When considering getting an RV, I realized it might be a good idea to look into getting a backup camera as well, so that there will be less of a risk of accidents. However, many of these can be expensive, so I decided to research the best RV backup cameras for under $250.
| Price | Monitor Screen Size | Range | Angle View | Wired/ Wireless | Camera Resolution | Monitor Resolution | Power | |
| Tadi Brothers | $224.99* | 7″ | 70 feet | 120 degrees | Wireless | 800×600 | 1024×768 | 12 Volt DC |
| 4Ucam Digital | $229.95 | 7″ | 100 feet | 130 degrees | Wireless | 640×480 | 800×480 | 12-24 Volt DC |
| 4Ucam WiFi | $99.95 | N/A | 30+ feet | 110 degrees | WiFi | 640×480 | N/A | 12 Volt DC |
| Xroose | $99.99 | N/A | 60 feet | 170 degrees | WiFi | HD1080P | N/A | 12-24 Volt DC |
| RVS Backup System | $249.99 | 7″ | 66 ft cable | 130 degrees | Wired | 620 TV lines, PAL 752×582 | 800×480 | 12 Volt DC |
| RVS 5″ Backup System | $249.99 | 5.6″ | 66 ft cable | 130 degrees | Wired | 620 TV lines, PAL 752×582 | 800×480 | 12 Volt DC |
Along with a list of the best cameras under the $250 price limit, there are other important things to be aware of when it comes to RV backup cameras. That will be touched on later in this article, but first, a list of the best backup camera systems under $250. These are in no particular order.
TadiBrothers Wireless Backup Camera for RV with Rear View Monitor
*This backup camera normally costs $274.99, but TadiBrothers often does deals where you can get products at discounted prices. I looked at this on a Thursday, in which their site boasted a “Thursday Special” and the price for this camera was $224.99, or $50 off.
So if you check in occasionally, you may be able to find a good deal on this camera.
TadiBrothers has sold quality electronics and systems since 2003, and they have a variety of products, but they take pride in their backup cameras. They want to help their customers eliminate blind spots and be safer on the road with any type of RV or vehicle.
This particular model has a lot of pluses. It has a 7-inch full-color LCD monitor, which can have two separate camera feeds that can be toggled between.
It features a 120-degree view, night vision that adjusts to different light levels, a sun shield, as well as auto-focus.
It is very strong and can take a few hits and it will still be alright. It can be installed on multiple sides of an RV, which is nice. This camera has a 70-foot range, and the transmitters are waterproof and don’t have static from microwaves, electric lines, cell phones, or anything else that could potentially cause some interference.
This camera can be on at all times, and many people use it for changing lanes, which helps increase safety.
This comes with a dash mount and all of the necessary cables. These can be customized as well for a cost, but if you need something specific, it’s possible that can be done. And these have a 30-day return policy for your money back, so if you don’t like it there’s no need to stress.
TadiBrothers also has adapters that work with brands such as Furrion, Weldex, Voyager, Sony, and more so that the TadiBrothers camera can work with those systems as well.
The model number for this camera is SKU90117, and it can be found here.
4Ucam Digital Wireless Camera
This is a fairly basic RV backup camera, but it that doesn’t mean it’s not good. The digital wireless cameras help it to have good picture quality, and there is not too much interference.
It does not, however, have the ability for a split-screen or dual camera. It also doesn’t come with a sun shield, although it is waterproof.
It can work with a Furrion mount if needed. It has a typical range of 100 feet with the digital connection and up to 30 feet of range for night vision with the 11 infrared LEDs that it comes with. It has grid lines that can be turned on and off by briefly tapping on the power button.
The camera sensor comes with Sony 1/4-inch CCD.
This camera can also be on at all times, which is nice for when you want to change lanes. Installation is not too difficult and it comes with instructions to follow, as well as everything you will need to actually install it.
The monitor can be powered by a cigarette lighter or a hardwired power cable, and both of those are included. The suction cup mount also comes with it.
This camera has a 130-degree viewing angle, so it definitely helps to eliminate blind spots and help for safer driving.
This camera’s model number is 4UC-9901Digital, and it can be bought here. The cost is $229.95 for this unit.
4Ucam WiFi Backup Camera for iPhone/iPad and Android
This is a pretty unique backup camera. It is pretty cheap because it is not meant to be used constantly, and it is more for shorter moments when you need to back up. It works on Wifi, which only one of these other options do.
This will work with any iOS and Android device, which makes it very convenient. To use it, you download the free app that it comes with, and after doing that, you’ll see on your phone the WiFi backup camera, which you can then connect to.
It has it’s own WiFi network, with a transmitter that can be attached towards the front of the RV to help the range work better.
