Hitch Camera Comments

PeterInSa · Guru

Hitch Camera Comments

Corndoggy · Senior Member

As for the camera the saying "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. Saying that I have no idea on the quality of it. I did buy an Oricom wireless camera after watching a few YouTube reviews but I was a little disappointed in the video quality. It did have a good range on wifi though. If you used it enough you might get used to the video quality. I don't use mine often enough, sits in the drawers in the back of the ute. I just might have expected too much from it.

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Looks like a nice little camera. Specs are ok. Know nothing about off road hitches but that drawing of the approach angles are highly exaggerated.

Plain Truth · Guru

Ark couplings are similar to Alko,they can get to extreme angles.

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

I'd like to see this in real life.

kgarnett · Senior Member

The ebay camera you have linked has a 150Deg field of view. I would suggest that is far too wide.
I would think a field of view of say 40-45 Deg would be more appropriate for a hitch camera.

Dick0 · Guru

Hi Peter, I have a similar setup.

Alko swivel coupling similar to the Ark.

Wifi portable camera with magnetic holder.

12v car adapter power supply.

My Jeep already has a reversing camera but not accurate to see the couplings lined up. So, I use this camera system as an addition.

I also use this camera for when I back onto the wheel risers. Being a solo traveler I have nobody to guide me.

Works well with good clarity and no transmission problems to the mobile phone at 10 meters.

Links below:

175°WiFi Wireless Car Rear View Cam Backup Reverse Camera For iPhone Android IOS | eBay Australia

Universal 12V DC Car Charger Cable Cigarette Lighter Plug to 5.5mm x 2.1mm Power | eBay Australia

Universal Magnetic Magnet Dashboard Mobile Phone Holder Dash Car Mount Stand | eBay Australia

-- Edited by Dick0 on Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 04:45:06 PM

Wol · Member

The ALKO off road only needs to be near enough , when you lower it on the socket essentially pulls it on to the ball from within a half inch or more in any direction. That is my experience every time we use it. So maybe you dont need a camera. The articulation is excellent.

regards

Ian G · Senior Member

I have the ALCO and I think they are great, still need a camera though, the Isuzu camera is perfect.

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi DickO, Wol, Ian G and All, Thanks for your comments.

If you have purchased the ALKO Fitting for the 50mm Ball, did you compare it with the ARK unit prior to purchase?

A mate has the ARK unit so maybe I am a bit biased, he has a camera does not need partners help and has no probs..

Compared to the standard hitch, its easy for me to see when its locked onto the ball, I then use the Clip to confirm it, compared to the ARK with the lever over the passenger side and not showing the red dot, or the ALKO with handle down snug..

Appreciate your comments

Alko Vid of 9 years ago for 50mm Ball, Not their latest design, its similar to the D035 with a Spike. (That I am not interested in )

www.youtube.com/watch

Dick0 · Guru

Hi Peter, I did compare the two and thought the Alko has a more positive feel. Just a personal observation.

I made up a pin to keep the spring loaded handle in the up position until the coupling can be lowered down onto the ball.

The pin was simply made up of several washers with a bolt through the washers and keeps the sprung handle in the up (open) position. I can provide a photo if required.

With the coupling at the correct height and angled back at about 45deg you can back the tow ball into the coupling with the aid of a reversing camera. Just takes a little practice.

Also, as mentioned by Wol, you can be 1-2cms out either side and still be able to couple up with a pull and a shove of the A-Frame.

Plain Truth · Guru

We got our van in about 2013-14 it came with a Alko hitch, no problems hooking up or un -hooking on angles, works well in extreme angles when towing.

Only complaint, it has a separate cap to stop it swiveling when hitching up,have to be careful not to lose the cap.

Dick0 · Guru

Plain Truth wrote:
We got our van in about 2013-14 it came with a Alko hitch, no problems hooking up or un -hooking on angles, works well in extreme angles when towing.
Only complaint, it has a separate cap to stop it swiveling when hitching up,have to be careful not to lose the cap.

Interesting, I've never seen this coupling before.

