Backup camera dilemma

[wanderer26]

I upgraded my rv this past winter from a forest river wildwood 28 dbud to a 2017 wildwood 27 reis travel trailer. 2017 has better floor plan. The wildwoods are backup camera ready. The mount and wiring are already in place. After alot of research i discovered that a furrion fos48ta-bl would be a proper fit. I ordered one from amazon for $359.95. (Walmert.com has same one for $289.95) i found this out after mine was already shipped. (Who knew). Anyway it arrived i pulled the mounting plate off the trailer and tried to install. The female plug wired into the trailer that the camera plugs into was a smaller diameter than the 3/32nd plug on the camera. Even radio shack did not have a step down adapter that small. So after much consideration about whether to “mcgiver” it to work i decided it was just to much trouble. I’m sending it back. So i found out from much research that forest river wires some for furrion and some for another brand. Don’t know why but thats what happens. So if anyone is considering buying one of these rigs and the salesman tells you look it’s already set up for a backup camera take that with a grain of salt. You have a fifty fifty chance of it being right. Good luck and safe travels.

[marinerjoe]

In the paperwork included with my 2018 21FBRS, there was information about the two Furrion systems that my trailer was pre-wired for. I got the Observation camera, connected the wire, mounted it, and paired it with the monitor. No issues.

I presume your packet of manuals didn’t include one for your pre-wired mount?

Good luck finding which one goes on your rig. Let us know what it is.

[wanderer26]

I never noticed anything in my owner packet about the camera. You have peaked my interest so i will check it out. Getting ready to head south for the winter. Been beautiful up here in michigan. Of course the day we are leaving it’s supposed to be 19 degrees and snow.

[Cypressloser]

Wanderer, I may be off topic a bit but we got the Furrion camera with our trailer and it isn't quite as what we had in the past. I bought this one https://nuvending.com/collections/fe...outdoor-camera , I haven't used it on the trailer as a back up camera yet but it connects to a cellphone or tablet using it's own wifi and I tried it out from 150' through a 2 layer metal clad building with miles of wiring inside the walls and the connection and picture quality is rock solid and there is no need for an additional monitor taking up space on the dash. The battery is supposed to last 6 - 7 hours and can be charged on USB.

Just a thought

[wanderer26]

Thankyou very much sounds interesting. I will definitly check it out

[Jeff6146]

We have 370RDOK 2014, ours has the huge picture window in the back. I was think of using my GoPro and just plugging it in on the inside and using the GoPro app on my iPad. Someone can’t steel it and it’s out of the weather that way.

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by Jeff6146

We have 370RDOK 2014, ours has the huge picture window in the back. I was think of using my GoPro and just plugging it in on the inside and using the GoPro app on my iPad. Someone can’t steel it and it’s out of the weather that way.

Interesting... I too have a large back window. Let me know how this works out for you, I'd appreciate it.

Safe and happy travels.

[Jeff6146]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Interesting... I too have a large back window. Let me know how this works out for you, I'd appreciate it.



Safe and happy travels.

Absolutely, I’ll definitely post on my tryouts. Although I am going to school and won’t be moving again until middle of March.

[wanderer26]

How do you plan to mount the go pro in the rear window? My trailer also has the large picture window. I really don’t have room for an ipad up front as i already have a 7” gps and a tpms monitor.

[Chief T]

Still need to do some more research, but looking at their website there is a suction cup mount for the camera. Looks like can use Bluetooth to connect phone using their app or even a WiFi connection unique between camera and phone. From what I read, the app will give a live stream with a bit of delay but the image will not be mirrored.

[Jeff6146]

I plan on just using a suction cup and plug it in. It will charge and stay charged as long as it’s plugged in. Then connect it to my iPad or iPhone. Easy peezy.

[wanderer26]

Jeff6146, sounds like a good idea. Won’t that use up alot of data or do you have an unlimited plan. I do not.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

Wanderer, I may be off topic a bit but we got the Furrion camera with our trailer and it isn't quite as what we had in the past. I bought this one https://nuvending.com/collections/fe...outdoor-camera , I haven't used it on the trailer as a back up camera yet but it connects to a cellphone or tablet using it's own wifi and I tried it out from 150' through a 2 layer metal clad building with miles of wiring inside the walls and the connection and picture quality is rock solid and there is no need for an additional monitor taking up space on the dash. The battery is supposed to last 6 - 7 hours and can be charged on USB.

Just a thought

Look like a fairly nice camera but there’s no way to power it except for the built in battery. Also, the magnetic mount won’t work on most trailers. Also, noticed they say water resistant, not waterproof. Probably pretty good for a quick and temporary setup for backup camera use.

[Jeff6146]

Originally Posted by wanderer26

Jeff6146, sounds like a good idea. Won’t that use up alot of data or do you have an unlimited plan. I do not.

I don’t think it uses data just a Wi-Fi signal

[Jeff6146]

Now if you have a newer superduty they come with an option for a wireless camera for trailers and 5th wheels.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Jeff6146

Now if you have a newer superduty they come with an option for a wireless camera for trailers and 5th wheels.

That’s a great feature. We have it on the Ram dually and it makes hooking up much easier and faster. It can even be turned on to view the hitch while driving.

[Cypressloser]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Look like a fairly nice camera but there’s no way to power it except for the built in battery. Also, the magnetic mount won’t work on most trailers. Also, noticed they say water resistant, not waterproof. Probably pretty good for a quick and temporary setup for backup camera use.

I haven't done a lot with it yet, but I can tell it is so much more rugged than anything I've come across so far, the housing is all metal no plastic, the magnetic base is so strong it will never fall off and the picture quality is so much better than with any back up camera I've seen. It shouldn't be a problem to fabricate a small magnetic base that mounts to the rear ladder, it does have screw holes in the base for those that want to mount the camera permanently. They call this camera water resistant so they won't have to replace it for someone who uses it as an underwater camera IMHO, the housing is well sealed and the charging port has a rubber plug, I'm not afraid to use it in any kind of weather.
Setting the camera up is so easy, it took me less than 5 minutes incl. downloading the app and I don't need any more gadgets cluttering my dash, which is nice.

[Jeff6146]

Originally Posted by wanderer26

How do you plan to mount the go pro in the rear window? My trailer also has the large picture window. I really don’t have room for an ipad up front as i already have a 7” gps and a tpms monitor.

Hey if you have the GoPro clip that will work perfectly. Just tried it and trust me, all good. Attachment 1Attachment 1

[wanderer26]

I have a backup on my f-150. It works great for hooking up. I cannot turn it on unless i’m in reverse though. I’m existing on social security and a gov’t pension so $50.000 + for a super duty is out of the question. Besides i have driven a few super duties and by themselves they ride like a lumber wagon. My 150 rides like a car, very smooth.

[Jeff6146]

Originally Posted by Jeff6146

Hey if you have the GoPro clip that will work perfectly. Just tried it and trust me, all good. Attachment 157768Attachment 1Attachment 1