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Installation of Rear View Camera
Vince suggested against the installation of an after market back up camera for our 2005RK.  What have other people done ?  Do any of you know who would be qualified for installing one for us?  We are in northern San Diego/ south Riverside County.  Vince refused to do this installation.
Thank you!
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #1 –
Marcie,  here are some of the answers for this question from a recent discussion. There are lots more you can find by searching for "rear camera".

Cheap Rear Camera

I keep putting off installation of one,  but it is on my list and I think an essential option.  Good luck !
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #2 –
Marcie,

Here's an idea...

https://gopro.com/help/articles/Block/Periscope-Live-Streaming-with-your-GoPro

An interesting work around although I've never tried it as my back up camera was installed by the intrepid Vince at the Mothership.

I was thinking that the go pro could simply mount inside the rear window although the heavy tint may hinder night vision.

Just a thought.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #3 –
Marcie

There are two sets of wires that need connecting, the camera and the bumper's sensors.
There two pathways you can use, run them inside or under the rig, each has its advantage. The inside route may your best choice.
First, the camera needs to be mounted.
Camera mounted on LD | Shown with water proof deck fitting w… | Flickr
Backup camera & monitor | Flickr
I first mount the camera on an aluminum plate and them on the rear of the LD.

The camera's cable enters the rig, through a marine waterproof fitting, into the rear overhead cabinet. From there it can run to either side of the interior. The camera's mounting plate is screwed to the rear exterior wall and sealed with polyurethane to insure a waterproof connection.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2278

In a MB, the cable can be run down the passenger side, through the overhead cabinet, the closet, over the entry door, through the overhead cabinet above the dinette, into the bunk area.
The bottom boards, inside the overhead cabinets, can be removed, providing a hidden space to run the wires.
it requires a lot measuring to make sure the wire holes are drilled in the right places.

From the bunk, it can be routed to the dash or rear view mirror, depending on what monitor you have and where it is to be mounted. To get to the dash, run the cable down one of the corners of the windshield, behind the plastic trim piece,

The sensors need to be mounted in the rear bumper and it's wires need to join the camera's cable, a trickier procedure.
The sensor's wires can enter through the rear wall, into the passenger-side rear exterior compartment and then be aimed upward, through the top of the storage box, into the interior (drill a hole). Do this on the passenger side, in the far rear corner.
The wires can then head up to the overhead cabinet, where it would join the camera cable. Run the sensor's wire behind the window's valance, in the passenger-side rear corner.
This is a simplified version, the actual install is a little different on each model.
It's an involved job that takes a good day or two to complete, assuming it is installed in a manner equal to a Factory install.
This is why the factory charges so much for a camera.

The potential problem, that the Factory is always afraid of, is that the cable and wire entry points leak.
Make sure to make them waterproof, with the right marine fittings and sealant.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #4 –
Marcie, I installed our rear view camera system above the rear window angled down so that I can just see the top of the bumper which is important when backing up in tight spaces.  I ran the wire over the roof to the refrigerator vent where I entered into MB through an existing hole in the side wall I found and resealed after I pushed it through.  Then in the overcab area I ran it down the wall and around along the  side and front wall under the mattress snaked it to the area of the rear view mirror where I installed the LCD screen.  Currently my power comes from a wire running to a plug I plug into the cigarette/accessory plug.  I plan to connect it to the power which is already there for the CB radio but have not done that yet.  All of this was simple and requires few tools, the camera is mounted with the machine screws it came with and the wire was snapped tied to the roof luggage railing and the free runs were taped down with white duct tape.  I got many of these bits of advice right here on LDO but did not know where I could enter the house without taking a survey of the existing roof entries on my 26MB.  Something you may want to think about is how much you want to be involved with the installation and maintenance of items going on and into your LD.  Running the wire over the roof for me and our LD was simple and I did not have to add a hole which I would have to seal in the roof, plus we don't really mind seeing the wire.  A survey of your LD will tell you weather over the roof makes sense or entering elsewhere.  Besides half the fun is snaking wire here and there and see how the LD is really made.  Auto shops that specialize in installation of Car stereos, back up cameras, DVDs etc should have installers who do this on cars and may have someone there who could do this.  Maybe someone there might moonlight for you and do this installation on your LD if the shop was not willing.  Whomever you choose you should be involved to make sure you have the screen and camera where you want them, the wire seen or unseen as you want it and where ever it penetrates the house, that location is properly sealed.  If it is installed in the wrong place it could be a lot of work to change it. 

          Best of Luck!

                                    Karen ~ Liam
                                        98 ~ MB




1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #5 –
Marcie,

This just popped up on this mornings Camping World ad (see pic). I don't know anything about it but they make interesting claims of wireless connectivity.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #7 –
Steve brings up an important point: to be usable, a rear-view camera system must be able to flip the image (display a mirror image). Many if not most live-streaming video cameras can't do this.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Installation of Rear View Camera
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
Steve brings up an important point: to be usable, a rear-view camera system must be able to flip the image (display a mirror image). Many if not most live-streaming video cameras can't do this.
True, but the display might be able to do it for you. Some of the aftermarket in-dash mounted radios have multiple video inputs that will reverse the image, as well as some GPS navs, and most of the 4" to 7" displays. I'm considering the Garmin nav with their camera, or replacing the radio (plus a wireless camera) to get a backup camera functioning. The fisheye lens and OEM b&w are cutting it anymore.
2005 Jayco 24SS