To drill or not drill installing back up camera

[silvercorvette]

(I hate putting holes in my RV)

I upgraded my Garmin and added a BC 20 back up camera. I hate drilling holes in my 5th wheel because I am not sure I may damage something. I will mounting the camera on the license plate. I am going over to the storage yard today to see how the license plate bracket is mounted and wired

Option one, try to use the license plate hole and wiring and only drill one small hole in the interior.

Option two popped into my mind last night. Not drill any holes and run the wire thru the slide opening. The downside will be having the wire flap in the breeze. Maybe I can secure the wire by putting a dab of silicone sealer a few inches apart.

I do not know if this matters, it is being installed in a 33 foot Alumascape Holiday Rambler 5th wheel

[John_Wayne]

Can't you run the wire under the rig and come up through plumbing hole.

[silvercorvette]

I just got back from the storage yard. I am un-packing from my last trip and pasting for my next trip so I am a little busy, but here is the plan. I am going to install the camera on the license plate then run the wire into the RV thru the slide and leave it constantly powered on. I am not sure if there is a easily accessible 12V supply, if I can't fine I will just hook it up to my 12 V battery jump starter. I don't have much time to muck around with it so I will hook it up quick and dirty, and when I have the time I can redo it neat and clean

[silvercorvette]

thanks

[brianpearce]

While setting it up, I would suggest tapping into the running light, not reverse light. This way, you can have the camera on anytime you have you running lights and/or headlights on. I have found this constant rear view invaluable while towing my fifth wheel.

[Rbertalotto]

This is a wireless camera. All it needs is power. The transmitter is about 1.5" X 1.5" and about 3/8" thick. It is waterproof I believe. It is attached to the camera by X feet of wire.

Mount transmitter behind the license plate or under / behind the rear bumper. Mount camera...Connect +/- to the light on the licence plate.Done!

Before you make anything permanent, test to be sure the wireless signal will get through your trailer and truck to the camera.

My transmitter is inside my aluminum trailer and the GPS on the dash board. It work great from a few hundred feet away.

[silvercorvette]

DougE wrote:
It's a bummer that the transmitter and camera are not a single unit. That's what's confusing responders. If you want to run the wire between the camera and transmitter to your slide out, go to HomeDepot or Lowes and get some wire mold to run it in.

Thanks, will it be OK to run it in thru the slide?

[DougE]

It's a bummer that the transmitter and camera are not a single unit. That's what's confusing responders. If you want to run the wire between the camera and transmitter to your slide out, go to HomeDepot or Lowes and get some wire mold to run it in.

[silvercorvette]

INSTRUCTIONS

Am I not reading the instructions correctly is a hole required?

[silvercorvette]

Step #4 place camera on bracket and determine the best place for the camera cable to enter the vehicle

[silvercorvette]

Rbertalotto wrote:
Mount it to the license plate bracket and wire it to the license plate light for power. This is the beauty of a wireless camera. No need to run wires anywhere. No holes to drill into the camper.

Maybe I am not reading the instructions correctly because I thought the camera needs to be wired to the transmitter. I am going to re-read the instruction but it is hard to visualize without standing next to the RV. I am going to be embarrassed that I asked this question if it turns out there is no need to drill a hole to run a wire.

[silvercorvette]

tenbear wrote:
I mounted mine inside the rear window. Didn't have to drill any holes.

Of course, I don't know if you have a rear window.

That was my first thought but I think it is switched between GPS and camera by the reverse light. I am going to drive over today and see if I am reading the instructions correctly. I am confused as to the back up light, maybe it can be activated by the trucks back up light?

[Rbertalotto]

Mount it to the license plate bracket and wire it to the license plate light for power. This is the beauty of a wireless camera. No need to run wires anywhere. No holes to drill into the camper.

[tenbear]

I mounted mine inside the rear window. Didn't have to drill any holes.

Of course, I don't know if you have a rear window.

[BTPO1]

Since you are going to mount it at the license plate there should be a light nearby. Is it possible to use the hole for the wire that the plate wire is using? JMO