Step up Your Parking Game with the Best RV Backup Camera

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best RV backup camera is, then we recommend the Furrion Observation System as the best one.

Backing up an RV can be daunting, especially if you’re not experienced in navigating large vehicles in reverse. Backing one up without a camera makes even more challenging. According to the National Safety Council, small children are backed into or over roughly 2,000 times a year. That’s not a fun statistic to read. However, if you’re dealing with an RV, it’s important to know that 60 percent of these types of accidents involve larger size vehicles such as trucks and motorhomes.

You should still utilize mirrors, look over your shoulders, and better yet, have another person out of the vehicle off to the side helping to guide you (if you can manage this without an argument). Having a backup camera has been shown to reduce the number of unfortunate incidents.

Not only does it make for a safer campground or driveway experience, but you can also mitigate minor bumps or scrapes on your RV. With an observation camera, you can also reduce the risk of hitting someone in your blind spot while driving.

In this article, we’re going to review the following cameras:

What to Look for in a Backup Camera

While there are a few design features you might want to consider in selecting your camera, a couple main specs are the most noteworthy. One is whether you want an observation camera or backup camera. The other is if you want a wired or wireless unit.

Observation or Backup Camera

If you select an observation camera, it will enable you to use the device to assist you with blind spots on the highway or freeway. A backup camera is designed for precisely that, reversing and only reversing.

Although, do take note: some lesser-known, imported brands are labeled as backup cameras but can still handle highway speeds (perhaps the description is lost in translation). A true observation camera will be designed to deal with more vibration for a steady display while driving at higher miles per hour.

Wired or Wireless

While prices in a backup camera can vary a little, with a few exceptions, most of the decent rearview cameras won’t fluctuate wildly. So, what do you want to look for? A well-reviewed piece of equipment is an obvious first step to take, as you’re likely going to pay over $100 for an RV camera. The other significant factor is wired compared to wireless.

There are advantages to both. If you’ve tried any piece of wireless technology, you’ve probably found these items can sometimes lose their signal for a moment or longer due to interference. This is when it becomes particularly crucial to invest in a quality version with high ratings if you’re going with wireless.

However, wireless can be an advantage when it works well, as it can be easier to install. If you are not entirely confident you can wire a camera through an RV reverse light or another power source on your vehicle, wireless might be better for you. You also have to be careful to install a wired camera correctly, so it does not get ripped off your RV if you go through a car wash, for example.

Where to Hook up a Wired Rear Camera

With a wired camera, you can wire it to a reverse light on your RV. If you do this, it will only help you when reversing. The other option is to wire your camera to a continuous power source. In this case, the trailer backup camera helps you both while backing up and while you’re driving on the highway as an additional rearview “mirror” so to speak, as long as it can handle the shaking from the road.

Installing a Wireless Camera

Generally, the installation for a wireless RV camera can be a lot easier, especially if it comes with an installation bracket. In this case, you’ll only need to read the quick instructions, and put in a few screws to mount the bracket. Then test out your device to make sure the power works, and you know how to turn the camera on and off to avoid draining the battery.

Product Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

I’ve researched a handful of RV backup and observation camera systems and rounded up some of the best models on the market this year. Again, you’ll have to decide your priorities, budget, and type of camera you want. Regardless, for anyone using an RV, this is something that is a worthwhile investment for safety.

ZEROXCLUB Wired Backup Camera System Kit

The ZEROXCLUB Wired Backup Camera System Kit is a non-wireless unit with an outstanding 97 percent five-star rating. It includes a sharp CCD Chip, an IP69 waterproof camera, and a 7-inch LCD monitor. For a non-wireless camera for reversing only, this would definitely be my choice.The display is excellent, and it even has a fantastic night vision. I have to say the night vision looks surprisingly good for a camera that is this affordable. I was impressed with the screen view overall. That’s a big bonus for safety and ease in navigation if you ever have to reverse after dark.

It comes with a sturdy 50-foot cord that works wonderfully for most RVs. If you have a smaller camper or trailer, you can contact their customer service, as they have shorter (17-foot) cords available. After being shown the installation, it’s actually pretty simple, too. Just follow the manual carefully. This unit measures 11.3 x 9.6 x 5.2 inches and weighs 4.7 pounds.

Pros:

Fantastic price.
Can withstand a carwash/waterproof.
Outstanding ratings.
Has 18 infrared lights.
Night vision.
Fifty-foot aircraft-grade camera extension cord.
Comes with a one-year warranty.
No concern about wireless signal interference.

Cons:

Must be wired for installation.
No audible beep or alert when moving close to object.

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

ZEROXCLUB W01 7″ Digital Backup System Kit

The ZEROXCLUB W01 7″ Digital Backup System Kit is much like their wired version of this camera but in wireless form. Again, the ratings are outstanding. This version costs a bit more, but it’s still a reasonably average price for an RV reversing camera.The company claims the device has no interference when dealing with the wireless technology, and I did not see any while checking it out (though I would have to try it out for a lengthier period of time to say it never happens). This model also has an IP69 waterproof camera with a 7-inch LCD monitor. Like the wired model, this has no audible alert, so this is a sight-only backup camera.

