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How to Install a Dash Cam in a Truck with Canopy

Driving trucks is a true North American thing – whether it’s for carrying cargo for your business, or simply needing the massive trunk space for your cross-country adventures, a truck is a ride you can rely on for the long haul.

While some leave the truck bed wide open, others who want extra protection for their cargo have their trucks installed with a canopy, varying from hardtops, fiberglass canopies, pick-up caps, toppers, camper shells, and tonneau covers.

“Is it possible to install a dash cam in my truck with a canopy?” – we get this all the time. And our answer? Yes! It’s definitely possible to install a dash cam in your truck – with or without a canopy. However, the thing with canopies is that the installation might be more challenging in terms of mounting, especially when it comes to the rear camera. In this article, we will discuss the different options available to install a dash cam in your truck with canopy.

Installing a Dash Cam in a Truck with Canopy

If you’re installing a one-channel dash cam in your pickup truck, then there’s no problem at all. You can simply mount the front camera on your windshield, and it’s up to you whether you want to install it via a 12V car cigarette charger (with no parking mode), or hardwiring. Alternatively, you can also use a dash cam battery pack like the PowerCell 8 to extend your parking mode.

While the road ahead is important, we also think that having a rear camera is a must, especially if you need to transport valuable items in your pickup truck on a regular basis. In case a thief breaks in at the back, or something hits or breaks anything from your rear, you will have everything recorded in a wide angle perspective.

Installing a Dash Cam in a Truck with Canopy

If you’re installing a one-channel dash cam in your pickup truck, then there’s no problem at all. You can simply mount the front camera on your windshield, and it’s up to you whether you want to install it via a 12V car cigarette charger (with no parking mode), or hardwiring. Alternatively, you can also use a dash cam battery pack like the PowerCell 8 to extend your parking mode.

While the road ahead is important, we also think that having a rear camera is a must, especially if you need to transport valuable items in your pickup truck on a regular basis. In case a thief breaks in at the back, or something hits or breaks anything from your rear, you will have everything recorded in a wide angle perspective.

Basic Installation: Rear Camera on the Windshield

If your truck canopy has a rear window, you can go for the basic installation. The front dash cam can be mounted anywhere on the front windshield, even for windshields that are flat as the lens of almost all our dash cams can be adjusted vertically. If you want an interior camera, it also poses no issues as the secondary camera can be mounted on the front windshield and just pointed towards the cabin.

Now for the rear camera, since your truck has a window, you can simply mount it on the rear windshield. With some truck models, the center rear windshield slides down or to the side. For those windshields, you’ll need to put the rear camera on one of the sides instead, ideally not the side that the center windshield slides to.

While this method is unlikely to provide much visibility of your bumper, it is definitely ideal for watching over any gear in your truck itself, and is much simpler than any options beyond this.

Basic Installation: Rear Camera on the Windshield

If your truck canopy has a rear window, you can go for the basic installation. The front dash cam can be mounted anywhere on the front windshield, even for windshields that are flat as the lens of almost all our dash cams can be adjusted vertically. If you want an interior camera, it also poses no issues as the secondary camera can be mounted on the front windshield and just pointed towards the cabin.

Now for the rear camera, since your truck has a window, you can simply mount it on the rear windshield. With some truck models, the center rear windshield slides down or to the side. For those windshields, you’ll need to put the rear camera on one of the sides instead, ideally not the side that the center windshield slides to.

While this method is unlikely to provide much visibility of your bumper, it is definitely ideal for watching over any gear in your truck itself, and is much simpler than any options beyond this.

For Canopies without Rear Windows: Bolting the Rear Camera Externally

If you would like a camera that is mounted to your weather-proof canopy, our recommendation is to bolt the rear camera mounting bracket at the canopy exterior to get a wider view. Here, external wiring is also recommended. Based on our previous installations, it’s cleaner to run the cables underneath the vehicle, than up and overtop the vehicle.

Installation for the dash cam and hardwiring follow the same general instructions - find the fusebox of the vehicle (typically under the dashboard on the driver’s side) or just utilize the vehicle’s 12V socket, then run wires through the headlining/panels to the front dash cam. The front and rear connecting cable will also be run through headlining/panels and can be run along the cargo until it reaches the rear camera in the back.

The rear camera will need to be bolted down into the vehicle, typically on top of the rear cargo area, using included bolts and plates. This allows for a very secure and discreet installation. Even if it’s attached externally, you don’t have to worry about weather as most rear truck cameras are waterproof, along with waterproof cabling.

We recommend wiring this external, bolted camera, as standard interior cameras are not weather resistant, and long-term use in an open canopy could prove detrimental to the unit.

For Canopies without Rear Windows: Bolting the Rear Camera Externally

If you would like a camera that is mounted to your weather-proof canopy, our recommendation is to bolt the rear camera mounting bracket at the canopy exterior to get a wider view. Here, external wiring is also recommended. Based on our previous installations, it’s cleaner to run the cables underneath the vehicle, than up and overtop the vehicle.

