Rear view camera on boat?

[MNdrifter]

My tow vehicle is a Dodge Dakota. When trailering the boat it is very difficult to see cars behind me. Has anyone mounted a rearview camera on the boat or trailer to get an unobstructed view to the rear? I'm thinking about a wireless camera but I'm worried about the range.

 

[Julian]

I've seen cameras for the driver to watch people doing water sports behind the boat....

Here is a mount that also shows connection to a screen....

http://www.wakejak.com/camera_mount.html

 

[bgood188]

Julian made me think of an app for the new GoPro's. You can see what the camera sea's. You could mount the GoPro on your boat and view what it see's on the truck. The bonus is you end up with a GoPro for use on the water.

http://gopro.com/software-app/gopro-app

Pulled this the Gopro link above.
Use your smartphone or tablet as an ultra-convenient remote control for your GoPro. Quickly adjust camera settings, start/stop recording, switch modes, check your battery level and more. It's great for gear-mounted shooting where the camera is out of reach. Plus, live preview lets you see what your GoPro sees so you can frame your shots with confidence.

 

[GiddYupJoe]

The GoPro idea is a great one, but when you have the wifi on, the battery life is non existent. At least that has been my experience.

 

[David Analog]

Most compact back-up cameras for vehicles will have a good viewing width and a good focus at distance if you mount it to the boat tower. It could also double as a functional system while pulling a rider. Many RVs have a reliable wireless link between the rearview camera and monitor. Since the link is only composite video, it wouldn't be a challenge to have a hardwired link. Start with a Kenwood camera. Some have selectable perspectives.

 

[Ronnie]

I experimented with the basic rearview cameras but eventually went with a wired two camera RV system. One camera is mounted to the tailgate of the tow vehicle and the other to the last cross beam on the boat's trailer. The advantage of the wired connection is that it is never disrupted by random signals on the same frequency. The problem I've noticed with the cheaper more basic units is that the cameras are not usually designed to be always on, just on in reverse, so they tend to overheat in just a few minutes. The gopro won't work unless/until they fix the lag issue (if you wave your hand in front of the gopro there is a 2 to 3 second lag before you'll see it on your phone).

Here is a link to my write up and pics on YJB for anyone interested.

http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=46992&hilit=+rear+view+camera

 

[MNdrifter]

thanks. that is exactly what I'm looking to do

 

[txav8r]

@Ronnie , what cameras and interface did you use on your tow vehicle and trailer?

 

[Raphael]

I was thinking about one of these because I only need it for hooking up to the hitch and some backing up/parking

http://www.rearviewsafety.com/products/camera-systems/hitch-camera-reversing-system.html

 

[Ronnie]

Here is a link to the system I bought. The same seller offers different versions (e.g. some wireless, some with 4 to 8 cameras, think RV or horse trailer use, a camera for every horse). I mounted one of my cameras to the back of the tow vehicle to make hitching the trailer to it easier. The other is on the boat trailer, its designed to be on continuously so it doesn't overheat even when I leave it on for over three hours at a time. If you go this route make sure you get the water resistant camera. I can toggle the view to each camera on the fly. In order to use the same display to view people being towed behind the boat, you would either have to go with the wireless model or buy two separate systems, one for the truck and/or trailer and another for the boat.

The system Raphael cited is probably fine for its intended purpose as rear view only while reversing camera but I'd bet it will overheat or otherwise malfunction if left on for too long, that's what at least two other similar systems did when I tried to keep them on for over 10 to 15 minutes.

Two things to consider if you buy what I bought and do what I do with it.

1. The camera on the boat trailer is all but useless at night, all I see are head lights which tend to overcome the entire display (this true no matter what display mode I choose (e.g. vivid, natural, etc.)).
2. At night, I usually switch to the camera mounted to the tow vehicle, I still get some view of who is driving next to either side of the boat and the hitch/connection as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290514309867?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Lastly, here are a few pics of the camera views that I took with my iPhone when I went boating recently (in the last month or so).

