Rear Camera Mounting

[ODHill]

My Class C (2018 Thor Four Winds 30D) was a rental spec. built for Road Bear rentals and they didn't spec it for a rear observation/backup camera and it's not pre-wired so I'm about to install one. I'm going with a wired one and have my cable routing and monitor mounting figured out so am about to start the project but I want to be sure on the rear camera before I start drilling. In my research I read a comment about where to mount the rear camera in relation to the clearance lights. If I remember right it said to mount the camera below the clearance lights so the lights don't wash out the picture at night, but I can't find the thread where that was discussed. I have the curved ceiling to back wall transition interior strip removed and have plenty of room for the cable and they left about a 2 inch gap at the top center of the aluminum frame of the back wall, which I'd bet is camera wiring related, so no problem mounting to the back wall below the clearance lights and being able to run the cable up to where the other wires run.

Where does the factory mount their camera in relation to the clearance lights? Any other recommendations?

[ducksface]

The factory mounted the cameras based on what was handy for them and what was expected by, not proven by, the public.

You won't get wash out, you'll get flare if its mounted where any light can get a splash into the lens.

Personally, I've had a rear view camera since crt days.
I PREFER a camera either at the height of/in-line with the monitor or at my eye height directly in-line with my head in the drivers seat.
It allows me to not have to do the millisecond spacial conversion from camera placement to eye level to where I am in relation to the view. Its milliseconds, but its valuable to me. Think race car driver, think the mobile chicane an rv is in traffic, think avoidance.

Punchline
Get it all working then use blue tape to mount the camera in various places until it's in the place you like hest. Deciding to center it due to convention is maybe not the best choice.

[Booner]

I mounted a wireless unit on my Thor Majestic former rental just under the center running light, so mine is rather high up, but that's what I wanted so I could see what was behind the car behind me. Since mine is wireless, I powered the camera off of the running light circuit, so my running lights have to be on. I also have another camera on the front of my RV, and that one is on a 15 minute recording cycle so I have a record if someone does something dumb that I can show the police.

[ODHill]

I looked at wireless but after talking to a couple of others with longer rigs like mine I just wasn't sure, so decided to go with a cheaper wired setup. I don't mind doing the work at all and will be running an extra cable for a second camera, so upgrading later should be a matter of hardware changes. The install I'm doing now will have the camera below the clearance lights and another at the license plate to get a better view of my toad. Not a perfect arrangement but better than what's on the motorhome right now - which is nothing. I was surprised at how pricey the wireless systems are compared to hardwired units.