With the transmitter, the range works for at least 30 feet, and it can go higher depending on where it is placed. While many people just use this for their regular or large-sized cars, it can still be used for RVs, and most people had no problem when using it with their various RVs.
Occasionally there can be a small delay when backing up, but most people have not had issues with that. There are gridlines, and it has night vision as well. It is also waterproof.
The picture quality isn’t always great, as it happens with anything transmitted over WiFi, although as the previous reviewer stated, it still isn’t bad. Also, your screen size depends on the size of your phone screen, so if you have a smaller phone, you may not be able to see as much.
Still, this is a good option for people who would like something cheap and easy, and only need a camera for the occasional backup, and not for constant use on the road.
This comes with everything you will need in order to install it. The model number for this is 8909WiFi, and you can find it here.
Xroose Wireless Phone Backup Camera
This is another option that uses WiFi, much like the one mentioned right before. This one also comes with an app to install, which will display the image from the camera.
The quality is pretty good for a WiFi-based system, and there are little to no delays. Installation can be a bit harder on this one, however.
It has a waterproof cover, and it has 12 LED lights for night vision. With a camera resolution of 1080P in HD, it is one of the better options in terms of image quality, although, with a WiFi transmission, that can still occasionally be affected.
It has a very wide viewing angle, at 170 degrees, which almost eliminates blind spots and makes for very safe driving. Also unlike the other option, this works for driving on the road, which can help with changing lanes.
However, it may drain the battery on your phone, so that is something to watch out for, especially on longer trips.
The camera can also take single photos, which can be saved to a file, and the image can be flipped if that is desired. There are also grid lines that can be turned on and off through the app.
For a price of $99.99, this is a pretty good deal when looking for a backup camera, and it’s pretty simple to use as well. This has a simple item number of W3, and you can find it here.
Rear View Safety Backup Camera System
The Rear View Safety cameras are wired cameras, and both are the most expensive on this list, coming in at $249.99 each, just barely under the limit before tax.
However, these are known to be good quality cameras and they may be better for certain types of vehicles than others, which will be discussed later in this article.
The model number for this one is RVS-770613-NM, and you can get it right here, or on Amazon here for $30 cheaper, but it might not come with all the Rear View Safety benefits mentioned later.
This system has a 7″ screen monitor. It has a 130-degree viewing angle, and it is completely waterproof. It also has a built-in microphone as well as speakers, so there is audio. It has 18 infra-red lights in the camera, giving it up to 50 feet of night vision, and plenty of vision during the day.
There are grid lines on the monitor that can be turned off, the image can be normal or mirrored. It’s also highly rated when it comes to vibrations and shock, with a 20G vibration rating and a 100G shock rating, so it will be stable as you travel.
This system also allows for up to three cameras to be connected, and the screen can go between them when being viewed. The monitor has a removable sun shield, and buttons that are back-light so they will show in the dark. It auto dims in low lighting as well.
All Rear View Safety units ordered from their website also come with a 1-year warranty, lifetime tech support, same-day shipping on any order placed by 2 pm, customization, and a 30-day return policy. While more expensive, these systems are top-rated and good quality
Rear View Safety Backup Camera System With 5″ Monitor
This is another wired Rear View Safety unit, with similar features to the other one, with just a few differences.
This one has an item number of RVS-7706033, and you can find it on Amazon here or on the Rear View Safety website here, for the same price on each site.
This also has a 130-degree viewing angle, 18 infra-red lights on the camera for 50 feet of night vision, it is waterproof, it also has a built-in microphone and speakers for audio, the buttons are backlit, it auto dims in low light, and it has a 20G vibration rating. It can connect to up to three cameras as well.
This and the other unit can both work while the vehicle is driving, helping with changing lanes and overall safety.
The differences are that it doesn’t have a sun shield on the monitor, the shock rating is not 100G, it mounts to the dash a little differently, and the screen is 5.6″ rather than 7″.
The smaller screen may be good for vehicles with a smaller dash, or if you just don’t like a larger monitor on your dash. The quality is still clear, as it has a 1/3″ Sharp CCD color camera with a 2.5mm Sharp lens.
Wireless or Wired?
While all of these cameras have their own features and positives and negatives, they also may be different in that some are wired and some are wireless.
To be honest, there is actually no such thing as a completely wireless backup camera, except for some of the WiFi-run options, which may take batteries and use your phone.
Most wireless units still need to be wired into your vehicle’s existing power, such as connecting the monitor to the 12V cigarette lighter, so it doesn’t need wiring to the camera, which is what makes it wireless.
Wireless cameras may also have difficulties functioning on metal vehicles such as Airstreams and toy haulers. Airstreams are made with aluminum, and toy haulers often have ramps reinforced with metal.
