The Best Wireless Backup Camera for RVs – Do You Really Need One?

Making the step up from driving a standard-length vehicle to driving a 20-foot-plus RV can be a daunting experience, never more so than when trying to reverse your oversized motorhome into a tight (or even large!) space or while motoring down a busy highway with dozens of other vehicles dodging in and out of the lanes and doing their utmost to make life difficult by hanging out in your blind spot.

Until fairly recently, our only recourse in such situations was, respectively, to take a hit-the-pedal-and-pray approach, send our co-pilots out to guide us, and/or resort to launching a few foul-mouthed tirades in the direction of all those other motorists whose spatial awareness isn’t all that it could be. Luckily, the emergence of the backup camera has changed the way we do our motoring in our RVs for the better—saving us a lot of time, a lot of worries, and plenty of pennies from the cuss-jar.

The most recent variety of backup camera—wireless models—has taken this new technology’s convenience to a whole new level and in this article, we will introduce you our selection of the best wireless backup cameras for RVs currently on the market.

Before we get down to business with our top picks, however, let’s first take a look at why you should consider buying a wireless backup camera for your RV and what to look for when making a purchase.

Why do I need a wireless backup camera?

Trying to reverse into tight spaces or stay safe while driving in heavy traffic in even a moderately sized SUV is one thing, doing so in a forty-foot long RV Class A, toy hauler, travel trailer or 5th wheel another ball game entirely.

Few drivers of these vehicles will ever forget the first time they tried to park it in a tightish spot and most probably still have a crick in their neck from all the time they spent with their head jerked out of the window trying to get an idea of what was happening in their blind spot.

Thankfully, the days of over-strained necks and woeful parking are long behind us—or at least they can be with the aid of one small, simple accessory that can make life a whole lot easier for drivers of recreational vehicles of all shapes and sizes: the wireless backup camera.

Though many RV drivers have no doubt gotten by for years without assistance from technology, a wireless backup camera can make RV driving a lot more pleasurable and less stressful experience by helping to simplify tricky maneuvers, save you a lot of time, and make life a lot safer for you when driving on busy roads.

We probably don’t need to tell you the number of minor accidents that occur when vehicles are being backed up into blind spots—our guess is, quite simply, a lot. By choosing to use a backup camera, you effectively eliminate all blind spots around your vehicle by giving yourself a second set of eyes on the rear of your vehicle, thereby simplifying the whole process of backing up into spaces little and large no end. It won’t just save you a lot of time, but also, potentially, a lawsuit or two and a hefty hike in your insurance premiums.

In addition to simplifying parking, a backup camera allows you to have a greater awareness of what is happening around about you on the road while driving, something that is particularly useful when driving on busy highways, swinging around wide turns, or any other time when knowledge of what’s happening in your blind spot will allow you to drive more carefully, confidently, and avoid any unnecessary accidents.

What to Look for When Choosing a Wireless Backup Camera

The most important features and attributes to look for when buying your RV’s wireless backup camera include the following:

Wide Field of View

In short, the field of view offered by any backup camera refers to the amount of road captured by the camera’s lens. As such, the larger the field of view, the greater your visibility of what’s going on (or not) behind your vehicle will be. While almost all backup cameras boast a field of view in excess of 90 degrees, opting for a model with a 120 to 150-degree view will give you a better view of any obstacles or would-be accidents (and lawsuits!) waiting to happen.

Night vision

While most backup cameras feature night vision, the quality of the images that appear to you on your monitor can vary greatly from one model to another. This largely depends on the number and quality of the IR (infrared) LED lights the camera uses.

Most cameras use between 8 and 24 LED lights, but to ensure that you aren’t squinting at grainy, black-and-white, indistinct images on your screen we’d recommend opting for a model of camera that uses at least 12 LEDs with a range of around 5 meters/10 feet. As a general rule, if you happen to come across a camera listed without any mention of LED lights or night-vision capacities, then the chances are it won’t have them and will rely solely on your tail lights, which we wouldn’t recommend!

Ease of Installation

One of the main blessings of wireless backup cameras is that, compared to “wired” devices, they are relatively easy to install and usually require little or no technical advice before you’re up and running and good to go.

That said, just how easy installation will be can vary from one device to another, so be sure to check that the device comes with step-by-step installation instructions and read a handful of online user reviews to get an idea of how long it took to install the device and whether or not there were any issues.

Wireless range

Before buying your backup camera or creating a shortlist, be sure to check that the wireless range of the item(s) you are considering will be adequate for your length of the vehicle. If, for example, you have a thirty-foot vehicle and the effective wireless range of your device is also thirty feet, then there’s a relatively high chance that you’ll experience some degree of interference or lose signal fairly frequently. As a general rule, we’d recommend opting for a camera with a wireless range at least ten feet more than the length of your vehicle.

