Furrion camera issues and possible replacement

[kb0zke]

In February, 2023, we purchased our new 2022 Reflection 315 RLTS. Among other things already installed was a Furrion backup camera. That camera was supposed to use our iPhones as a monitor. It never really worked, so when we were back in January of this year for the final work before the warranty was out I asked them to check the camera. It seems that the original camera not only didn't work on our trailer, it didn't work on anyone's trailer. Furrion authorized a replacement that uses a monitor on the dash. It worked just fine - for six weeks or so. Twice, while driving through Phoenix it seemed to freeze up and cut out, but then came back and worked just fine. We got back to The Ranch in mid-February and the system was working fine.

The last couple of weeks prior to heading out the monitor would sometimes come on by itself. Of course, with no camera connected, it couldn't show anything. When we hooked up last week to head out there was nothing. I tried pairing it without success. Someone mentioned that there is a button on the bottom of the camera that must be pushed, and I found a reference to that in what passes for a manual. This afternoon I climbed up to push that button while Jo Ann was in the truck to push the pairing button. Nothing.

At this point we've owned the trailer for about 16 months and have had a working backup camera for a little over a month. I've had it with Furrion junk. I'll replace it with something better. Is the Halovision still the top pick? I'm thinking that if I'm going to get something better maybe I should spring for a two-camera system and have one camera on the bed cap pointed down at the hitch area. The truck's backup camera works well enough to get me close and Jo Ann talks me in the last couple of inches, but that camera goes off as soon as I shift out of reverse.

 

[Soundsailor]

Many on this forum have the Halovision and it works well for them. We have the AMTIFO, it has worked well for us and is much less expensive than the Halovision. The AMTIFO is designed to replace the Furrion camera and should be an easy install.

 

[BoredWeasel]

The camera freezing in urban areas and around military bases is normal. The signal disappears because the amount of radio signals in the area is more powerful than the signal from your camera. a less expensive option would be to get an antenna extension from the camera and mount it on the roof of the trailer.

 

[kb0zke]

Right now the monitor says there is NO signal from the camera. Blue light on the camera is on.

 

[BoredWeasel]

Right now the monitor says there is NO signal from the camera. Blue light on the camera is on.

Furrion is lippert so it wouldnt surprise me if the new one is dead.

Troubleshooting, check the antennas and make sure they are all tight, change their angle? I would try moving the display closer to the camera, while parked, and see if it is a weak signal issue.

 

[kb0zke]

I heard back from Furrion/Lippert today. I need to take the camera down and plug it into the same power cord as the monitor. Then it should sync. I'll try that today. If that doesn't work then I'll replace it with a better system.

Soundsailor, I'll check out the one you suggested.

 

[kb0zke]

This afternoon I got out the ladder and climbed up to see what I could figure out. First I had Jo Ann move the monitor as far out as possible, but that didn't work. Then I tried pulling the camera so I could plug it into the monitor like Furrion/Lippert suggested. No plug. I was able to verify that the camera power connections are tight.

At this point I'm going to just wait until we get to Escapade. If Furrion/Lippert is there and wants to look at it, fine. If not, I'm in the market for another camera. While it would be great to buy one at Escapade (lower taxes), we may have to wait until we get to Nebraska and order one.

 

[kb0zke]

I told Furrion/Lippert that there was no connection to plug the camera into the monitor's power supply. I also said that, if they had someone at Escapade who was willing to look at it, that would be great. Otherwise I'll just toss the Furrion system and replace it with something else. I immediately got a request for a picture of the camera. I sent them a picture of the monitor and the camera mounted on the trailer. I'm not going to get out a ladder and take the camera down again just to take a picture.

 

[Bungy]

I told Furrion/Lippert that there was no connection to plug the camera into the monitor's power supply. I also said that, if they had someone at Escapade who was willing to look at it, that would be great. Otherwise I'll just toss the Furrion system and replace it with something else. I immediately got a request for a picture of the camera. I sent them a picture of the monitor and the camera mounted on the trailer. I'm not going to get out a ladder and take the camera down again just to take a picture.

My Furrion camera system came with a "Y" pigtail to connect both the camera and monitor to a usb power supply.

 

[Don_in_VA]

We have the Amtiflo, too. We’ve been using it for about 10 months now and the only issue so far was a blown fuse (in the TV) that caused our running lights to stop working. I’m not sure what caused the fuse to blow but it’s working again (in the driveway) and we’re taking a 300 mile trip Thursday, so we’ll see if it was a fluke or there’s a deeper cause.