 

[Raphael]

Here is a link to the system I bought. The same seller offers different versions (e.g. some wireless, some with 4 to 8 cameras, think RV or horse trailer use, a camera for every horse). I mounted one of my cameras to the back of the tow vehicle to make hitching the trailer to it easier. The other is on the boat trailer, its designed to be on continuously so it doesn't overheat even when I leave it on for over three hours at a time. If you go this route make sure you get the water resistant camera. I can toggle the view to each camera on the fly. In order to use the same display to view people being towed behind the boat, you would either have to go with the wireless model or buy two separate systems, one for the truck and/or trailer and another for the boat.

The system Raphael cited is probably fine for its intended purpose as rear view only while reversing camera but I'd bet it will overheat or otherwise malfunction if left on for too long, that's what at least two other similar systems did when I tried to keep them on for over 10 to 15 minutes.

Two things to consider if you buy what I bought and do what I do with it.

1. The camera on the boat trailer is all but useless at night, all I see are head lights which tend to overcome the entire display (this true no matter what display mode I choose (e.g. vivid, natural, etc.)).
2. At night, I usually switch to the camera mounted to the tow vehicle, I still get some view of who is driving next to either side of the boat and the hitch/connection as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290514309867?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Lastly, here are a few pics of the camera views that I took with my iPhone when I went boating recently (in the last month or so).

View attachment 2907 View attachment 2908

This looks like a much more reliable system for long term and constant use. Couple questions 1) The connection from the trailer to the vehicle, it looks like the camera on the truck has an adapter on it? I can't tell from the picture but do you have a separate power source other than the trailer connection? 2) Did you install this yourself or take it to a shop for installation? 3) Did you drill holes in the dashboard for the camera?

 

[Raphael]

This looks like a much more reliable system for long term and constant use. Couple questions 1) The connection from the trailer to the vehicle, it looks like the camera on the truck has an adapter on it? I can't tell from the picture but do you have a separate power source other than the trailer connection? 2) Did you install this yourself or take it to a shop for installation? 3) Did you drill holes in the dashboard for the camera?

Okay I scrolled down and answered all my own questions..... sorry about that

 

[Volffas]

I was thinking about one of these because I only need it for hooking up to the hitch and some backing up/parking

http://www.rearviewsafety.com/products/camera-systems/hitch-camera-reversing-system.html

Not to hijack the thread but I have used something like this for a while to hook up the trailer by myself. They are super easy.

 

[Gym]

Not to hijack the thread but I have used something like this for a while to hook up the trailer by myself. They are super easy.

View attachment 2932

I also used these for a couple of years @Volffas and they do work pretty good. Just got a new tow vehicle last year with built in camera so put my balls in storage.

 

[Volffas]

I also used these for a couple of years @Volffas and they do work pretty good. Just got a new tow vehicle last year with built in camera so put my balls in storage.

My balls have started to fall off the metal rods.... I just can't bring myself to pay another $20 to purchase the $2.50 worth of material. I may try and use the magnets and make some homemade backup balls.

They really do make hooking to the trailer a lot easier.

 

[Gym]

My balls have started to fall off the metal rods.... I just can't bring myself to pay another $20 to purchase the $2.50 worth of material. I may try and use the magnets and make some homemade backup balls.

They really do make hooking to the trailer a lot easier.

One of mine came off also. I just glued it back on and remembered not to extend the rod by holding the ball.

 

[Volffas]

My biggest problem was the kids playing with them while we were on our way to the boat ramp. They have taken them off and put them back on so many times that the hole in the middle is too big for the ball to stay on. That and they broke one of the metal extending rods. But I had them for almost 5 years before they got to the point they are now, so that's not too bad.

 

[Wayloncle]

This thread is starting to crack my 13 year old maturity level gutterized mind up!!

 

[Volffas]

This thread is starting to crack my 13 year old maturity level gutterized mind up!!

There are a whole lot of possible jokes about yellow balls and extending rods.

 

[maboat]

I also used these for a couple of years @Volffas and they do work pretty good. Just got a new tow vehicle last year with built in camera so put my balls in storage.

DITTO! (except I got my new tow vehicle 3 years ago...)