Member Since: 16 Apr 2019
Location: Forth
Posts: 6
Rear Camera *that sees the towball*
I'm looking to install a rear camera in my '08 HSE [Logic 7]
Very specifically, I'm looking for a camera that will help me hitch the trailer solo.
Yes, I can align the car using the side-markers on the trailer as a guide [but I can only only do that if I come in square]
Yes, I can learn to judge distance better [actually, after *cough* years, I'm still crap at it]
... and none of the cameras I've seen view low enough to get the towball.
The only solution I've seen is where someone tied the camera to the breakaway-hoop... but that's not ideal for the breakaway cable
What else is out there?
8th Aug 2019 8:47 am
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
Land Rover's Hitch Assist is excellent - shows line back to 'van then automatically zooms into the tow bar - I have on our D4 BUT it was a factory fit option. LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
8th Aug 2019 8:56 am
PilotCustard
Member Since: 16 Apr 2019
Location: Forth
Posts: 6
Sadly, I don't think that's retro-fittable to a D3
(but I'd *love* to hear otherwise!!)
8th Aug 2019 9:33 am
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
I use a Swift Hitch and it's brilliant, I just stick the camera on the upper tailgate facing down to the towbar and the screen just sits on the dash where the sat nav screen is.
It lets me hook up first time everytime, the battery's seem to last forever as I have owned it for over 10 years and have only charged it once.
The other useful thing is that sometimes I stick on the trailer blindside so I can be sure I am not hitting whatever I can't see.
I had a Disco 4 with the reversing camera which showed the towbar which was great, but this is a good second choice.
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
My OEM camera sees the towball (just). Fantastic for hitching up.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
8th Aug 2019 3:29 pm
Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2329
I fitted one to my 08 XS with the GVIF unit, I bought the standard cmos camera from eBay and modified the case so the angle of the camera picked up the tow bar, photo of what could be seen ( in this case the rear bumper as the tow ball wasn’t fitted) but when it was fitted I could see the ball
If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
8th Aug 2019 4:41 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
I did the same, very good but the D4 that changes view and magnifies the tow ball around 100 times is the dogs danglies It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
8th Aug 2019 5:04 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
i fitted one like this just fitted it in to the tow ball cover reversed up popped out cover and then came back 2 inches
Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
8th Aug 2019 5:30 pm
DieselD
Member Since: 24 May 2019
Location: Wells
Posts: 82
Reversing camera
Hi I`ve just fitted a camera to look at my tow hitch, it`s an Echo Master camera from Halfords and fitted to the underside of the tailgate handle and wired into the sat nav screen. works a treat for some of the jobs I do.
8th Aug 2019 6:00 pm
PilotCustard
Member Since: 16 Apr 2019
Location: Forth
Posts: 6
Quote:
it`s an Echo Master camera from Halfords and fitted to the underside of the tailgate handle and wired into the sat nav screen.
75 quid and they fit.... that could be fun for them
(I wonder what their opt-out clause is )
8th Aug 2019 8:50 pm
DieselD
Member Since: 24 May 2019
Location: Wells
Posts: 82
Hi ,I spoke to my Indi Landy garage and they said let Halfords fit it for £75 so I did and they fitted it without any problems, I just supplied the Fakra to RCA adaptor to plug into the Sat Nav.
9th Aug 2019 3:51 pm
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
Do you have any pictures of how it looks on the screen, also did halfords remove your sat nav screen or had you already done it?
Very interested in having this done myself if its only £75 for fitting plus the camera.David
9th Aug 2019 4:34 pm
DieselD
Member Since: 24 May 2019
Location: Wells
Posts: 82
Hi, Halfords wired it in I told them the route I wanted the cable to run and supplied the adaptor to plug into the back of the Disco Sat Nav unit.
At the moment I have to view the camera via the service screen but that suits my needs very well for now in the future I may do the RRS mod .
I will take some photos over the weekend when it stops raining !! to show the camera and how it looks on the screen
Regards Dave
9th Aug 2019 6:15 pm
davidhem
Member Since: 21 Feb 2013
Location: Kenilworth
Posts: 710
That would great thank youDavid
9th Aug 2019 6:47 pm
DieselD
Member Since: 24 May 2019
Location: Wells
Posts: 82
Hi here are some pics of the camera and sat-nav screen
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