Exterior Cameras for Checking Around a Parked Van

[TX-Trek]

We've got a rear facing camera on the van for driving/backup, but I've been thinking about having a camera for each side and the rear of the van to be able to have a look while we're parked, especially before we open a door.
They don't necessarily have to be in place while driving.
We don't have any satellite or wifi, we typically use one of our phones as a hotspot when cell connection is available.
I'm thinking that a standalone system, like our rear camera setup, may be a reasonable solution, except it would be nice to monitor at least 2 cameras at the same time.
Does anyone have a recommendation?
Thanks.

 

[youngnretired]

When we purchased our 2008 Roadtrek 210 last spring, it was hard to see past the bulge of the rear axle of the van with the side mirrors, and the rear view mirror was almost useless as well. So we purchased a wireless camera system. After the initial purchase, I purchased a license plate camera to go with it and use both of those for backing up.

Main head end

Additional license plate camera

Whether these have the mounting means or camera angles that you need is up to you. The main head end is magnetic, so you could literally stick this to the side of your van (if it's metal) and you're good to go, but I perminantly mounted it above the center stop light on the AC grill for viewing. The license plate camera I rigged up to mount at the license plate. Both of these units are both solar and wireless. Except for plugging them in to verify charge when first purchased, since the spring of 2025, they've not been plugged in. I have the system set to stay on for 10 minutes when the button is pushed to turn the system on. The monitor can be set up for 1 or 2 cameras, and you can set the image for reverse view and upsidedown view to account for how you want to mount the cameras.

Also note that since last spring, there may be additional camera systems that they offer that exceed the quality of these. Daytime viewing is pretty clear as well as nighttime image quality.

 

[booster]

We use one rear display with two cameras together on one mounting. It is a European style the require for trucks, I think. It hardwires with aviation cables. The best part of it is that the cameras are different viewing angles. The rear view driving camera is 45* so doesn't shrink things so much and still shows the blind corners. The down facing camera 120* and shows all the up close area right up to the bumper and out to the corners. Switchable on display with button push or I think I could split screen also if I wanted to. It is mounted just above the third brake light on the AC cover lowest point.

Camera link

 

[TX-Trek]

Thank you both, I'll follow the info you provided. I do like the wireless setup - when I installed the rear view driving camera it required power/video cable back to the dash monitor. Fiddly.

I think using a similar dash monitor somewhere with the wireless cameras gives me the flexibility to place the outside cameras where convenient. Then easily removed for driving. I had first mentioned 3 cameras but I think 2 will do to work with a single switchable monitor .

 

[booster]

Can't say for sure as it has been a long time since we had a wireless rear camera, but somehow the the cameras need to be powered and on RVs and trailers it is usually from the running lights or taillights. Other option back then were very often to replace batteries or solar panels with rechargeable batteries.

If you need power via wire, it would kind of defeat the purpose for a magnet removeable application, I think.

I have seen quite a few RVs with a camera pointing down on each rear corner to give good backing up into narrow camping sites and such so you can see the rear wheel area.

 

[GallenH]

I bought Fookoo wireless system and it works fine in day and night. No issues with delay or interrupted signal. They do sell separate side cameras but you would need to mount them and get power to them. You don't need a wire for the signal but you do need 12v power to the camera. Check out Fookoo's website to see more about the company. During my mounting/installation of backup camera their customer service was very responsive and helpful. So I don't have side cameras. Thought about adding them, which I could with my system. They use to make a magnetic mount side camera but I don't think anymore.

 

[TX-Trek]

Thanks, yes, the exterior mounting is a challenge to sort out. If wireless then the cameras need to be solar/battery powered, plus consideration of the fiberglass shell.
I'm going to take a close look at the exterior for possible locations. Use of 2 backup type cameras w inside monitor is still a consideration provided I can get a cable to them.

 

[GallenH]

I only have a fiberglass top shell on my old 97PW. Actually, I mounted the wireless backup camera on a metal hitch cover and used a bolt instead of the trailer hitch pin to secure it tightly to the hitch. In thinking about it, I believe I could figure out a way to take a camera that was designed to be mounted and use magnets instead.

 

[TX-Trek]

Here's the camera setup on the back - I made a bracket/shade for them. The top camera is the backup camera that works with our aftermarket in-dash stereo. The bottom camera is on with ignition and connects to a dash monitor. That one functions as another rearview mirror, always on when driving.

I've installed additional brake/turn lighting on a bracket that slides into the receiver. The other lights behind are led backup lights. In case I ever tow anything I just flip the assembly.

Anyway, in my case I think I can use magnetic mount cameras that look from the front (metal) cab area back towards the rear of the van. They would connect to another dash monitor mounted above the pantry. Temporary type hookup while parked is ok.