There are several reasons why you might want an RV backup camera or dashboard camera on your journey. An RV backup camera is going to be extremely helpful when you’re trying to maneuver a large, unwieldy vehicle. And as for a dash cam – you might want the extra protection and proof if you get into an accident, or you might simply want to record your journey for fun.
Regardless of why you want an RV backup camera or RV dashboard camera, there are several decisions you’ll need to make when you purchase one. We’ll walk you through your different options and what to look for as you shop.
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Best RV Backup Camera Options
So, what types of RV backup cameras are there?
While there are dozens of specific makes and models, they generally break down into two categories: wireless and wired. Both options have major pros and cons, so choosing one will come down to your personal preference.
Wired Camera Pros and Cons
Pros: Wired backup cameras offer consistently excellent picture quality. They will never drop the signal or give a delayed image, even in poor weather. Additionally, because these cameras have been around for quite some time, there are numerous options.
Cons: Wired cameras are very difficult to install. Most people will need to call a professional to help with the installation. These cameras are also more expensive than their wireless counterparts.
Wireless Camera Pros and Cons
Pros: Wireless cameras are simple to install and can be ready to go in five minutes flat. They are relatively inexpensive as well. Some can even be integrated into existing vehicle navigation systems.
Cons: Even the best wireless backup camera will occasionally have connection issues. This means the picture quality will be fuzzy, delayed, or nonexistent. This can be incredibly frustrating, and even dangerous in some situations. You can avoid some of this interference by going with a digital signal rather than an analog signal, but you’ll never be able to prevent it entirely.
The wireless camera will work for most people in most situations. Considering the lower cost and overall ease of installation, it’s a good choice if you’re on a budget.
Features to Look for
Only you can decide whether a wireless or wired RV backup camera is right for your needs. But what else should you consider when shopping for a backup camera?
Video Quality
Since the whole point of this camera is to ensure you can see what’s going on behind you, you’ll want to invest in a camera with good video quality!
The best RV backup cameras offer fine detail and resolution in broad daylight. They also come with infrared, night vision, color, and black-and-white options. You can choose what works best depending on your circumstances.
RV backup cameras with digital video signals tend to display better and more reliably than those using analog technology. You’ll also want to look for a backup camera that offers an ample field of vision: ideally, more than 90 degrees of the space behind your bumper.
Monitor Quality
The best camera in the world isn’t worth bupkis without a high-quality monitor. You want to ensure the monitor is of the proper size and scale to allow you to see the backup camera feed easily. Just as with your smartphone and other gadgets, screen resolution is important. The more pixels, the better!
Price
Last but not least, price is an important part of your decision. While a backup camera that costs a lot may seem off-putting at first, it could be worth investing in upfront to avoid having to replace it later
Popular Backup Camera Brands
Shopping around is all well and good. But what about some actual product suggestions?
Fortunately, we’ve got a few. Here are some of the most popular RV backup cameras, in both wired and wireless versions.
Wired RV Backup Cameras
Here are some of the best wired RV backup cameras available right now.
eRapta Backup Camera 2.0 – $229.99
The eRapta Backup Camera 2.0 is a popular wired option, featuring a split-screen monitor and waterproof cameras with 18 infrared lights to ensure you’re ready no matter what time of day you’re driving. With a voltage range from 12-24 volts of DC power, this setup can be used by RVers and semi-truck drivers alike and can be installed in any kind of vehicle.
Yakry 7 Inch HD 1080P RV Backup Camera – $55.99
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Yakry 7 Inch HD 1080P RV Backup Camera might be perfect. Complete with a 7-inch monitor and IP69K waterproof cameras, this setup also includes night vision capabilities and even the option to add a dash cam stream as well.
Wireless RV Backup Cameras
Here are some of the best wireless RV backup cameras available now.
iStrong HD Digital Wireless Backup Camera System – $99.99
Made by the same brand as the second wired camera setup listed above, the iStrong HD Digital Wireless Backup Camera System offers the same kind of video quality and convenience without all the setup… and is available at a very attractive price. It’s usable on rigs up to 60 feet in total length.
LeeKooLuu HD Digital Wireless Backup Camera – $93.98
Another reliable, budget-friendly wireless camera, the LeeKooLuu HD Digital Wireless Backup Camera offers waterproof cameras and night-vision capability with plug-and-play ease. Its included camera gives you 150 degrees of viewing, and it’s usable at up to 60 feet for high-speed observation or 80 feet for slow-speed streams.
Best RV Dashboard Camera Options
Dashboard cameras can be a good idea for many reasons. If you’re in an accident, you’ll have a video account of what happened. But you may also just enjoy looking over recordings of your journey later.
Just keep in mind that most dash cams record sound inside the vehicle. This means you need to let everyone riding in the RV know if they’re being recorded. For one thing, it’s polite. But in many states, it’s also the law. You can’t record people without their permission, and this includes their audio.
