RV Camera Recommendations

[kthaxton]

I sometimes pull doubles and other times have bikes on the back of the 5th wheel. I like to know what is going on back there, so a couple years ago I made the mistake of buying a cheap Amazon wireless unit that used an existing tablet. Horrible experience.

I'd like to get a wired unit this time, I'm hoping a decent one exists for a few hundred bucks. Any recommendations? Note, this is not just for backing up, I will have it on all the time while traveling.

TIA

 

[Topzide]

I have found that these small cameras vary widely in price but have same quality. I would look for one that has a housing to protect from the elements. On Ebay, there are some nice 7" monitors that accept up to 4 cameras, some with a DVR function! That way you could also add side cameras to the trailer. The monitors have a trigger wire which allows you to have side cameras go full screen with turn signal or you could make a box with switches to put any camera full screen. You'll even find teardrop cameras that would work very well on the sides. Lots of options out there. Biggest thing is the trailer to truck connection! Great project to under take, hoping that I can figure out the time to add cameras that I've got on shelf to put on the truck! Monitor location is the biggest hold up!

 

[bcbender]

I'll be watching this as I have some similar ambitions if I can ever find the time to take them on..

 

[GAmes]

I also double tow and I've thought about a camera too. The 5er is relatively short (27 ft) so I think a wireless can be had. I really don't know how I could string wire without it looking like a hack job. The monitor is my hangup too.

 

[AH64ID]

I also double tow and I've thought about a camera too. The 5er is relatively short (27 ft) so I think a wireless can be had. I really don't know how I could string wire without it looking like a hack job. The monitor is my hangup too.

My truck has the OEM trailer camera. While I have not wired it yet I plan to run it with the 7pin, then down to the underbelly and up the back. I’m not sure yet how I’ll get the wire up the back wall to the camera, or how high I’ll mount the camera. I have a large back window so the camera will either be quite low or very high.

So I’m open to all ideas on getting a wire up the back wall.

 

[BarryG]

Some trailers have wire already up there for a camera, you still have to find it but getting a schematic from the manufacturer might be helpful for that.
Unfortunately mine is not prewired. I always thought it would be great to have a camera back there but wasn't willing to go with a dedicated screen on previous trucks. However like yours I have the two different camera cables at the back of the truck and can use the truck screen or the digital reaview mirror. I may be wrong but I think one connector uses the rearview mirror but the other one use the center stack screen.

While perhaps not the best option you could use some wire mold either on the inside or even the outside. I am still on the fence of running it inside or outside For the inside, have it come up through the floor in the back corner. In my trailer there is reclining chair there so it wouldn't be very noticeable if at all, run it up the wall in the corner. On my back wall above the window I have a cabinet run, get the wire mold into the cabinets run it across to the appropriate place and drill a hole to the outside. However inside does mean you are drilling holes from the inside to the outside and the potential for the dreaded water leak is increased.

Some of the wire mold is pretty small such as
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand...NIzDstUTpuwRXY0tAPdtScBjtG2SQjB2m8pgcjGQxTLRA

I have used this stuff before it is noticeable depending on where you run it but it is pretty small and it is paintable. I have even wall papered it to match the wall paper in a couple of instances where it would otherwise stick out like a sore thumb. Being an rv you might be able to get some of the seam tape that matches the interior of your rv and cover it with that. Another option to hide it would be to put a piece of for lack of a better term some crown molding going up vertically in the corner.
Of course doing it on the outside would probably be easier. Just run it down the frame rail in conduit, wire loom etc, have it go vertical at the rear of the trailer just use a different/steel type of wire mold or conduit run it up behind the ladder if you have one up to your desired height and then across, seal the heck out of the joints and the ends with your favorite type of sealant to make it water tight.

 

[AH64ID]

I thought that prewired for a camera means 12V power for a wireless camera, not a video cable running from the rear to the front. Is that not correct?

On your ‘22 the single plug in the bumper (drivers side) is for the rear view mirror only. A camera plugged into the 12-pin would show up on the center stack.

If you have the 5th wheel prep then you have a 12-pin in the bumper and the bed, but only one is hooked up. Rumor is that Ram left enough slack for you to move the wiring as needed under the truck.

The DRVM camera connection is only in the bumper, but can be moved to the bed but the 7/12 pin with a 1’ extension. This is what I plan to do.

