redandsilver

UPDATE, Just figured I would update you all on what I decided on. I recently finished about an 1800 mile trip and did NOT use a camera at the back of my trailer. As a matter of fact, most of the time I didn't even look at the rear view camera screen (partly because all I could see was the trailer) and used my side mirrors to catch glimpses of my trailers fenders which I can see a tiny bit of going down the road or when backing up. I did have to back into to 2 of the 3 camp sites I visited. So in a nut shell - I don't think I will be buying a camera system for the back of my trailer any time soon, if ever. Thanks for all the tips and advice. And in all my travels so far with my MH I haven't seen a camera on the back of a semi-trailer yet. So if they can do it so can I. Although their trailer is a lot closer to them (and in their mirrors) then mine was.

What speed do you travel at with the toad attached?

I just signed up for the Roadside Assistance (program?) now, as I'm about to take my first major (to me) trip and like the OP (original poster) I hope I never need it either. But it should be better to have it and not need it vs. not having it an needing it. Unfortunately I was able to find a used tire to purchase as a back up - yet. My tires are about 3 years old so hopefully they will not blow out because of age. After my trip I will continue to keep looking for a used tire. I guess my size (275/70R/22.5) isn't as common as other sizes. How many of you keep a spare (either used or new) on-board your coach just in case?

Being this is my first time... does anyone know when they will sent out the registration packets? Or when we should receive them?

Thanks for all the advice. You'll be happy to know that I have already signed up for the safe driving class at the Expo in July. I will have about 2000 miles in before the Expo, So I hope nothing happens before I get more training.

I just got a dash camera. I don't know when it will be useful to me yet - but someday down the road there is a good chance it will be worth the cost. I also wired up a switch on it. I will have it set to start recording when the vehicle is started, or in my case when power is supplied. This way if I didn't want it to record because I was only moving the coach to hookup the trailer or if I wanted to just move it to a slightly different location that would not involve any traffic, then I wouldn't need it to come on. On the other hand with a switch on it - I could walk to a rest area or a store and leave it still recording so if anyone tried something while I was away they might be on candid camera.

Very nice coach.

The OP's unit is a GAS unit.

I agree need more good stories. But it's the bad news that makes them money so it's what their best at reporting.

That must be a long tow bar to hook up the Jeep. Do you have a picture with the LSV and the Jeep hooked up?

Did you miss the line in my post that "I understand" that some don't want to mess with it? Shoot you? Why would I or anyone else? I wish I had any extra $300 to spend. But that's just for an oil change. Add all the other stuff and it might be more like $1000 or more. That and I haven't meet anyone that would treat my unit like I would. No I'm not perfect either but at least I CARE and for most others it would just be a job and if the BOSS is telling them to hurry up so they can get to the next one - well I doubt quality and quantity go hand in hand, if you know what I mean.

Over a year since the last post - but since I've been a member for less than a year it's the first time I ran across this thread. No one will care about my MH more than me. So I will change my own. Not sure how there are so many millionaires on this site that can afford to pay the high prices a shop gets without much proof that it was done right or completely. But I do understand some don't want to mess with it and some are not as young as they use to be. When I'm 90 I may not want to change my fluids either. But until then I guess I will. Many of the tips I already knew - but there were some I hadn't heard before so I will try and use them when I'm ready to change fluids etc. Now only if it would stop raining and warm up - then I could start - but not until then........

You maybe right. And I will be testing/practicing with it before I buy any camera. And then only IF I deem it is something worthwhile. manholt you have a lot more miles towing with your MH then I probably ever will, so of course it's easy for you now. I certainly don't need to waste money on something that won't be useful - but on the other hand if it saves even one accident it might be worth it, as I think my insurance deductible is more than what a camera would cost. Do you think you could post a picture of your setup with the trailer? Would like to see how a PRO does it.

A little update: Well I'm still on the fence about whether to get a camera system/setup on the back of my trailer. The weather here has been a lot of rain and they are still talking about SNOW later this week. So needless to say I haven't had a chance to do any testing with the trailer, yet. Did I mention I hate COLD - so I'm waiting for warmer weather before I Dewinterize the MH. Once I start it, I want to run it 25-30 miles to get it warm enough to change the oil and filters etc. That run may or may not have the trailer attached - for the first run of they year. Guess I'll decide when that day comes. Thought I'd post one more picture so you can see why I'm still considering a camera behind the trailer. It's just about 65ft so there is no way I can see anyone that is a normal car's length away from the trailer while going down the road.

