Backup Camera?

[AZ Wonderer]

August 20th is the date by which I have to finalize my options on an Elite II.  I have everything sorted except one -- the backup camera.  I had a backup camera on my previous travel trailer.  It wasn't great and frankly I rarely used it.  The camera option on the 2023 Oliver is $850.  That's a lot of money for an option I may not use, if at all.  I'm curious about others' thoughts and recommendations.  Do you have it, do you use it, do you find it worthwhile?  

[SeaDawg]

We don't have one (2008) I wish we did. Probably a future mod, bluetooth?

I'm always the guide,,when my husband backs up. Even with a camera,  it's really good to have a partner outside watching. Cameras can't capture everything.  Yet.

[John Welte]

37 minutes ago, AZ Wonderer said:

August 20th is the date by which I have to finalize my options on an Elite II.  I have everything sorted except one -- the backup camera.  I had a backup camera on my previous travel trailer.  It wasn't great and frankly I rarely used it.  The camera option on the 2023 Oliver is $850.  That's a lot of money for an option I may not use, if at all.  I'm curious about others' thoughts and recommendations.  Do you have it, do you use it, do you find it worthwhile?  

We finalized our options two days ago and we went with the back up camera.  It can also give you rear view vision ability while driving.  The more eyes there are on traffic the better.  So to answer your question, no we haven't used it yet, but I love back up cameras on vehicles.  Our delivery date is November 7.

Best regards, John 

[Frank C]

We have it and use it all the time while towing.  It’s not just a “backup” camera.  It’s a rear view camera.  You’d be amazed at what can be hidden in the blind spot behind the trailer while you are in traffic if you don’t have the camera.  I have the factory installed large extended mirrors on my F-250 and there is still a blind spot behind the camper that the camera gives a good view of.  The camera is very helpful for lane changes, etc.  

[Roger P]

We have one and doesn’t like the view quality. Get an Haloview, its cheaper but way better….

[Jim_Oker]

I have it. I wish it had the resolution and low light ability of the backup/rear view camera I had installed on our van, made by Rear View Systems (not to be confused with Rear View Safety which also sells rear view cameras), but it's a lot better than nothing and it was nice to just get it installed as a turnkey system.

[routlaw]

Not sure what brand Oliver is running with now, but we did opt for the rear view camera on our 2015 model and used it although the image quality was next to worthless especially at night. The monitor was a oversized gangly mess of wires too. After a couple of years someone broke into our truck and stoled the monitor for what reason I’ll never know. This forced me to purchase another rear view camera system, a Furion, and install which is better but not by huge margins. At least the monitor only has one wire that being the 12V hookup wire. Most likely there are much better systems on the market and probably for much less than $850. 

Bottom line is we really like have the camera and recommend having one but make sure you are getting what your’e paying for at the price of admission Oliver is charging. 

[Katjo]

We have one and love it. We did upgrade the monitor to a larger size, a furrion 7” model #FOS07TADS. We purchased it through Tadibrothers. 

[Chukarhunter]

I am very glad we ordered the rear view camera.  With it, I have no need for extended side view mirrors.  I can always see what is behind me and I can also always see when it is safe to change lanes as it is sometimes hard to tell if you have enough clearance when looking in the side view mirror (objects may be closer than they appear!).  The rear view camera is especially handy when you need to change lanes quickly and/or merge in dense traffic.  I don't find it all that helpful for backing up.