Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Best location on LD for an after-market back-up camera?

April 19, 2014, 11:56:18 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 145836

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Hello. I scanned the conversations and while I saw some comments addressing which after-market back-up cameras might be best, I didn't see this particular topic addressed. We have ordered an aftermarket camera and suction-mount 7' screen for our 1989 26' LD.

The person who will install it is suggesting to do so on the top of the spare tire compartment, connecting the camera wires into the towing lights accessible in that door. We don't plan to tow anything, but will be having a 2" receiver hitch installed so we can add a 4-bike rack. The camera is not a license plate installation (which doesn't make sense, of course, as the license plate itself is on the bottom driver-side of the rear), but rather just a single camera that can be mounted wherever makes sense, provided there's a way to mount it. I think, though haven't completely addressed this, that we may have to drill into the spare tire door to affix it, unless I can find a clamping system that will wrap around the door ledge

Any advice on either the mounting location (like - don't do it there, that's a crazy location!) or the mechanism for mounting?

Re: Best location on LD for an after-market back-up camera?

Reply #2 – April 20, 2014, 09:29:39 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 145855

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I just finished installing a two camera system from Rear View Safety on my Kubota tractor.
While not exactly an RV, for pictures etc.
 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/295791-kubota-b2650-b3350-info-hints-13.html#post3724133

I agree with Larry, centered up high is best for the rear view cam. I purchased the system with one camera from Costco on-line, as they had the best price I could find . . . the 2nd camera came from Amazon for same reason (grin).

The RVS camera system is well reviewed in RV groups on-line . . . with good reason, though mine had a rear view grid that was not well centered, even though the camera was. This "problem" is yet to be resolved, but I found there customer service good for another minor hardware issue (missing a couple of screws).

This system may be unique in that the monitor is not the "hub" of the system, which in my opinion is a good thing, as that would mean more wires running to the monitor. In this case, there is a separate small multiplex box that everything gets wired to with but one wire. So power only needs to be applied to the multiplex and that powers everything else.

The connectors for the camera are 9/16" diameter and this necessitates drilling larger holes for the connector to run the wires. There is a way around this, though, and that is to cut the cable connector off, run the wire, and then splice the wire back together. Sounds complicated, but it's not really. The cable is a 5 conductor with a shield on the video wire, so make that 6 conductors. Splices with relative ease if you can solder and have some small heat shrink tubing.

The 12 volt power to the system does need to be switched (ignition or separate toggle) as even when turned off, there is a current draw.

all the best,

bumper