how to mount rear view camera

[wiredgeorge]

I am a newb to RVs and trailers in general and my backup skills are minimal at best. I would also like to see behind me going down the road. I think a wired backup camera system would likely be the right answer. The trailer is a Sunnybrook Harmony 21FBS. There are marker lamps and the two turn signals, of course. The wall on the back of the trailer is the bathroom and I am not keen to penetrate that wall for pulling the wiring. Anyone have a similar trailer type and situation that can give me advice on how to mount a camera and run the wiring? I am looking at a wired Rear View Safety system that has been discussed a lot on this forum. Tips please! TIA wg

[myredracer]

They sell backup cameras and just don't seem to consider how people will actually mount them on the back of a trailer. In our case, there was no way I could get the wiring from anywhere on the rear wall inside without drilling a hole through the fiberglass so I made a bracket thingy from some scrap steel that sits on the bumper. I can MIG weld so this isn't for everyone. I did this last year and haven't replaced the tie-wraps with permanent screws or bolts/nuts yet.

The Garmin camera comes with a cable that is maybe 2-3' (?) long and the connector is not watertight so I used some heat shrink tubing over it. Ran the cable from below the frame up inside a kitchen cabinet at the rear of the TT and then through the ceiling space to the front overhead cabinet above the bed where I put the transmitter.

The exact mounting location isn't critical (left/right & elevation) as you can tilt/pan the image on the GPS.

[justafordguy]

I installed a Furrion FOS48TAPK-BL Wireless High-Speed RV Observation System. I power the camera from the center top running light on the back of my trailer. The system works awesome.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, I made a mounting bracket for my camera and stuck it on the back of my trailer with automotive two sided tape.

[wiredgeorge]

I don't have a motorhome as mentioned and can't always rely on someone to spot me backing up. thanks for the help guys. Will figure it out. I will look behind one of the marker lights (I guess that is the same as "triple lights").

[Second_Chance]

Our fifth wheel came pre-wired (Furrion mount) but the power was always on to the camera. Not wanting the camera to fail prematurely, I switched the power lead to a wire for the running lights at the top of the rear of the trailer. Now all I have to do is turn on the running lights on the truck and the camera comes on.

That being said, I find these wide-angle rear view cameras of minimal help backing. My wife with a two-way radio is much more useful. On the other hand, since I have a full-time rear view monitor and not just a backup camera, it's some extra assurance knowing when it's safe to pull back over after passing a semi on a mountain pass. In the long run, the best thing to do is get some orange cones, go to a big empty lot, and practice, practice, practice.

Rob

[Cobra21]

I have one inside of a back window that works well.

[WNYBob]

I would look behind the triple lights, there may be a conduit to the vent, which may have a constant 12 vdc.