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Backing up a 30-foot trailer with nothing but your side mirrors is no fun. You can’t see the post, the picnic table, or the kid on a bike behind you. Most of us have had somebody stand back there waving their arms, and that only helps so much.
A backup camera fixes most of that. It shows you what’s right behind the RV on a small screen up by the driver. Some of them stay on the whole time you drive, so you can watch traffic behind you too.
There are a lot of them out there, though. Here’s how to pick one, plus three cameras from AUTO-VOX that fit different kinds of rigs.
First, check whether your RV is “prewired”
Look at the back of your RV, up high near the roof. Is there a small, square plate or cap there, often with the name Furrion on it? If so, your RV came ready for a camera. The power is already run to that spot.
That matters a lot. With a prewired RV, you snap a camera onto that plate and you’re done. You don’t drill holes or run any wires. Without one, you’ll want a camera that runs on its own battery or ties into your running lights.
Four things to look at
Signal range. A wireless camera sends the picture to the screen through the air. A long fifth wheel or a truck towing a trailer can put 40 to 60 feet between the camera and you. Pick one rated well beyond that so the picture doesn’t cut out.
Screen size. A 5-inch screen is fine for a pickup and small trailer. On a big rig, a 7-inch screen is a lot easier to read at a glance.
Night vision. You’ll pull into a campsite after dark sooner or later. Get a camera that can see in the dark.
How it’s powered. You’ve got three choices: plug into the Furrion prewire, wire it into your lights, or use a battery and solar camera with no wiring at all.
Three good picks from AUTO-VOX
AUTO-VOX makes backup cameras just for RVs and trailers. Here are three that fit different setups.
For prewired trailers and fifth wheels: AUTO-VOX WF1
If your RV has that Furrion plate on the back, this is the easy one. It plugs right into it. AUTO-VOX says most people get it set up in under 40 minutes with no drilling.
- 7.2-inch screen
- Up to 500 feet of signal in open space, which is plenty for a long rig
- Night vision
- Records video while you drive (memory card included)
- Waterproof for rain and mud
- You can add two more cameras later
Before you buy, make sure your RV really has the Furrion prewire. This one is built for that setup.
No wires and no drilling: AUTO-VOX Solar 5A
Check the Solar 5A at AUTO-VOX
This camera sticks on with a magnet. It runs on a battery that a little solar panel keeps topped off. The screen plugs into your dash outlet. That’s the whole install.
- 5-inch screen
- Up to 300 feet of signal
- Night vision
- Up to about 20 hours on a charge, with solar to help
- Comes with a metal plate if the back of your rig isn’t steel
- Easy to move from the trailer to the truck or boat trailer
This one is good if you don’t have a prewired RV, rent RVs, or don’t want to drill into anything. It’s also a good pick if you tow more than one thing.
For big motorhomes: AUTO-VOX WF4 three-camera system
On a Class A or a long Class C, the blind spots on the sides are as bad as the one in back. The WF4 gives you a rear camera and two side cameras, all on one 7.2-inch screen.
- Shows 1, 2, or all 3 cameras at once
- Side cameras swap in where your side marker lights go and run off the turn signals
- Rear camera fits the Furrion prewire
- Up to 500 feet of signal
- Night vision and video recording
If you change lanes on the highway in a big motorhome, the side cameras help a lot.
A few install tips
- Test it before you mount it for good. Power it up in the driveway and walk the camera to the back of the RV. Make sure the picture stays clear.
- Aim it a little down. You want to see the ground right behind your bumper, not just the sky and the road.
- Wipe the lens. Road grime and bugs build up fast. Wipe it off every time you stop for gas.
- Still use a spotter in tight spots. A camera helps a lot, but a second set of eyes in a crowded campground never hurts.
The bottom line
If your RV has a Furrion plate on the back, start with the WF1. If it doesn’t, or you don’t want to drill, the Solar 5A is the simple choice. If you drive a big motorhome and want to see your sides too, look at the WF4.
Any of them beats backing up blind.