Neither my husband nor I have experience backing up a trailer so we are thinking that a backup camera attached to the license plate or somewhere in the rear of the Scamp might be a good idea. Are there any specifics we should be looking for? I'm thinking bluetooth or somehow wireless would be good. I checked CR for reviews but they had none. I see several on Amazon but that is just more confusing. Any advice will be helpful, although there are some excellent ideas here already.
This one was recommended on another forum. I installed it and used it several years on my Frontier with no issues. I like it better than the factory camera on my new truck. On my new truck the camera is in the tailgate so if the tailgate is down the camera is useless. At the time I got this one the wireless BU cameras did not have a good reputation.
Eddie
https://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Cameras-and-Alarms/Hopkins/HM50002.html
Will it go on the rear of a Scamp somehow? The tv has a factory one, but of course it will be showing the front of the Scamp. Is it easy to install or better to not try it oneself?
Gary and Diana
2006 16' (New to us 2016)
2010 Ford F-150 (Harley Davidson model)
A GoPro with a suction cup mount for when you want a bu camera would be an interesting choice. Then it could also be used for other things.
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Here is something to consider...
Learning to back up a trailer is not too difficult, but it is a challenge. Adding a backup camera to your Scamp might make your learning more challenging, not less challenging.
Here is why: when backing up a trailer you need to "wrap" your mind around the concept of seeing things backwards and steering in the opposite direction you want the trailer to move in. Now, if you add a backup camera that sees behind you and displays that image as if you were looking out the back window of the trailer, how does your mind figure out which direction to turn the steering wheel to move the trailer to the left.??? Also, which way is left if you are looking at an image that is reversed from your body's orientation??
I think learning to back up a trailer is challenging enough without adding an extra layer of difficulty to it.
On the other hand, if you are already experienced at backing up with your trailer and you wanted to add a backup camera to your setup a wireless system is your best option.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
If nothing else, it would tell you when to stop before backing in to something. Always a good thing to know.
Sorry. I missed you wanted a camera for the back of the Scamp. E-trailer has extension cables for the Hopkins camera and I have seen a hardwired rear camera on a Scamp. I agree with others I think it will add difficulty backing. When backing into tight places DW jumps out of the TV and is my spotter.
Eddie
I too think that a camera may complicate things for an experienced RVr. A beginner just learning may have less trouble and a Scamp is a small trailer, easy to back. The shorter the trailer the faster it responds to you moving the steering wheel.
Just remember, push the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go and you will get where you want to be. I set up alone, but a good helper staying within sight of the mirrors works well to keep you from backing into things.
I have a back up camera on my trailer. Since I travel solo, I find it useful for those times you need to back up in a gas station or other parking area since you don't have anyone to check behind the trailer while backing. It is also useful as a rear view mirror when you have someone tailgating.
That said, I don't find it all that useful for backing into a campsite. My mirrors & getting out & looking works better. The problem is most back up cameras are very wide angle, and using it to determine clearances doesn't work well.
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These are very helpful comments. Thank you all. It seems the best thing for us is to first do a lot of practicing backing up into spaces before an actual outing. I think a backup camera on the Scamp will be useful as a rear-view mirror but not as a tool for backing up except maybe for distance towards a wall or something.
It occurred to us that the alarm on the backup camera of the truck will always go off every time we put it into reverse while pulling the Scamp! Is there a temporary fix so when we are not towing, it will sound?
Gary and Diana
2006 16' (New to us 2016)
2010 Ford F-150 (Harley Davidson model)
We will need to know your tow vehicle (and if you plug into the 4 or seven pin connector) some take care of it for you if a trailer is plugged in. Some one here will know. On my f150 it must be disabled from the gauge cluster menu. Mine must be because I have not noticed it when backing.
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