Looking forward to INDY. Maybe I can join your crew.

Yeah Ha. I just signed up for my first INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & RV EXPO in July 2017. I took WILDEBILL308's advice and signed up for the 30amp section as this is my first one. I have to believe that it might be a little quieter, right? I also asked to be contacted about volunteering, so we'll see if that happens or not. What kind of volunteering besides the parking team is available? And if someone is volunteering do they need to arrive earlier? Looking forward to the expo. I also signed up for the 2 day safe RV driving seminar - because you can never know too much.

I have worn Fall Protection Harnesses. I assume they are not cheap. Some people have never seen one and would not know how to use it correctly without training. I agree that there is nothing on a MH roof that was designed to hold the weight of most people especially with the momentum of someone falling off a 12-13ft MH. A few things might have some benefit IMO. If scaffolding could be put around the MH - at least a few sections where work was to be done might be helpful but it would depend on it being attached or secured to the MH enough so that it wouldn't fall over or pull away if you fell on it. One other way that MIGHT be useful is IF you could park along side of a building were the roof was equal to or lower then the MH height. It would of course only help one side and it would need to be a straight shot in to park along side of it so that no turning was needed that might cause tail swing to hit the building. One other thing has to be NOT going on to a MH roof if it is wet. Very common in the morning if dew is present or if the humidity is high. Falls are very dangerous. Ever hear of someone stepping off a curb and breaking some bones? It doesn't take much height. Slipping on ice hurts too.

Well that does it - I've been thinking about a camera to put up front. Now I feel I have to. Thanks for pushing me off the fence.

Thanks Herman for the info. I would with out a doubt have full water and empty tanks. I haven't decided if I will bring my trailer 100% yet. I have motorcycles etc. in it, and would want access to them if I want to go somewhere just like some one that pulls a toad has a vehicle so they can go somewhere if they want to. So in a nut shell, my trailer is like someone else's toad and they normally have their toad very close to their MH. So with no guarantee that I could keep my trailer next to me - it makes the decision harder as to whether to bring it or not. - In your opinion, do people go out to dinner at night or leave the campground/parking area to go sightseeing around the area - or do most stay put? The next decision is whether or not to pay for 30amps for electric vs. using the generator during the stay. I have stayed in my MH over nights (it's fairy new to me) but had power hooked up. I use a CPAP and have not tested how long it will last using the inverter. Charging the batteries with the generator for a couple of hours in the morning and at night - I don't know it that would be enough - yet. So that is one reason I'm considering the electric route - However $175 is more then 24-30 hours of fuel for the generator. Decisions, decisions...... How is the date of arrival decided? If the Convention starts on July 12 is everyone suppose to be there no later then July 11? Do some have an arrival date on July 10th? Me personally could arrive anytime. I've even thought about Volunteering for something - but I'm not sure if they want First Timers to do that. Since I'm in Michigan this Convention is about as close as any will likely ever be - So I'm really thinking about coming - but I know I have to make a decision very soon as I assume there are limited 30amp sites available. As soon as the weather breaks here I may have to spend a few nights in my driveway without to see how long the battery power lasts etc. So any more info you (or anyone) can supply will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sorry for some dumb questions..... Looking at the Registration form in the April magazine it says the holding area will open Sunday July 9 2017 at 8am. Is that when we should show up? Or just the earliest we can show up but shouldn't show up then IF we have registered and had a spot assigned to us? Or are spots not assigned beforehand? I called in February and talked to Sarah and asked if I could bring my trailer with me as I might be going someplace after the convention. She said the person that would know would be back the next day and she would get back to me - She never did. Parking 65' won't fit just anywhere. I would/could unhook if I could keep it next to the coach but wouldn't be interested in parking it somewhere far away and unsecured. There is a section the states: "PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PARKING PREFERENCE" - So which one would you choose if you wanted the 30amp electric section? Also the Convention is July 12-15 so does that mean we still sleep there the night of the 15th and then everyone tries to leave on Sunday the 16th? Over 2000 coaches trying to leave at the same time - well I can imagine a lot of idle time per coach. Or is there a system in place for all to leave in an hour or two?

