Installing a Reversing (Back-up) Camera

[Jupp318]

I have been lucky enough to have been given a reversing camera & 7" Monitor for my Birthday.  Does anyone have any tips for installing such a system.  As I now have an '85 Chieftain I thought I would remove the centre top trim at the back of the rig and mount the camera on that.  The next problem is where to run the cable which needs to go all the way to the Dash.  Would it be possible to run the cable behind the drivers side corner trim to get the cable underneath the floor?, or would I need to remove that piece of trim also.  I would then run the cable inside the frame rail until I get to the Drivers area then bring the cable up behind the dash.

Any tips would as always be appreciated.

Cheers Ian...

[Froggy1936]

Jupp I am on my 3rd backup camera (and the last) water gets into the camera and ruins the image. This one i installed inside looking out thru rear window  (no water worries) I ran the cable along the roof and taped it up Not a big problem as my ceiling is painted . But it could be hidden along roof reinforcemet rail .  Works fantasticly I also have a work light on the rear for loading the boat onto the trailer at dusk . I have this light switched (in case its not needed) But when switched on it illuminates with camera.  Frank

[aaron7]

Could always go with a wireless unit too.

[Froggy1936]

I tried a wireless and it could not transmit the length of my 21 ft rig but actually from camera to screen was approx 15 ft  Frank

[doylexl]

I have an 84 chieftain 27' and I bought a swann home security camera from walmart for $39.00 and it came with a 60 ft cable which is the rca and power cord all in one . I screwed tge camera base into the plastic trim above the back window and ran the cable under the plastic trim down the right side. Then up the frame rail making sure to feep it away from the exhaust. Then I drilled a hole in the floor above the battery box. Then I took a small flat screen that I bought at the thrift store. The camera works very well and even shows up at night with no light.

[aaron7]

What an awesome idea! Why pay 3x as much for a cheesier backup cam!


TigerDirect sells a lot of surveillance stuff. Here's a good deal on a wired cam: [size=78%]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7563784&CatId=5200[/size]

[Jupp318]

Guys,

I have hit a problem, I've looked at the wiring diagrams and can see a switch for the backup lights but I cannot find it on the rig.  The transmission only has 1 wire going to it which I assume is the Neutral/Park starter switch.  Can anyone tell me where I can pick up the Backup light wire as close to the front of the vehicle as possible.  If I've read the diagrams correctly I'm looking for a Lt/Gn wire.

Cheers Ian...

[EarlJr]

Reverse lights are usually switched on/off at the shifter. I'd look around there.

[Nuttcaze]

You could just hook the camera up to a power wire and switch, then you could leave the cam on at all times when driving.

In my RV I bought a 7" LCD monitor that attaches to my rear view mirror, Then I have my rear view camera on at all times. Gives me a much better view of whats behind me then my actual rear view mirror ever did.

This is what my monitor looks like, I picked it up on ebay for $30, has 2 video inputs and a remote, I currently have 1 cam hooked to it and just ordered a 2nd cam to mount looking down the passenger side of my RV.

[MotorPro]

back up light switch in on the steering collumn. Hope you camera is water tight. Took me 3 returns all to differant companies before I got a good one.

[Nuttcaze]

I've had one of these mounted on the back of my rv for about a year now and it still works great, its mounted under my middle marker light near the top of my rv. Its been through a full winter now and still works fine, low light quality isn't the best but I have extra LED lights mounted in the back to help see at night. The cam was only like $15 on ebay

[Jupp318]

Thanks Guys,

It's working!, It switches on when I select Reverse and goes of when I select another gear or Park.  I'm now in the process of mounting the camera on the top middle piece of trim.  I to am going to mount my camera under the middle marker light to try and keep it out of the weather a bit although it will get all the spray that gets kicked up.  I'll take some pictures when it's finally all back together.  I think a previous owner thought there was a leak at the back judging by all the silicone snot that has been liberally spread ON TOP of all the joints, so I think I will remove all of the rear trim and put it all back using a proper polyurethane adhesive/sealant.

[Jupp318]

All I need to do now is to put all the interior trim back. Hopefully there will also be some picture of the installation....