This one is also car wash safe and waterproof. The display stays clear at speeds up to 75 miles per hour (even with the label of “backup” camera), which is plenty fast for most people driving an RV. The installation only takes a few minutes, and the display can be plugged into a cigarette lighter as a power source. This unit measures 5 x 6 x 8 inches and weighs 2.65 pounds.

Pros:

Car wash safe and waterproof.
Has 18 infrared lights.
Night vision.
Super easy installation.
Fantastic monitor display.
Excellent ratings.

Cons:

No audible alert when reversing near an object.
Costs more than the wired model.

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

eRapta Backup Camera 2.0 with Split Screen Monitor

The eRapta Backup Camera 2.0 with Split Screen Monitor is around the same price as the ZEROXCLUB wireless unit. It has some similar features, such as night vision. This camera’s picture quality wasn’t quite a good in my opinion. However, it has four cameras that can be mounted, and all viewed on the monitor’s split screen simultaneously (if you can handle looking at four different angles at once).The monitor comes with a bracket to be installed on the dash if you like. The cameras are easy to install with screws and can be adjusted by loosening them and angling to your preference. This unit, like the previous ones, has no beep to let you know you’re close to an object. So, it is for viewing only.

However, the four cameras you can scroll through to view as you hit the menu button give you plenty of angles from which to see. This unit measures 6.7 x 0.8 x 4.3 inches and weighs 1.8 pounds.

Pros:

Extra side cameras for blind spots.
Has 18 infrared lights.
Night vision.
Waterproof and car wash safe.
Split-screen monitor.
Fantastic ratings.

Cons:

No audible alert when nearing any object.

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Emmako Digital Wireless Backup Camera 7” Monitor Kit

The Emmako Digital Wireless Backup Camera with 7-inch Monitor Kit has an IP69K waterproof camera with 150° of viewing angles. This camera claims it can handle speeds up to 100 miles per hour while keeping a smooth, clear view on the monitor. However, one or two critical reviews dispute that. This could be faulty installation or a rickety vehicle, yet this is labeled as a backup camera. So, in theory, it’s not meant for highway use.It also has a wireless range of 82 to 100 feet on your RV, depending on its size, anything inside that could cause interference, and where you install the camera. Overall, I thought the picture on this looked quite good, and it seemed like a quality device in my opinion.

Installation is straightforward, and there’s a video online for this specific camera which is also handy. This unit measures 9 x 6.6 x 5 inches and weighs 2.65 pounds.

Pros:

Decent price.
Fog-resistant.
Safe in a car wash and waterproof.
Long wireless range.
An extended antenna is available if you need more range.
Excellent display.
Can support up to two cameras with a connecting wire.

Cons:

A few complaints about technical issues.

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Furrion 381556 FOS48TAPK-BL Wireless High-Speed RV Observation System

The Furrion 381556 FOS48TAPK-BL Wireless High-Speed RV Observation System is pricier than some of the other cameras but has excellent ratings with almost 500 reviews. It has an IP66 waterproof camera and night vision, also. The lack of interference on this unit seems to be impeccable from what I saw. Furrion claims the range is good for up to 100 feet, and even those with airstreams should be able to use this device.The monitor is just a little smaller than some, at 4.3 inches. However, this camera is specifically designed to resist vibration as this is an actual observation system. So, if you want to use a camera for the highway and a steady view is extremely important to you, this one is worth looking into.

While it might be a little more in cost than some cameras, this one has more reviews and therefore a lot more information out there if you have questions about your camera or want to watch videos on this model. This unit measures 10 x 10.5 x 3 inches and weighs 1.69 pounds.

Pros:

Full observation camera (not just backup).
Designed for extreme climates.
Mounting bracket included.
Car wash safe and waterproof.
Designed with anti-vibration technology.
Excellent for highway use.
Night vision.
Long range in both camera view and signal.

Cons:

More costly than some competitors.
No audible alert near objects.

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

My Personal Recommendation

As always, your camera selection will ultimately come down to your priorities, needs, and budget. If you have to means to spend a little extra, my recommendation would be the Furrion Observation System because it is designed explicitly for both reversing and freeway blind spot observation. Additionally, there is so much information on Furrion available online and a variety of videos to help guide you with that device.

If you’re looking for a more affordable RV backup camera, I would recommend the ZEROXCLUB Wired Backup Camera System Kit. The price is fantastic for a backup camera—close to $100 less than most of the other models. Additionally, as long as you install it correctly, you never have to worry about wireless interference with a wired camera.

If you’re investing in this device for safety, a sureness that the display won’t go out on your is extra peace of mind. This unit also (at least at the time of this research) has zero reviews below four stars.

Regardless of what you select, these are all outstanding pieces of technology that are rated much higher than most of the competition and will add to the safety of your RV experience. In that sense, you can’t go wrong in giving any one of them a shot.