How to Install a Horse Trailer Camera? [Step-by-Step Guide]

Wondering how to install a horse trailer camera? How to hook up a horse trailer?

You’ve come to the right place!

I’ve done this myself and wanted to share with you how to do it, how to install camera for horse trailer, and don’t worry if I can, you can!

Read on!

How Hard Is It to Install a Horse Trailer Camera?

You’ll be happy to hear that installing a horse trailer camera is pretty easy. Just have a little patience, take your time, and follow the installation instructions.

The key is to get the right camera that provides you with the most amazing pictures possible, whether it is a single or separate split screen.

You want something that isn’t too complicated, and that has a wide angle so you can get as much of your trailer’s interior as possible.

Also, look for systems that can withstand cold temperatures and heavy rain. Durability is important as some parts are on the trailer exterior.

There are two types of setups, wireless and hard wire. While hard wiring your trailer camera will give a more stable picture, wireless is often easier to install.

To learn more, check out the DIY horse trailer camera.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Camera Installed in Horse Trailer?

Of course, if ‘how to install a horse trailer camera’ yourself, you can get it professionally installed, which will cost anywhere from $100 to $300 plus the cost of the camera.

The cost of the camera will depend on what one you want. You might be able to purchase one separately and bring it to a professional to install. Or you can purchase a camera and installation from a horse trailer specialist.

Ideally, you want a wide viewing angle and adjustable angles to help you get the best view. Of course, they are also fancy systems that include picture stabilization, HD color night vision, screen split modes, and are bad weather resistant.

But your purchase choice doesn't need all those extra features if you have a tighter budget. You can still get a single-screen system that gives you amazing pictures.

If you think you’d like to purchase your camera separately, check about the best wireless camera for inside horse trailer guide.

Horse Trailer Camera Installation (Step-By-Step)

As I mentioned, there are different types of camera setups. Here I’m going to use an example of a hardwire horse trailer installation.

These horse trailer monitors do not need an internet connection, but the simplicity of installation is more complicated.

These types of trailer camera systems provide the best video quality.

These are a bit more difficult, so I’m hoping a step-by-step guide will help you do it more smoothly and successfully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIXQZziRkNU

#1 Gather Your Camera and Tools

The first thing you need to do is get your camera and all the parts organized, as well as the tools you’ll need for installation.

For a hardwired camera, it is best to purchase a kit that has all the wires you’ll need. Some items you might need that doesn’t necessarily come with your camera are:

Drill

Self tapping screws

Fish tape

Chanel tubing

Marker

Screwdriver

Electrical tape

Cable ties

#2 Mark The Location

Take the bracket and place it at the top of the front wall in the center. Use a marker to mark the hole where you will need to drill.

#3 Drill The Hole

Next, drill the hole where you made the marks with the camera bracket.

#4 Attach The Camera Harness

Using your drill and screwdriver, insert the screws and attach the camera bracket securely. Adjust your camera to find the perfect angle to see your horses.

#5 Insert The Camera Harness

Now pick up your camera and feed the camera harness wires through the hole you drilled and attach the camera to the bracket. This will involve inserting and tightening screws as per your camera’s instruction manual.

#6 Route Fish Tape

Next, go to the other side of the wall, either your horse trailer tack room or the outside of the trailer, and route fish tape through the existing channel in place for tubbing.

Use electrical tape to secure the other end of the camera harness wire to the fish tape. This will be the long wire that you will have on the exterior of the trailer. Pull the harness up through the channel.

This video will help you with the first steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIXQZziRkNU

#7 Apply Dielectric Grease

Use dielectric grease and coat the electrical connections of the extended harness and the short wire that you fed through the hold from the camera. This grease will protect the connection from erosion.

Once greased, attach the two ends.

#8 Mark and Secure the Extended Harness Wire

Next, mark the spots on the trailer wall, towards the ceiling, where you will secure the extended harness wire. Then drill in screws with cable ties attached to your marks.

Tighten the cable ties around the wire securely. This will keep the wire out of the way and prevent it from getting damaged.

Pull any slack wire out to the trailer exterior.

#9 Secure The Extended Harness Under The Horse Trailer

Now go outside and repeat the screw and cable tie process to secure any excess extended harness underneath the horse trailer.

#10 Attach The Mating Connector

Find the trailer’s coupler and attach the mating connector to the frame. Then using screws and cable ties, secure any remaining slack in the power cables.

#11 Install Coil Harness Interface

The coil harness interface is installed under the vehicle bumper. You will need to place the bracket in your chosen location and mark the holes with a market. Then drill the holes and install the bracket.

Finally, attach the coil harness to its bracket. Use the screws and washers that come with your kit and follow your camera’s instruction manual.

Once securely in place, connect the coiled wire to the trailer wire.

#12 Route The Extension Harness Through The Vehicle

The next step is to route the camera wire into your vehicle’s cab. To do this, remove the high brake lamp cover and feed the power cables through the gap into the cab. Then put your brake cover back on.

