Using a rear view
camera system with a trailer caravan.
Published in Practical Caravan Readers Workshop February 2010
Rear view camera systems are common on large motor homes but
not often seen on trailer caravan outfits.
With a rear view camera installed, rear vision is greatly
improved, this is particularly marked in dense traffic where vehicles close
behind would be invisible in wing mirrors. The two photos taken when halted at
traffic lights show rear vision both on the screen and in the mirrors.
Lane changes are much safer, as is pulling in after
overtaking. Hitching up or pitching is also easier and the partner doesn’t need
the lungs of a sergeant major to tell one that the brake lights are working or
“mind that tree”. It is however not a legal substitute for mirrors and for
distance I find the image too small to rely on.
The system can be either wired or wireless, but wireless
systems can be prone to spasmodic interference and wired is more reliable. A
kit comprising Camera, Monitor and cable can set you back around £300 according
to spec but it might be possible for the more technically inclined to get the
individual components cheaper. When buying its important to check that the
monitor can be switched to “mirror” as without this the image of cars appearing
to pass on the nearside is most disconcerting even dangerous.
Fitting a wired system presents the following issues for the
DIY caravaner.
- Mounting the camera at the rear of the outfit.
- Connecting the car and caravan CCTV cables together.
- Powering the system and mounting the monitor on the dash.
Mounting on the rear of the caravan
Cameras are usually supplied with a bracket intended to be
screwed to the van, but as there are already enough ways for water to enter or
warranties to void, it’s worth applying some ingenuity to avoid drilling. I currently mount mine outside on a rear
bike rack and pass the cable through the window, but not too many vans have
this facility and a good alternative is to mount one inside the van looking
through the window. A method I have used is to attach the camera to some sort
of mount (I use a strong plastic box) and clamp this to a work surface in the
washroom with large spring clips. This has the advantage of being out of the
weather, but at times heavy rain or spray will obscure the view.
Note
Since this article was published we have changed the caravan and now own a Lunar Clubman without facility for a bike rack and without a rear window. I am now mounting the camera on the roof using a modified mobile phone suction mount and passing the cable through a skylight.
Connecting the system
Most kits will come with 18 meters of cable that should be
enough to run the length of the outfit. This will need to be broken at the tow
bar and reconnected with a plug and socket, an additional 12N.or 12S can be
used for this. It is important to cut the cable in the right place the cable is
not cheap if a mistake is made.
After threading the cable from the rear end of the caravan,
through or under the van, strip the end and couple the individual wires to the
12N plug and those from the car to the socket in much the same way as normal
towing electrics. They are colour coded and provided the same wiring pattern is
used in the socket there should be no problem. Threading the cable through both
car and van is tedious but it’s worth spending the time to lose the cable
behind trim or under carpets for the finished result.
At the Dashboard
A mount will usually come with the monitor but again a
little ingenuity will avoid drilling or disfiguring car trim with adhesives.
Part of the mount can be used in conjunction with a suction mounted mobile
phone holder.
Power for the monitor come from the cigarette lighter and no
separate supply is needed for the camera.
Top of Page
©Copyright 2010 David Willdigg All rights reserved
