Wireless camera system

[Duane Kunze]

Looking to add a wireless camera system to our 2000 Marquis. At this point my main interest is rear view to be able to monitor towed vehicle. I am looking for quality wireless system. Anyone have recommendations?
Thanks

[John Bagwell]

Duane,
Call RV Cams.com, I purchased a replacement camera and monitor for my coach from them. They are very helpful in helping you pick a system for your coach.


https://www.rvcams.com/     Phone # 225-261-9946

[Joel Ashley]

I’d take John’s advice, Duane.

Whatever you do, don’t go with the $180 relatively simple one Costco still sells.  My family got me one for Christmas a few years back, with good intentions for using it on Monty Rae, but since our coach already has a rear factory Sony and dealer installed side ones, I elected to use the gift on our car.  Although it does come in handy at times, it’s all too often a pita.  If left plugged in to the lighter outlet, the screen runs the car’s battery down overnight to where your next trip stops before it starts;  and that’s with the screen automatically “turning off” after a minute or two.  Go figure.  I don’t get where all that current goes.

Then there’s the wireless, solar powered camera on the license plate… if the car’s garaged most of the time, the camera itself goes dead for lack of sunlight.  And #3 gripe, rain clouds the camera lens such that it’s rendered almost useless.  Don’t ask me how new cars with cameras everywhere get beyond that issue.

Didn’t mean to hijack your question, but didn’t want you or others to make a mistake.  Stick to units meant for RVs.

Joel

[Duane Kunze]

Thanks John and Joel for your response, I talked to Mark at RVcams , they have a Voyager wireless system, but he said no guarantees on signal loss at freeway speeds. The camera that came in the coach from factory looks to be good, but it only works in reverse. I need it on all the time (forward motion). I don’t know if there is a setting that can be changed?

[Joel Ashley]

Duane, please add your coach year and model to your signature so we can relate to any of your posts, even if you don’t mention it in them. 

I’m surprised your 2000 Marquis’s camera has the limitation you mention, but I’m admittedly not familiar with that model.  Our ‘06 Monterey’s camera is not transmission dependent except to come on automatically when shifting to reverse if the camera wasn’t already on.  Its control is Aladdin connected, and perhaps Aladdin came along after 2000.

That said, in checking the nearest model to yours that I saw in Coach Assist, the 2002 Marquis, the owners manual section 1, pg. 39, implies the camera should be available anytime.  Regrettably the possibly similar 2000 Patriot manual doesn’t seem to mention a camera, but perhaps I missed it.

Joel

[Duane Kunze]

I’m going to play with it and see if I can change a setting to make it stay on going down the road.
Thanks again for your response

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Duane

I installed this system 5 years ago and have been happy with it .
It is however a hard wired system which I prefer as the wireless units are suspectable to drop out or interfere at that distance I wired it using the existing wiring in the roof.and added the front corner cameras wiring then under the front cap.
I took out the original rear view camera from its housing and installed the new one in its water proof housing putting it back in its original position in the rear cap this shows the tow vehicle very well but not a rear view so I traded out the other straight camera for another side view camera and mounted it on the back of the roof looking straight back as a rear view mirror .
When driving down the road all four cameras show on the monitor screen.
When either turn signal is turned on that side camera takes over the whole screen giving you a look down the side of the coach covering your blind spots.
When placed in reverse one of the rear cameras turns on to give you a backup camera.

If you go this route you may want to consider installing a DVR (digital video recorder) to use the system as a dash cam for insurance reasons

The system I installed

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07G5CQYB5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

DVR link below

https://www.amazon.com/JOINLGO-Channel-Vehicle-Recorder-Waterproof/dp/B07CGK6B52/ref=asc_df_B07CGK6B52?mcid=2e4987b10ee63580892ba2cea644821b&hvocijid=542386752249548740-B07CGK6B52-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=542386752249548740&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027031&hvtargid=pla-2281435181698&psc=1

Hope this helps
Eric

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Duane
If you pull the monitor out of the dash you will find there's a plug harness on the back with several wires going into it one of those wires will be the reverse trigger wire basically connected to the backup lights using a test light identify which wire it is remember it will only be hot when the engine is running in the vehicle is in reverse,  disconnect that wire and connect it to the ignition wire in the same plug and you should have a camera that's on all the time when the ignition is on

Hope this helps
Eric

[Paul Meehan]

Back in 2016 I bought a system from Tadi Brothers out of California that served me well.  They have all types of wireless and wired camera solutions.

https://www.tadibrothers.com/category/rv-rear-view-camera-systems

Good Luck,

Paul

[Gene Obie]

I installed a Haloview BT7 a couple of year ago. The rear (and side) camera are easy install as you just replace an existing marker light to tap into power.  I do need to keep marker lights on while driving (no big deal). It gives a great wide angle view looking back but you could point it down more toward your hitch. I have both the original camera pointing down at the hitch/toad and now the Haloview. I also installed the 2 side cameras but to be honest I mostly use the rear camera when on the road and only use the side cameras backing or tight corners.  Mirrors are just better for me. You can select many different views (all 3, any single, cycle thru, etc). Also has good audio. With all 3 cameras on there is a slight lag at times that I don't notice with single rear camera on (1080p with 40ft reach on my RV).

[Duane Kunze]

Thanks all for your help, I believe I can make it stay on at forward motion, but I haven’t verified it yet. I was looking at the halo view system, but I have a Marquis which has its own style marker lights. If the existing camera will work for the near term, I may try a wired system later. AZ expert installed a system on his 2001 Beaver. It’s just time consuming to run wires. Thanks again.

[Steve Huber]

Duane,
Your Marquis came with 2 or 3 unused wires running from the rear hitch area to the front elec bay. Many folks used 1-2 of them for the trailer or brake system hookup. However may pay to check and see if you have any unused wires in the elec bay near the aft wall. If so, a toner will be of great help in tracking it down.
Steve