Better Backup Camera???

[SoulReflection]

The backup camera on my 2018 22J has failed due to faulty wiring.

When the original was working, it was next to useless for any detail, especially when using it to align my hitch to a trailer. I upgraded the OEM head unit with a Pioneer which helped but, still too small.

Has anyone found a better wireless or even re-wired alternative?

 

[Stan&Sharon]

I simply stuck an unused cellphone onto the rear window. Here is my forum posting.

 

[SoulReflection]

Nice mod...is your last name MacGyver ?

 

[jyh818]

I installed a wired camera on the back under the exit window. I ran the wire to the front that is connected to an LED screen rear "mirror" that attaches to the existing rearview mirror. The current rearview mirror only shows inside the RV, not the rear of the RV.

I also have use of the existing rear mirror on the radio head unit while backing up. This one allow me to see when the hitch is aligned to the trailer.

 

[SoulReflection]

I installed a wired camera on the back under the exit window. I ran the wire to the front that is connected to an LED screen rear "mirror" that attaches to the existing rearview mirror. The current rearview mirror only shows inside the RV, not the rear of the RV.

I also have use of the existing rear mirror on the radio head unit while backing up. This one allow me to see when the hitch is aligned to the trailer.

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I like your plan of running a new wire back to a new camera. I have yet to figure out how I can run it from my head unit inside my 22J or outside, along the frame underneath and under the rear window. Wireless seems like a better option but I am concerned about the quality of the video and don't really want another display on or above the dash...decisions, decisions...

 

[ArthurH]

The integrated rear view / back up camera on our 2016 Redhawk stopped working (would not turn on). We have a service plan through RV complete and got it replaced at no charge with a newer model of the same camera. The picture quality is clear and bright, and I can see what's behind me. It acts as a rear view mirror and puts up the grid for backing up.

Unfortunately, our dealer first tried replacing it with a wireless camera (because they knew we had a trip coming up and wanted to get us "something".) The wireless one was garbage. Not only horrible picture quality (think black and white video) and kept falling off the windshield. I MADE them take it out before our trip.

 

[TowPro]

My 2018 Forest River MBS had 1 center rear camera, and 2 side cameras. but the side cameras only came on when turn signals came on. this also displayed on the radio monitor, and only the camera on the side that was blinking.

So I fixed that. I kept the rear view backup on the Radio, but the side view I wired into one of these on each side of dash. I could turn the side cameras when I wanted (night glare).



Now on the current camper (tow behind) I was was using a Tati brothers camera and monitor I bought like 10 years ago. I had to buy a mount to adopt it to the firion mount, than within 1 trip the tati brothers display died, so I both display and camera with this.

 

[SoulReflection]

I installed a wired camera on the back under the exit window. I ran the wire to the front that is connected to an LED screen rear "mirror" that attaches to the existing rearview mirror. The current rearview mirror only shows inside the RV, not the rear of the RV.

I also have use of the existing rear mirror on the radio head unit while backing up. This one allow me to see when the hitch is aligned to the trailer.

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Could you tell me where you ran the wire inside?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[jyh818]

Could you tell me where you ran the wire inside?

Thanks,

Jim

That rear window is the emergency exit so the bottom opens out. I ran the wire over the window frame in the gap where the rubber seals meet. As of right now, the wires just run down to the floor, to the slide on the driver's side. I ran the wire inside the seals of the slide. The seals has a large channel that runs all the way just short of the overhead bunk. My slide is the entire length of the RV to the upper bunk. The colored wires are the the top camera looking down onto the hitch where the original camera was. I got 2 sets of the trailer wires from Walmart since they only come in 25 ft. It worked well because you need 2 wires for power and 2 for video. The trailer wiring has 4 wires. The black wire is the wire for the rear facing camera.

 

[jyh818]

Continued photos. Once the wires are fed up the kick panel where the parking brake is, the video wires continue behind the panel under the steering wheel to the back of the radio with an RCA jack. The power wire goes to a switched fuse slot not being used so it's on continuously until I turn off the engine. The ground wire for the camera is attached to the frame.

 

[SoulReflection]

Thanks for the detailed response. The only problem I have is that mine is a 22J...it does not have a full length slide. I believe yours is a 24B!

I believe my best option would be the way Geek Squad does their vehicle upgrades. They go outside, along the driver's side frame to connect the dash head unit to the rear of the vehicle and patch into the reverse lights.

All this because Jayco's wiring is faulty and buried in the back wall ...

 

[jyh818]

I have a 31F so it's quite long.

You could run the wire like I did mine over the slide and down. You will have to drill a hole at the bottom of the pantry against the side wall of the RV and run the wires along the bottom side through the dinette and to the bottom of the cab like what I did.

 

[SoulReflection]

Great info! Where would you pickup the power for the camera and trigger it through the reverse light?