How to Install a Reversing Backup Camera on a Caravan
A reversing backup camera for the caravan is a pretty useful accessory that can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary hassles. The most important benefit of this gadget is assistance in backing the vehicle without bumping into obstacles. If you imagine the difficulty in parking a caravan (with the towing vehicle) while carefully maneuvering it onto the spot, installing a caravan rearview camera can work wonders and reduce the frustration that is often associated with this activity.
Just follow these steps for caravan reversing camera installation without much trouble.
1. First of all, you need to drill a hole in the body (backside) to connect the camera to the lead. A 20 mil. step saw should work fine for this. Make sure you check the pathway that would be used for making the necessary connections.
2. Now you need to fit the bracket that is supplied with the reversing camera. This would require the use of screws to secure the bracket in place. Once the screws are in place, it would be a good idea to seal them completely by using a silicone sealant around the screws.
3. When the camera has been mounted, just adjust the angle as per your preference and tighten the side screws with the help of the Allen key that comes with the unit.
4. With the above steps taken care of, you need to tape or attach the lead for carrying the signal from the back of the caravan to the towing vehicle (near the driver). The lead (after being taped off completely) needs to be passed along the length of the chassis (under the van), and then zip ties the portions of the lead as you move along.
5. Now that the lead has been laid out, it is important for you to check the surroundings and find out how the cable can be laid out without being exposed excessively. In order to achieve this, you would have to make optimal usage of cupboards and other similar structures behind which the lead can be concealed. Just remember that the hole needs to be drilled into the floor.
6. When you pass the cable through the floor, seal it for a tight fit with the use of a good-quality silicone sealant. Make sure you have pulled all the required lengths of the lead before applying the sealant.
7. With the lead extended to the rear, establish the final rear connection.
That should take care of the installation of the reversing backup camera. It did not take a lot of time to do, right? Once the connections have been established, test it for efficiency and back up the vehicle a couple of times to check whether the camera’s angle is comfortable for your viewing. You need to be a little careful while backing up because the camera is connected to the rear end of the caravan and not the towing vehicle, so it would be a good idea to practice it before going on a trip.