Features to Look for
If you’re looking for a dashboard camera for your motorhome, here’s a list of things you will want to look for in your new device.
Viewing Angle
You want to capture as much of the area surrounding your vehicle as possible. For this reason, it’s best to get a camera with a wide viewing angle. Sometimes this will give the video a “fisheye” effect, but if you go for a higher-quality camera, you should be able to find one with a wider image.
G Sensor
This feature is super important. It’s the sensor that tells the camera you’ve had an accident and ensures the footage from that accident doesn’t get recorded over.
Video Resolution
Generally speaking, the higher the resolution, the better. That said, if you only want your dash camera to capture accident footage, you may not need the best resolution out there. 1080p is the lowest resolution you should consider. You’ll also want to check whether or not you can read license plates in a dash cam’s footage. Read the reviews if you’re unsure! This can help you in the event of an accident if the other party leaves the scene.
Nighttime Vision
Car accidents often happen after dark. For this reason, it’s important that your dash camera has decent night vision. If you want to get extra fancy, consider purchasing one with IR (infrared) capability.
Price
Of course, price is always an important factor to consider, and you can find cameras for as little as $15 and as much as $700. But good cameras generally run $50–$100, and a nice high-quality one shouldn’t cost you more than $200.
Other Features
There are a few other things you might want to look for as well. These aren’t 100% necessary, and choosing a camera without them doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily have a poor experience, but they are things to consider:
- Small Size — A smaller camera is less likely to obstruct your view or fall from its mount.
- GPS Tracking — This allows the camera to record the exact location where an accident occurred.
- Rear Camera — This can help record things that happen behind your vehicle, like if you get rear-ended on the highway.
- Video Screens — Some cameras come equipped with screens that make it easier to review video.
- Parking Mode — This mode uses a motion sensor to wake up your camera and record if anything comes close to your parked vehicle. Parking mode does require an external battery pack, or in some cases, a wiring mount to connect it straight to your vehicle’s power system.
Memory
The more video you want to keep, the more memory your camera will need. Most cameras use microSD cards to store video, meaning you can choose the storage size to some extent. But most cameras do have a limit on SD card size.
It’s also important to note that cameras that take higher-resolution videos require more memory than other cameras.
Popular Dashboard Camera Brands
Here are some of the best dash cameras for RVers. We chose each of these cameras based on a variety of factors, and hopefully one of them will be the perfect option for you.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini – $129.99
The best budget camera we could find, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini is the perfect choice for those who want a decent dashboard camera without breaking the bank. This is a relatively small camera. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so you can upload footage directly to your smartphone.
It doesn’t offer the best video quality, and the night vision isn’t great, but for the price, this camera really is a good buy.
Rexing V1 – $94.99
An ideal middle-of-the-road camera, the Rexing V1 is super tiny and when it’s mounted under the rearview mirror, it’s completely out of sight. This is perfect for those who rent their RVs, as it is unlikely to be tampered with or damaged.
This camera can record a full 170 degrees, meaning it has one of the wider camera angles on the market. Additionally, the Rexing V1 has an excellent reputation, so you know many others have had good experiences with the device.
Vantrue N2 Pro – $118.94
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line camera that has the vast majority of features mentioned, the Vantrue N2 Pro is for you.
This awesome little camera offers the highest resolution of almost any dashboard camera out there. It also has a second camera that records the cabin area, something that can be especially useful to those who want to take videos of their trip while also recording their thoughts.
We love that this camera has infrared technology for recording in total darkness, as it means you will have high-quality footage to work with regardless of the time. Additionally, we appreciate the wide viewing angle and the fact that the image is not distorted because of it.
How to Install Your Camera
Installing a camera depends on the type you choose. If you choose a wired option, you’ll need to physically wire the hardware into your RV, which may take professional help. If you want to attempt to install it yourself, you can consult YouTube for tutorials to help you. Also be sure to double-check your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t cause any damage to the camera setup or your rig!
To install a wireless backup camera, you’ll want to make sure your monitor is paired to the camera (this is generally done before you purchase it, but double check.) Mount your monitor on your dashboard, in a spot that won’t interfere with your vision while you’re driving. Then, mount your camera according to instructions. Most cameras are mounted under the RV or trailer clearance lights but make sure. Attach the cable, and check your work to make sure the camera is aimed where you want it. If you feel uncertain about installing your wireless camera, there are YouTube tutorials to walk you through the process.
So, when you consider an RV backup camera or dash cam, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll want to decide whether you want a wireless or wired camera, and you’ll want to look at the features of the camera when you decide.
And if you have your camera ready to go and are headed out on a road trip, check out some of our guides to some excellent destinations!