It works perfectly with the prewiring for the Furion. You take a plate off the back of the trailer, plug the camera in and mount it to the trailer (4 screws), then plug your receiver/screen in to a cigarette lighter plug and it works when you turn your headlights on. It’s super simple.

 

[Lance Glogowsky]

I just finished installing the Haloview cameras. Including both side mounted cameras. They seem to be working well. My friend installed the Haloview before I did. He loves it and recommended it to me. Less expensive than Furrion ripping you off.

 

[uwskier]

I have the Haloview with the range extender mounted just behind the front cap of my TT. It's awesome. Completely indispensable part of my towing setup since I use it as my rearview mirror when towing. I couldn't imagine owning and towing without it, especially when paired with the excellent cameras in the 2024 GM trucks.

I also use it as a set of perimeter security cameras at night when parked somewhere I don't feel 100% certain. I rewired my running lights to be powered from the 12v power source of my pass-through lighting with a dedicated switch in the pass-through to turn those lights, and with them, the cameras, on and off independent of the TV.

 

[kb0zke]

Anyone use the system from roadmatedvr.com in place of the Furrion? There is a vendor here with that system for $435. Looks interesting.

 

[Soundsailor]

Anyone use the system from roadmatedvr.com in place of the Furrion? There is a vendor here with that system for $435. Looks interesting.

Assume you mean $345, that's the price on their website. Why does it look interesting to you? It doesn't have a monitor forcing you to tie up your phone. For under $100, the AMTIFO comes with a monitor, has the same 1080 resolution, can support up to 4 cameras, and is built to replace the Furrion. Maybe I'm biased (that's the camera I have), am I missing something?

 

[kb0zke]

No, the price on the website is $435 https://www.roadmatedvr.com/product_details.php?item_id=60 and has a 7" monitor.

The reason I was interested is that it is here, now. I'd have to order anything else, which means that the next 700 miles will be without a camera. Of course, I've driven most of the past year without one...

 

[Soundsailor]

No, the price on the website is $435 https://www.roadmatedvr.com/product_details.php?item_id=60 and has a 7" monitor.

The reason I was interested is that it is here, now. I'd have to order anything else, which means that the next 700 miles will be without a camera. Of course, I've driven most of the past year without one...

OK, I see now. The one I was looking at used your phone. My other comments still stand. Pretty sure Amazon could have the AMTIFO waiting for you at your next stop.

 

[kb0zke]

Today I noticed another vendor that looked like he might have cameras, but I didn't have time to check then, so will check in the morning when they open up. I've pretty well settled on the Amtifo A9 two camera set for $180 (https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bac...-B07F8Q4NHY/dp/B07F8Q4NHY/ref=dp_ob_title_wld). If the vendor here has that one I'll get it. If not I'll order it when we get to Lincoln.

After looking at the Haloview sets I noticed that most of them use a transmitter that mounts somewhere on the roof of the trailer, wired to the actual camera. With the solar panels on the roof I'm not sure that there would be a place that would be good enough to mount that, and then there is the cable running outside. Looks like more headaches than it is worth.

The one I originally found is the most expensive of the ones I've mentioned in this thread. The camera and monitor are made in Taiwan, which may account for some of the higher price. The camera lens is supposed to be made in Japan, but I couldn't verify that.

The Amtifo I linked to at the beginning of this post comes with two cameras, which is what I want. One camera will replace the Furrion and the other will be mounted on the truck looking at the hitch. It would be great to mount it to the front of the trailer, but I suspect that that might be more work than I want to tackle now.

 

[RV2600RB]

I have enough stuff to watch, idiot drivers, mirrors, road construction, etc. without having to try to look at a rear view camera monitor.
That’s what mirrors are for. Just my 2 cents.
Rich

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I have a Haloview RD7 with range extender. Been a great system. But, like Rich..I don't really use it for driving. I have it aimed down at my boat to keep an eye on it when I'm 'B'-training.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

The only time I use ours while driving is if I'm on a limited sight two lane and want to see who, if anyone, is behind me, and how close. Since with a 5th wheel, the rear view mirror is useless, I use the monitor in place of the rear view mirror. Hence, not an addition, but a substitution.