Rearview camera hardwired on fifth wheel

[roachcoach]

I'm installing a rearview camera on my fifth wheel and looking for ideas on the best way to run the wiring. My fifth wheel is 40'and had a wireless camera that was problematic.

[laknox]

BillB3857 wrote:
We bought a used 5th wheel that had 3 cameras. One rear view mounted on the outside above the full width rear window and the other two are side view mounted about shoulder high forward of the cross-over storage doors. Wiring for the rear camera is run across the roof being held down with Dicor, then enters the corner molding and hides behind the vinyl strip. From there, it follows the frame to the front where it goes into the front storage compartment. The other two cameras are mounted far enough forward that the wires go directly into the front storage compartment. From there, they are bundled and zip tied to the 7-way cable. On the truck, I drilled through the side of the bed near the 7-way connector and mounted three fittings that would mate with the cables. Inside the truck, i mounted a small 5" display and a switch that would allow me to select any of the three cameras. One thing to watch out for is that the camera actually sends a reversed image so that what you see is the same as you would see in the rear view mirror. Otherwise, it really messes up your brain.

Had a friend who did this on his Newmar Kountry Aire. Had a 7" or 10" dedicated monitor for them in the cab of his Sport Chassis Freightliner. Could switch between 1, 2 or 3-way split or isolate any one cam. Side cams were in really nice little aero pods and painted to match; almost unnoticeable. All were hardwired into a single plug that plugged into a socket on his truck.

Lyle

[BillB3857]

We bought a used 5th wheel that had 3 cameras. One rear view mounted on the outside above the full width rear window and the other two are side view mounted about shoulder high forward of the cross-over storage doors. Wiring for the rear camera is run across the roof being held down with Dicor, then enters the corner molding and hides behind the vinyl strip. From there, it follows the frame to the front where it goes into the front storage compartment. The other two cameras are mounted far enough forward that the wires go directly into the front storage compartment. From there, they are bundled and zip tied to the 7-way cable. On the truck, I drilled through the side of the bed near the 7-way connector and mounted three fittings that would mate with the cables. Inside the truck, i mounted a small 5" display and a switch that would allow me to select any of the three cameras. One thing to watch out for is that the camera actually sends a reversed image so that what you see is the same as you would see in the rear view mirror. Otherwise, it really messes up your brain.

[2manytoyz]

I installed a hardwire setup on my previous travel trailer.

Details here: http://www.2manytoyz.com/backupcam.html

In a vehicle that didn't have a backup monitor, I added an aftermarket clip-on mirror/monitor.

What you're seeing in the mirror is actually the video feed from behind the travel trailer.

I also tried a dedicated monitor on the center console:



But the monitor on the mirror was much easier to use while driving.



When I traded in that tow vehicle for an F150, it had a monitor in the mirror, albeit very small, it did work. Same idea, the image is behind the trailer.



I modified the tailgate camera connector on my truck. I can now disconnect the stock camera, and plug in the trailer camera. I found the wiring diagram on an F150 forum. Pic of it here: http://2manytoyz.com/xterra/camera/f150cameramod3.jpg

[laknox]

Not to hijack, but has anyone installed a =dashcam= on their rig as a backup cam? Alternatively, do the "usual" backup cam systems have any way to store video or images?

Lyle

[Me_Again]

roachcoach wrote:
I'm installing a rearview camera on my fifth wheel and looking for ideas on the best way to run the wiring. My fifth wheel is 40'and had a wireless camera that was problematic.

Most problematic wireless cameras are a result of supplying low voltage to the camera via the running lights. We had a wireless camera on a 39'4" 5th will powered from a sconce light on the back wall. It worked great. Moved it to our bumper pull and it still works great. It is the better observation model not the back up model.

[C_B_]

Had the same problem on my 40' Cedar Creek.

Moved the antenna to the front cap.

No way was I going to a hard wired camera.






Ran the cable to the back attaching to to A/C's and vents.

In between used White silicone to attach to roof.

Cable has not moved since Summer of 2014

Picture doesn't skip a beat.



C.B.

[sayoung]

My camera for the Garmin 760 is mounted on rear bumper then I ran wire under frame using the the-wraps with the screw mounting hole. Used the coroplast screws to fasten with. Mounted wireless transmitter on front wall going thru propane compartment. I mounted a switch next to my 6pt controller & picked up 12volts from a compartment light. I just power it on/off when I raise lower legs.

[neal10a]

roachcoach wrote:
I'm installing a rearview camera on my fifth wheel and looking for ideas on the best way to run the wiring. My fifth wheel is 40'and had a wireless camera that was problematic.

Youtube has many videos showing how to install https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ford+trailer+camera+and+tpms+kit

[guidry]

I mounted my camera on a rung of the back ladder with hose clamps then ran the wires down and under my 5th wheel zip tied all the way up to the front. From there I ran the wire into my front compartment and out and up to my pin box where I had another wire from my truck's rear door (I had a cig plug power and ran it under the floor mats then shut the rear door on the wire) to my pin box where the wires plugged into each other. I had one wire that was an extension and everything plugged in easy. When I stop I just unplug one wire, roll it up and place it under the rear floormat of my truck; then reverse when I'm ready to hit the road. Everything including camera and monitor cost me $60 and works great. PM me if you want details on the purchase.

[Merrykalia]

I would look for ways to run it inside under cabinets, etc. If that doesn't work with your layout, I would run it right beside the support beam that runs front to back. Encase it in a piece of PEX tubing (water line) to keep it out of the rain, mud, snow, salt, etc. that you are likely to encounter. If it is within the tubing, it will be easier to zip-tie to other components that are underneath the trailer. I would have another connection at the front to tie in to the wiring from the truck.