Camera System for Backing to the Trailer

[fwood]

I want to get a back up camera for connecting to the trailer and/or backing the boat on a tight ramp. I will not be relying on the camera system for getting down the ramp but mostly for monitoring immediately behind the boat at the ramp. I've tried a search on the forum but only found one post last dated 2011.
Something that is wireless would be nice if the video quality was good. Don't know if I want this for a permanent setup on the truck but it might be nice. It is a 2003 Silverado 2500HD that I will use the camera system on.
Pros/cons on different systems are appreciated.

I've never had or used one of these systems but I know there has to be a better way that getting in/out of the truck to see how the trailer/ball are aligned. I most times am doing this by myself.

[HandymanHerb]

I tried it on a 16 foot enclosed trailer and it wouldn't work, to far away, maybe they gotten better, but I doubt it.

[Bamaman]

You can buy back up cameras online and at most national auto parts stores. Camping World also sells'em for RV's.

I first saw back up cameras used in combines and cotton pickers--to check on the load as it goes in the hoppers/baskets. They also use them to see where they're backing up.

[fwood]

i see a lot of different brands of systems online and at auto parts stores. Probably wil go for a middle priced system but just didn't want to buy something that was problematic. Guess I'm looking for experienced reviews of systems. OEM was not available on my truck. I think I am looking for something with a small separate monitor, probably 3.5" to 7". Unsure of which type of camera would be best; license plate frame type or something else, and brand mane would be helpful.

[OK Toon]

I use a pair of those magnetic telescoping things with the yellow styrofoam balls on top. Put one on the hitch and one on the trailer tongue. When I back up and the two yellow balls touch, I know I'm all lined up. I use these for the pontoon trailer and for the travel trailer. They have saved my marriage because now I can hook up to the trailer without her assistance - that makes the wife really happy.

[Redneck_Randy]

Overtons has a wireless backup camera system.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ra&i=58448

[jimrs]

My son has one on his truck and it works really well. It's in the way that you adjust the camera. He works on electronics for a living and put it on his truck a few years ago. He can load his boat trailer, my boat trailer and his jet ski trailer on his hitch faster than I can by about 5 min. The picture is just a clear as my flat screen Sony t.v.

[DWill3332]

I have a Roadmax GPS/backup camera that works very well. It originally was wireless, but that quit working. Once I ran the cable from the camera on my license plate to the screen, it works fine. I ran the cable in through a vent in the back of the cab (F150 Supercrew) under the seat and into the back of the console. I left enough slack to connect it to the screen when in use. When I am not using it, it all stores in the console. I went with the Roadmax because I wanted one device to do both - serve as a GPS and a backup camera. I have had it for over a year and it still works fine.

it is good for hooking up the trailer, but I never tried it at the back of the boat. I don't know of one that can be used for that.

[PlaynDoc]

fwood....

I drive a tundra. here's what i did. i went to a tundra forum, and did a search for what people were doing about backup cameras. my 2008 truck was set up for camera, but i didnt get one installed when i bought it. soon, they stopped making the cameras, and they were unavailable. some company came across a bunch of them, and sold them for stupid low price... i think that if you had it installed by factory/dealer, they were like $800.00. i got mine for just over $200. the monitor mounts in a overhead storage thingy - it replaces the sunglasses holder. the camera mounts in the tailgate handle shroud. luckily, my truck came pre-wired for it, but if it didnt, there was an option to buy the wiring harness also.

ANYWAY, here's my suggestion - go to a silvarado/chevy truck forum. do a search there. surely, if one company makes backup cameras for their vehicles, yours probably does too. and i'm betting, that unless you bought a 'base model' truck, you might already have the wiring harness in place, and not even know it.

[fwood]

Thanks for all of the comments. I've found this one that looks like it will do the backup fine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BsC6ead ... re=related This is a basic camera, wireless and could also be used on the boat. I am also looking into the Go Pro Hero series of cameras. I think I could use the GoPro Hero and stream video to my smartphone or iPad and use it for a lot more uses than just backing the truck. It would be more money of course but much more versatile. Just a thought.
That thinkin' gets me in a lot of trouble sometimes.