Rear view camera placement on trailer?

[mtnbbud]

Is it better to position a wireless rear view camera on a tt on the bumper, or up high? It seems I always notice them up high and not the bumper.

[lane_hog]

Great idea with the rear window.

The thread below shows how I mounted mine on a PVC outdoor electrical box below the center light. Also shows how I ran the wiring...

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30216655.cfm

The comment above about wifi latency is exactly why I now only use wired cameras. I got tired of seeing a car appear off my left cab mirror before it showed up on the backup camera.

That extra second or so of latency could be critical when backing up.

With the wired camera, I see no latency whatsoever. Just an extra set of plugs to connect and secure with electrical tape when we hook the trailer up. On the motorhome we used to have, it was permanent wiring between the dash head unit and the camera.

My camera just below clearance light height is set up to see about a foot off the bumper, and that covers about 100' backward, so it's not as clear of a rear view camera as you might have in your truck or SUV, but it works fine for changing lanes and backing up in gas stations.

[BFL13]

The Hopkins uses the clearance light screws. You could invent something to mount yours that does the same and use some goop as required for water-proofing.

https://hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/towing-cameras/50050.html

I mounted mine on a piece of wood and prop it up in the back window. This way I can switch it back and forth between the Class C and the TC whichever RV we are using. The display is your "device" so that is portable too. I put the device (an older small size iPad) on the rear view mirror with elastic bands.

[afidel]

mtnbbud wrote:
Thanks all!

Has anyone tried epoxying a bracket to bolt their camera to rather than drilling holes in their roof? I'm sure I could seal up the holes just fine - just wondering...

I definitely wouldn't put the holes in the roof, much better to put them in the rear wall.

[mtnbbud]

Thanks all!

Has anyone tried epoxying a bracket to bolt their camera to rather than drilling holes in their roof? I'm sure I could seal up the holes just fine - just wondering...

[C_B_]

You can see the camera just to the right of ladder rail.
It's wired into center marker light.
From this position I can watch Little Creeker trailer and a wide view of traffic behind me.





C.B.

[Seon]

I connected the 12v on my wireless at the center running light. Great view of oncoming vehicles.

[mtnbbud]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll probably hook it up to a 12 volt battery and have a helper move the camera to different positions when its on. It'd be nice to avoid drilling holes into my camper if possible.

[Home_Skillet]

Also, don't mount close to any running lights.

[BFL13]

I have a Hopkins. It comes with a holder that is designed to go with a clearance light or however, but the camera can be tilted up or down in the holder.

I use it for driving where the truck rear view mirror is no use. If mounted low, I would only be able to see the car right behind which would block the view of farther back down the road.

It has optional guide lines you can turn on or off for using it to back up, and a night light you can switch on or off too from in the truck.

One thing with the wifi is there is a time delay to the display so you see a car starting to pass on the display, but it is already beside you. I think it is from "processing time". OTOH when you pass and want to pull back over, when you see the car you passed showing on the display, you are well past him. But do still confirm that with the passenger side mirror!

[mtnbbud]

Thanks. Looking at my max angle if I mount it up high it seems like I won't be able to see back very far, but would be able to see the corners of my bumper I want.

[BFL13]

Up high means less likely to be stolen, but still needs cleaning off so close to the ladder. Mine is about half way up, but still high enough to see over the car behind to behind it. (I have mine inside looking out the back window but that means keeping the window clean) Might depend on getting power to the camera too. Tapping into a clearance light is one way for up high.