The metal doesn’t always allow for the wireless signals to pass very well, so the monitor in the front of the RV may not connect well, and there may be interference, delays, glitching, or it may not even work.
Wired systems will work with any type of vehicle, including Airstreams and toy haulers, and 5th wheels.
The camera and monitor are connected by a wire, so they are more reliable and are much less likely to experience glitches, delays, or other problems, as you don’t have to worry about the signals. That is great for vehicles that are longer because there won’t be any worries of signal interference.
Essentially, wired systems are more reliable, but this also means they tend to be more expensive, and take longer and may be more difficult to set up.
However, if you don’t feel confident in installing it yourself, there are usually people that can be called to help, or the company itself has helplines or other resources to assist.
Field of View
Backup cameras have many options when it comes to the field of view. They can go from 90 degrees up to 210 degrees, but the bigger isn’t always the best.
All the ones in this article range from 110 degrees to 170 degrees, but if you end up looking at other options it’s still good to know some of this. This website has some good information on this as well.
90-degree angle cameras give you a 45-degree angle view from the centerline of the camera. These will cover blind spots, but perhaps only barely, making you have to look between your camera and mirrors a lot.
130-degree cameras are usually a better option. They give you 65-degree angle views from the centerline. This helps a lot more with your blind spot, as well as enabling you to watch other cars approach while you are backing up or driving.
These do usually require a larger screen, but 5″ to 7″ is usually fine, so there should be no worries.
210-degree cameras may actually be too wide. The human field of view is 180 degrees, so a camera with 210 degrees of view will have difficulties being seen properly and displayed correctly on a monitor.
It may almost seem like when you take a panorama picture on your phone. Sure, you can see more, and it may look nice, but the image is often distorted and not the complete reality.
On a backup camera, this can make your judgment calls when backing up and driving not completely accurate, which actually makes you less safe.
A camera with a field of view under 180 degrees, and above 90 will generally serve you pretty well. The kind you want may also depend on the size of your vehicle, the roads you’ll be driving, and whether you want to use it for only backing up, or for when you’re driving normally as well. Typically, 130-degrees will work out very well.
Last Words
Many backup cameras and systems will come at prices upward of $400 dollars, and they will have more features, bigger screens, and more.
The systems reviewed here are under $250 and come with the monitor unless that’s your phone. However, you can also buy cameras separately for a cheaper cost, which may be good if you already have a monitor that is compatible.
Walmart sells plenty, including this Furrion camera for a little over $150, but if you want to get the monitor as well, the price will cost $100+ more, depending on the size of the monitor you want to get.
I didn’t include separate cameras in this review, because if you’re looking at spending that money and you could get a monitor as well, you might as well. But if you already have a monitor, just know that getting a camera separate is definitely possible.
There are plenty of these options, and looking at features such as camera quality, wired or wireless, the degree of the field of view, the range, if it has night vision, and more, are great things to look into.
Also, some RV manufacturers will pre-wire their vehicles to be able to accept a backup camera at the back, or on the rear wall of the RV.
They will often include a power supply that you can use for your personal installation, but it’s also common they’ll include a Furrion mounting kit for a Furrion camera.
If your RV has this, it doesn’t mean you have to get a Furrion camera for it to work. Many camera manufacturers, such as 4Ucam offer adapters for Furrion mounts so that you can use their systems even with another mount there. So that isn’t something to stress over, just double-check adaptors are available if that happens to be your situation.
“What a wonderful thing technology is! The ability to see behind you whether you are driving a car, motorhome or a travel trailer is essential for safety and maneuvering.”
-Camp Addict
Why do people want backup cameras for their RVs? Because RVs are larger vehicles, and it can be difficult or almost possible to see behind them. And if your RV is a separate travel trailer, it may run the risk of swaying or moving in a way that you don’t want it to when backing up.
As the rvshare website states, getting a backup camera “could drastically help in the reduction of possible accidents, such as knocking down children, who could be in your driveway or at the rear end of your vehicle. It is worth noting that about 50 children, each week, get knocked down in this manner.”
Another good reason to get an RV backup camera is that many of them can be installed to where they can be on while you are simply driving normally, and not just backing up.
I’ve had cars cut me off and drive in my blind spots when trying to merge before in just my regular-sized car. This can be even more dangerous when an RV is involved, because if there is an accident, the other car and possibly drivers and passengers can become seriously damaged, totaled, injured, or worse.
So being able to see people behind you at all times and angles is definitely a great advantage and is much safer.
You don’t have to invest a ton of money for that as well. As shown by the cameras and systems in this review, you can still get good quality backup cameras and monitors for a relatively low cost. It’s safety without breaking the bank! That can definitely make for a happy camper.
