Backup Camera Prep: Travel Trailers Backup Camera Ready
While you may think you know what a claim by an RV maker is saying, the terms may be referring to something completely different. That is the way it goes as the makers of RVs are trying to outdo their competition and get you to think one thing so you buy their products over other companies’ products.
This is a prime example of what we were just talking about. The key term is ‘ready' and what that term means is that there is a mount and some wiring in place. The camera is not installed and it will not be supplied to you by the RV maker. You have to purchase it yourself and then pay extra for installation.
To learn more about backup camera-ready RVs just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know in order not to be surprised to find that the camera is nowhere in sight. Take a few minutes to get up to speed on this important topic.
Backup Camera 101
What Does Backup Camera Prep Mean?
Not a lot it seems as it is just another way to say ‘back up camera ready’. The word ‘prep’ is being used to say the same thing as the word ‘ready’. That term simply means that you may have a mounting spot and some wiring going from the back of your RV or trailer to the front.
You also may have the mount installed as well. The type of camera you can use may depend on the dealer making the RV, etc., or you may be free to choose your own. As long as it fits the mount without having any issues.
In other words, the RV, etc., dealer or manufacturer is not going to install the camera for you. That is an extra expense you have to deal with. Also, there may not be a monitor installed either. Getting one of those will also cost you extra and over the top of the purchase price.
Don’t be fooled as manufacturers usually only do the minimum requirements when it comes to features.
Do Travel Trailers Have a Backup Camera?
Unless the travel trailer is very expensive and luxurious chances are there is no backup camera installed before your purchase. Then if they are back up ready, that would be up to the makers of the travel trailers.
They may or may not have pre-installed the mount and the wiring for you. If this is a deal-breaker for you, make sure to ask the dealer tough questions to make sure the wiring is already in place. If it isn’t you are looking to pay more money on top of the cost of the camera and monitor.
If you do a quick search of the internet, you will find a myriad of articles telling you which are the best brands and types of cameras and monitors you should buy. Keep in mind that if the manufacturer installs the system, they will go with the cheapest option possible and you may end up replacing it very quickly.
Do a thorough check and make sure to ask the dealer about their backup installation policy as you may be able to save on costs by buying the camera you want and have the dealer install it. You will have the warranty to think about.
How Does a Backup Camera Work On a Travel Trailer?
It works the same as it would on a self-drive RV. You have two basic options, a wired system that would go through your hitch area to get connected to the monitor in your tow vehicle. Then there is the wireless system which doesn't need the hassle of installing the wire through the trailer to get a connection.
The biggest benefit of the wired option is that you never lose your signal and you can always see behind you. Unless something happens to the wire. The wireless option does have the risk of a lost signal and that lapse may come at the very wrong time.
Then the biggest drawback to both systems is that the cameras may not be compatible with the monitors you already have in your newer tow vehicles. It is a good thing that most cameras you can buy come with their own monitors that also need to be installed in the correct place in the cab area of your truck or car.
You just have to do some research to find the right brand and model for your travel trailer and see which option works best for you.
Travel Trailer Backup Camera Ready
This will also be the same as the self-drive RVs. All you get will be a mount and some wiring installed for you. The monitor and type of camera will be up to you to select. That gives you a lot of freedom unless the camera you choose doesn't fit the pre-installed mount.
When the two are not compatible, you have to replace the mount that is already there with a different one that is compatible with the camera. That is the downside of the advertising that includes the words ‘camera ready’.
You do not get the camera nor the monitor just some wires and a mount that may or may not be compatible with the model you buy. While this leaves you with a lot of freedom to buy the equipment that you want, you have to check the warranty to make sure either you or a trusted mechanic can install the equipment or not.
You do not want to void your warranty if your RV or travel trailer is new or still under the coverage provided by the manufacturer.
What Backup Camera Prep Does My RV Have?
Not much, we are afraid. While the term sounds good, there is a lot of missing information that the dealers are not telling you. They are letting you be misguided a little bit letting you assume that the camera and monitor are installed when they are not.
All you have, unless you are paying for the extra feature, is a set of wires and a mount. That is it. You can go with the wireless option but the wires will still be there whether you use them or not. There may be some exceptions to the rule of camera-ready.
Those exceptions may apply to the very expensive self-drive RVs as their purchase price is great enough to have the backup cameras pre-installed during construction. We just can’t say for sure as every RV maker is different and will have different policies.
If the cameras are pre-installed, as is the monitor, then the ads would say backup cameras are installed and that would be a great selling point. Just check with the different dealers to make sure what is or isn’t installed in the model of RV you want to buy.
Furrion Backup Camera/Observation Prep
Well in some cases you will have a three-camera setup that removes blind spot issues. The cameras are set up in a way that you can see all around you as well as behind your RV. Then you do get monitors with the camera you purchase. The good thing about this company is that they make those monitors in different sizes so you get the best view possible.
