When you consider by far the biggest number of motorhome insurance claims we get here at Caravan Guard are for accidental damage – often caused when reversing – there’s no harm in getting a bit of tech to assist you.
Anything from a simple motorhome reversing camera upwards can provide extra reassurance as well as pre-warn you of any potentially costly mishap about to happen.
Field of vision
There’s plenty of choice out there – from cameras to add to any existing monitor you might have in your cab – including easy-fit, wireless options – all the way through to full rear-view systems upwards (for when driving forwards as well as backwards), for DIY or professional installation.
Don’t forget, too, there’s now a five per cent discount* on your annual motorhome insurance premium here at Caravan Guard. Subject to you having the right fitting, of course!
Top motorhome reversing camera tips
- Always check compatibility with your vehicle. If you own a newer motorhome, there’s a possibility it’s already pre-wired for a motorhome reversing camera (although it might be a specific brand). Ask for more information from your supplying dealer’s service centre.
- Use any motorhome reversing system in conjunction with – not instead of – your side and interior mirrors, as well as help from your partner/co-driver, or even a passer-by, as appropriate.
- Consider the location of any reversing camera(s) before fitting. Too low and you might not get the best possible view. Too high and cleaning the lens might become a challenge.
- Make sure cable connections are weatherproof as well as sealed properly where they go through any bodywork.
- Take extra care when washing your motorhome if it has a reversing camera fitted.
- DIY fitting? It’s always worth checking with your motorhome’s manufacturer whether there are any warranty issues with drilling holes in the bodywork.
- Where possible, make sure the camera offers sufficient resolution (i.e. image quality) for your needs.
- Check out our video which includes five top tips for reversing your motorhome
See also our previous articles about what to look for when buying a motorhome reversing camera and common motorhome insurance claims, many of which include damage from reversing mishaps.
Here we take a look at eight motorhome reversing cameras that will give you that extra bit of help when making any kind of manoeuvre.
Star Player #1
Camos Jewel Plus V2 system
A full rear-view system here, with the complete package including 13m of cabling and a 7inch monitor to take the place of your motorhome’s original cab rear-view mirror. The kit also includes a user’s manual, remote control, and a power loom.
This is the best seller from several premium Camos products marketed in the UK by specialist supplier and fitter RoadPro.
Dimensions are 60mm x 53mm x 35mm and it’s designed to be operated in temperatures ranging from -20degC to 60degC.
Key features Quality brand with a proven track record, for reversing as well as a rear view when driving, 1.3megapixel CMOS sensor, plastic casing with IP68 waterproof protection rating, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £409.18 (full system)/£237.48 (camera only)
Star Player #2
Omni-Vue™ 360º Digital HD
The ultimate system, if you want all-round vision, including rear view. That’s thanks to four high-definition, wide-angle digital cameras that are inter-connected via an ECU (electronic control unit) – images from each are “stitched” together to give an all-round image on the monitor (choose between 7in and, optionally, 10in).
Omni-Vue offers 2D and 3D versions of this system, the latter supplied with a 4CH recorder that records the view from each camera and might be useful if you are involved in an accident.
Alternatively, the recorder can be retrofitted at any time. There is also an Omni-Van variant which is more suited to van conversions.
Key features Digital HD video recording available, four 720p/WDR cameras with 190-degree viewing angle
Expect to pay From £1,995
Star Player #3
Ranger 440
A top-of-the-range full system comprising a 7-inch clip-over mirror monitor and a dual-lens slimline camera. The kit also includes 15m of AV cable, a monitor harness and remote control. It also comes with a sound function – there’s a 1Watt speaker built into the monitor and a microphone in the camera – and offers day and night vision.
The cable is deliberately slim, meaning you’re only going to need to drill holes of 10mm diameter – which can be a help for DIY fittings.
Key features 120 degree and 45 degree cameras, manual or automatic operation, two video and one audio inputs to the monitor, IP67 waterproof rating for camera housing
Expect to pay £370.95
Star Player #4
Dometic PerfectView CAM29S
Compact sizing and a full range of vertical adjustment thanks to its cylindrical design make this type of camera particularly suitable where it’s tricky to find an appropriate mounting point, e.g. campervans and van conversions.
Dometic says it’s also been designed to have a high sensitivity to light, plus the factory-set configuration means it can work with a turn assist system, meaning you can be more aware of kerbs and blind spots.
It comes with 20m of cabling, plus fixing materials and a manual.
Key features 150deg wide-angle lens, CMOS sensor, IP69K water- and dust-proof rating, electronic brightness adjustment
Expect to pay £360
Star Player #5
Falcon Wi-Fi Wireless Rear View Reversing Camera
Although it’s true you get what you pay for when it comes to motorhome reversing systems, this budget-priced camera could be all you need.
It certainly couldn’t be easier to fit. The camera unit has a magnetic back for direct, instant fitting to any steel-bodied campervan/van conversion. Alternatively, if you have a typical coachbuilt motorhome, it also comes with a metal plate and adhesive.
Once fitted, it gives out a Wi-Fi signal to your mobile phone (or other Apple/Android device), operating at any distance up to 15m.
There really is no wiring, either. The camera is powered by its own rechargeable battery. Six infra-red LEDs mean it can work over distances up to 30ft
It can also operate with Falcon’s Explorer or Camper Plus satnav systems.
