Hi
Thinking of fitting a camera to the back of my van for when towing, has anyone done this
Thanks
Thinking of fitting a camera to the back of my van for when towing, has anyone done this
Thanks
Reversing Camera
- Thread starter markallday
- Start date
I have a rear view camera system - real boon when towing despite having two good mirrors. Wouldn't be without it now.
If one of the moderators would give you ( or anyone else who's interested) my email address I'll send you text and pictures that I prepared as a magazine article.
mike
If one of the moderators would give you ( or anyone else who's interested) my email address I'll send you text and pictures that I prepared as a magazine article.
mike
I tried one a few years ago - a cheapo wireless typee as I couldn't be doing with more cabling into the cae. I could get signal to the receiver/screen in the car so long as I left the blind on the caravan front window up and in some light conditions it was quite useful. However, in stong sunlight it was virtually useless even after i fitted a shade plate.
The aerodynamics of the caravan also meant the camera got dirty very quickly in bad weather (when you need it most). I think any screen much smaller than the average satnav is not going to be very useful.
Will be interested to read other comments.
The aerodynamics of the caravan also meant the camera got dirty very quickly in bad weather (when you need it most). I think any screen much smaller than the average satnav is not going to be very useful.
Will be interested to read other comments.
hi all,
I am not sure of the legality side of the camera systems, afterall they are supposed to be revesing cameras (as apposed to being on all the time in motion) where reversing cameras are fitted they usually only work when in reverse.
there was a longish debate on this very subject a while ago, I don't think there was a definitive answer however,
in theory all one is doing is to substitute the normal view (through the mirror, now obscured by the van) to a screen. and if this screen is in the same place as the mirror (as used by some models) this could be used as a good arguement should billy blue hat give you a pull.
I did look at a few systems last year, some quite cheap, after a incident with a HGV, a motorbike, and a bridge (long story) nearly took out the rear of the van, but in the end decided not to bother as my towing miles per year are quite low, and the legal side of it conserned me greatly.
I am not sure of the legality side of the camera systems, afterall they are supposed to be revesing cameras (as apposed to being on all the time in motion) where reversing cameras are fitted they usually only work when in reverse.
there was a longish debate on this very subject a while ago, I don't think there was a definitive answer however,
in theory all one is doing is to substitute the normal view (through the mirror, now obscured by the van) to a screen. and if this screen is in the same place as the mirror (as used by some models) this could be used as a good arguement should billy blue hat give you a pull.
I did look at a few systems last year, some quite cheap, after a incident with a HGV, a motorbike, and a bridge (long story) nearly took out the rear of the van, but in the end decided not to bother as my towing miles per year are quite low, and the legal side of it conserned me greatly.
I remember and took part in the legality debate - my opinion that rearview cameras are legal is unchanged and that the regulations are clear.
Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulation 109) states " The driver must not be in a position to see, whether directly or by reflection, any TV or other like apparatus used to display anything other than information about the state of the vehicle, location, to assist the driver to see the adjacent road, or to assist the driver to reach his destination." (My italics)
Indeed, it makes me question the legality of the ANPR and other information screens that are fitted in police cars!
The fully-wired system I installed was purchased from reversingcamerasuk.com in Ramsgate - very helpful with phone enquiries and reasonable prices. The caravan and caravan are coupled using their trailer link kit. The monitor clips over the (redundant when towing) interior mirror. The camera is fastened to a steel bracket I made to "hang out" of the rear washroom window, the cable running through caravan to the front locker. When not in use the cable is coiled up and, with the camera, stored in the front locker.
I tow with no blind spots immediately behind the caravan and consider it to be money well spent.
Mike
Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulation 109) states " The driver must not be in a position to see, whether directly or by reflection, any TV or other like apparatus used to display anything other than information about the state of the vehicle, location, to assist the driver to see the adjacent road, or to assist the driver to reach his destination." (My italics)
Indeed, it makes me question the legality of the ANPR and other information screens that are fitted in police cars!
The fully-wired system I installed was purchased from reversingcamerasuk.com in Ramsgate - very helpful with phone enquiries and reasonable prices. The caravan and caravan are coupled using their trailer link kit. The monitor clips over the (redundant when towing) interior mirror. The camera is fastened to a steel bracket I made to "hang out" of the rear washroom window, the cable running through caravan to the front locker. When not in use the cable is coiled up and, with the camera, stored in the front locker.
I tow with no blind spots immediately behind the caravan and consider it to be money well spent.
Mike
We have an inexpensive wireless system fitted to our caravan. Work trailers I use all have wired cameras. They are used for reversing and as an additional aid for rear view
The cameras are mounted centrally, about 4 foot above ground level for the best field of view for reversing and of the road and traffic behind. I wouldn't want to tow again without a camera especially on continental trips.
The cameras are mounted centrally, about 4 foot above ground level for the best field of view for reversing and of the road and traffic behind. I wouldn't want to tow again without a camera especially on continental trips.
To Mark Allday
Hi Mark
I think you sent me an email which went into my spam folder and has been deleted by me not realising from whom it came!
Can you send me another?
Thanks and apologies
Mike
Hi Mark
I think you sent me an email which went into my spam folder and has been deleted by me not realising from whom it came!
Can you send me another?
Thanks and apologies
Mike
I have used one for years and would not be without it. See here the article I had published in Practical Caravan
https://sites.google.com/site/caravaneurope/home/help-and-information/rear-view-cameras
I have very very good mirrors but there is no way they can show the vehicle close up behind the van and I think the legality talk is is nonsense, the enhanced view is such an improvement that I think there is a case for making them compulsory.
https://sites.google.com/site/caravaneurope/home/help-and-information/rear-view-cameras
I have very very good mirrors but there is no way they can show the vehicle close up behind the van and I think the legality talk is is nonsense, the enhanced view is such an improvement that I think there is a case for making them compulsory.
Parksy
Moderator
A bit like the much discussed noseweight issue, have you ever heard or read about any caravanner being successfully prosecuted for using a rear view camera on their caravan?
Neither have I !
Neither have I !
Ive got a hardwired one mounted at top of van with a monitor that clips over mirror and its very effective takes about 20 seconds to connect the cables.
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