Weatherproofing

Given that your RV backup camera is going to be exposed to everything the elements have in store for it and also the additional spray was thrown both by your own and other vehicles’ wheels, solid weatherproofing in your camera is a must.

All reputable brands will list their backup cameras with an IP rating, which is used to standardize the waterproofing capacities of various electronic devices. In short, the higher the IP rating*, the more waterproof your device will be. Most backup cameras—and all of those featured in our review—fall into the IP5 to IP8 range. To give you an idea of how these ratings translate into performance, take a look at the following descriptions:

  • IP5 – Will protect your device from water jets sprayed at it from any direction
  • IP6 – Will protect your device from powerful water jets sprayed at it from any direction
  • IP7 – Can be submerged in water up to 3 feet/1 meters deep without leaking
  • IP8 – Can be placed on your recreational submarine, never mind your RV, and still won’t allow any H20 to breach its defenses!
  • IP9—One step up from IP8…(i.e. pretty much bombproof)

As a final “word of warning,” we’d recommend avoiding any cameras that don’t mention an IP rating in the product listing and, if you happen to live in a colder climate, doing a little digging to find out whether or not the camera is freeze-proof.

*In many cases the IP rating on backup cameras will offer two figures, i.e. IP68. In such instances, the first figure (6) refers to the camera’s dust-proof rating and the second (8) its waterproof rating.

Monitor Quality

Monitor quality is a tricky factor to gauge in terms of its overall value to the buyer. While a large, high-resolution monitor will allow you to see what’s going on behind and either side of the rear of your vehicle clearly, this may be considered overkill by many users given that our primary concern is simply whether or not there is any obstacle, vehicle, or pedestrian in our blind spot. In short, a 7-inch screen with TV-like resolution is all very well, but because most of us simply want our monitor to give us a yes/no-kinda impression of activity behind our vehicle, this feature shouldn’t be deemed a deal-breaker unless you happen to have particularly poor eyesight, particularly given that you might have to pay through the proverbial nose in order to have it.

If, however, the image quality provided by your monitor is high on your list of must-have features, we’d recommend opting for a model of backup camera that measures at least 5 inches in size and has in excess of 400 horizontal pixels.

Technical Support

As with any electronic product, the chances that you will need technical support for your wireless backup camera at some point in its lifetime are fairly high. By taking just a quick look through online customer reviews, in fact, you’ll discover that a high percentage of buyers have barely managed to get their device out of the box before they require more assistance than that provided in the instruction leaflet.

While wireless backup cameras are generally easy to use and much easier to install than their wired siblings, we wouldn’t be giving you a fair impression of what to expect if we didn’t mention the potential for teething problems at the outset in the form of the various “bugs” that can occur during set up or further down the line: lost signal, weak signal, troubles with the configuration of settings, missed updates, etc.

To ensure that none of the above leave you without a fully functional camera post-purchase, be sure to buy from a seller that offers at least one year of technical support and a two-year warranty. Even if you happen to be something of an expert with technology, this will at least give you added peace of mind and a degree of reassurance in the knowledge that the seller is of good reputation and has faith in the product.

The 7 Best Wireless RV Backup Cameras for 2019

1. eRapta Wireless Backup Camera

With a very generously sized, 7” monitor, a whopping 28 infrared lights for nighttime navigation, IP9 waterproofing, a CMOS sensor (yep, that’s the kind you find on many DSLR cameras), and a 140-degree viewing range, the eRapta Wireless Backup Camera ticks all the boxes we could possibly ask to have ticked when buying a wireless backup camera for our RV.

This camera also uses a high-definition image processor and scores very high in terms of customer service thanks to a two-year warranty and lifetime technical support. What we like best about this camera, however, is how easy it is to install and how little interference there is even on longer RVs.   Installation should take a grand total of about 3 minutes. After attaching the cable to a 12-24V cigarette lighter port and attaching the camera to the rear of your vehicle, you’re good to go!

It’s very hard to find any downsides to this camera, but one slight concern voiced by a handful of past users is that, despite its high IP rating, it can be prone to leakage over time.

Pros

  • Large screen (7 inches)
  • 140-degree, wide-angle lens
  • CMOS sensor
  • 28 infrared LEDs
  • IP8 waterproofing
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Occasionally prone to leakage

2. ZEROXCLUB Digital Wireless Backup Camera

With a 7-inch screen, 960×576 effective pixels, 140-degree wide-angle view, a signal range of 66 feet, and IP9 waterproofing, the ZEROXCLUB Digital Wireless Backup Camera ticks all the boxes we could possibly ask for. This camera also comes with a 12-month replacement warranty, lifetime technical support, and works well at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour.