Key features 120 degee camera angle, USB lead with 12V adaptor for battery charging. Waterproof to IP68, automatic white balance, operating temperature -20 degree C to 70 degree C
Expect to pay £165
Star Player #6
Snooper SNRC 1
A recent addition to the Snooper portfolio, the SNRC 1 is a general reversing camera that should suit any motorhome (although always check first), connecting up to existing screens in your cab that have a rear camera input. It’s a single-lens model and comes in black.
Features include selectable mirror images and parking lines. The field of view is 128 degrees vertical and 170 degrees horizontal.
It has RCA (i.e. colour-coded, single plug) connections, making it suitable for DIY or professional fitting.
Key features PAL signal, 800 TV lines resolution, casing with IP68 waterproof rating one-year warranty
Expect to pay £99.99
Star Player #7
Road Angel Halo Universal RA8200 with night vision
A fast-acting, energy-efficient sensor is the key feature here. The ability to remove bright streaks from direct sunlight is another one you’ll benefit from. This motorhome reversing camera also adjusts automatically depending on your driving conditions, day or night.
The camera is universal so not only will it fit to any Road Angel screen (example below) that is set up for a rear camera addition but also connects to all types of in-car monitors, including sat navs. It has good wide viewing angles – 129 degrees horizontally and 105 degrees vertically.
The camera size is 23.8mm x 23.8mm x 25.5mm, weighing 132g (186g including cables).
Key features 310,000-pixel resolution, 129-degree viewing angle, 10.8V-15.1V power supply, UK-designed
Expect to pay £89.99
Star Player #8
Motormax Universal Reversing Camera Kit
There’s a full range of Motormax reversing cameras and systems from Halfords, but this is its best-seller for motorhomes and caravans. As well as a 4.3 inch monitor and adjustable camera, the kit includes a sunshade, an adhesive bracket, a windscreen bracket, a wiring loom, screws, an adhesive pad, and a fitting manual.
You’ll find it in nearly 400 Halfords retail outlets nationwide, many of which offer a fitting service. Or you can arrange for an installation to take place at your home.
Key features 110-degree viewing angle, dynamic parking lines, CMOS sensor, supplied with 8m of cable
Expect to pay £119.99
Over to you…
Got any advice on motorhome reversing camera systems you’d like to pass on to fellow Caravan Guard blog readers? Please feel free to add a comment below.
*5% reversing camera insurance discount correct as of 20/02/2024. Discounts are subject to minimum premiums and may be subject to change.
I have a 2013 Swift “Escape 624” purchased second-hand in 2014 and it came fitted with a rear-view/reversing camera system which looks identical to DRW Electronics’ RVS-12 system and I supplemented this with a Dolphin MPS400-4 reversing sensor kit which I installed myself. You might think this is excessive, but to park my motorhome I have to reverse it at a 45 degree angle to the road into a small drive, going very close to the end of the front drive wall as I do so.
With the passage of time the paint is peeling off the camera (a Sony camera, I believe) and the image quality is not as good as I would like, but this may be because over the years I have adjusted the settings to suit whatever were the circumstances of the time so many times that I’ve lost track of what were the original optimum settings for normal driving. Nevertheless, this combination of camera and sensors is ideal for me and I would strongly recommend it to everyone.
Getting out of my drive is fraught because I have to advance until the front offside corner is almost in the road for me to be able to see if there are any pedestrians coming down the pavement or any cars coming down the road – and it is a busy road! I am contemplating supplementing the stand rear-view mirrors with a wide-angle camera at the very front edge of the over-cab to give me firstly, a better view as I exit my drive, and secondly, a better view of traffic to the rear than the mirrors provide. Any comments or suggestions will be most welcome!
When bought my MH had a single camera wired to operate with the reverse gear using the rear view mirror as a monitor. The length & equipment in the MH plus the small size of the mirror, made it impossible to see much at the rear. I have now bought a 10 inch mirror/monitor that fits over the original mirror & fitted two cameras bought off Ebay for £13.45 each. One camera is wireless & the other is wired with new cable from the camera too the mirror. The cameras are fed from the habitation battery & the mirror from the interior light. I have one camera looking straight back down the road & is used when driving & one looking at the road under the rear for reversing. The wireless sender & receiver cost £6.00 from China & has operated perfectly for the last 8 years. The cameras look like the “snooper RC60” type & have a perfect picture on both. On a certain MH forum I had a comment back after posting this that the microwave would interfere with the wireless camera. Only if you were driving & cooking at the same time.
The price tag £622 for the Dometic is just profiteering! Given the options circ £100-£200 I cannot see anyone reasonably seeing any value in your recommendation for this camera.
How would you rate the wireless systems, are they worth considering.
I’ve tested quite a few reversing camera systems from wired to wireless analogue & digital but found the very best to a an EsiCam model EH05. The EH05 is a battery powered, waterproof WiFi camera giving up to 7.5 hrs use. The camera can be powered from a 5volt power bank pack or connected to your caravan or motor home 12 V supply via a separate connector unit. I would not set off without my EsiCam EH05 fixed to the rear of my caravan because it takes so much stress out of driving using primarily as a rear-view camera as well as a reversing cameras.
Thanks for sharing Martin
My reversing camera makes easy work when attaching my tow car with the tow bar for two cars fitted