Monitoring Suspension & Tires

[Cate&Rob]

My Garmin Nav System has a "back up" camera input. For years I have had this camera on the back of the trailer, but seldom use it because the "fish eye" lens has too short a focal length to be useful as a rear observation camera and I much prefer using my mirrors and spotter Cate when backing into a campsite.

So . . . it occurred to me that I would much rather use this camera to watch the trailer tires, axles and suspension when there is any question about whether that last pothole did any damage, or the Tireminder has lost a transmitter signal. This turned out to be an easy project. This camera now watches the trailer suspension and tires . . . whenever I want it to . Although we seldom travel at night, I will probably add night time lighting .

Rob

[Country Campers]

Rob

Pretty good idea. Have Cate drive because I think you will be watching this too much.

Adding light for night time driving is a good idea but check with the LEO's first , not sure how they would like a trailer going down the road with the bottom lit up and glowing.

Brian

[Superduty]

Rob,
Hum. I have two Garmins. Guess what I’m going to do?
That is a clever idea. Added to Mod List.

[howson]

My Garmin Nav System has a "back up" camera input. For years I have had this camera on the back of the trailer, but seldom use it because the "fish eye" lens has too short a focal length to be useful as a rear observation camera and I much prefer using my mirrors and spotter Cate when backing into a campsite.

So . . . it occurred to me that I would much rather use this camera to watch the trailer tires, axles and suspension when there is any question about whether that last pothole did any damage, or the Tireminder has lost a transmitter signal. This turned out to be an easy project. This camera now watches the trailer suspension and tires . . . whenever I want it to . Although we seldom travel at night, I will probably add night time lighting .

Rob

Very clever, Rob.

My RV770 can take an input from a camera--when I run out of other projects I might give it a go. Would be interesting to compare videos of different suspension systems working under load, severe angles (backup up), etc.

[bertschb]

Great idea Rob!

[Txfivver]

Wow what a great idea! Except of course now we can watch the carnage in real time when a tire lets go lol. My to do list keeps getting longer and longer and..... My Solitude will weigh 30,000 pounds when I get all these mods added

[Cate&Rob]

Adding light for night time driving is a good idea but check with the LEO's first , not sure how they would like a trailer going down the road with the bottom lit up and glowing.

My plan for the lights is to have these on a wireless remote . . . for use only if I need them. The camera has infrared night vision . . . I have to wait for dark to see how well this works.

Rob

[Calbar]

Great idea Rob. I have a second camera coming for my backup camera system. Was going to use this as a dash cam. Might just have to do this instead.

Rob

[Cate&Rob]

Update: "Night Vision" . . . The Garmin camera is supposed to be able to "see" at night. Not sufficient . . . more to follow on the night lighting plan .

Rob

[Guest]

Great idea Rob. I've used a GoPro for this but it has limitations in turning it on and off. Now you need to figure out how to gather recordings.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Great idea Rob. I've used a GoPro for this but it has limitations in turning it on and off. Now you need to figure out how to gather recordings.

Jim

Hi Jim,

This is definitely not GoPro level video or recording quality. This is just fairly low resolution live camera video that (hopefully) can show me whether anything has gone amiss while travelling. After any particularly rough section of interstate, I will usually look for a travel center or pull off location to stop and inspect things. This should allow me to do these "inspections" on the fly.

Rob

[Guest]

Hi Jim,

This is definitely not GoPro level video or recording quality. This is just fairly low resolution live camera video that (hopefully) can show me whether anything has gone amiss while travelling. After any particularly rough section of interstate, I will usually look for a travel center or pull off location to stop and inspect things. This should allow me to do these "inspections" on the fly.

Rob

Rob,

You have come up with a great idea where several camera's on these rigs could benefit us. I have a backup camera but it doesn't provide the coverage and depth that I need to trust it for backing into a campsite with overhanging limbs. So I use it primarily to navigate around vehicles on the interstate along with my mirrors. The DW is the best bet for watching for obstructions while backing into a campsite.

Jim

[Canyonlight]

Rob - another ingenious idea on the long list from you ! Now when you miss seeing in real time the critter crossing the road with your dash cam, you can quickly turn your attention and watch him under the trailer !

Dan

[Second Chance]

My Garmin Nav System has a "back up" camera input. For years I have had this camera on the back of the trailer, but seldom use it because the "fish eye" lens has too short a focal length to be useful as a rear observation camera and I much prefer using my mirrors and spotter Cate when backing into a campsite.

So . . . it occurred to me that I would much rather use this camera to watch the trailer tires, axles and suspension when there is any question about whether that last pothole did any damage, or the Tireminder has lost a transmitter signal. This turned out to be an easy project. This camera now watches the trailer suspension and tires . . . whenever I want it to . Although we seldom travel at night, I will probably add night time lighting .

Rob

One question and one caution:

Question: Do you have time to watch the road?

Caution: As for the lighting, in some states in the US (such as Nevada), it's illegal to have white lights under a vehicle - especially if they can be see from the rear.

(Another) Rob