This camera is a little trickier to mount than other cameras in our review, but given that this is the only notable downside, and a fairly forgivable one at that, it’s definitely not a deal-breaker and will soon be forgotten when you’re up and running, on the road, and enjoying monitor’s superbly clear images, lack of interference, and large, high-definition screen.

Another admirable feature to this model that isn’t a “given” in its competitors is how easy it is to use. Configuring the settings and signal acquisition is a cinch and roughly 1-2 seconds after you turn the device on you’ll be good to go. Also, as soon as you start backing up, the camera automatically switches to its rear-view cam mode, thereby saving you from any wait period before performing maneuvers or having to fiddle with the device to shift the view angle. In terms of convenience and efficiency, they don’t come much better than that.

To see for yourself just how easy it is to install and set this camera up (and get a preview of its outstanding image quality), check out the following video:

https://youtu.be/37SApI7RrMQ

Pros

  • l 12-month warranty and lifetime technical support
  • l IP9 waterproof rating
  • l Effective pixels: 960×576
  • l 140-degree wide angle lens
  • l Easy to install
  • l 7” screen
  • l 18 Infrared lights
  • l CMOS Sensor

Cons

  • A little trickier to mount than other cameras in our review

3. AUTO VOX Digital Wireless Backup Camera

This camera might well have a less expansive lens range than most of the other cameras in its price range and those featured in our review, but it merits a mention in our list of the top seven backup cameras out there owing to its excellent image quality, solid image stability and impressive night vision.

What we like most about this camera is a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it kinda feature, namely its small screen size. At a mere 4.3 inches, the monitor on the Auto Vox is the smallest in our review. On the one hand, this could be perceived as a “pro” by those of a minimalist persuasion who want less clutter on their dash or windshield, but, on the other hand, as just a little too limited for “easy viewing.” Whatever your take on the screen size, one thing this camera has working in its favor is very impressive image quality and superior clarity compared to other models of backup camera with similarly sized monitors.

All in all, this camera is a middle-of-the-road kinda camera that offers better visuals than budget models but makes a few compromises—most notably in terms of screen size and lens angle—compared to pricier competitors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aYgWkhRPeg

Pros

  • Very vivid and smooth images
  • Easy to install
  • Reasonably priced
  • 50-foot signal range
  • Adjustable parking lines on the monitor
  • IP8 waterproof rating

Cons

  • Extreme low temp only -4 degrees Fahrenheit (not a problem for most, but maybe for some!)
  • Limited visibility range (110-degree)
  • Small screen (4.3”)

4. iStrong Digital Wireless Backup Camera

If you’re the type who likes to get new tech purchases up and running with the minimum of fuss, then the very user-friendly iStrong Digital Wireless Backup Camera could well be the camera for you.

The monitor in this kit can be set up in a matter of seconds on either your windshield or dash, and the camera attaches to the rear of your vehicle and backup lights in not too much longer thanks to a simple but highly effective installation bracket.

In terms of performance, the iStrong has a lot to offer, too. With 648×488 effective pixels, an 80-foot range, and 150-degree viewing angle, this camera provides very clear, interference-free images of both the area directly behind your vehicle and the blind spots on either side.

On the downside, the iStrong’s monitor measures in at only 4.3” and its 7 IR LEDs can leave it a little lacking in terms of night vision. Given that this camera costs significantly less than many of its high-end, larger-screened competitors, however, it still represents great value for money.

Pros

  • 150-degree viewing angle
  • 80-foot wireless range
  • Intelligent switch with 10 functions allows for easy adjustment of settings
  • IP8 waterproof rating
  • 2-year warranty and technical support
  • Vibrant screen
  • Great image quality

Cons

  • 4.3” monitor
  • Mediocre night vision

5. ZSMJ Wireless Backup Camera and Monitor Kit

For backup camera buyers who are working on a tighter budget, they don’t come much better than the ZSMJ Wireless Backup Camera and Monitor Kit. This camera costs a fraction of the most expensive models on our list and performs just as well as—if not better than—many other wireless backup cameras that cost twice as much.

Granted, the ZSMJ’s budget price means that it comes with a few compromises, but with a 135-degree viewing angle, simple installation and setup, IP8 waterproofing, relatively impressive image quality, and stable transmission, this little camera is an attractive option for anyone looking to kit out their RV with reliable backup camera but without breaking the bank in doing so.

So, what about those compromises?

Well, this camera’s 4.3” screen is the first and most obvious downside. The image quality also falls some ways short of that offered by models in higher price categories, but we should add that the clarity of the images is still above average and good enough for anyone not overly concerned with seeing things in overly fine detail. Secondly, this camera’s 20-foot transmission range is the lowest of all the models featured on our list and means that those with larger RVs will have to look elsewhere.

All things considered, this is a budget-priced camera that offers slightly better than budget-priced performance and is a good bet for anyone with a smaller RV who is willing to sacrifice a little in the way of performance in order to save a significantly large number of $.