PeterInSa · Guru

2 Things

Dick 0, Re (I made up a pin to keep the spring loaded handle in the up position until the coupling can be lowered down onto the ball.)
Would Appreciate a Photo either on the Forum or a PM. Thanks

When we leave our Van in the Bush unattended, I use a Towball Lock as well as wheel clamps on the front wheels of our Tandem van. Also have a Tracking System.

Will my Tow Ball Lock as per below that I currently use, Fit the Alko 3.5 Ton Hitch as above ( ie the 50mm towball version)

www.ebay.com.au/itm/298291318737

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 5th of June 2026 02:18:46 PM

Ian G · Senior Member

Yes it will Peter, I have the Alko and I have that same lock. Not sure what Dicko is talking about with his pin, my Alko has a small spring loaded lever on the side that keeps the handle in the up position, same lever has a slot in it for a padlock.

Dick0 · Guru

Ian G wrote:
Yes it will Peter, I have the Alko and I have that same lock. Not sure what Dicko is talking about with his pin, my Alko has a small spring loaded lever on the side that keeps the handle in the up position, same lever has a slot in it for a padlock.

Some pics to clarify my previous posts...

This is the Alko hitch I have:

Alko Hitch.jpg

This is the pin I refer to. It is made up of 6 washers and a bolt:

The pin keeps the sprung handle in the open position during the coupling operation.

Coupling locked (when towing & camping) with a high tensile Abloy security pad lock:

When tow ball and coupling are lined up I lower the coupling onto the tow ball and remove the pin and the handle locks onto the tow ball.

Wol · Member

Looks good.

regards

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

There are good things and bad things about using a 50mm ball.
It is not possible on my vehicle due to the strict height requirements that a 50mm ball must be used at between 350mm and 460mm from the ground to the center of the ball.
Also, if your tow vehicle exceeds 5T GVM, the tow capacity is derated from its 3.5T rating.
Cheers,
Peter

PeterInSa · Guru

Thanks for your comments especially, Dick 0.

I purchased the Alko tow ball unit along with the Bolts, Hand Brake and Base Plate from Trailer Camper Aust. Who seem to have the best price..

Have told my friend of my change of allegiance, mainly because I think the Alko has more visibility in the locked state and furthermore you can use a padlock or Clip as well. As someone who will not see 70 again, I am just wary if I am interrupted during a hook up with the ARK unit, I may forget to flip the switch/locking lever.

A Padlocked ALKO Hitch would make it that much harder to steal the van off the cruiser.

trailercamperaustralia.com.au/products/alko-3-5t-off-road-coupling-50mm-ball-electric-brake-offroad-trailer-caravan

Radar · Guru

From the peanut gallery.

Best investment for the improvement of the ride and handling of our car and caravan, outlay in 2019 of $225 on special at a local caravan parts sales in Brisbane. Never one to go lastest and greatest, possibly there is better but still has a similar rating 3500 kgs.

Only couple of weeks back I painted the hitch trying to get a better view when hitching up, red seems to be the go, we have can of red kill rust maybe yellow would be good.

IMG_20260608_102424_202~2.jpg

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Radar, hope you are well mate, it's been a few minutes since we have spoken?

I have my tow bar goose neck and ball cover painted safety yellow. It's saved my legs a few times when the Aluminium Tent is not on board and more than likely many in car parks as I reverse into spots as much as I can. Comes up good in the rear camera for when hooking up too.

Keep safe on the roads and out there (Including around the back of my tug)

Possum3 · Guru

Corndoggy wrote:
As for the camera the saying "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

That's not the case with the Nissan Y62 camera, they are certainly not cheap, just poorly designed - they are mounted 200mm off centre, which makes it difficult to say the least when aligning a DO35 coupling.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
I have my tow bar goose neck and ball cover painted safety yellow. It's saved my legs a few times when the Aluminium Tent is not on board

Much better and more considerate to remove it when not in use. Takes all of 30 seconds.

Cheers,

Peter

Are We Lost · Guru

As Peter said.