 

[bcbender]

I was planning on running mine inside through the cabinets in the back and then out the back wall.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Many tie into the ICC lights at the back, you need lights on to make the camera send signal to the monitor in the truck. Dad has a Furrion with their largest monitor. It works well.

 

[kthaxton]

I thought that prewired for a camera means 12V power for a wireless camera, not a video cable running from the rear to the front. Is that not correct?

While I haven't looked into it myself, a couple people I have talked to mentioned their trailers were pre wired, front to back, to accommodate a video cable, even on some low end trailers.

 

[AH64ID]

While I haven't looked into it myself, a couple people I have talked to mentioned their trailers were pre wired, front to back, to accommodate a video cable, even on some low end trailers.

Cool, not something I’ve seen or seen advertised.

I have seen people confuse their solar plug on the A-Frame with the “pre-wired” for a camera, only to point out that it’s solar wiring. The camera wiring was just 12V, and a mounting platform. Not saying that the only way, just all I’ve seen.

Any examples of brands doing this?

 

[kthaxton]

I don't recall.....if I come across the coworker who told me about his, I'll chime back in.

 

[SnoKing]

Many tie into the ICC lights at the back, you need lights on to make the camera send signal to the monitor in the truck. Dad has a Furrion with their largest monitor. It works well.

Running the camera power from running lights in quite a few cases causes low voltage to the camera. I added a on/off (round turn switch in picture) to a rear wall sconce light to my Furrion obersvation camera(as in you can have it on while driving) https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-RV_Camera_System-sf-Observation_Camera.aspx . I had a 39 foot 5th wheel and never had wifi distance issues. I could drive almost a city block away from the trailer without losing signal. You get what you pay for!

 

[BimmerAgent]

I have had the Haloview RD7 wireless setup for over a couple of years now. It fit into the Furrion mount on the rear of my fiver, so now I can see my boat while towing tandem. It works really well, and at the time, was reasonably priced. Works really well as a backup cam when not towing tandem, and you can side cameras on the fiver if you want to as well.

 

[kthaxton]

Cool, not something I’ve seen or seen advertised.

I have seen people confuse their solar plug on the A-Frame with the “pre-wired” for a camera, only to point out that it’s solar wiring. The camera wiring was just 12V, and a mounting platform. Not saying that the only way, just all I’ve seen.

Any examples of brands doing this?

So your assumption was right....I talked to him today and I misunderstood him and he also wasn't very clear when he told me "it was prewired", he told me this while I was discussing my desire for a wired system...thus my misunderstanding.

 

[AH64ID]

So your assumption was right....I talked to him today and I misunderstood him and he also wasn't very clear when he told me "it was prewired", he told me this while I was discussing my desire for a wired system...thus my misunderstanding.

Thanks for the follow up.

 

[Ozymandias]

I sometimes pull doubles and other times have bikes on the back of the 5th wheel. I like to know what is going on back there, so a couple years ago I made the mistake of buying a cheap Amazon wireless unit that used an existing tablet. Horrible experience.

I'd like to get a wired unit this time, I'm hoping a decent one exists for a few hundred bucks. Any recommendations? Note, this is not just for backing up, I will have it on all the time while traveling.

TIA

A cheap Amazon cam can't be the solution for a difficult setup.

I wouldn't rule out the wireless solution because of that experience. There are many different products out there from what I've seen. Some even work with a repeater for setups like long fifth wheels and such.
Price varies greatly from just a couple bucks to several hundred dollars.

 

[CVR222NV]

Any options out there that use an iPad? I already have an iPad set up on a Ram mount that I use for my On X Hunt maps and don't want another screen in the truck.

 

[Ozymandias]

Any options out there that use an iPad? I already have an iPad set up on a Ram mount that I use for my On X Hunt maps and don't want another screen in the truck.

For truck or trailer? Range is important.
Some are for Android so I guess there is a good chance that there is some for Apple too.

 

[CVR222NV]

For truck or trailer? Range is important.
Some are for Android so I guess there is a good chance that there is some for Apple too.

Ozy I am mainly concerned with the truck because for now I have no plans to tow anything behind my trailer. But I'm still interested in a multiple camera setup: front, back and bed for the gooseneck.