reversing cameras

chaben
chaben Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited March 2016 in Motorhomes #1

We are looking to fit a reversing camera to our 7.8 metres motorhome.  Any advice as to wether you can do this yourself, what is the best system you have found and can you mount it above the back bumper.  My other half is very practical and can manage most
diy jobs.

Comments

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    Think carefully about what you want to achieve. Do you want a dual purpose camera which can supplement the rear view mirror for ordinary driving or a camera just for low speed manoevering such as parking or pitching up. Do you want a colour display. Will
    be come on automatically when you select reverse and/or can it work independently. How big a screen do you want. where will you mount it. Will it replace your rear view mirror (you may not have a rear view mirror if there is no back window in your van). Will
    it be wireless or wired in. 

    I have no direct experience of wireless systems or of wiring up a camera however I believe especially with a big van that getting a reliable wireless signal may not be straightforward (and you need to wire in a power supply and control switch anyway). Modern
    Can-bus wiring looms can be tricky for the amateur.

    None of the above is intended to discourage you and it may be feasible to succeeed with a DIY installation. Personally I would speak to a specialist such as Dave Newell even if you finish up going DIY. A full blown dual purpose system will not be cheap but
    it will give you a lot of confidence (and maybe save its cost compared with a rear end repair). We had a basic professional camera on our last van but on our current van reversing sensors combined with a good through view is sufficient.  

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    I would ditto above and add be careful of where it is sited if you have or intend to carry bikes on a rack, especially if you use a cover as it can block out all view!. Regards, Roy

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2016 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited March 2016 #5

    Don't buy cheap cable. If you mount one low down they get dirty very quickly. Mount one high up and you have to sort out the cable run. You can go over the roof if you put it in some plastic trunking. B&Q do a white D shaped trunking that has room for one
    cable. If you have a twin camera then the night vision is not that brilliant. We have just changed MH and have just a reverse camera. Not missed the other one yet.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited March 2016 #6

    I have fitted 2 in the past. It was quite straight forward to do if you are fairly practical. You need to look at getting the cable from back to the front. My last one is the type which clips over the rear view mirror and works extremely well. Has made such
    a vast difference to reversing / safety and parking. Most come in kit form with everything there which is needed. Definitely go for a good quality one which also works in the dark. Hope all goes well. 

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited March 2016 #7

    Also depends what you are fitting. I put a Sat Nav in the front of our Pilote and the camera is linked to that. You can also use some of the Lcd Displays and put one on the dash. I found the one that clipped over the rear view camera fouled the blinds in
    the Swift we had at the time. You don't say how old your MH is or what make. If it is a Fiat base and recent model then will probably have a CanBus system. There are units that you can fit Canm8 do one that will give you the reverse wire at the front. It may
    not be possible to use the reverse light feed or even possible to get a wire from it. The Canm8 unit is easy to fit and the reverse output is trigured by the Can Bus. As with all these projects planning is the key. Once you have a plan it becomes far easier.

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