Rear View Camera - UPDATE-

[BFL13]

Updates 5 Jan 21, 8 Jan, Booster idea 11 Jan,
New camera -now one for each RV -26 July.

If this is supposed to be in the technology section, the Moderators can sort it all out 🙂

Anyway we can't see out the back of the truck camper and only out half the back window in the Class C while driving. Apparently you can get a dash camera or maybe a back-up camera that has a display unit with it, and hang that from your rear view mirror. True?

It might even be possible to use your cell phone somehow as the display, but in BC you will be arrested and locked away for life for using a cell phone while driving, so I don't know abut that! No idea if they would consider the display on the mirror as a "distraction" either.

What is the real story, and if true (whichever part), how do you rig it up? Thanks.

[Bert_the_Welder]

BFL13 wrote:

Meanwhile, I see they have a rear cam in the local store that uses wifi and you use your "mobile device" up front as the display. (I suspected there might be one like that as mentioned earlier)

I am waiting to hear back from the Mounties on what they think of that. The guy I spoke with didn't know, has to find out from their "Traffic" folks what they would do if they saw somebody doing that. Big no-no here to use a cell phone while driving--even while stopped at a light. (rule ignored by some! tow truck driver towing my RV home recently was on his cell a lot getting the word where his next tow job was, eg)

Hopefully you get a straight answer from the RCMP and not an off the cuff answer. After all, politicians made the rules, so they are not well written, and the cops have just as much trouble figuring them out as we do.... 🙂

As for theft..... It's Victoria!!!! They'll smash your window at noon on Douglas for a wooden nickle in your ash tray......

5"....3.5"...... It's Cambodian Tire..... no surprise if they're don't know......

Since you want to swap between vehicles but have wireless concerns, what about going wired but getting a second wiring harness. Then you just plug/unplug. I think anything wireless and in the budget category is gonna be pretty unsatisfactory. Buy once,cry once.

My new camper is coming with a camera. Plus the new truck with have a tailgate cam too. Since the tail gate will be off when the TC is on I was thinking a second tail gate cam, if one can be ordered as an OEM replacement part, might be useful to set up as a freely placeable cam to help with TC loading. I could make a box for it and sit it against the back wall of the bed to have a good view while backing under the TC. Just a spit-ball idea.....anyhow.....
Check London Drugs too. They have a small selection of dash cams that might work if they have a live view. And having it record might be a good thing in case someone hits you while texting and driving. (don't get me started on that topic.....)
I think if you have a phone as a monitor, on your mirror or a dash mount, as long as you aren't fiddling with it while driving, you'll be good. They mostly look for people looking at their laps as an indicator of someone texting. Glancing at your screen if on the rear view won't hardly be noticeable. Could always hang it below your dash top, on a heater vent. But that's not great as it takes your eyes of the road more then if windshield mounted.
But, see what the Po-Po says.
And never take the word of a sales person!

[BFL13]

DrewE wrote:
For the class C, at least, where you can see some of the window, try a stick-on fresnel wide-angle lens on the window. It's not the same as a backup camera, and definitely less useful at night, but during the day they work remarkably well and give a surprisingly good view of everything in back of the RV...and, of course, are not very expensive and not prone to suddenly breaking or having interference or running out of battery power.

I forgot about those! There was one in the C we got the previous owner had, but it was in poor shape and we tossed it. Hmmmm.

Meanwhile, I see they have a rear cam in the local store that uses wifi and you use your "mobile device" up front as the display. (I suspected there might be one like that as mentioned earlier)

I am waiting to hear back from the Mounties on what they think of that. The guy I spoke with didn't know, has to find out from their "Traffic" folks what they would do if they saw somebody doing that. Big no-no here to use a cell phone while driving--even while stopped at a light. (rule ignored by some! tow truck driver towing my RV home recently was on his cell a lot getting the word where his next tow job was, eg)

[DrewE]

For the class C, at least, where you can see some of the window, try a stick-on fresnel wide-angle lens on the window. It's not the same as a backup camera, and definitely less useful at night, but during the day they work remarkably well and give a surprisingly good view of everything in back of the RV...and, of course, are not very expensive and not prone to suddenly breaking or having interference or running out of battery power.

[msmith1_wa]

Have a look at this site https://www.rearviewsafety.com/

My setup is wired and installed on a 2003 Silverado and a trailer. I replaced my rear view mirror with a 9" monitor using the mirror mount on the windshield. My monitor has 5 inputs. Up to 4 can be displayed at once. I have one on each side of the trailer near the front and one on the back. I also have 2 cameras on the back of the truck. One is near the tailgate release, the other one on the license plate. I have all of the cameras wired to be on if the truck is on. As long as the cameras are connected to 12v they will send a signal to the monitor. Having them connected this way allows me to view them at anytime.

I don't know if this is legal, but since my 2018 car has a switch that displays the rear camera on the rear view mirror, from the factory it probably is.

