Searched the forum and did see much of anything recent about trailer cameras. I just bought a new trailer and would like to install a camera in it; any recommendations?
Looking online, a lot of them advertise as WiFi cameras; how does that work when you’re on the road?
They send the signal via wifi. You don’t need a router or anything, the cameras are communicating with the monitor that way.
I have this one, and it’s flawless on a very long rig.
I bought a fancy camera/screen system to install into the trailer wiring (very similar to the one endlessclimb posted above), but my better half lost the camera so I never got to use it 
instead of buying a whole new set, I opted for a baby monitor that plugged into a battery pack I already had. I used velcro command strips to stick the camera to the front wall of the trailer, that has been very secure. I have a window between the tack room and horse area, so just put the power cable through there. The battery pack has a handle and sits on the bridle hooks under the window. It’s certainly not a fancy setup, but it’s worked super well for my purposes. I already had the battery pack so it cost about $50 and I didn’t have to mess with the electrical in the trailer. (If you do go this route I’d recommend spending a bit more on a monitor. The screen on mine was messed up from the start and recently stopped working all together, so I need to get a new one)
This is the power pack I got, but anything with an AC adapter (wall plug) should work. The longest trip I’ve been on is 3 hrs round trip and it only used around 30% of the power if I’m remembering correctly. The benefit is that you can use it for other things too, like charging your phone or other devices. We do a lot of car camping so this has been a great investment regardless. After that trip, I got a USB cable for the camera, so I’m guessing it would use even less power now.
This might not work for your trailer, if I’m remembering correctly there isn’t a window or a door between the horse and tack area. If you’re ok with the idea of drilling holes in your brand new trailer (I know I would be hesitant!) you could probably drill a tiny hole in the top to pull the wire through. I don’t know enough about installing a proper camera to know if you would need to do that anyway? Just a thought. But thought I’d share what’s worked for me!
Eta for anyone debating whether or not to install a camera: DO IT! I cannot tell you you how much it’s reduced my stress levels to be able to check on my ponies back there. I have an irrational fear of them falling out the back of the trailer, or the floor falling out from under them, so being able to glance over (or have my copilot check on them) has reduced my stress immensely. I cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you, I figured it was something along those lines but have never used the technology before!
I got one ordered that is rechargeable vs hard wiring in to see if we have success with that. If not, I was looking at the same one you posted on amazon earlier today.
@equinelibrium - I would have never thought about a baby monitor, thats a good idea especially with the multi use power station!
I have a Trailer Eyes, similar to this one:
https://img.ridingwarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=TEWF-1.jpg&nw=540
My husband hard-wired it into the trailer’s wiring, so that it only powers on when the truck is running. The wifi antennae is in front of the window of my tack area, and the camera is mounted on the other side of the tack room divider pointed at the two stalls. I have a Samsung tablet with the viewing software installed on it, and the app is free in the Google Play store. The tablet rides in a cup holder bracket so I can glance at it while driving without my eyes actually leaving the road.
This is what I see from the driver’s seat. The camera rotates, moves up and down, and zooms, but I don’t so any of that while driving. I just adjust it to where I can see the horse(s) best before I leave, and then just keep an eye on things while in motion. I think it can also catch video as well, but I haven’t needed that feature yet.:
And here’s the camera mounted inside the trailer:
Also… hang the monitor on your rear view mirror. It’s useless with a trailer attached anyways, might as well be the camera monitor. 
I ordered a camera from Snap Trailers a few weeks ago. I might have been e-screwed but it was cheap enough I won’t be too heartbroken. I did pay through Paypal just in case.
If it comes in I’ll give a review.
LetItBe
Brilliant! I would have never thought of this, thanks for the idea.
How do you have it mounted?
My monitor has two little knobs on either side, presumably for a bracket of some type. I have hairties looped to the knobs, and wrap them around the mirror. I hope that makes sense!
Ok I posted here it hadn’t shipped yet and boom it’s shipped:)
LetItBe
I ordered a cheap(ish) back up camera off Amazon. It’s made hooking up the trailer way easier. And then I have Velcro to stick it to the trailer to watch the horse. Unfortunately the one I bought the range isn’t good so it is fuzzy and cuts in and out a lot but it does the trick enough. The description explicitly said not for use in motion so I knew it was a gamble.
This is the camera I ended up getting:
EWAY WiFi Wireless Magnetic Hitch Camera Backup Rear View 4.3 inch LCD Monitor Display for Gooseneck Horse Trailer Boat Travel Trailer/Fifth Wheels/RV/Camper Car Battery Powered Portable Kit https://a.co/d/57YMFv8
Seems to do its job!
IMG_2627
Hello! I am looking to buy a camera also. How does this one work at higher speeds on highway? I read other reviews before that mentioned that being an issue.
Bumping this up as I’m debating over which camera set to get for my rig (2001 F350, Kingston 2-horse).
I have a few novice questions:
For short trips, I tend to take my 2001 F350 - it’s my daily driver anyway. For longer trips (2+hrs), I’ll usually borrow the farm’s 2018 GMC Sierra just because it’s more fuel efficient and a bit more comfortable interior-wise, although the F350 has superior towing. Both vehicles have back-up cameras installed and a display screen/touch monitor in the cabin.
Is it possible to configure the trailer cams to display on these display[s] versus a whole standalone display component?
And my second question - because the vehicles alternate, how difficult is it to configure for multiple vehicles?
Is there a drawback I am not thinking of to have a trailer cam reliant on powersupply of the truck (Endlessclimb’s link) versus solar and/or rechargable battery (via FjordBCRF’s link) trailer cams?
I’m happy to hear that you’re happy with that one! I bought a similar camera from Amtifo on Prime Day and was debating returning it. I haven’t quite gotten it set up the way I want. Did you use the T-taps that came with the kit to hook into your trailer wiring, or something more advanced? My trailer guy says he’s not a fan of T-taps, although they do the job. Also would you be willing to share any pics of how you mounted the camera?
I decided that if I was going to have a camera I’d like a combined dashcam and trailer cam system. Horse trailers seem to spark the dumbest, most aggressive driving in other people, even if you are already driving at or slightly over the speed limit. So I bought this Amtifo model with a dashcam built into the monitor: https://a.co/d/6z0pkHC. That does limit where you can put the monitor (and really I don’t want the distraction of a video screen at windshield or dashboard height, which is one reason I’m reconsidering it–but it sounds like you’re happy with the same-sized screen at windshield height). I also haven’t quite figured out if the dashcam records while the trailer cam is on full-screen. I don’t need to watch myself drive down the road just to have a record of it in case I need it, and the split-screen is squished and distorted.
Anyway, I’m glad to hear you’re happy with the connection etc. I need to spend more time messing with mine, but time is in very short supply lately.
We just spliced it in. T taps aren’t a big deal, just tape the crap out of them. I’ve stolen power every which way from sunday using them, and never had an issue.
I have since sold the trailer that I installed these on, but my trailer was a 2+1. It has a bar that goes over the horse’s heads where the front of the divider attaches to. I put the cameras on that bar as far to the sides as I could.
How has this been working for you? Does it work well in the trailer?
I’m tired of the fuzzy cutting in and out picture of the one I have now so I want to replace it but I don’t want anything that needs to be hardwired.
Overall Ive been happy with it. It has, on a couple occasions, gotten a little glitchy with the video, but not enough so that I couldn’t tell how he was doing.
I haul locally as well, haven’t ventured out further than an hours haul or so. If I was doing long trips, I might feel more comfortable with something tied into the power source to not have to worry about recharging.
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