That's one thing I DON'T want to do, is piss anyone off because I couldn't see them. Also, most of us know that we have to swing wide on right hand turns (especially when you have a trailer behind you) and if/when you move left to do this, there are some that think your going to turn left even if your right turn signal is on. Then they get in your blind spot and if you hit them, everyone has a bad day. This is one reason I think a camera on the trailer MIGHT be a good idea. Maybe not - but isn't usually better to be prepared just in case?

I may look into adjusting the angle of the camera, to see if it does anything. My trailer is about 8 foot tall, so it is taller then most vehicles whether a car or pickup truck being pulled as a toad. Also it's about 25-26 feet behind the MH which is also longer then most vehicles. Since my full size Chevy Van is only around 18-19 feet long. At 65ft I'm almost as long as most semi-trucks and even longer then some of them. It depends on how long their tractor is since most trailers max out at 53ft. It's just starting to get warm here (40's and 50's for daytime highs) so it shouldn't be too much longer and I will be wasting fuel to practice cornering and backing up using orange cones I bought in case I ever broke down. That should help me decide if I really need a camera. I don't want to waste money on something that I might use at first for a few times and then think - I don't need it any more. Since most of you seem to think you do fine without one. Then again I assume MOST of you have a DW or DH to help you backup etc.

That is one of the things I don't think I can do with the camera that's on the back of my coach now. All I see is the front of my trailer. Yes I would use my mirrors but I would have to be pretty far ahead of someone to see if I was clear, before I could pull over. Since I usually drive 55mph most of the time I doubt I will be passing too many people. But every so often, an exit or interchange would require me to move left and it would be nice to know if someone was about to pass me before I pulled into their lane. I looked at one system and the camera and cables etc would run around $325. I would plan on installing it. There is no guarantee that it would keep me from getting into an accident or hitting anything - but if it did, don't you think the cost of a camera would be cheaper then getting a coach fixed? I'm still on the fence - since no one here has used one. And as of yet no one has stated they wished they had one OR that having one would have saved them from an accident or from hitting something.

Coach is rated to tow 10K and trailer will weigh about 5K - Empty is about 2K. This posting was/is about anyone that has a Class A and tows a trailer AND has a camera setup on their trailer. Hoping that someone would be able to recommend a camera system and let me know how well it worked in showing them things (vehicles etc) that they couldn't see without a camera and did it help them when backing up. One reasons that I'm interested in a camera system on the trailer is because I will be alone most of the time and don't have a DW to be a spotter and guide me or keep me from hitting something that I didn't see etc. IF I had someone with me all the time, I might not be as concerned. However something else I wanted to know is, when in traffic did a camera system on a trailer help you when changing lanes etc. Because my coach and trailer are 65ft long it is different than towing with a SUV or Pickup Truck.. It's just that I don't want to hit anyone or anything. Then again if someone said that it made no difference or wasn't worth it - well I don't want to waste money..... yet if it will help I don't want to wait to long, just bite the bullet and do it. Hope this explains why I'm looking for advice hopefully from someone that been down the road I'm planning on going. Am I really the first to do this?

My thought, because of research, is that I would go for a wired system. I wouldn't want to take the chance that a wireless unit would not send a signal just when I needed it most. With a wired system I would plan on having it on anytime the coach was running and the trailer was connected. Yes that will require a trailer package so I can disconnect the wires when I disconnect the trailer. FIVE My coach is in the link below along with a picture of it. It has a 10K tow rating and my trailer is 7K rated and will be closer to 5K when it's being used - so I feel it will be fine. I don't know if you can tell from the image but I can assure you that I can't see behind the trailer when towing. I can see the fenders with the mirrors and of course someone a long way behind me is no problem. But I think it would be better to SEE somethings more directly behind it - so I'm hoping someone has a camera on their trailer. Can someone please tell me something? It seems all my posts so far are always double lined. But most of the others I see are single lined. Is there a setting I'm missing OR after a certain number of posts will it go to single lined text in my posts? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.