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Old 11-25-2016, 06:23 AM   #1
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Hitch up camera

HITCH UP CAMERA
Anybody use one?. I'm looking at one called the IBall.. and another one made by Rear View Security company.. and a couple others. All of them I'm looking at are wireless. Very portable. I'm only looking for hitching assistance and maybe backing camper into sites and my driveway. Not looking for constant back up camera.
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Old 11-25-2016, 10:11 AM   #2
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Hitching assistance and backing camper into places are 2 different cameras. A hitching camera will not work for backing the camper and vice versa.

The other problem with cameras is calibration. You can see the hitch with a backup camera located low enough on the tow vehicle. But do you know how far away it really is? It takes some work and practice to understand the camera, and where you really are. I drive a passenger van as part of a car pool. It has a backup camera, and I have come to understand its limitations.

I'm a believer in KISS. My wife is my mobile backup and hitch up eyes, and she has a great warning system. Or if solo, I stop and get out and check multiple times.

different strokes for different folks
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Old 11-25-2016, 10:28 AM   #3
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A long read, but shows how versatile this particular GE camera can be that several of us are using. I use mine to hitch up, back into spots, watch the rear of the trailer, set up satellite, etc.:

I've posted pics and even a video taken. Like I said it's a long read for the entire thread, but there's lots of uses and mods people have done with this camera that make it worth your time to read thru.

You can find these on ebay usually with some great deals.


http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ply-33506.html
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Old 11-25-2016, 01:52 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pgandw View Post
Hitching assistance and backing camper into places are 2 different cameras. A hitching camera will not work for backing the camper and vice versa.

The other problem with cameras is calibration. You can see the hitch with a backup camera located low enough on the tow vehicle. But do you know how far away it really is? It takes some work and practice to understand the camera, and where you really are. I drive a passenger van as part of a car pool. It has a backup camera, and I have come to understand its limitations.
Thanks. . But I hitch up, back up and camp alone.. so the camera would be a simple assistance device.

And.. the wireless hitching cameras I have looked at.. will, indeed, work for hitching and backing. The camera is portable and attaches by magnet. On the tailgate of my pick up it can be angled down for a near straight on, over head, view of the hitch ball.

Then it can also be attached to the rear bumper of the camper and adjusted for a straight back.. rear view.
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Old 11-25-2016, 02:07 PM   #5
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I run wireless cams on all my farm tractors, they really save me a lot of anxiety when dealing with wide implements in the field and on the road to and from. I bought mine on Flea-Bay last year for less than 150 bucks a unit and each unit has 3 cams.
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Old 11-25-2016, 02:17 PM   #6
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I've used this one for the last 3 months-- it does both for what you want.

Rear View Camera System - Wireless Hitch Camera - Rear View Safety Inc RVS-83112 - Backup Systems - Camping World

Just my 2 cents.
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Old 11-25-2016, 05:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danjoan View Post
I've used this one for the last 3 months-- it does both for what you want.

Rear View Camera System - Wireless Hitch Camera - Rear View Safety Inc RVS-83112 - Backup Systems - Camping World

Just my 2 cents.
Thanks. . I've been looking at that one.. good reviews on Amazon.
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Old 11-25-2016, 06:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danjoan View Post
I've used this one for the last 3 months-- it does both for what you want.

Rear View Camera System - Wireless Hitch Camera - Rear View Safety Inc RVS-83112 - Backup Systems - Camping World

Just my 2 cents.
I use the same one - has worked great for a year now. I can nail the hitch position on the first try. It is only $135 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Rear-View-Saf...0115832&sr=8-3
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Old 11-25-2016, 06:19 PM   #9
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If you paint the top of the hitch bright orange over where the ball slides under it becomes really easy to align when hooking up. I use the Ram tailgate camera and it shows just enough of the ball, along with the guidance lines, to get them aligned on the first attempt.
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Old 11-25-2016, 06:22 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danjoan View Post
I've used this one for the last 3 months-- it does both for what you want.

Rear View Camera System - Wireless Hitch Camera - Rear View Safety Inc RVS-83112 - Backup Systems - Camping World

Just my 2 cents.
Do you leave it on while traveling? If so, how long does the 9v battery last?
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Old 11-25-2016, 07:40 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danjoan View Post
I've used this one for the last 3 months-- it does both for what you want.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teamfour View Post
I use the same one - has worked great for a year now. I can nail the hitch position on the first try. It is only $135 on Amazon.

Thanks for reviews and the links. The camera looks pretty low fuss and is now on my Christmas list.
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Old 11-27-2016, 06:32 PM   #12
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Damn.. if Pooneil approves.. I'm getting one too!
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Old 11-29-2016, 01:25 AM   #13
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I use the Iball and it works just fine for me. Put it on my tailgate turn it on and backup the truck, haven't missed yet on the first try.

Hope that helps,
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Old 11-29-2016, 06:20 AM   #14
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I've been using this one for years...no complaints:

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-4.../dp/B002FOAZSG
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Old 11-29-2016, 07:09 AM   #15
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I had the iBall a couple years back and it did not work with the GMC truck because you couldn't disable the Bluetooth on the truck and there was so much inteference it was unusable. Maybe that has changed. I purchased the Rear View Safety model RVS-8311?. Works great and no Bluetooth interference. You can change image intensity and rotate the view which is very handy. One of the major uses for me has been: by making a metal stake with a plate on it, I can place the stake at the back of my intended parking spot, mount the camera on it then rotate/flip the image to get the view correctly orientated and watch the TT come into the site with the camera stationary. When the camera is mounted on the back of the TT, the image is always moving as the TT cuts an arc in the turn which is really distracting. The range out of it seems to be about 100ft with a good 9v. Battery is good for about 4.5 hrs. Wouldn't use it on the road though...and thank you Santa!
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Old 11-29-2016, 09:09 AM   #16
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I use the Iball and it works just fine for me.
I gave my wife a pair of the new Apple iBalls for an early christmas present. She was unhappy with the poor resolution of what and felt the need for an upgrade. We went to New York for the surgery. This is a photo of her after the procedure. Notice the Apple logo shaped sensors where the iris used to be. Charming.


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Old 11-30-2016, 10:31 AM   #17
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Do you leave it on while traveling? If so, how long does the 9v battery last?
No, you turn it off when you're not hitching.

Rear View Safety also has an another version of this system that uses a smartphone as the monitor

RVS-83112-WiFi | WiFi Hitch Camera | Rear View Safety
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