Is it just me or are backup cameras not readily available? Either that or I haven't figured out what sort of store carries them.

I was at a Best Buy yesterday and they had something they call a backup camera, but it's just a camera, no monitor. Wal-mart had a wireless model that wouldn't work for a 31' coach. Back home here in Canada, I discovered that Canadian Tire has a wireless model that can be converted to wired, but the reviews aren't very glowing.

My next guess is to go to an RV parts store?

If you are shopping on the cheap, look around the Harbor Freight website. They have waterproof, hard-wired, battery-powered camera/monitor packages for less than $60.
If you are shopping for quality; yes,RV stores are your best option.

ETRONICS I've shopped
there before, they have a nice collection
of electronics.. should keep you busy for hours.

I noticed back around Christmas time Costco had them for sale. If I remember correctly they were the kind of camera that mounted onto the License plate frame. I'm sure it could be modified to fit just about any application. Maybe try www.costco.com Good luck

We have a very nice day/night camera system on our coach. I got the 6 inch color monitor new on ebay for about 60 dollars delivered. Found a quality night vision camera, new, for 100 dollars, ebay. Wired them up and they work great. Total cost under 200.00.
Dan

Thank you everyone who replied to my query. I'm not particularly comfortable with the answers, though. It seems that my only options are to buy online or to create my own setup.

I would much prefer to have a chance to physically examine the camera options before purchasing, so I'm not thrilled with the idea of buying online. I want a camera that will be easy to set up, is weatherproof, and is reliable. If I can pay 60$ for that, great, but price isn't really the issue here. I just don't want to pay 200$ if an 60$ system will work just as well.

As for creating my own setup, I don't even remotely have the electronic skills to take on a project like this.

Gosh, I didn't think backup cameras were this complicated! I thought that all I'd have to do would be climb onto the roof, mount the camera, snake the wire across the roof to the front of the coach, get it inside, and attach it to the monitor.

Has anyone purchased from RV Cams? They seem to offer a good selection but, again, I'd have little idea what to get. I am looking at the following system, though: 5.6" Color Backup Camera System with Audio.

Hello Rae,

While you are not comfortable with on-line buying, I will recomend the following E-Bay seller. I have seen both a monitor and a camera from him and the products worked great and the picture was clear. At night you could see 30-40' behind the M/H in total darkness.

Back-up Cameras

Jim

Jim, thanks for the eBay rec! I would feel much more comfortable buying online from there than from a store.

His prices are definitely better than at RV Cams. I emailed him for a shipping quote to Quebec. That's where things could get expensive. :S

Cheers,

Just wanted to follow up and say that I bought a camera from the eBay seller Jim recommended.

Thank you to all who replied to my query!

We built our own system to integrate with the computer system but one of our backup monitors is standalone.

The hookup in uncomplicated, The biggest problem is wiring from the end of the trailer to the front.

We cover this in Truck Rearview Camera and Trailer Rearview Camera.

I have the 100.00 camera he has advertized. It has great night vision and a good wide angle.
Dan

Rae,

When you get it and hooked up, let us all know how it works.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by jlb27537:
Rae,

When you get it and hooked up, let us all know how it works.

Jim

I sure will.

Nervous about this project--I'm not particularly good with electronics and I hate heights, so this is going to be... interesting.

Hi,


We are not familiar with Quebec. But we bought our cameras and had them installed at Camping world. They have worked fine for 5 years. We recomend the color version, though more expensive, rather than the Black and white

quote:

Originally posted by Bob T: We are not familiar with Quebec. But we bought our cameras and had them installed at Camping world. They have worked fine for 5 years. We recomend the color version, though more expensive, rather than the Black and white

Bob, I wound up buying my sister on eBay and am thrilled to say that it's a colour monitor. Sometimes, it's good that such things don't come with the rig; you can get exactly what you want.

I refuse to pay someone to do for me what I can do for myself, even if it'll take more time and aggravation, so I'm about to learn how to install a back up camera!