#13 Install The Vehicle LCD Screen

You will need to feed the camera wire to the location in your cab where you plan to place the video screen. This will involve removing the central panel to gain access to the wire and connections.

This step is what makes wired installation tricky and will trip a lot of people up so

Many screens that come with these types of kits will be a 7-inch screen. I like this option because this type of monitor screen tends to provide a better image quality.

Connect the relevant wires. The below video will help you get a better idea of how to do this as it is trickier than the previous steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j7jXvtuWJ8

#14 Test Your Monitors

Once everything is installed, it's time to hit the power switch and test everything out. I like to test the camera and monitors in ambient light and natural light to see how they will perform in different conditions.

Wi-Fi Horse Trailer Camera Installation

While a hardwired horse trailer camera has a more stable signal, it is harder to install.

If it looks too difficult for you, consider a Wi-Fi camera, even if it doesn't provide you with the same sharp images are a wired trailer camera system. These options provide a much more simple installation.

I personally find this connection setup so much easier to do.

The main downside of these trailer camera systems is image stability and sometimes poor signal strength. However, you can find low-cost cameras and use your cell phone as a monitor screen.

Here is one inexpensive way to do this type of camera set-up. It's a pretty simple installation, even if this type of project is completely new to you.

#1 Purchase Your Parts

You will need a Wi-Fi transmitter that will send a Wi-Fi signal to your phone. Data or internet signal is not necessary.

You will also need a camera with a wide viewing angle to get a good view of your horse trailer interior. You can find affordable options in the low to mid-price range, some might even provide high-definition images.

Look for a system that offers the most stable signal and sharpest image. Image stability is important to ensure you get a precise image of your horses.

If you don't want to use your phone as a dash monitor, look at 7-inch monitor options or consider a tablet.

#2 Connect Your Devices

Connect up your transmitter to the camera. This part is really easy!

#3 Connect To Your Horse Trailer Wiring

Next, you need to splice the power connector cable that comes with your transmitter and wire it into the wiring of your horse trailer.

Alternatively, you can splice the wire into a wire with a connection that will work with a portable battery as a power supply. This usually means you need to splice the connection to a cigarette lighter type plug.

Personally, I think it is handy to always have one of these batteries in my trailer so I have backup power sources in case I get stranded somewhere.

#4 Secure The Camera

Install the camera in your horse trailer. Place it on the front wall near the ceiling. Fiddle with the camera to get the perfect angle.

#5 Download The App

Download the app that goes with your wireless transmitter on your phone or tablet. This app will connect to the transmitter and show you a picture of the trailer interior.

Check out this video to see how this is done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6ZWOJY2gQI

FAQs

#1 Can you put a reverse camera on a trailer?

Yes, you can put a reverse camera on a trailer. A horse trailer backup camera is really helpful as well if you are not great at reversing like I am! Especially when trying to get a view of a blind spot!

These are best if they are HD backup cameras with a good waterproof rating. Night vision capabilities are also really useful!

#2 Should I choose a wired or wireless horse trailer camera?

For the best connection, choose a wire horse trailer camera. However, these are more difficult to install and may require a professional to do them. This will cost more.

If you are on a smaller budget, wireless is much cheaper and easier to set up.

#3 Do I need numerous cameras in my horse trailer?

You don't need numerous cameras in your horse trailer, but those with larger trailers might want to install one on each end. This is a perfect choice if you want maximum visibility.

Of course, this system of horse trailer monitors makes an installation tricky!

#4 Do I need a camera with recording capability?

No, you don't need recording functionality, and this will increase the costs. However, having a recording function is handy if something happens as it gives you the chance to review it.

#5 What is infrared night vision?

A night vision trailer camera with this feature will use infrared wavelengths to create an image. Having this capability makes for a more high-quality, outstanding horse trailer camera.

Conclusion

I hope this guide has helped you with ‘how to install a horse trailer camera’. Here, I’ve included just two examples that I think are the best option for horse people.

Exactly how you install horse trailer video systems will depend on your skills, the type of vehicle and trailer setup, purchase choice, and your budget. Your climate will also influence the type of camera you install.

For some regions, a camera that can withstand cold weather and bad weather is essential.

Using a camera will increase your safety on road journeys and is one the most important things you can do in addition to thorough annual maintenance checks and high-quality tires.

brown horse tied to the trailer

Have you installed a horse trailer camera yourself, or did you use a professional? I’d love to hear about your experience.

Resources

1. Morales J, Mandow A, Martínez J, Reina A, García-Cerezo A. Driver Assistance System for Passive Multi-Trailer Vehicles with Haptic Steering Limitations on the Leading Unit. Sensors. 2013;13:4485–98.
2. Horse Trailer Maintenance and Trailering Safety | Equine Science Center . . Available from: https://esc.rutgers.edu/fact_sheet/horse-trailer-maintenance-and-trailering-safety-2/