Also, the word prep is not different for this company. It just means that the wiring and mount are in place and all you need to do is buy the right system to attach to those wires. However, many of the Furrion camera systems are wireless so you may not need to use those pre-installed wire setups. You might need the power cable but that is about it.
Also, you can get a Furrion mount to fit this model of camera if your pre-installed mount is not compatible. That will make your shopping a little easier. Check to see the brand name of the mount and do some internet checking to make sure it is compatible with your new Furrion camera.
Keystone Backup Camera Prep
It seems that Keystone makes its RVs and travel trailers compatible with the Furrion camera models. There are at least 16 models that are built with the mount and wiring ready for Furrion cameras. Many are plug and play as the hook-up cable is inside the area under the cover plate where the camera goes.
You should not find the camera or monitor installed unless you are buying a used model and the previous owner already had it installed for their use. One fail-safe system is that the camera will not work unless it is plugged in. This protects against unnecessary battery drainage.
Most owners are saying that they love the new camera system once it is plugged in and installed. The key will be to get the right camera model and monitor. The camera of choice for many Keystone owners is the Furrion brand and those are easy to find.
Winnebago Backup Camera Prep
This may be a brand that doesn't pre-wire for all of its models. It is being said that the camera the Winnebago Minnie is set to use is the Voyager brand. This may be the same for other Winnebago models as most companies tend to stick to one brand when they are putting new features inside their product.
The key is to check the mounting plate and ignore what the dealers and brochures are telling you. They may not know or there was a misprint somewhere. Another problem is that you may have to call Winnebago directly to see how your RV is wired and where the wires are located.
There is a possibility that you can have both a backup system and a permanent monitoring or observation format when you buy the right camera. It will depend on which way your RV was wired.
Grand Design Backup Camera Prep
The wiring set up and the mount are ready for the Furrion camera models. This makes installation quite easy as it will only take a couple of minutes to hook up to the Furrion power supply cable and set your camera in place.
It is said that most people go with the observation model as they like to see what is around them as they drive down the highway. There seem to be only 5 Grand Design models that are prepped for a backup camera. Those models are the Imagine, the Momentum, the Reflection, the Solitude, and the Transcend.
If other models are camera-ready you need to check with the dealer and read the owner’s manual to make sure. As with other manufacturers the dealers may not know and you may have to look around the RV to make sure there is one waiting for you.
Heartland Backup Camera Prep
Heartland has almost 20 model series that are prepped for a backup camera. Unfortunately, you must like the Furrion brand if you want to use a good backup camera system. That is the company that the prep wiring is made for.
It is also a plug-and-play system that is easy to install if you have the right brand of camera. If you want to go with a different brand, you will have to replace the mount. Because there are so many model series that are camera-ready we won’t list them all.
The dealer should have all the information you will need to know if the one you are interested in can have a camera installed or not. Do some research to see which model is best for you and see which floor plans are available before you make up your mind.
Forest River Backup Camera Prep
This RV maker outdoes Heartland as it has 35 of its model series ready for a backup camera. It seems that they are all wired for the Furrion brand but that is not written in stone. They may also be wired for different brands and you would have to check with the dealer to make sure.
One of their models is equipped to handle the wireless observation camera and their ad only states mounting kit which does not mean you get the camera and monitor. You are only getting the kit to handle the wireless system once you purchase it.
It would be wise to talk to a Forest River dealer to see if they have wired options if that is what you prefer. After all, the wireless models can have their signals interrupted at the wrong moment, and then you will be blind again as you back up.
Jayco Rear Camera Backup Prep
This company is in the middle of the road when it comes to having a lot of their RV models prepped for backup cameras. They list only 16 available model series as being backup camera-ready. Of course, that can change at any time.
If their RV is not pre-wired, you will have to take some time and find the right spot to run the wire. Also, you will be drilling a hole through your roof to run the wire so make sure you seal it uptight. You can go with a wireless model that will make your life a little easier as well.
Most likely, when Jayco makes their RVs camera ready you will have to go with the Furrion brand. That seems to be the most popular brand option among RV makers. The one that is most recommended is the observation model as that allows you to see what is going on no matter where you are.
How do I Power My RV Backup Camera?
For the camera-ready models, the power cable is usually already installed and ready to go. You just plug the camera into that cable and make sure the cable is plugged into the proper power source on the other end. The power source used will depend a lot on the vehicle’s design and electrical system as well as the camera’s design and electrical needs.
Some common sources are your running lights, your reverse lighting, cabin electricity, and similar places. Since your camera will also have a video feed you will need a line that is capable of receiving video signals. There are some multi-pin options available to connect to your tow vehicle and trailer.
Some Final Words
Backing up can be both fun and risky as you never know what can happen once you start in reverse. Plus the traditional way of backing up is not always the best as your vision gets obscured. To solve that problem you need a good backup camera system that lets you see what is going on as you move in reverse.
Most modern RVs and travel trailers are camera-ready. All you have to do is supply the camera and monitor.
