Reverse cameras

Trew · Member

Reverse cameras

RickJ · Senior Member

Trew wrote:
Hello, best way to set up reverse cameras on towing vehicle and caravan to run off 1 monitor. Any suggestions please?

Without identifying actual brands and the functions of those brands, many monitors including GPS screens can be utilised for dual purpose that may offer a choice of usage depending on the source of the signal.

This theory may even include those screens fitted as OE in many vehicles.

Accurate research will be required to determine what will work and what wont.

Companies like Safety Daves may be able to help as would many other who are specialists in that technolology.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

Does the tow vehicle already have a camera and monitor and you want to add the caravan or are you starting with nothing? You need to give us some clues.

Dick0 · Guru

Hi Trevor,

If you are looking for an external (OEM) add on unit there are many brands out there that you can connect reverse and caravan (2) cameras to a monitor.

There are Head Units that allow additional cameras to be integrated into the factory dash. My Jeep is one of them and that is what I have done rather than use an additional monitor.

If you provide your vehicle specs you may get better advice from those who have upgraded. If your vehicle is an older model then you can upgrade the Head Unit for a better sound system including the facility of additional integrated cameras.

Search Ebay for head unit upgrades or your vehicle manufacturer integrated upgrades. Plenty of options out there.

Trew · Member

Starting without any cameras

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

Thankyou for clue number 1, now how about giving us the name of your horse or failing that the details of your tow vehicle. Many of us have done similar things but there is no "One solution for all". Different vehicles require different solutions.

shakey55 · Senior Member

When I purchased my second hand van it had camera in rear all wired up. I had a mate install a reversing camera ( a well known brand ) in my Nissan Patrol and removable monitor on dash. This monitor had two channels, changed by the push of a button.

After the install, I could see from rear of vehicle when hooking up and if I want, change channels and see from the rear of the van while reversing.

Ian G · Senior Member

I have the rear vision mirror type, half the mirror is a monitor for the camera, turn it off and revert to a standard rear vision mirror, simple and work well. Ian

Trew · Member

Triton dual cab and Jayco expanda caravan.

Whenarewethere · Guru

My model car was never available with surround cameras. One had to buy a Range Rover.

But one can get all the parts & add them, on one level plug & play, almost, as another owner on my model car has done. Also done blind spot monitoring & rear cross alert & follow my home (keeping reverse camera on). It's all switched off in the "pauper" models to force you to buy an Range Rover or similar.

You do have to edit the code in the car to turn on these features.

One other issues on my car, the route through the doors was not quite large enough for the cable plugs so they needed to be removed & soldered on again.

Those who have had a bit of practice editing code it's not an issue. Those who haven't be careful not to 'brick' the car.

You could set up the cameras where you want.

Then you have all the cameras you need on one display, including zoom to centre & to the perimeter.

But it would be best to follow this up on a forum on your particular model car.

Craig1 · Guru

Safety Dave monitor for me. It worked with camera already fitted to van . Auto reversing switch, off, or on to use as a rear view "mirror", or reversing aid when hooked up.
It is an extra monitor but much cheaper than buying a new entertainment unit for tug.

Cuppa · Guru

I have two cameras mounted on the rear of the car. One a good quality (30 degree field of view one for rear vision whilst driving from Nassecurity.com.au & another much wider angle off ebay for reversing looking at the tow hitch.

The monitor is a 4 pin mirror type one - plenty all similar on ebay - not expensive - all able to take input from two cameras, with a touch switch on the monitor to let you switch between them.

Easy to fit & set up. Nassecurity sell a variety of cables, including short adapter cables should accidentally end up with a male to male or female to female connection if what you buy are mis matched.

shakey55 · Senior Member

Craig1 wrote:
Safety Dave monitor for me. It worked with camera already fitted to van . Auto reversing switch, off, or on to use as a rear view "mirror", or reversing aid when hooked up.
It is an extra monitor but much cheaper than buying a new entertainment unit for tug.

Yes same for me. An added bonus is that it has sound, so can hear instructions when hooking up

Bobdown · Guru

shakey55 wrote:
Craig1 wrote:
Safety Dave monitor for me. It worked with camera already fitted to van . Auto reversing switch, off, or on to use as a rear view "mirror", or reversing aid when hooked up.
It is an extra monitor but much cheaper than buying a new entertainment unit for tug.
Yes same for me. An added bonus is that it has sound, so can hear instructions when hooking up

Shakey, sometimes I turn the sound off when SWMBO is yelling at the dog to get out of the way.......... smile smile

Safety Dave for me as well, with separate monitor, so you can see vehicles behind all the time when travelling, not just good for reversing.

Craig1 · Guru

Yep, forgot about the sound. 1st time I had it on a Harley came up beside me, nearly sh.. pants.