Installation for the dash cam and hardwiring follow the same general instructions - find the fusebox of the vehicle (typically under the dashboard on the driver’s side) or just utilize the vehicle’s 12V socket, then run wires through the headlining/panels to the front dash cam. The front and rear connecting cable will also be run through headlining/panels and can be run along the cargo until it reaches the rear camera in the back.

The rear camera will need to be bolted down into the vehicle, typically on top of the rear cargo area, using included bolts and plates. This allows for a very secure and discreet installation. Even if it’s attached externally, you don’t have to worry about weather as most rear truck cameras are waterproof, along with waterproof cabling.

We recommend wiring this external, bolted camera, as standard interior cameras are not weather resistant, and long-term use in an open canopy could prove detrimental to the unit.

Some drawbacks

Since the process will be complex for installing a rear dash cam on your truck with canopy, do expect drawbacks in these types of installation.

For the first option, the visibility might be lesser since you’re mounting your dash cam on the rear window. And for the second option, the installation is pretty difficult as it will require extra drilling of holes, and keeping your camera safe.

There might also be a situation where you would have to remove your truck canopy. If this happens, you will have to do some rewiring. Removing the wire from the rear camera, and placing it back in the interior of the truck in the meantime is the most likely solution. If you need further instructions, our dash cam experts will be happy to help.

BlackVue DR770X-2CH IR Truck: Best Dash Cam for Your Truck Canopy

Best for your trucks with canopy, we recommend the BlackVue DR770X-2CH Truck. This dash cam system has a front and rear setup, with the rear camera capable of being mounted externally on the back of the vehicle. In terms of video capabilities, the luminosity sensor of its IR camera detects ambient brightness and automatically activates the six infrared lights to help identify vehicles and objects in the dark.

With its metal waterproof casing, the rear camera of the BlackVue DR770X-2CH Truck is built to withstand most weather conditions. Its Ingress Protection rating (IP69K) means it can even withstand power washing! Note that we recommend securing it in place on a flat surface using the provided screws. Equipped with a long 49 feet coaxial cable (also weatherproof) that connects the front and rear dash cams, the DR770X-2CH Truck is an excellent choice for all kinds of trucks.

Here at BlackboxMyCar, we don’t just provide you with installation guides on our website – we offer professional dash cam installation ourselves! If you happen to pass by our Richmond office, our expert installers will be happy to help. Book your appointment here.

And if you wish to install the dash cam in your truck yourself, we are also here to provide you with the tips and tricks you need to mount it successfully.

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Full HD Cloud Dash Cam - Dash Cams - BlackVue DR770X-2CH Full HD Cloud Dash Cam - 1080p Full HD @ 60 FPS, 2-Channel, Adhesive Mount, App Compatible, Bluetooth, Cloud, Desktop Viewer, G-Sensor, GPS, Hardwire Install, Loop Recording, Mobile App, Mobile App Viewer, Night Vision, Parking Mode, Security, South Korea, Super Capacitor, Wi-Fi - BlackboxMyCar

BlackVue DR770X-2CH IR Truck: Best Dash Cam for Your Truck Canopy

BlackVue DR770X-2CH Full HD Cloud Dash Cam - Dash Cams - BlackVue DR770X-2CH Full HD Cloud Dash Cam - 1080p Full HD @ 60 FPS, 2-Channel, Adhesive Mount, App Compatible, Bluetooth, Cloud, Desktop Viewer, G-Sensor, GPS, Hardwire Install, Loop Recording, Mobile App, Mobile App Viewer, Night Vision, Parking Mode, Security, South Korea, Super Capacitor, Wi-Fi - BlackboxMyCar

Best for your trucks with canopy, we recommend the BlackVue DR770X-2CH Truck. This dash cam system has a front and rear setup, with the rear camera capable of being mounted externally on the back of the vehicle. In terms of video capabilities, the luminosity sensor of its IR camera detects ambient brightness and automatically activates the six infrared lights to help identify vehicles and objects in the dark.

With its metal waterproof casing, the rear camera of the BlackVue DR770X-2CH Truck is built to withstand most weather conditions. Its Ingress Protection rating (IP69K) means it can even withstand power washing! Note that we recommend securing it in place on a flat surface using the provided screws. Equipped with a long 49 feet coaxial cable (also weatherproof) that connects the front and rear dash cams, the DR770X-2CH Truck is an excellent choice for all kinds of trucks.

Here at BlackboxMyCar, we don’t just provide you with installation guides on our website – we offer professional dash cam installation ourselves! If you happen to pass by our Richmond office, our expert installers will be happy to help. Book your appointment here.

And if you wish to install the dash cam in your truck yourself, we are also here to provide you with the tips and tricks you need to mount it successfully.