There’s a saying popular among the RV set. “Sorry What I Said While Parking The Camper.” To those who know, this statement should come as no surprise. Found on shirts, stickers, and even flags, it shines a bright, incriminating light on the frustration borne from parking – backing in, specifically – an RV or travel trailer.
It’s a reasonable, auditory knee-jerk response to an exasperating exercise. No matter how many times we back the rig into a campsite, the geometry involved – often with trees trunks and limbs, power posts and spigots, and other assorted obstacles inconveniently placed about – makes us appreciate (if maybe curse) those who seemingly do it with ease.
We’re not ignorant to the mechanics involved. Upon arrival, we get out and survey the landscape. The driver discusses with our spotter their planned position where we ideally should be when the exercise is completed). We check our mirrors for the view down the line, then whether by walkie-talkie or cell phone, we dial in and entrust our spotter to be eyes on the ground.
Sometimes, that’s not enough. One spotter can’t watch the back and both sides, limbs, lines, and other obstacles, much as the driver might demand it.
Enter the observation camera. If necessity is the mother of invention, “It’s been called a marriage saver,” jokes Keith Kames, aftermarket regional sales manager with Furrion, a leading manufacturer of RV tech of all kinds, including cameras.
You also could call Kames master of the understatement.
Wired vs Wireless Rearview Cameras
Rearview cameras are divided into two styles: Wired and wireless. As the name implies, wired systems have electrical wireless that run from the installation site or sites to the dashboard. It can require more technical expertise than wireless backup cameras that transmit images from the camera to the monitor via wireless signals.
Whether a single camera, or a two- or four-camera system, drivers get a clear view with multiple high-resolution live-streaming cameras while driving and a view formerly unseen – and highly comforting – when literally pulling into a tight spot.
Furrion has made a science of observation systems. Its gold standard 7-inch Vision S 4-camera system with marker lights (FOS07TAPT; MSRP $999.95) has most everything a driver might want. Features include that seven-inch monitor, two side cameras with marker lights, and a rear camera with marker light (marker lights are the red lens lights that mark the perimeter of the rv and are ideally located for camera placement).
Cameras down the side provide a 65-degree view; rear cameras offer a 120-degree view. That’s a feast for the eyes from side to side up and down.
What to Buy and How to Use your Cameras
Thinking of buying an observation system for your RV? You’ll spend from $80 to $1,000. Here’s a few tips in choosing and using your observation solution:
Crystal clarity. Match the image from the camera with the resolution on the display. In fact, resolution is more important to some users and reviewers than screen size. Some say choosing a smaller screen with a higher resolution and color is better than a bigger screen with lower resolution. If you start with a one- or two-camera system, make sure your monitor has up to four ports to scale to handler the multiple cameras you might down the road.
Seek low light, wide angle, and infrared systems. These systems bring an impressive view, depending on the system you choose. Wide viewing angles, low-light, night vision with IR, even motion detection let drivers (while parking) and campers (while relaxing) keep an eye on what’s going on day or night, rain or shine. “Our cameras can work in absolute zero light situations,” he said. That includes their 4.3, 5 and 7-inch monitor systems (camera resolution and features are generally the same across).
Hear and see better. Cameras feature 720×480 camera resolution, waterproofing and IR cut filter, motion detection and digital wireless connectivity to the anti-glare touch screen monitor with built-in audio. Some cameras now come with microphones for one-way audio. This allows the driver to hear the spotter’s instructions via a speaker on the back of the monitor (without the spotter hearing any expletives coming from the cab). It also allows the driver to see and hear any kids who might have wandered behind the rig. This way, “You’re using more than once sense” for safety, Kames said. A backup camera / floodlight combination brightens the area for the spotter and the driver, especially if the driver is docking solo.
Layer on security. Security is a concern among RVers and campers. The Furrion Vision S system uses motion sensing to lend an eye on the campsite. With a camera over the RV door, set up your parameters, including distance to engage (from 10 to 30 feet). If it senses motion, it will feed the image to and autowake the monitor that can sit on a table-top stand anywhere there’s 12-volt power. No ability to record – yet.
Wipe the grime. Just like with the back-up camera lens on my F150, it’s good practice to frequently wipe down the lenses to ensure a clear view – especially after a long drive where rain, exhaust, and grime can collect on the lens and obscure your view.
Always Look First. Whether roadtripping with a copilot or rolling solo, always get out to eyeball your campsite. Look for the power posts, spigots, elevated wires or power lines, trees, branches, or stumps rising out of the ground. Cameras, mirrors, and spotters won’t see it all. You’re the driver. The buck stops with you.
Never be afraid to ask for help. If you’re rolling solo, never be afraid to ask a nearby camper or a workcamper or host to spot you. Most would be happy to help, knowing kindness is paid forward. I arrived solo at a music festival campground and needed a set of eyes. Someone strolled over, guided me in, then fed a plate of his wife’s breakfast casserole (Full Disclosure: in most instances, casserole is not included is offers to spot a park job).
Buying Your Camera Set-Up
Own an RV or trailer built in the past three years or so? It’s probably prepped, pre-wired or pre-bracketed for a camera. Jayco, Heartland, Grand Design, among others make pre-wiring standard on many models, especially for rear cameras. Many models since 2020 now include side cameras and/or wiring. Aluminum body trailers, like AirStream, can be more difficult to install if they’re not prewired.
What does pre-bracketed mean? If you’re handy with a screwdriver, pull four screws to remove the plate (for side cameras, it’s two screws). Put the camera in place, wire it for power and ground (95% of all cameras draw power from the running light circuit), and replace the screws.
“And you’re done,” said Kames, noting how many RVs come prepped for devices like cameras, antennas, wifi routers, and speakers. “When they come prepped, it’s very easy for a DIYer.”
New or old, most trailers may require an hour to install the system. Take off a marker light, fish out the power and ground wires probably less than 12 inches under the marker light. Pop a hole, fish out the wires, and hook it up.
Even the monitor display menu is user friendly and highly intuitive. In time, a smartphone or tablet will replace the system monitor, helping declutter what’s become a busy dashboard, what with phones, GPS, in-dash displays, tire pressure systems (TPS) and now observation monitors.
How far will the signals transmit? They’re designed to travel 492 feet “as the crow flies,” Kames said, with little degradation or loss of clarity. Since a tire monitoring system, wifi, and anything on the 2.4GHz frequency range can interrupt the signal, nearly 500 feet of signal strength means a short run like 50 to 60 feet should be crystal clear.
Once all this is in place, maybe marriages will be spared and drivers won’t have to apologize for things they said while parking the camper. Who knows, you might even find a breakfast casserole waiting once you’re parked.