backup cam, wiring behind aluminum siding?

[spoon059]

So I am researching a backup camera for my aluminum clad Jayflight. I was thinking about running the video cable down behind the aluminum siding, between the siding and the plywood, then running the cable along the frame to the front of the camper.

Has anyone ever done this? I would get an electricians wire snake to pull the wire through. Before I go cutting holes in my siding or taking off my center rear clearance light to try, I want to see if others think its even feasible.

Thanks!

[jbrnigan]

Probably feasible, why not go wireless?

[spoon059]

Wireless is way more expensive (I have several screens that can be used as a monitor for wired) and is generally unreliable, especially at highway speeds or campgrounds with a lot of electronic interference.

Wired should work in all circumstances that I want... I just need to figure out a way to wire it that will be satisfactory for management (the wife).

[Phatkd]

I went with a Furrion High speed one,..Link here https://www.amazon.com/Furrion-FOS48...ywords=furrion. I love it! Easy to install and not that expensive I didn't think.

[spoon059]

Thanks for that link, that is definitely an option! For that price its not terrible. I would still like to explore the plausibility of hardwiring behind the siding though. A $40 camera and $20 worth of wiring is a much easier cost to swallow when you have to get permission from management/wife...

[Phatkd]

Just tell her that the hours in install time and potentially getting an electrician to fish wire for you or renting/buying a wire fish will cost more in the end than a wireless one And then you won't have to worry about corroded ends and potential wire shorts while bouncing down the road at 65mph...it's all in the sell my friend

That extra time can be spent with her, cooking her dinner or maybe watching a movie together ;}

[spoon059]

Ha, unfortunately either method I go, I am the installer. I have access to a snake line, so that isn't an additional cost. If I can run the wire behind the aluminum, it should be a straight forward and rather quick install on a Saturday morning while she watches the kids on the deck and I am in the yard working, so it would be quality time either way!

I appreciate the suggestion though... management is too smart to fall for that trick though!

[klassic]

Spoon, I don't know what the back corners look like on your TT, but if you have the aluminum track with the black (maybe white) vinyl insert that covers all the screws. Then you can run the wire inside that. My wire was fairly thick and there is enough room for it.
Then I ran it inside split loom and zip tied it under the rig to the front.

It's hard to see the vinyl in this picture but this is the wire coming out and going into the split loom.

[Paintinfool3]

you also have to have a disconnect for it at the tongue of the trailer to the truck too which is what sort of threw me into believing wireless is easier

[spoon059]

klassic, I actually considered that, but didn't think there would be enough room for the wires. Do you have any pics of how you transitioned from the horizontal trim piece to the vertical trim piece? It looks like my trailer those are 2 separate tracks and the wire would have to come out of the horizontal and back into the vertical... if that makes sense.

Paintinfool, I agree the install is easier... but convincing the wife that I need to spend $300 for this camera is WAY more difficult... especially since I've never had one before and we have managed just fine over the years!

[klassic]

Yes.. You come out and go back in. Just cut small notches.
If your trim is black you won't see the black wire.
Then get some liquid black tape from Home Depot and brush it in the notches (again, the trim would need to be black)

In my picture it is liquid black tape that sealed the wire into the split loom.
I'll try and get a pic tomorrow of the transition

[spoon059]

Awesome klassic, I really appreciate your input!

[Camping_J]

I did almost the identical install as Klassic as well here is a picture of the transition and how mine turned out. I then ran the cable to the front of the camper by the propane tanks and bought a wireless transmitter for truck and camper. wireless receiver

I then hooked the camera up the power for my running lights so there is nothing more to plug in and nothing to forget to turn on or forget to turn off. I have used this set up on a couple trips already and love it.

[klassic]

Camping J maybe I got the idea from you....?
I have done the exact same (except I added a switch to turn my camera on)
And I used the same wireless transmitter.
If you've never posted about this before then we have the same ideas.

Does your picture get a little fuzzy once and a while? My receiver antenna is against a big piece of metal in the dash...I think I need to move it.

[klassic]

Here's my corner
I got a little sloppy with the liquid black tape.

[Camping_J]

Originally Posted by klassic

Camping J maybe I got the idea from you....?
I have done the exact same (except I added a switch to turn my camera on)
And I used the same wireless transmitter.
If you've never posted about this before then we have the same ideas.

Does your picture get a little fuzzy once and a while? My receiver antenna is against a big piece of metal in the dash...I think I need to move it.

I did post about my install but I got the idea from someone else first, either way it is a good mod and works well.
Only once in while it will get fuzzy on me. I was thinking of moving the receiver in the truck to behind the back seat instead of under the dash and running the video cable to the indash monitor to see if that helps. All in all I am happy with this set up it works good for keeping an eye on the bikes while going down the road, and for when your backing up for sure.