Backup camera for trailer?

[CrazyBoy]

Hi,

I have a hard time backing up my trailer, guess i'm not used to it yet.. i was thinking of getting a backup camera, I found one on ebay but wanted your suggestions before proceeding with my purchase..

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150433162853&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thx!

 

[DianneB]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

I noticed that does not come with a monitor. I have seen systems that do for similar money so you might want to consider something else (unless you already have a monitor with video input).

 

[woosterken]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

another thing to think about can it be submerged ?

woosterken

 

[dozerII]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

I don't think a backup camera is going to help you back up. It will be very confusing to try and watch a small screen to see where you are going. They work well to see the ball to connect, and I use one on the back of my 5th wheel to see my boat trailer. If it is backing in the driveway or down the launch ramp you are having trouble with the only thing that will help is practice. Go to an empty parking late in the day and practice backing into spaces.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

I would recommend that you learn to back up a trailer first. My trailer is 30' long. Can't think of a single situtaion that I've been in where a camera would have come in handy.

 

[skargo]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

I don't think a backup camera is going to help you back up. It will be very confusing to try and watch a small screen to see where you are going. They work well to see the ball to connect, and I use one on the back of my 5th wheel to see my boat trailer. If it is backing in the driveway or down the launch ramp you are having trouble with the only thing that will help is practice. Go to an empty parking late in the day and practice backing into spaces.

I would recommend that you learn to back up a trailer first. My trailer is 30' long. Can't think of a single situtaion that I've been in where a camera would have come in handy.

I agree with these guys. A camera will make things worse if you try to rely on it. A camera is good for hooking up to your trailer, that's about it.

I was taught to drive, and to back up trailers when I was 11 years old. I was told to keep my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. You want your trailer to go right, move your hand right, want to go left, move your hand left.
And use you mirrors! I see people performing excorsist moves with their heads at the ramp all the time, obviously these people never learned to use their mirrors properly!

 

[badkins50]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

Yeah that thing is just going to confuse you enless you are just going to use it for clearance like passing or seeing how close you are when backing it up like fences and buildings. I use one (just for visual) on my 30ft camper but its only because I can not see the back of my camper.

 

[tpcowfish]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

I agree, have one on back of truck, great for lining up ball, but backing down driveway is a little shakey, I do better with mirrors, like stated above. practice till ur comfortable, wouldn't waste money on camera, more confusing than mirrors

 

[CrazyBoy]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

That's what i thought as well, thanks for all your replies

 

[DianneB]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

... unless you are just going to use it for clearance like passing or seeing how close you are when backing it up like fences and buildings. I use one (just for visual) on my 30ft camper but its only because I can not see the back of my camper.

That's why I was thinking of one as well. Once I start backing around a curve, particularly to the passenger's side, I can no longer see the back of the trailer - that's where a camera would be handy.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

Spot on comments.

I'm teaching my teenage daughter to back the boat at the ramp now. Main thing is use your mirrors. When you switch between mirrors and looking over your shoulder most people get confused. We go to Wally World for a big parking lot and I make her put it between the lines. I have had some trailers I absolutly could not see behind the truck, in those cases guides are real handy. And I like the bottom of the steering wheel trick. My Granddad taught me that when I used to make rows for him in the fields. When your hand is on top of the wheel any body movement will turn the wheel (and mess up a row) put it at the bottom and you can turn around and look behind you or wherever and the wheel won't move.

 

[rndn]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

A backup camera will never help you back up. It is designed to help you back up to the trailer to couple. The best way is to go to a parking lot and practice, practice, practice. Please don't practice at the boat launch as you will find that normally calm boaters can turn on you very quickly.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

Def agree!! I've been driving pickups with trailers and semi's for a long time now and the biggest favor you can do yourself or anyone you're teaching to backup is don't allow them to look over their shoulder!!

good luck buddy....just takes practice!!

 

[109jb]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

Mirrors

Practice

^^^^^All that is really needed.

 

[dubldown]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

My father couldn't backup anything.Put ahitch on the frt. bumper of his pickup .

 

[lucky7]

Re: Backup camera for trailer?

hey, i have a hitch on the front because it was on the truck when i bought it. i can back up fine! really! .... practice with a lawn tractor and yard trailer till you can lap the house backwards.