need help with backup cameras and hitches

[farmerx]

Hi guys,
My wife has backed into three cars in my driveway with our '05 E350(over the last 3 years). Wondering what is the best option for a backup camera. I would appriecate any help in pointing me in the right direction for one that works well on our vans. Also any links to a heavy duty hitch that will fit our vans would be great as well. Thanks jeff

[blageurt]

A lot of guys put the camera in the licence plate holder / handle assembly and run the wires inside with the main harness. As far as the hitch goes mine is a HD Reese type I forget the class but it's welded to the frame rails. You can jack the truck up on it no problem.

[stroked_van]

I know Circuit city has some backup cameras and Walmart does also. Both are in a pretty decent price rage. I think Best buy also has them (haven't looked for them there, but think I've noticed them before). All of these would mount at the top of the license plate.
Because all of my windows behind the front seats are blocked, I've been thinking of doing this same type of thing.
The "cheapie" options will give you a backup camera and that's it (all I would want/need). The more expensive options allow for playing videos and such.......all the way up to some REALLY nice gps/backup camera/dvd playing/flip up monitor in dash stereos. I'm not in the market to spend upwards of $2k for all of that though. A buddy of mine put a system like that in his vette. Truly is a nice option to have "all in one" but a bit much (in my opinion) for a vehicle.

[XRACER]

I have a hidden fold out in-dash system from Alpine. GPS, DVD, CD, Backup Camera, IPOD, XM Radio, and room for more.........but 2K isn't going to do it for a system like that......

My camera is in the license plate tub and it works pretty well. I can see my trailer hitch, which is great when I'm alone.

[Yardbrew2]

Wait a minute.............you can actually see your trailer hitch?
Are you saying that you can actually see your trailer hitch? You can see it?

You don't have to open your rear doors in the rain and snow and put flags on your trailer hitch and your receiver ball?

You can back up to your trailer hitch and get it right on the first try?

That means the only time you get out of your truck is to unlock your trailer hitch, lower in onto the ball, plug in the lights, hook up the chains and spring bars and go.

I've got to get one of these little gems.

Yardbrew

[XRACER]

Roger that....



Look closley and you can see the receiver in this picture (lower right).

[Yardbrew2]

After doing some research I have a couple of questions:

Keep in mind that mine will be used only for back-up vision.

1. Is there any advantage to having color?
2. There are several sizes of monitors, any suggestions? I was thinking of 5"
3. A couple of them say that they have night vision, any experience here?
4. I'll probably hang mine from the ceiling and pull it down when using it, any disadvantages to this idea?

Thanks in advance.

Yardbrew

[chadjones99]

get a new wife

[XRACER]

Originally Posted by Yardbrew2

1. Is there any advantage to having color? No
2. There are several sizes of monitors, any suggestions? I was thinking of 5" Plenty
3. A couple of them say that they have night vision, any experience here? I have it, but it is limited. If it doesn't add too much to the cost, get it......but good reverse lighting is probably better.
4. I'll probably hang mine from the ceiling and pull it down when using it, any disadvantages to this idea? None that I can think of.

I have some decent reverse lighting that seems to help. It's a White Knight system. I would like it better if the housing was metallic rather than plastic, but for the price, it's fine.

One more thing........the image that I get on my screen is reversed.....so I always have to think through the left/right thing. I don't know if they sell an image re-reversing unit......but it could be worthwhile. I've gotten used to it, but it's tough, the first few times.....

[SIC-E]

Originally Posted by chadjones99

get a new wife

that theres dam funny!

[Late99EconoWagon73]

XRACER,

Is your camera hardwired to your video head unit? If so, did you run the cable inside or outside of the van and did you run it down the left or right side? Do you know if there is an advantage to the hardwired cameras versus the ones that use Blue Tooth technology for a wireless connection? Thanks! Stu

[XRACER]

Mine is hard wired into the system. I have no experience with the blue tooth systems but if you have to run power to the camera anyway, why not just fly by wire? Seems like just one more thing that can go wrong.

My XM and Navigation units are mounted under the drivers seat. The Nav unit has all of the inputs on it, so all wires lead that way. From the license plate tub, follow the harness out of the door and into the van, then up.....over......forward.....and down the B pillar. If you're going to connect behind the dash, I would just run down the passenger side.

[Late99EconoWagon73]

XRACER,

Thanks for the information.

Only advantage I can see to BlueTooth is less interior trim to remove for camera wire routing for us Wagon folks...

Not sure, but I think BT camera picks up it's power from Backup Lamp circuit.

I do like the idea of the hardwired system though... Thanks again! Stu

[van_350sd]

I have the Dual XDVD8265 2xDIN head unit, its 275.00 from a seller on ebay, it has a input for the rear camera built into the unit itself, just plug in almost any camera.

My van is the extended van and I use the cam to see in back of me, and it's good enough to see the hitch at the same time. Comes in handy in a busy shopping center parking lot.

[van_350sd]

And all the backup light is, is the pos+ when the light goes on.

You can do the same thing by running a switch in between the power and the connection. Flip the switch when you want the cam to go on. This way you don't have to hunt for the backup light switch, and you can turn on the cam when the van is in drive. I did the switch for my unit.