9 Best Backup Cameras for RVs

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Backing up an RVs is difficult because of their size and even the most experienced campers often struggle when trying to park their mobile home. While backing up, there are a lot of blind spots that you have to look out for and it’s even harder to navigate the RV into tight spots.

However, RV backup cameras offer an easy and innovative solution to all those problems, minimizing your blind spots and allowing you to drive with greater ease and comfort.

The most advanced cameras provide assistance while parking and come with sensors that let you know when you’re too close to obstacles. They are meant to increase your safety while driving RVs.

They can either be wireless or hardwired, and both have their pros and cons. You don’t have to deal with as much wiring with wireless systems, but signal interruptions are more common if you don’t know how to install it.

On the other hand, hardwired cameras don’t have the problem of signal interruptions, but you have to figure out how to run the wire from the back all the way to the front.

Why Do I Need a Backup Camera for My RV?

Unlike most passenger vehicles, you really can’t see what’s behind your mobile home when you’re driving. The side mirrors may help a little, but you only see vehicles once they overtake you. A rearview mirror is useless because there is just a lot of things that get in the line of sight. This is why you should own a backup camera in your RV.

There are some really good reasons why you should get one. Just to name a few:

  • Fewer Accidents: According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway, vehicles with backup cameras experienced 75% fewer collisions while reversing the vehicle. That’s because RV backup cameras don’t just allow you to see what’s behind the vehicle, but they also warn you when some obstacle is too close to the bumper.
  • Easy to Maneuver in Tight Spaces: RV Backup Cameras come with indicators that allow you to park with greater accuracy. They give indications for how far you are from the edges of the parking spot, allowing you to navigate better.
  • Greater Safety: Most accidents happen when RVs are backing up. Due to the size of the RV, you might not be able to see if a small kid or pet is close to the bumper. However, with an RV backup camera, you get the indication. This drastically increases your safety.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of everything you need to consider when buying RV backup cameras.

Best RV Backup Cameras on the Market Today:

1. eRapta ER01 Backup Camera

The first backup camera on our list comes eRapta. The camera system includes a 7” screen and an extension cord that is 50 feet long. You can add another camera as well, which is great because you don’t need another screen just to have another camera. You can flip between the two of them, but you can’t view them both at once in the screen.

The image quality of the screen is clear, but the colors look muted out of the box. You can adjust the display settings (contrast, brightness, color), but it’s somewhat irritating that it always resorts back to the default setting when you turn it on again.

There is no 12V charger included that you can just plug to the cigarette lighter, so you have to power it through the wiring harness. You only have to do this for the screen since the camera is also powered by the wired connection. But if you only need the camera when you’re driving in reverse, you wire it with the tail lights.

The camera is easier to screw on the RV without the camera body. After replacing the camera body, you can only swivel it vertically. The visor for the camera is adjustable, and this helps in blocking the sunlight. If you have too much sunlight entering the lens, the image on the screen will look washed out.

The camera has a 149-degree viewing angle and night vision capability. You can see the lane behind you as well as approaching cars in the other lane. There also alerts for when you are parking, which helps in avoiding collisions with anything or anyone behind you.

The camera has an IP69K rating, which it is certified to withstand high-pressure jets of water. It’s good to know that your camera still works in the rain or snow, and visibility is greatly reduced when the conditions worsen.

Pros

  • You can add another camera
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • Adjustable visor prevents too much light into the lens
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Screen must be manually wired for power
  • Screen returns to the default setting when you turn it on again

2. ZEROXCLUB Digital Wireless Backup Camera System Kit

This wireless backup camera system comes with a 7” screen and antennas for both the screen and the camera. Unfortunately, you can’t add another camera and you would have to upgrade to the more expensive product from ZEROXCLUB to get that option.

The wireless connection can be intermittent at times, which is a perpetual problem for wireless systems anyways. A solution to that is not to position the display’s antenna upright, but rather to the side. This greatly improves consistency of the connection in a lot of driving scenarios.

