Rear Observation Camera - Not Pre-Wired

[Chief T]

Thinking of getting a rear camera on the TT, but unfortunately my model is not pre-wired for one. What are my options? DIY around the house if one thing, but DIY electrical on the TT is another.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

[MGCrane]

My husband ordered a wireless camera and monitor from Tadi Brothers and installed it on the back of our Rockwood MiniLite,which was not pre-wired for one. . We wanted a camera that would stay on while we were traveling, not just backing up. He removed the middle clearance light, drilled a hole about 3 or 4 inches below it and pushed the hot and ground wire on the camera out thru the clearance light hole. He spliced the camera wires to the clearance light wiring and pushed excess wire back in the hole and reattached the clearance light. Then he mounted the camera over the hole that he drilled for the wires and sealed it with silicone. The cameras only work when we have the parking lights or headlights on. We always travel with the headlights on when pulling the camper.
At the same time, he ordered a backup camera for our Sequoia since it didn't have one. (It attaches to the license plate). He wired it into the tag light for power. The monitor we bought can be used with up to 4 cameras.
He likes having the cameras to keep an eye on traffic behind and can switch it to see the safety chains, etc. After he installed it, we took a 6,000 mile trip and the system worked great. Our bicycle mirrors are also in view of the camera so we can keep an eye on them. If you are interested, we can take some photos and post them.

[MGCrane]

Originally Posted by MGCrane

My husband ordered a wireless camera and monitor from Tadi Brothers and installed it on the back of our Rockwood MiniLite,which was not pre-wired for one. . We wanted a camera that would stay on while we were traveling, not just backing up. He removed the middle clearance light, drilled a hole about 3 or 4 inches below it and pushed the hot and ground wire on the camera out thru the clearance light hole. He spliced the camera wires to the clearance light wiring and pushed excess wire back in the hole and reattached the clearance light. Then he mounted the camera over the hole that he drilled for the wires and sealed it with silicone. The cameras only work when we have the parking lights or headlights on. We always travel with the headlights on when pulling the camper.
At the same time, he ordered a backup camera for our Sequoia since it didn't have one. (It attaches to the license plate). He wired it into the tag light for power. The monitor we bought can be used with up to 4 cameras.
He likes having the cameras to keep an eye on traffic behind and can switch it to see the safety chains, etc. After he installed it, we took a 6,000 mile trip and the system worked great. Our bicycle mirrors are also in view of the camera so we can keep an eye on them. If you are interested, we can take some photos and post them.

Oops! He mounted the camera under the clearance light.

[Exlimey]

Our trailer came premiered and I ordered the observation camera. Low and behold it didn't work as the camera wasn't getting power. I first removed the center clearance light but that wasn't where it connected. I took the camera mount off and found that the camera power (+12 vdc) wasn't connected to anything. I found the point where it had fallen out, reinserted and recrimped the connection. The camera is a great help both on the road and while backing into a campsite. I'm so glad that I added it to the trailer.