[2010]

I think you are going to find that a portable and wireless solution is going to be much more practical for you (and cheaper). Also, don't think for a minute that getting a backup camera is going to alleviate the issues you brought up because it will not.

For starters, you need to get to be really good (and comfortable) at backing up your camper. Go to an empty parking lot with some cones and practice.

Second, your wife will need to get good at helping you backup. Come up with an agreed upon system of hand signals and phrases and just remember to keep your cool, if she screws up I can promise it was not intentional; shit happens.

A backup camera can certainly help, however, it could also end up hurting you since you will be drawn to the camera display and you will not be checking your mirrors or your truck enough. Remember, your truck will be doing something completely different than the trailer when you are backing and if you are mainly concentrating on what is behind the trailer then you will eventually miss something that is next to your truck...until you hit it anyway. Personally, even with a backup camera I would not do any serious backing with my camper unless I had a human guide to rely upon.

 

[2010]

The shorter the trailer the more of a pain in the azz it is to back it up because it immediately just jack knives to all hell. I used to hate backing my tiny little jetski trailer because of that.

Oh, thank God! Someone who understands my predicament! My wife and I have trouble communicating calmly and clearly in zero-pressure situations, much less when blocking traffic on the highway in front of our house trying to thread a needle with a rope! I always loved my bu camera when using my motorhome (and my truck, for that matter) but I understand that the trailer changes the calculus quite a bit. Hopefully I will become proficient quickly and such aides will not be necessary. I just know that I have a terrible time backing my 8' utility trailer... but I've heard that short-tongue, stubby trailers are a lot more squirrelly. We'll see. Thanks for all the feedback, guys!