chracatoa
Seattle
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Joined: 05/01/2012
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So I want to install a wired backup camera on the back of my RV. Note that I'm a completely newbie both in trailers and DIY stuff 
I just feel uncomfortable drilling holes in my trailer.
My questions are:
1. Can I just go ahead and drill it? I'm thinking in setting it up in the middle or on the top of the RV. But then again I don't want to break stuff there. Also, will it hold?
2. What do I do with the wire? I want it on the outside so I don't have to have wires inside.
3. Silicone - do I just apply it after it's done or should I apply something in the hole before?
4. What kind of fastener should I use for the wire? Can I just drill screws on the side to fasten them?
5. Do I need any protection for the wires (plastic, etc.). If so, what's it called so I can buy it?
Thanks!
2011 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD 5.7L V8 (next one will be a 3/4, someday)
2012 Jayco Flight Swift 267BHS (5963lbs dry, 6650 wet)
Propride hitch (I had a Reese dual cam round bar WDH for 4 months)
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Installing a back up camera is certainly doable, but you mentioned that you are a complete newbie to travel trailers and to DYI projects.
I suggest that you go camping and get some experience before you tackle this project...you may find that you don't even need a back-up camera..
I think it is safe to say that the majority of us with trailers don't have back up cameras and we do just fine.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
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westend
all over
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Do you have a ladder on the back? If you could attach it to the ladder side rail, you won't have to drill into the roof or wall. I think the easiest wiring schedule is to lead the camera wire underneath the trailer, either in the frame rail or inside a "loom", that is the protective covering you were trying to define.
Perhaps you could find someone, locally, that has experience with wiring and TT's. It would be a shame to buy all the requisite hardware and have something fail because of a botched installation.
If you're determined to do the job (and I admire that), then Center Pin has a thread about how he installed his camera (and a darn nice job!).
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
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VTX1300Rider
Maryland
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Joined: 10/28/2011
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I have a Honeywell bullet camera that I installed on the rear of my trailer. Since most everything we have a chance of backing into starts from ground, I installed the camera under the trailer. The bullet camera is installed on an adjustable mount, so I mounted to the horizontal joist that goes from left to right, using two self-drilling screws. Ran my 18/2 and coax under the trailer to the front. Tapped my 18/2 (for 12V power) on a switch and connected to the battery on the trailer tongue. Then put a connector on the coax at the tongue so that I can connect my portable monitor and view it as I back up. I even use the camera to monitor the traffic behind the trailer while en route to my destination.
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chracatoa
Seattle
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Thanks. Just so you know I'll have the towing vehicle installation done by a professional. It just seemed "easier" for me to do the trailer part myself.
It does seem easier to install on places like the bumper, spare tire or license plate though I was thinking in being able to see the bumper and also beyond that.
Westend: your link doesn't work for me....
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Krazykid
South Carolina
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Joined: 11/20/2011
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chracatoa wrote:Thanks. Just so you know I'll have the towing vehicle installation done by a professional. It just seemed "easier" for me to do the trailer part myself.
It does seem easier to install on places like the bumper, spare tire or license plate though I was thinking in being able to see the bumper and also beyond that.
Westend: your link doesn't work for me....
A quick heads up for installation. I too am a newbie to TT, however I have been installing CCTV for a very long time. I have installed a camera on the rear bumper of my TV and using the reverse lights for power the camera turns on when the truck is put into reverse.
I have just installed an additional camera on the rear of the trailer is past week, more so for kicks and giggles than functionality. But only time will tell. Heres what I came up with using an existing camera I had laying around I went to home depot and found a 1/2" to 3/4" PVC threaded cap and attached the camera base to it with a homemade PVC nut, attached that all to a 3/4" 90* elbow to a approxmently 5.5' long piece on 3/4" PVC pipe. Attached the whole thing with install RG-59 siamese 18AWG/2C cable to the spare tire rack with two u bolts and then ran the wire to the front of the trailer dropping the 18/2 off at the junction box for power, I then wire tied the RG-59 to the trailer wiring up to the truck and installed a RF female post just above the trailer wiring plug. The backside of the RF female connection runs to an A/B switch I installed under the rear bumper to switch between the truck and trailer cameras.
A lot of work I know but there is NO drilling into my 2012 trailer, or fishing a tight rv wall, etc. Hope this helps and I will let you know how is works after this weekend.
* This post was
edited 05/03/12 06:05pm by Krazykid *
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Hgarnerno1
Tyler, Texas USA
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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I just installed a wireless unit on my nieces 32 ft. trailer and it works fine. I installed the camera on the license plate bracket. ran the wires through the trailer behind the tail light unit and hooked up the transmitter to the parking light wire. I installed the transmitter on the center of the back wall (underneath a cabinet) and ran the wires up the wall into the bottom of the cabinets. I hid the wiring with some wire holder plastic tubing (from Lowes) and plugged the moniter into the truck cigarette lighter. It works great, there is a little interference from time to time which is not really a problem. To operate the unit, just turn on the TV parking lights. It makes a great rear view and back up camera. The unit was under $100 from JC Whitney.
Howard, USN Ret
2000 Ford Excursion,V10, Limited
2003 Terry 27H. Super Slide
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falconman
On The Road!!
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Joined: 01/01/2007
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I have mine mounted high, above the center clearance light on a bracket I attached to the luggage rack. Drilled through the top of the rear cap, worked it over to the side by temporarily removing a clearance light and dropped the line down. Fed it up front along the frame rail. Sealed the entry point. If you look from underneath, you can tell if there is space between the framing and the cap, especially near the corners.
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chracatoa
Seattle
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Lots of tips, thanks.
It should be way simpler in my case - I don't have to plug it to anything except the TT. Everything in the SUV will be ready for me.
Krazykid and others: do you have pictures?
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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mine is in the middle of the trailer 2 small holes filled with sealant and enough around the screw head to seal it up good. I have aluminum siding and I used clips to hold the wire to the bottom of the siding. I then ran the wire down the inside of the endcap channel (under the screw trim) then I just ran it under the trailer to the tongue. very easy to do. don`t worry about screwing into the trailer... the factory does it, why not you?
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Son Brandon 11yrs
Daughter Marissa 10yrs
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A bad day of camping is
better than a good day at work!
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