Thanks Bear, I need to stay cheap and simple, but your ideas seem like a good plan and more technologically advanced than my Wal Mart setup.  I may continue to use the DW in the role of "backup monitor." 

I'm with Fred on this,not even a camera can give you the same perspective as getting out and doing a walk-around.All my DW does for me now is make sure I don't hit something.

We don't rely on the camera for backing, but we keep it on while driving. It serves as a rear view mirror, giving us a larger view than just the side mirrors.

-- Edited by Tylersamma on Saturday 1st of August 2009 07:20:11 AM

Our motorhome came with a backup camera.  It is a fixed position so only the area directly behind the motorhome is viewable.  Its main use is to check on the truck while driving down the road.

It can't see the low hanging limbs or utility posts, and I certainly wouldn't want to trust that we would see a child standing somewhere in the vicinity of the motorhome by using the camera.

We've developed a good hand signal system.  Dan's main request is that the person outside MUST stand so that the driver can see that person in the mirrors.   He ALWAYS does a walk around before backing into a campsite.  If I'm outside, I usually stand behind the motorhome on the driver's side.  I also stand in front the the utility posts if it's a tight space.  He can see me better than the water spigot and electric box.  STOP is indicated by crossed arms held high above the head.    He says crossed arms are much easier to see than just raised hands. 

We learned the hard way to not let someone else (like a good neighbor) help when we are backing up.   The neighbor kept going back and forth behind the motorhome checking each side, but never looked up to see where the upper rear corners of the motorhome were.  Enough said.

We're never in such a hurry that we can't take the time to visually inspect the site and take as much time as we need backing in.  And you will get better with practice.

I like this camera and the other stuff sold by this seller on Ebay. Do not buy a wireless camera unlessit is just on your truck and close. They simply do not work reliably when put on the back a a trailer. At least none I have ever heard of.

If we bought a back up camera it would probably cut down on the entertainment we provide our neighbors.

We use to have a camera on our motorhome which was good. We now use a Walkie Talkie to navigate into RV sites. Sherri just tells me which way the back end needs to go and I do the rest. I have an alarm on my Carri-lite that goes off if I am about to hit Sherri. So for we have done real well without cameras...and I have never run over Sherri.