The image quality of the screen is far from fuzzy, but it isn’t bright enough when you look at it from the driver seat. It gets worse when you’re facing the sun when driving, where harsh lighting can overwhelm the screen. Others have reported that boosting the contrast and brightness of the display makes it look weird.

Since the charger connects to the cigarette lighter, it is so much more convenient than having to manually connect it to the wiring harness for power. However, you still have to wire the camera to the battery for power. If you only use the camera for reversing and don’t need to see the back all the time, you can just wire it with the tail lights.

Mounting the camera to the back of the RV is virtually impossible without removing the camera body first. Keep in mind that when the camera mount is screwed to the back of the RV, the antenna limits the range of adjustability. You don’t have that problem when the camera is mounted on the roof of the RV.

The camera has a 140-degree viewing angle and night vision capability. You can see what’s behind your lane but your view of the lane beside you is limited. There are also no guidelines that you can activate when you’re reversing the RV. While it may not be a total dealbreaker, it sucks that don’t know if something is still within a safe distance or not. For the night vision, the monitor has no problem in showing the feed because it doesn’t need to be as bright at night.

The cameras have an IP69K rating just as the previous model on our list.

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • Monitor is adequately sharp
  • 12V charger is included
  • Night vision capability
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Can’t connect more than one camera
  • Wireless connection is choppy if you don’t know the trick
  • Dim display
  • Camera must be wired manually for power
  • Limited adjustability when the camera is mounted vertically
  • No guidelines in the display

3. Furrion 381556 FOS48TAPK-BL Wireless High-Speed RV Observation System

This wireless backup camera system from Furrion comes with a 4.3” screen and antennas for both the screen and the camera. Smaller cameras for the left and right sides of the RV are optional, but you can’t add another main camera. The side cameras are always a good idea, as they enhance your visibility at the back of your RV, so if you have the budget, I would recommend getting them as well.

A drawback of the setup is that Furrion themselves said that you may encounter problems in speeds greater than 55 mph. While RVs typically don’t travel that fast, it is not exactly reaffirming to know that the camera may be not functioning properly when you’re in a rush.

The image on the screen is sharp and it’s bright enough for the daytime. But systems with bigger screens are just easier to use in my opinion. You also can’t have it face directly towards the driver because the antenna hits the windshield when you turn it.

The mount doesn’t seem supportive enough, and it’s apparent when you attach it to the windshield-the small suction cup slides off in no time and it can’t seem to hold the weight of the screen.

The charger for the monitor connects to the cigarette lighter, which is so much more convenient than having to manually connect it to the wiring harness. You still have to manually wire the camera for power, however. If you only use the camera for reversing the RV, you can wire it with just the tail lights.

The mount for the camera is easy to install because the screw holes are located at the side. It also serves as a visor because it’s large enough to shade it from excess light. You can’t adjust it side-to-side, so it’s best to mount it in a central location.

The camera has a 170-degree viewing angle and night vision capability. What you see on the screen is wide enough that you can see two lanes clearly. The camera has an IP66 rating, which may be a lower rating than an IP69K rating, but both can withstand a strong downpour whether you’re on the road or at the campsite.

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • Side cameras are optional
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • 12V charger is included
  • Camera is easy to install
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Can’t connect more than one main camera
  • Wireless connection is choppy beyond 55 mph
  • Smaller display than other backup cameras
  • Display mount is poorly designed
  • Camera must be manually wired for power

4. Camecho Wireless Parking Assistance System

The next camera on our list is a well-priced option from a Chinese manufacturer Camecho. This wireless backup camera system comes with a 7” screen and a wireless remote control. The wireless transmitter and receiver are connected to the power cable of the screen and camera. You can also add another camera to the system, but Camecho themselves has stated that only one camera can be wireless.

The wireless connection can be intermittent if you have a trailer that’s more than 40 feet long. The manual suggests a range of 20 to 40 feet so it is not ideal for large campers.