[wa8yxm]

There are several cameras out there designed for the job. Some run off the Marker Light power (12 volts) some are wired back to the tow vehicle using a dash monitor some are wireless (RF Wi-Fi. BT or other part 15 (usa code) wireless link) Most Major RV dealers and camping world all carry versions of them.

There are also "license plate Frame" cameras that are easily installed but I think they are wired.. if they are wireless they most likely use phone.

[BFL13]

Can you use this for the screenshot?

http://photoposting.is-great.net/?i=2

[guidry]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

guidry wrote:
Good luck then. I use mine between my TC and 5th wheel trailer. Paid $60 for all the equipment on Amazon.

Ya gotta link to that $60 camera from Amazon? That would be very helpful.

PM me; I have a screenshot of the items I can send to you.

[BFL13]

This one is wired but a much better price. On amaozon.ca too for about $68 Can.

It says it uses 3M tape not a suction cup, so have to work around that somehow. It does say you can use another 12v source instead of the reverse light, so it stays on while driving. a reviewer says it has a longer wire than most but I didn't see how long (anybody know?) Can you make the wire longer if needed?--I see one set uses those old television/VCR plug -in type wires so you could add to those.

guidry, how did you run the wire for your set into the truck?

https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Camera-Monitor-Waterproof-Accfly/dp/B08GFCYN4X/ref=sr_1_38?dchild=1&ke...

[IAMICHABOD]

guidry wrote:
Good luck then. I use mine between my TC and 5th wheel trailer. Paid $60 for all the equipment on Amazon.

Ya gotta link to that $60 camera from Amazon? That would be very helpful.

[guidry]

BFL13 wrote:

guidry wrote:
PM me if you want a list of what I had a camera mounted on the back of my TC and a monitor with removable wire. All bought off Amazon.

Thanks very much, but I think I want a wireless one. I want to be able to shift it over between the TC and the Class C easily.

This one is on sale locally, would it be any good? I see you connect it to your reverse light. To have it on while driving, would any 12v source work instead?

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/type-s-backup-camera-with-distanceaudio-alert-5-in-0350160p.html#...

(In US dollars that would be about 3/4 of what it costs in Can money)

It seems to be similar to what is in our car with the lines and the beeping.

It says its range is 10m (30 ft and a bit) so the Class C is almost that long. Would it work from the back of the C to the dash?

It says it has a 5" display and also says 3.5" screen size. What does that mean?

I just want a live picture out the back while driving (including while backing up). I see some of these have "loops" and they record. Don't think I need that.

It says to mount it by your licence plate. Would it be easy for somebody to steal?

Comments please!

(They have one for a bit more (not on sale) that has wires. Not sure if enough wire or how I would route a wire.)

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/reload-wired-backup-camera-with-parking-assist-system-pas-4-3-in-...

Good luck then. I use mine between my TC and 5th wheel trailer. Paid $60 for all the equipment on Amazon.

[BFL13]

I an worried about the wifi getting through from the back of the camper or MH, out the front and into the truck. In the stick-house, wifi can only go through so many walls before you need a booster.

It says it runs on 24v and there is an adapter. Where does that come in when you wire it to a 12v light as it says you do?

[Sjm9911]

The problem will be moving the camera. It is mounted to the rear of the camper. So while you can remove the screen you have to mount and hook up the camera. When traveling the cheaper ones will freeze up and occasionally glutch out on you. For me its not a big deal. Yes , if the wireless sensors are out of range they will not work.

[BFL13]

guidry wrote:
PM me if you want a list of what I had a camera mounted on the back of my TC and a monitor with removable wire. All bought off Amazon.

Thanks very much, but I think I want a wireless one. I want to be able to shift it over between the TC and the Class C easily.

This one is on sale locally, would it be any good? I see you connect it to your reverse light. To have it on while driving, would any 12v source work instead?

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/type-s-backup-camera-with-distanceaudio-alert-5-in-0350160p.html#...

(In US dollars that would be about 3/4 of what it costs in Can money)

It seems to be similar to what is in our car with the lines and the beeping.

It says its range is 10m (30 ft and a bit) so the Class C is almost that long. Would it work from the back of the C to the dash?

It says it has a 5" display and also says 3.5" screen size. What does that mean?

I just want a live picture out the back while driving (including while backing up). I see some of these have "loops" and they record. Don't think I need that.

It says to mount it by your licence plate. Would it be easy for somebody to steal?

Comments please!

(They have one for a bit more (not on sale) that has wires. Not sure if enough wire or how I would route a wire.)

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/reload-wired-backup-camera-with-parking-assist-system-pas-4-3-in-...

[JimK-NY]

I have a 2018 Ram 3500 with a factory backup camera in the tailgate. Of course, when I remove the tailgate and install my truck camper I have lost visibility. It seems that all I should need is a replacement camera and a wiring harness to install a backup camera on the back of my camper. I have looked and looked in vain. I cannot find anything that would work short of buying a whole new aftermarket system that would require a separate monitor.

[guidry]

PM me if you want a list of what I had a camera mounted on the back of my TC and a monitor with removable wire. All bought off Amazon.