Choosing the Best Motorhome Reversing Camera

July 7, 2022 in Tips for Owners and Maintenance & appliances

Reversing in a motorhome or campervan can be a challenge, even for experienced drivers. While the side mirrors offer some visibility, both drivers and passengers cannot get a full view of the back of the vehicle. Almost every trip you take will involve reversing into a parking space or a pitch on a campsite. Rather than accept a potentially stressful situation every time you pull up at your destination, many travellers choose to invest in a motorhome reversing camera. There is a variety of good and affordable options out there and some you can even fit yourself. 

This guide will talk you through the different types of campervan reversing cameras and some valuable features to consider when deciding on your ideal product. We’ll also offer recommendations for popular and well-reviewed models to suit every budget. Read on for your complete guide to choosing the best motorhome reversing camera. 

Goboony Reversing Camera Campervan h2 Motorhome Rear View

What are the different types of motorhome reversing cameras? 

Wired cameras

Wired campervan reversing cameras are ideal for larger vehicles and for travellers who take to the road regularly. Wired cameras can be fitted yourself though be aware that many store-bought versions only come with a 6-7m long cable. If your motorhome is longer then you’ll need to invest in an extension cable.

Wireless camera

Wireless cameras are available in digital and analogue. Both are generally cheaper than wired cameras and analogue wireless is usually lower cost than digital. If you are considering buying an analogue version check the reviews carefully as these products can be prone to signal interference and the picture isn’t always the best quality. Wireless cameras are a better option for smaller vehicles. If you travel frequently it’s probably best to invest in a wired camera. 

How you fit the camera will depend on the model but you can get a good general idea of how it works in this guide to fitting a Garmin reversing camera from Campervan and Motorhome. 

Key features of motorhome reversing cameras

As with all tech and tools the more you spend the more you’ll get. Here is a quick guide to some of the most important features to look for in your motorhome rear view camera. 

1. Screen and monitors

The screens and monitors for motorhome reversing cameras either come as a standalone system with a dash-mounted LED screen or they can be wired into your GPS. Drivers can also invest in a version that runs through a smartphone. Screen sizes for the standalone products are usually between four and seven inches. 

2. Available viewing angles

Naturally, the wider viewing angle your camera offers the more you will be able to see and the better prepared you’ll be to avoid obstacles behind you. The best motorhome reversing cameras provide a viewing angle of at least 120 degrees or a combined horizontal and vertical angle. 

A good tilting mechanism is also vital. Your camera will most likely be fixed to a high point of your vehicle so you’ll need it to be able to tilt at least 30 degrees to get a good view of the ground.  

3. Dual lens and twin camera

Dual lenses on campervan reversing cameras mean one lens can be angled directly backwards and the other at 45 degrees. This gives the driver a continuous view behind the vehicle but also enables them to reverse with confidence. Twin cameras offer the same benefits and can be wired into one monitor. 

4. Motorised camera 

Motorised cameras offer the same view as the twin camera but change the view depending on what gear you are in. When driving in forward gear, the monitor displays a view of the traffic behind the motorhome and switches to focus directly behind the vehicle when you change to reverse.

5. Illumination

When arriving late at night (or before sunrise) the last thing you want is to struggle to see where you’re backing your vehicle into. Far better to choose a motorhome reversing camera with an illumination feature. 

6. Waterproofing or Ingress Protection (IP)

If you’re not familiar with Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, now is your chance to get up to speed. Opt for a camera that is IP6 rated which is the highest rating possible. If the second digital shows a number 6 your camera is protected from damage and ingress from high-pressure jets. Number 7 means it is protected against full immersion between 15cm and 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. Number 8 indicates your camera is protected against extended immersion at high pressure. 

If you travel to places where you need protection against high winds, dust or sand or prolonged rain IP67 rating will suffice. If your vehicle is likely to be subject to very heavy or torrential rain an IP68 will be preferable. If you want total protection choose a motorhome reversing camera with an IP69 rating.  

Goboony Reversing Camera Campervan h2 Motorhome Rear View

Recommended reversing cameras for motorhomes

Well-reviewed budget-friendly camera

AUTO-VOX TD-2 Digital Wireless Reversing Camera 

The Auto-Vox TD-2 gets consistently good reviews on Amazon and other review sites. It’s wireless so nice and easy to install, offers excellent signal quality and a clear display even in low-light environments. The Auto-Vox TD-2 automatically displays the rear view when you reverse making parking safer and stress-free. At 4.3 inches the screen isn’t the biggest on the market but with some of the current online deals coming in at just under £90 this motorhome reversing camera is a solid investment.  

Find out more about the Auto-Vox TD-2 Digital Wireless Reversing Camera

Great for travellers carrying bikes

Dometic PerfectView CAM200

The Dometic PerfectView CAM200 is specifically designed for travellers with bike racks and has several useful features that more than justify its price tag of around £350. For starters, the Dometic PerfectView can be attached directly to a rail on your bike rack, no drilling required and the cabling is detachable if you need to remove the whole rack at any point. It has an IP689K rating, and an adjustable smart camera which switches easily between the bike rack positions. 

Find out more about the Dometic PerfectView CAM200

Good choice for night vision

Dallux RCS7000B Heavy Duty Back-Up Camera System

If you want assurance of good visibility at night then look no further than the Dallux RCS7000B. This budget-friendly product comes equipped with 18 infra-red lights so the rear view camera can deliver clear pictures up to 50ft, even in complete darkness. Drivers will love the wide 130-degree viewing angle as well as the 4 PIN cab camera which makes sure you don’t have any blind spots. With a 7-inch monitor, 800*480 digital colour LCD monitor and remote control capabilities this camera certainly earns its very reasonable £99 price tag. 

Find out more about the Dallux RCS7000B Heavy Duty Back-Up Camera System.

Goboony Reversing Camera Campervan h2 Motorhome Rear View

We hope this guide to choosing the best motorhome reversing camera has given you some ideas about which is the right product for you and your vehicle. While you're busy researching, you might want to check out the best options for motorhome GPS, or read our article on setting up solar panels on your campervan. If you want to offset any costs, why not hire out your motorhome to trusted Goboony customers? Find out more.