The display shows a clear picture and it’s also bright enough to see during the day. The remote is convenient so you don’t have to reach for the screen when changing the channel. You can only view one camera input at a time, though.

You can only mount the display on the dashboard using the included double-sided tape in the package, as there is no suction cup mount included. I do prefer the latter since it’s better for attaching the display to the windshield in my opinion, but that is not the option here.

You have to connect the display manually to the wiring harness, which isn’t as simple compared to just plugging it to the cigarette lighter. The same goes for the camera. If you only need the camera for reversing the RV, you can wire it with the tail lights.

Whether you want to mount it vertically or horizontally, it’s easier to install when you detach the camera housing first before screwing the mount. But once you have it installed, the range of adjustability is quite wide. You can practically have it facing upward if you wanted to. You also get a visor that is independently adjustable, which shields the excess light from the lens.

The camera has a 140-degree viewing angle and night vision capability. The viewing angle is enough for seeing behind your lane and little of the gutter. There are guidelines on the screen to help you estimate the distance of vehicles behind, which is really useful when reversing your RV.

The camera has an IP67 rating. However, some users have experienced moisture seeping into the camera because of shoddy build quality.

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • Comes with a remote
  • Another camera can be added
  • Wide range of adjustability for camera mount
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Only one camera can be wireless in the system
  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Wireless connection is choppy beyond 40 feet
  • Monitor and camera must be wired manually for power
  • Camera housing is prone to come with poor build quality

5. Rear View Safety RVS-770613 Backup Camera System

Now let’s look at one of the best options on the market today- camera system by Rear View. The backup camera system comes with a 7” screen, a wireless remote control, and control box which can accommodate up to three cameras. It’s great to have the option of multiple cameras, so you can see much of the road as possible. Still, you can only see one camera input at a time on the screen.

The display is nice and sharp and can automatically adjust its brightness depending on the ambient light. It works very well both, day- and nighttime, and has speakers at the bottom (the camera has a mic). On top of that camera can capture audio as well, which is a neat little feature.

The display stand is only good for installing on the dashboard, and it can easily be directed towards the driver. It would not work on the windshield because the swiveling arm is just too short.

Regrettably, there is no charging cable that can you just plug into the cigarette lighter. It may seem really inconvenient at first but when you have it all set-up, you can just forget about it. Power for the cameras is also handled by the control box, and it’s easy to just plug them in and you’re good to go.

Mounting the camera to the RV is fairly straightforward but do keep in mind that it’s much easier to screw the metal bracket without the camera housing and visor. The visor is independently adjustable and it shields the excess light from the lens. It’s great to have this feature because you don’t have to deal with a washed-out picture on the screen that is difficult to read.

The camera that comes with IP69K rating has a 130-degree viewing angle, and it’s just enough to see the lane behind you. Still, blind spots can occur especially when the vehicle at the back is very close. 

The camera can also see at night (thanks to its infra-red lights), and Rear View Safety says that they can see 50 feet from the back of the RV in total darkness, but we did not measure this ourselves. All I can attest to is that when the camera is dusty, it can cause glare when you look at the image on the screen.  Still, after cleaning it, the image clears out so it’s a small drawback since it only occurs when you’re on the road.

Pros

  • Comes with a remote
  • Up to three cameras can be installed
  • Cameras can capture audio
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Monitor and camera must be wired manually for power
  • Viewing angle is less than most cameras
  • Dusty lens can cause glare in the night vision

6. AUTO-VOX M1W Wireless Backup Camera Kit

Another great value camera that is well worth your consideration is M1W model by Auto-Vox. The wireless backup camera system comes with a 4.3” screen and a transmitter for the camera. There is no antenna that is directly attached to the camera, which makes it easier to adjust once it’s mounted. 

The monitor’s image quality is decent and it’s visible enough even on a sunny day. You can mount the display on the dashboard or attach it to the windshield because the bracket has 360-degrees of adjustability. I like the fact that the display is small enough to mount in front of you without being too distracting.

