Why you’d be sure-fire mad not to get a caravan reverse camera

Mark Allen discusses why you’d be mad if you don’t get a caravan reverse camera, the benefits of getting one, whether you should DIY and essential points to consider when buying one.

Hitting anything with your car will result in expensive repair damage. While most of us manage not to swipe solid objects while driving forward, reversing is another story. This is where we see most of the costly and embarrassing mishaps. Given the technology at our disposal and how easily-managed these reversing incidents can be, you’d be mad not to fit a caravan reverse camera.

Why you’d be mad not to get a caravan reverse camera

The most important reason – safety

Imagine if you clipped a kid, maiming or killing them. Again, I say you’d be mad not to fit a caravan reverse camera.

A caravan reverse camera will get you onto the tow ball like a pro

I hate getting in and out of the car, checking how far off the tow ball I am, readjusting the vehicle’s position, a bit forward, a bit backwards… ahhh, now I’m too far to the side! How is it that if I only move the vehicle a planned handspan, I can triple that out on the next check? Or worse still, ending up with yet another tow ball-sized dent in the chrome bumper bar.

With a second reverse camera set up to see your tow ball, you’ll gain onlookers’ admiration for how you “nailed that hook up” every time you hitch the caravan. Not that most onlookers will acknowledge it but I see it often…ol mate says to his darlin’ wife…“he’s done that before, eh!”

Touch parking is not a reverse technique

Nooo, don’t do it. Slowly reversing into a tight carpark, between two trees or beside another caravan at your favourite van park until you slightly nudge something solid or another person’s property is downright rude. It’s also arrogant and disrespectful and likely to end in harsh words if you get caught.

If you find it hard to tell the extremities of your vehicle without relying on touch-parking, either give up your licence or fit a caravan reverse camera. It’s that simple.

To DIY or not?

Everything is easy if you know how right? Some caravan reverse cameras have simple instructions that most non-electrical wizards can follow. However, some units incorporate the camera into the vehicle’s original equipment wiring loom to allow that vision via the car’s dash-mounted screen. Sometimes, working out how to “pop” the dash apart via hidden tabs is more challenging and time-consuming than hooking the wires up.

A comprehensive caravan reverse camera system often includes vehicle-specific plugs to allow for an easy connection. Sometimes, you’re left to jerry-rig the best you can. ‘Red to red, black to black…all the rest cut ‘em back’, is not good enough in this day and age of high-tech vehicles.

Wireless kits make the job easier with regards to not having to route wires from the back of the car to the dash. However, make sure to investigate how reliable the Bluetooth connection is. Electrical interference can also be a problem, causing impossible-to-see images. In contrast, a wired system will be more complex to install, but at least you know your caravan reverse camera will work when needed.

Axis 5.6″ Wireless Caravan Rearview Kit

• Digital 2.4GHz system
• PAL
• 4 x wireless inputs
• Split/single/auto-scan display
• 120m range
• Reverse gear activated screen
• Image adjustable – normal/mirror/flip/mirror-flip
• IP67 waterproof camera
• Night vision – 10m distance
• 120° viewing angle
• 120m line of sight range  

Things to consider when buying a caravan reverse camera

Caravan reverse cameras are great but there are a few clauses to contend with to get the maximum advantages.

While the quality of the vision is paramount, the angle can either help or hinder the situation. The more you can see might sound like the better solution but, unfortunately, too much can confuse the situation.

Let’s say a 120-degree view compared to a 170-degree view. This will have a dramatic difference in how the caravan reverse camera presents the vision. Obviously, the wider the angle, the more you can see on the screen. But that vision becomes distorted to the point that it’s not easy to discern how near or far something may actually be from your caravan. Remember the sticker found on many cars’ rear-view mirrors? You know, the one that reads, ‘objects in the mirror are closer than they appear’? Well, that’s the perfect example of what you are seeing is not necessarily reality.

Then, there is day and night vision (infrared) ability and how lighting affects the view at night time. If your caravan reverse camera doesn’t work in the dark, it’s almost a waste of time and money.

What to look for when researching a caravan reverse camera?

Yes, there are plenty to choose from and yes, many will do the job. But buying a quality reversing camera will pay off in the long run. Initially, I like to look up videos of cameras in action, primarily how well they perform under adverse conditions and how wide the field of view is.

The only time you can be assured you won’t get a good result from any reversing camera is at night time when there is a light shining into the camera and it’s raining. A unique set of circumstances, but it happens. Any other time, you’ll see that caravan reverse cameras are well worth the investment.