Forum Discussion

cant_remember_I's avatar
Mar 19, 2016

Back up camera wire routing

I am installing a wired back up camera on my fifth wheel. I have the camera mounted and the wire running down the inside of the back wall, coming out the bottom. What is the best way to get it to the front from here? The RV dealer suggested just running between the the floor and the chloroplast, so it would just lay on top of the chloroplast unsecured. I am a little worried about this because the wire will be free to move around and may abrade over time. Any other ideas? Should I not be concerned about the wire routing rubbing?
Thanks all.

10 Replies

  • Ran the wire today along the frame. There were plenty of places to secure the wire. The hardest part was getting to the pin box. Used a fish wire to pull it from the front storage. It's dark now, but I'll get some pics tomorrow. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
  • I ran some extra 12volt power to the rear bunk house room of our fifth wheel and I ran it down the frame rail. There were plenty of spots to secure it out of the way of the slides and everything else. Was actually the easiest part of the job.
  • I ran pvc conduit front to back above my sealed bottom of TT. Now I can pull front to back anything I need. Used 1 inch and secured whenever I could.
  • TucsonJim wrote:
    I'd like to do the same thing. What brand of camera are you planning on using?How do you plan to route the wires between your FW and your TV? I'd love to see some pictures when you get done. It sounds like a great project.

    Jim


    Hi Jim, I bought a camera from rearview safety through costco
    http://www.costco.com/Backup-Camera-System-For-Trailers-with-7"-LCD-Screen-by-Rear-View-Safety.product.100082956.html

    The quality seems nice and you get audio with the wired version.

    I actually tangled with a tree in the fall and had my rig in for some body work on the back panel. They had to remove the back, so I asked them to run the wire down the back wall while it was off.

    I hope to tackle this today, I'll get some pictures to share.

    Carl
  • I know this doesn't help. But the RV builders need to take a page from Boston Whaler. They put a cord from front to back so you can pull wires. I just installed a keypad grab bar. Took two days running wires . Good luck
  • Trailers have had wires run under for years, rubbing and the underbelly material will not damage the cable. I would run it on the outside of the frame inside a PVC pipe and secure the pipe with clamps and then paint it black. A LOT easier and quicker than dropping the underbelly and routing the wire thru it. BTW, Jayco, uses a RF remote camera system now as an option. If you have not optioned the complete system at build, You connect the rear camera POWER to the center rear upper clearance light and just plug in the Monitor to your Truck Cigar Lighter. All you have to do is drive with your running lights on to power the Camera. IF you option the System from Jayco, they run a dedicated 12 volt power wire to the Rear Clearance light area with a switch at the Battery compartment to turn the camera On and Off. I believe this system on the Web costs about $500. You do not have to purchase it from Jayco. Doug
  • I'd like to do the same thing. What brand of camera are you planning on using?How do you plan to route the wires between your FW and your TV? I'd love to see some pictures when you get done. It sounds like a great project.

    Jim
  • For protection against abrading, you can put it in corrugated nylon/plastic split sleeving or similar protective tubing. If it's secured reasonably well against movement there will be little abrasion (with our without additional protection). If you can zip tie it to the structure or attach it some other way that would be good.

    How are the tail light wires routed in your trailer? Can you follow the same routing?
  • wirenutz wrote:
    what about the outside of the frame rails ?


    That was my first thought too, I need to check that route. There are a lot of obstacles with slides and I'm not sure how much there is to tie the wire to. I'll have it out this weekend and will check that option. Thanks for the suggestion.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,288 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 09, 2022