The charger for the monitor (which also includes USB port) connects to the cigarette lighter, and it makes the installation quick and easy. You still have to wire the camera to the wiring harness of the vehicle, however.

The camera is mounted using double-sided tape as there are no screw holes or other ways to fix it. You can tilt the camera to about 45 degrees, which is good enough for most situations but you can’t face it directly down. Unfortunately, you can’t add another camera to the system, which is a bummer.

You should keep in mind the importance of where you install the transmitter as it is crucial to signal reception. The worst place to put it is under the vehicle, where the signal can be choppy. So you should consider putting it inside the RV where the reception is much better and it is also protected from the rain.

The camera has a 170-degree viewing angle and night vision capability so the viewing angle allows you to see the sides of the lane behind you. 

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • 12V charger is included
  • Camera is easy to install
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Can’t connect more than one camera
  • Smaller display than other systems
  • Camera is mounted using double-sided tape only
  • Camera must be wired manually for power

7. LeeKooLuu Wireless Backup Camera 7″ Monitor System

LeeKooLuu wireless backup camera system comes with a 7” screen, a wireless camera, and antennas. Both the screen and the camera use antennas and you have the option of adding another camera to the system if you wish to. Still, you can only view one camera input at a time on the display.

But the other camera is a wired connection instead of wireless, which isn’t much of a dealbreaker.

The display mount is only suitable for the dashboard because its arm isn’t long enough. But you get a free suction cup if you contact LeeKooLuu and tell them that you need one. I love customer service details like that!

The screen charger plugs directly into the cigarette lighter but you still have to wire the camera for power (use either the battery or the tail lights for this depending on whether you want the camera on all the time or only when you backing the RV).

Quick Tip: It’s easier to install the camera when you detach the camera housing first before screwing the mount. Also keep in mind that if you mount it vertically, the range of adjustability is limited by the wireless antenna.

The camera that comes with IP69 rating has a 150-degree viewing angle and night vision capability which is great for those dark winter nights. 

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • You can add another camera
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • Free suction cup mount
  • 12V charger is included
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Only one camera can be wireless in the system
  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Camera must be wired manually to the RV

8. Pyle Backup Monitor System

The backup camera system by PYLE comes with a 7” screen and a wireless remote control. You can also add another camera in the system, but you can only view the camera inputs one at a time on the screen. Having a remote is convenient and you don’t have to reach for the screen when changing a setting.

The screen’s image quality is decent and it’s bright enough to see on a sunny day. The display’s mount is stable enough when you have it on the dashboard. But you can only tilt it and you can’t swivel it side to side. There is a suction cup mount included which you can use to attach the screen to the windshield.

The camera mount and housing look minimalist and it’s actually easy to install. Unlike with several other models covered in this review you don’t have to detach the camera housing as the screwdriver doesn’t hit anything.

You should be aware that you need to wire the system to the wiring harness of the RV yourself, and the instruction manual is not very clear, unfortunately. To sum it up, you should connect the screen to the ignition to turns it on when you also start the RV  and you wire the camera to the tail lights if you only need it for going reverse.

The camera has a 170-degree viewing angle and rather good night vision capability for the low price of the product. It’s wide enough that you can see incoming vehicles from the adjacent lane and there are helpful guidelines on the screen for parking (that you can also switch on or off). 

This camera comes also with a marine grade waterproof IP68 rating.

Pros

  • Wireless remote is included
  • You can add another camera
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • Camera is easy to install
  • Night vision capability
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Manual is unclear about the instructions
  • Monitor and camera must be wired manually for power

9. Yuwei Wireless Backup Camera System

For last, but not least we have chosen this quality product by Yuwei. This wireless backup camera system comes with a 7” screen and antennas for both the screen and the camera. You can have up to four cameras in the system and it’s great to be able to see more of the surroundings when you’re driving. However, you can’t view them all at the same time in the monitor.