If you need paint to help you avoid bashing your shins on it then it is a hazard for pedestrians. In NSW at least (probably other states), the rules are clear.

"Towbars must not protrude dangerously when there is no trailer connected."

NSW Towing rules and advice

Magnarc · Guru

I would venture to say that there are more folks who leave it attached than not. In my case the thing was very heavy. If it was painted yellow it would surely not be hard to see. How many of the people on here have never broken a regulation??? (I can only think of a couple). If you can't see something that obvious, I suggest a trip to Specsavers may be the answer.

PS. Also adds some protection from any Richard Cranium that wants to make love to your vehicles rear end.

-- Edited by Magnarc on Monday 15th of June 2026 08:47:19 AM

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

I put one of those rubber bumpers around mine. Too many old farts around me who park by touch.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
I have my tow bar goose neck and ball cover painted safety yellow. It's saved my legs a few times when the Aluminium Tent is not on board
Much better and more considerate to remove it when not in use. Takes all of 30 seconds.
Cheers,
Peter

Peter, I appreciate your contributions to topics in most cases however, you don't tow a van much obviously and if you did you would or at least should know how much trouble it is to remove the bloody thing every time you stopped and had to go to the shops or wherever. Many times, I only travel and have one-night stands so would be a real pain to remove every day. Even if I was in one place for a few days, I wouldn't remove it, in any State or Territory.

In my case it mainly assists with reversing onto Van as I am solo. Between that and the camera it's connected quickly and easily. I have been travelling with my current set up for 12 years now, without any problem.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 15th of June 2026 02:34:57 PM

-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 15th of June 2026 02:38:14 PM

PeterInSa · Guru

I had issues with the camera I mentioned above, it is/was a nice looking camera But the manual was poorly organised, not detailed for my use, the cover showed another soft ware App that was not mentioned elsewhere. It was returned for a credit.

I have purchased Dick 0s camera and will power it during the hitch up from the rear Bumper Anderson Plug..
www.ebay.com.au/itm/334272665068

I hope No Grey Nomads were swayed by my initial purchase. If so Apologies.......

AI Overview
Customer feedback for the JXL Pro (often linked to the JXL Camera or JXLCAM app) is overwhelmingly negative across both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users consistently rate it 1-star, citing major issues with performance, reliability, and safety.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Monday 15th of June 2026 04:16:59 PM

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Monday 15th of June 2026 04:17:40 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Peter, I appreciate your contributions to topics in most cases however, you don't tow a van much obviously and if you did you would or at least should know how much trouble it is to remove the bloody thing every time you stopped and had to go to the shops or wherever. Many times, I only travel and have one-night stands so would be a real pain to remove every day. Even if I was in one place for a few days, I wouldn't remove it, in any State or Territory.
In my case it mainly assists with reversing onto Van as I am solo. Between that and the camera it's connected quickly and easily. I have been travelling with my current set up for 12 years now, without any problem.

I regularly tow a boat or other trailer.

You acknowledge that they can be dangerous, so you paint it. Being considerate to others in return for a tiny bit of inconvenience is "optional" in this world. Your choice.

Cheers,

Peter

Dick0 · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Peter, I appreciate your contributions to topics in most cases however, you don't tow a van much obviously and if you did you would or at least should know how much trouble it is to remove the bloody thing every time you stopped and had to go to the shops or wherever. Many times, I only travel and have one-night stands so would be a real pain to remove every day. Even if I was in one place for a few days, I wouldn't remove it, in any State or Territory.
In my case it mainly assists with reversing onto Van as I am solo. Between that and the camera it's connected quickly and easily. I have been travelling with my current set up for 12 years now, without any problem.

I regularly tow a boat or other trailer.
You acknowledge that they can be dangerous, so you paint it. Being considerate to others in return for a tiny bit of inconvenience is "optional" in this world. Your choice.
Cheers,
Peter

Maybe a boat or trailer but not a van when you are travelling camping. It is a struggle to remove the hitch, rather longer than you indicate and it is more than a bit of "inconvenience". Comments by Dougwe would relate to the majority of CARAVAN towing Grey Nomads.