Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Robert & Linda on February 03, 2015, 11:39:32 pm

Title: Changing out backup camera & air grill of a '99 U270
Post by: Robert & Linda on February 03, 2015, 11:39:32 pm
Could use some helpful hints.
We have owned our rig since April 2014. After owning a 2005 PleasureWay Plateau & a 2011 Winnebago View, I must admit the learning curve for doing minor repairs/maintenance on the 99' U270 is much steeper than I imagined. I have managed to diagnose & get proper repair for several major items on the road (aged weeping coolant supply/return lines at the filter, leaky lift fuel pump and replacing the aged engine/generator compartments insulation. I have even been able to track down the elusive AUDIT 9T6 System & with TimRVCams help, replaced the original monitor. It is the camera replacement that is currently giving me fits.

The original camera is in a approx 2"x2"X3" box that is welded to the rear air vent grill @ the passenger & driver sides. Access to removing the nuts on the grill studs is very restrictive to say the least & no outside rear access appears possible . Searing the Forum, I found a great effort at replacing the rear view camera on a 2000 Foretravel but unfortunately it was done in 2003 by Dick Mason, Prescott, AZ. Has anyone completed this change over recently & haw best would a novice go about the task?
Thanks
Robert Garnett
TravelswithCharley
Ashland OR
Title: Re: Changing out backup camera & air grill of a '99 U270
Post by: Dave Katsuki on February 04, 2015, 01:56:43 am
Hi Robert,

When we had our 99 U270 repainted at Xtreme a couple of years ago, I bought an externally mounted camera and had Xtreme paint it to match the rear.  I just mounted it over the old camera location and fed the new wire in beside the old camera and sealed with Dicor.  Not as slick as the original one, but works a whole lot better (color, wider angle, IR, etc.)  I reused the original wiring.  It's been working great.  Got a cheap monitor on Amazon to replace the original CRT, and I expected to have to replace it, but has worked fine for 2 years.  When/if it fails, I'm out $37 ;D .

Don't have a good shot of the new camera, but I'll take one tomorrow and post it.

I got the camera on eBay.

Rear View Backup Camera Color Infrared Night Vision CCD Audio Safety Silver... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/REAR-VIEW-BACKUP-CAMERA-COLOR-INFRARED-NIGHT-VISION-CCD-AUDIO-SAFETY-SILVER-/260492076664?)


Title: Re: Changing out backup camera & air grill of a '99 U270
Post by: amos.harrison on February 04, 2015, 08:12:19 am
I was able to remove my camera using small wrenches, then installed RVCam's recommended camera in the same position as the original camera using RTV.  It's worked fine for many years.
Title: Re: Changing out backup camera & air grill of a '99 U270
Post by: Ed on February 04, 2015, 11:02:49 am
I have the same camera that Dave K posted.

Works great. The night vision is very good.

I spliced the connectors onto my existing cable.
Title: Re: Changing out backup camera & air grill of a '99 U270
Post by: Johnstons on February 04, 2015, 11:58:05 am
I feel your pain trying to get the grill off.  I wound up cutting a little bigger opening behind the panel in the bin over the bed.  The contortions aren't meant for a 67 year old with bifocals but I got it done. 

We bought a camera and monitor from Tim and it works great.  I fished a new cable to the front because the signal wasn't working well through the old one after splicing new ends on it. The wire gauge was much smaller on the existing cable than the new one.

The mistake I made was not cutting the camera opening quite big enough. The field of vision is fine but the infrared sort of reflects back to the camera after dark because the opening is too small.  I may correct that in another life.