door and hang out a bit while backing. My shoes were a bit wet, and I slipped out of the car. I was laying on the ramp, still holding on to the bottom of the steering wheel with the truck still in reverse. Pretty soon water was at the bumper of the truck, then in the bed of the truck. Eventually, I pulled myself up and into the truck, but by this time, water was starting to get into the cab. Instantly, I threw it into drive, and hit the gas, but the tires were in the algae, and the weight of the water was making the truck slide further into the drink. The tires would just spin and spin. In what seemed like an eternity, though probably only about 15 seconds, I had my buddy's truck so far in the lake, that the water was about mid-calf inside the cab of the truck. Finally, just before ditching the truck, and saving myself, as a last ditch effort I gunned it and the tires spun so much that it ripped through the algae and caught. I did save the truck, but when I pulled it out, my buddy said that it looked like a waterfall coming out of the cab. Eventually, we did get the boat loaded, but my buddy was laughing so hard that it took him about 3-4 tries to line up the boat to the trailer.
Now, I have done my share of dumb things, but I don't consider myself an idiot (and more importantly, other don't think of me as an idiot), but I am telling you - everybody - this to let you know that s*it can happen to the best of us, especially when hanging out the door when backing a trailer. I still do it now on occasions when it is necessary, but you can bet I am extremely careful.
Erik
'99 Sea Ray 190 BR

 

[old-gubbins]

Re: Back Up Camera

I always used the mirrors to reverse, but was still rubbish at it until I learnt to adjust the mirrors from 'road' setting to point in and down to see the trailer wheels. From then on it was (relatively) easy. Whichever mirror you see a wheel moving out in (ie more into view, not out of sight!), you pull down on that side of the steering wheel. It works for me!

hth

o-g

 

[andymach23]

Re: Back Up Camera

I have a front mounted detachable tow hitch fitted to my Land Rover Discovery. This is an absolute dream for launching my boat. As well as being able to see what I am doing, the front mount transforms maneouvearbility. It only needs a small input to the steering to make the boat steer. With the normal rear mounted hitch, you have to move the steering much more to get any turning effect at the hitch.

It is also perfect for getting my boat down the lane into my yard.

There's a video of the hitch in action on the UK companies web site...

http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/front_towbars.html

Are front mounted tow hitches available in the US?

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Back Up Camera

I like the front hitch idea, the only problem with it is the engine gets into the water a lot earlier if you have a short tongue. But on the other hand is that the drive wheels stay out a lot longer (on trucks and 4x4's)

 

[jennis9]

Re: Back Up Camera

how about an extension mirror? some are detachable so you wont ruin the lines of your h3. in combination with the guide ons - like TD said - should help you see the back easier. But buy the 60" lighted set - they work great - and if you are having an issue seeing, the lights will help.