Pros

  • Very cheap
  • 135-degree viewing angle
  • Decent image quality
  • IP8 waterproof rating
  • Easy to install and set up
  • 2-year warranty
  • Excellent customer support

Cons

  • 20-foot transmission range
  • 4.3” screen

6. DohonesBest Digital Wireless Backup Camera

Boasting a 7-inch HD monitor with a high-definition, color LCD display, 24 IR LED lights for superior nighttime vision, and a 150-degree lens, this camera is one that offers exceptional quality and scores high in each of the desirable attributes highlighted in the buyer’s guide featured above.

In addition to is outstanding image quality, the DohonesBest also boasts a very reassuring 100-foot signal range, making it ideal for longer vehicles, performs well at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, uses two antennas to ensure a stable signal and minimal interference, and uses a whopping 24 IR LEDs for enhanced night vision.

The bottom line? This camera ticks all the boxes just about as well as many much pricier models and merits its place on any RV driver’s dash owing to its outstanding across-the-board performance.

Pros

  • Great image quality
  • 7” screen
  • 2-year warranty and lifetime technical support
  • Two settings: constant or reverse only
  • Impressive transmission range (100 feet)
  • 24 LED IR lights
  • 150-degree viewing angle
  • IP9 waterproof rating

Cons

  • Installation guide leaves a lot to be desired

7. Emmako Digital Wireless Backup Camera

If the value for money is high on your priority list, the very nicely priced Emmako Digital Wireless Backup Camera should be quickly installed somewhere very near the top of your shortlist of potential purchases.

What we like most about this camera kit is that it ticks all the boxes we need to be ticked without overcomplicating things. The frill-free, easy-to-use monitor can be set up in no time and the camera installed on the rear or running lights of any vehicle under 80 feet in length in just a few minutes. It also boasts a IP8 waterproof rating, works without interruption or delay in all weather conditions, uses a built-in antenna to reduce interference, and provides an amply wide, 150-degree viewing angle, all of which makes it as reliable and high a performer as many other models of wireless backup camera that cost twice as much, or more.

This camera also uses 18 IR LED lights that keep the image on your screen crisp and clear while driving at night and is fitted with a very user-friendly “intelligent switch” that makes calibrating or adjusting the settings a cinch and lets you change between viewing angles without having to take your eyes from the road.

The only slight downside to this camera comes in the size of the monitor (5”) and the monitor’s relatively low resolution (480×272), but given that models with a larger monitor can often cost three or four times as much, this seems a relatively small compromise and should not be a deal-breaker for anyone with reasonably good eyesight!

Pros

  • Easy to mount
  • Reasonably priced
  • Very easy to use
  • Two-year warranty
  • Excellent post-sale technical support
  • Very good picture quality
  • IP8 waterproofing
  • 5” screen takes up very little space on your dash or windscreen

Cons

  • Screen a little on the small side for some

To see this camera in action, check out the following video from the manufacturer:

https://youtu.be/sdOY_nQUh6Y

Comparison Table

Model

Monitor size

Viewing Angle

Waterproofing

Signal strength

eRapta Wireless Backup Camera

7 inches

140 degrees

IP9

Around 40 feet

ZEROXCLUB Digital Wireless Backup Camera

7 inches

140 degrees

IP9

66 feet

AUTO VOX Digital Wireless Backup Camera

4.3 inches

110 degrees

IP8

50 feet

iStrong Digital Wireless Backup Camera

4.3 inches

150 degrees

IP8

80 feet

ZSMJ Wireless Backup Camera and Monitor Kit

4.3 inches

135 degrees

IP8

20 feet

DohonesBest Digital Wireless Backup Camera

7 inches

150 degrees

IP9

100 feet

Emmako Digital Wireless Backup Camera

5 inches

150 degrees

IP8

80 feet

Conclusion

After careful consideration of all of the above wireless backup cameras, the most obvious take-home from our review is that having any of these cameras along for the ride on your RVing adventures will make for a vast improvement in terms of safety and peace of mind compared to having none at all.

In choosing an out-and-out pick of the bunch, we assessed each of the backup cameras featured in our review on a variety of factors, including screen size, image quality, nighttime performance, waterproofing, ease of use and installation, signal range, and overall value for money.

In each of these categories, our review found the DohonesBest Digital Wireless Backup Camera to be the outright winner by a clear margin. With a 7” screen, 150-degree viewing angle, excellent image quality even at night, reliable waterproofing, a signal range of 100 feet, excellent customer support, and a price tag that’s lower than many poorer-performing options, this camera is the ideal choice for drivers with all sizes of RV who place value for money as high on their priority list as they do practicality and quality.

Further read:

The Ultimate Guide to RV Accessories and Upgrades

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