Clearance lights on rear of TM

I am considering mounting a rear vision camera on the rear of my TM2720. I had one on my previous camper, an Aliner Expedition, and found it to be a valuable tool. I can see into parking spaces without constantly getting out of TV and run back, I can also see what is behind me while travelling.

I have decided that I would like to mount the camera at the same level as the clearance lights, however, I don't want to risk drilling into the wiring for the lights.

Can anyone advise me what I will find in that clearance light area, is there a way to loosen an interior panel to route the wires for the camera and hide them from view inside?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

The archives have some info on this topic but I have not seen any mention of the possibility of using a 12v solar power source (see link below) to avoid having to tap into TM or TV wiring. This might be an answer at least for day time use, but I have not tried it and am new to solar power applications.

The linked item is not for recharging a battery but claim to be able to provide power directly in outside conditions.

http://www.goldengadgets.com/solar-p...lar-panel.html

Thanks Travlin for the response. Actually, what I want to do is Hard-wire the rear view camera on the TM, but I don't want to be drilling any holes in concealed wiring (for the clearance lights). I had the camera on my previous camper, my TV is already wired for me to just hook up the camera.

[ShrimpBurrito]

You might want to read this thread about another member installing a camera in the bumper. He did say that a disadvantage of mounting it there was that headlights would shine directly into it at night, so I'm interested in hearing how you mount yours.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=8526

Dave

[Barb&Tim]

Waiting on Fedex to deliver the camera i ordered -- supposed to get it today. Still pondering on mounting location, would like to mount it high but so far, cannot see a way to route the video cable. Bumper mount is looking like the way i will go.

Tim

Ref your statement about mounting camera. I mounted mmine between the cluster of three clearance lights. After removing a small panel, curtains from inside, I drilled one hole and routed the wires along the ceiling, removing center ceiling trim piece was easy, replacing it, was a bit more difficult. I then routed the wire down the side panel to the wire harness. It was even easier from there on.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Offtotheraces - Can you post pictures of your install? Sounds pretty interesting, and I'm sure others here, including myself, would appreciate seeing your ingenuity.

Dave

I would like to post a few pictures of this installation, but I don't know how. I took pictures with digital camera, loaded on pc, but can't figger out how to upload them.

Basically the installation was simple. My TV is already set up for the rear view camera, images show on navigation screen. I removed the top panel from the inside of TM in area of clearance light, located where I wanted to mount the external camera, and drilled a 1/4 " hole.

I inserted the camera wire from the ouside, connected it to new wires on the interior, and ran those wires along the channel that overlaps the joining of the ceiling panels. I attached the camera between the clearance lights with short screws into the shell and caulked with good marine type silicone sealer/adhesive.

TM already has wires running through that ceiling area so space is limited. I ran the new wires to the front edge of the rear shell, detoured the wire across the ceiling in the padding trim piece, and down the edge to the outside. From there I just extended to wiring to meet the connector on the TV, and attached the undercarriage wires with zip ties. All done, after I put all the removed panels and curtains back in place.

[commodor47]

Originally Posted by OffToDaRaces

I would like to post a few pictures of this installation, but I don't know how. I took pictures with digital camera, loaded on pc, but can't figger out how to upload them. . . .

See if this tutorial will help:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=2505

Dick

Thanks Commodore, I figgered it out, with your help. I hope the pix can give an idea of what was involved in the installation. No hard work, just a little exploring and patience.