The image quality of the screen is really sharp and I can not even imagine why you would need a better resolution product, to be honest. There is a visor around the display to shield it from direct sunlight, but it is not obstructive. Still, the monitor is quite large, but this is exactly what I also love about the product.

The mount for the camera has enough allowance so you don’t have to remove the camera just to install it on the RV. Keep in mind that when you mount it to the back instead of on the roof, the antenna gets in the way of finding the right angle for the camera.

The camera has a 149-degree viewing angle and night vision capability and all you need is 12V wire to power it. Another great feature with this unit lies with the fact that the signal strength is impressive so it will not be a problem even if you install it in a larger RV or a truck.

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • Up to four cameras can be installed
  • Monitor is adequately sharp and bright
  • 12V charger is included
  • Guidelines in the display
  • Night vision capability
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Camera inputs can only be viewed one at a time
  • Camera must be wired manually to the RV

Which Factors to Consider when Buying RV Backup Cameras?

When purchasing RV backup cameras, you need to take the following factors into consideration.

Type

There are two main types of RV backup cameras based on how they work — wired and wireless.

Wired

These are the most reliable and powerful backup cameras on the market. They don’t run on batteries so there’s no chance of them suddenly stopping either. However, they are hard to install and requires complicated use of wiring systems. You should hire a professional to install wired RV backup cameras.

Once installed, you cannot move or remove the backup camera whenever you want as that will also be a complicated process. As such, these are permanent and fixed RV backup cameras.

Wireless

Wireless cameras are the easiest to install as they don’t require complicated wires running throughout the RV. However, they are also more prone to static and interference from other wireless devices in the area. These can generally be installed without professional help, you just have to refer to the manual’s instructions.

Video Quality

It’s important to get an RV backup camera with superior visuals. You should go for a Full HD camera with strong color contrasts that allow you to see the smallest of details clearly.

Field of View

When you are reversing your RV, you need to be able to see a wide range of visuals. You essentially want to minimize blind spots as much as possible. That’s only possible with a wide-angle lens. You should aim for RV backup cameras with a field of view greater than 120-degrees.

At the same time, you should also avoid backup cameras with a lens angle over 180-degrees. While these cameras provide a greater field of view, they create a “fisheye” effect that can distort the visuals and make it harder to see details.

Mirroring

Mirroring is a feature that reverses the images captured on the camera so that the display serves as an actual rearview mirror. Without this feature, you might be quite confused as you reverse while looking at the side mirrors and the camera’s display.

Installation

Get a backup camera that can be installed easily and one that comes with clear instructions. If you get a wired camera, you’ll likely get a professional to do the installation. So this really applies more for a wireless camera that you’ll be handling on your own.

Night Vision

Do you drive your RVs in low-light conditions or during nights? If so, you need an RV backup camera with a great Night Vision. Backing up is often harder at nights because of reduced visibility. With a Night Vision backup camera, you can see the surroundings clearly. Most RV backup cameras use infrared LEDs to provide night vision.

Mounting Options

Surface Mounted

The most popular mounting option, these are backup cameras mounted on a flat surface at the rear end of the RV.

Flush Mounted

These are discreet backup cameras. You install them inside the RV by drilling a hole through which it can grab visuals. It should be installed such that you can only see the lens and the bezel of the camera.

License Mounted

These are backup cameras that are attached through the license plate holes. In this case, the position of the RV backup camera will be entirely dependent on where the license plate is. As such, you should only get a license mounted backup camera if your RV’s license is at a high enough location.

Weather Resistance

The RV backup camera should be weather-resistant so that it can continue working in varying temperature and weather conditions. It should be able to work at different temperatures, during rainstorms, snowstorms, sandstorms, etc.

Automatic Power On

This is an advanced feature only available in the most expensive RV backup cameras. In these, the camera is connected to the reverse lights. As such, the camera automatically goes live whenever you start backing up.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you figure out how you should go about selecting the best backup camera for your RV. If you follow these tips and suggestions, you’ll get the perfect RV backup camera.