Back up camera

Jim Corey · March 7, 2017

The backup camera in my Monaco 31 foot died. As it's 10 years old, replacement rather than fix is in order. Current system is hard wired. Do I replace with same, hoping wiring is compatible with new components, or get a wireless system? As the rig is relatively short, wireless should work OK. Comments on brands appreciated.

Kirk W · March 7, 2017

If you examine things to see what sort of wiring you have now, you should be able to find a new system that is compatible with it. Are both the camera and the monitor defective? I would not rely on a wireless camera.

oldjohnt · March 7, 2017

As far as "compatible wiring" on a hard wired system, as long as perhaps 12 volts DC is required and present and there's a good coax cable (or whatever for the video transmission) already in place back to front, another hard wired unit may not be too hard to configure and install. My unit didn't have any backup camera so I bought a universal WIRELESS unit on E Bay for $47 and it works perfect and I didn't have to mess running wires (29 ft rig) back to front. I guess first thing is to see what's there like 12 VDC and whatever transmission cable is in use then try and find a similar wired unit.

John T

Pat & Pete · March 7, 2017

As far as "compatible wiring" on a hard wired system, as long as perhaps 12 volts DC is required and present and there's a good coax cable (or whatever for the video transmission) already in place back to front, another hard wired unit may not be too hard to configure and install. My unit didn't have any backup camera so I bought a universal WIRELESS unit on E Bay for $47 and it works perfect and I didn't have to mess running wires (29 ft rig) back to front. I guess first thing is to see what's there like 12 VDC and whatever transmission cable is in use then try and find a similar wired unit.

John T

Or just pony up 47 bucks and be done with it .

Kirk W · March 8, 2017

My unit didn't have any backup camera so I bought a universal WIRELESS unit on E Bay for $47 and it works perfect

Just wondering what unit you bought? I have heard some pretty mixed reviews on wireless versions.

oldjohnt · March 8, 2017

Sorry Kirk, I don't recall the brand and the manual is buried somewhere. I'm sure there are good and bad units out there. I think one reason mine works so well is the fact the camera/transmitter and my receiver/monitor are so close and in direct unobstructed line of sight, maybe 26+ feet from rear wall up to windshield. A friend tried one way back on the rear of his toad and then to the motorhome front (maybe 40 feet??) and it didn't work too well. Mine is a fixed rear tilt with brightness and contrast buttons on the monitor and I tried to call it up on E Bay but its no longer available or has the original listing specs or info. TRY AT ONES OWN RISK LOL but if the distance is approaching 30 feet I wouldn't bet a dime on a cheap wireless unit.

John T

Al F · March 8, 2017

I bought and installed this wireless camera. It is a Pyle, model PLCMTR76WIR, about a $100 from Amazon. I do see some one second image breakup every so often while traveling on city highways. Out in the country I have seen no breakup or at least extremely little.

I tried to decide between a $50 camera and the $200-$300 camera. I couldn't figure out the difference. So decided on a middle of the road system.

As far as signal problems, I would think the only thing which could be different is if you had different frequency bands or different signal encryption. If the $50 system had the same system as the $200 system then I would think you would experience the same signal breakup problems, no matter the cost. Quality of the display could be different.

My Class A is pretty short at 30' total length. I couldn't figure out if I could use the existing camera cable connections with the existing cable. After scratching my brain for a couple of months and looking at what I would have to do to run a new cable from the camera, down the rear cap, along the frame and then back up to above the windshield, I decided I would chance the perhaps interruptions of the camera video.

For 12V power to the camera, I cut the existing 4 wire cable, used one pair for ground and the other pair for 12V.

My old camera/display was the B&W Voyager.

Roadking27358 · March 9, 2017

When I thought I was going to have to replace mine I was looking at the unit Garmin has. The screen is used for the GPS and as a backup camera. It is wireless.

lexidog · March 14, 2017

We got a cheap wireless one off amazon a couple years ago, its not very good and breaks up a lot. If I were to do again I would have got a wired one.

richfaa · March 14, 2017

We have the 56-CH system from RV cams it is 319.00 todays pricing. We have had it for over 10 years on two 5th wheels with not a problem.

We travel a lot and it is on all the time.

It is the hard wired system as the distance monitor connection to camera is a bit over 40 feet and the camera is on the rear ladder.

You get what you pay for..

Ray,IN · March 15, 2017

Most "cheap" wireless back-up systems operate at 2.4Ghz, expect a lot of interference, it's busy frequency. I too bought a cheapie off Amazon ($40), it worked well when my pickup was inside my metal MH garage, but when I backed outside it would stop working. I scratched my head for a few days until I realized the problem.

I then bought a digital wireless (Peak), which has operated flawlessly for 2 months now. ($125 @ Pep-boys). It's worth checking out for your application.