Running wiring through rear wall?

[Husker Red]

My wife gave me a wired backup camera she got at Costco and it looks awesome. Link to the camera system: Backup Camera System For Trailers with 7" LCD Screen by Rear View Safety
Out of the box it looks like well made, high quality stuff. I'm trying to figure out how I want to wire the camera itself. There is one cord that goes to the camera that contains all the wires. I plan to mount the camera to the back of the trailer and to run the cord along the bottom of the camper frame up to the hitch, where the kit has a nice connector cable to attach it to the truck. I'm comfortable with installing the display monitor and the electrical wiring that goes along with this, but:

My question is: If I mount the camera near the center top of the rear of my camper, can I fish the wire through the wall and out the bottom, or would it be better to just run the wire down along the ladder?

Certainly it would look cleaner to run it through the wall, but I'm not sure if there are obstructions in the wall like horizontal stud supports. Can I drill a hole in the bottom of the wall and run my cable fish easily? I have a Jayco Jay Flight 32bhds with aluminum siding.

What do you think?
Mike

[SouthCo]

Mike hopefully someone will have a definite answer for you, but I believe you can contact Jayco directly and get the info. Good luck

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Husker Red

My question is: If I mount the camera near the center top of the rear of my camper, can I fish the wire through the wall and out the bottom, or would it be better to just run the wire down along the ladder?

Certainly it would look cleaner to run it through the wall, but I'm not sure if there are obstructions in the wall like horizontal stud supports. Can I drill a hole in the bottom of the wall and run my cable fish easily? I have a Jayco Jay Flight 32bhds with aluminum siding.

What do you think?
Mike

One thing that determines if there are hoizontal studs is "what's on the inside". If you have any cabinets mounted on the wall you can almost be 100% certain there are horizontal braces behind it. The other thing that may cause a problem is the insulation in the wall.

How about using wire mold along the outside edge along the trim piece?

[Husker Red]

Good points, thanks. The rear bunks and outdoor kitchen stuff does attach to the rear wall, so there might be horizontal studs... I could try the stud detector on the inside wall perhaps.
Wire molding along the outside trim piece is a good idea too. That could be white to match the trim, and it would look better than the black cord wrapped around the ladder.

[Clayton4971]

I have done this a couple of times once with a Jayco designer fifth wheel and now a 40ft Pinnacle. I found for me it was best to mount the camera to the ladder. I picked up power from a running light or tail light as I run with them on anyway. I purchased cable clamps and run under the rig to the front. I did fish up and in the front bedroom to get to the pin box because I have a fifth wheel . Really not that hard to do . I wouldn't be without a camera as I double tow a RZR behind. I first had a wireless with extended range but no where as good as a hard wired one.

[John K.]

This might not apply in your case, but as an option consider placing the camera on the metal bumper with powerful magnets and securing with a locked cable. No drilling, molding or guesswork involved; you can move the camera to another place if needed (I use our camera on the back of the tow vehicle to hitch up, then move it to the bumper while on the road -- I didn't buy a 2nd camera because they're so expensive). Among the downsides: your view is a few feet off the ground vs. a higher perch (but that hasn't bothered us), and it's more accessible to mischief makers (I store the camera indoors when not in use).

[Seann45]

I have the same set up that you have Mike. I have the camera mounted top center of the trailer.. Here is how I would do it if I had to do it again.
Mount the camera up as high as you can in the center of the RV aimed down so you just catch the edge of the rear bumper or maybe just a bit past the bumper
run the wire over the roof using anchor loom and dicor
run it down the front on one edge. Use white loom so it is not so obvious.
I made a bracket that I attached to the tongue jack for the connector cable.

[Northern Jay]

You could mount the camera high and run the cable across the roof and down the fridge vent as most do with solar panel wiring. this is what i plan to do when i get a rear view camera next year.
Happy Camping

[Husker Red]

Great ideas here. Thanks guys! I'll try to install it this weekend.

[Jagiven]

I looked at the Jayco photos online. Jayco makes all of the wire runs fairly simple. I bet you can look in the cabinets along the back wall and gain access to the wire chase for the marker lights. With a bit of exploring, you should be able to run them full out of sight.

[Fill The Coolers]

Husker, I presume your ladder is mounted off to one of the sides of your camper... with 2 simple holes and 2 grommets why not utilize the exterior "conduit" on the back of your camper.. your ladder ?? The majority of the RV ladders are constructed of hollow aluminum so drill a hole on top of the rail ( I think I'd put the first hole on the side of the tube) then run your wire down through the tube of the ladder rail and drill an exit hole on the bottom with a grommet. Now you can run your wires up to the front of the unit utilizing the frame rails. I'd fish some nylon string through ladder so you can pull it through without any issues. I dont have a ladder on mine but toying with the idea of installing a high mount camera as well.