Things you'll need

Similar to a front dash cam installation, installing a rear dash camera on your hatchback or SUV requires the following materials:

• Rear dash camera
• Rear camera cable
• Adhesive mount
• Cable clips
• Microfibre towels
• Glass cleaner
• Trim tool

Route the cables

Connect the cable from the front dash cam and power source. If you purchased a 2-channel dash camera from us, it will come with a rear camera cable.

Next, connect the rear camera cable to the front camera. The wire will be routed along the headliner, then past the A, B, and C pillars.

Wait, what are these pillars?

Pillars are the vertical supports on a car, lettered from A to D from front to rear. The frontmost pillar is the A-pillar, which helps support the windshield. The B-pillar sits behind the A-pillar and divides the front and back seats. The area behind the rear seats is around the C-pillar. D-pillars are typical in larger vehicles like trucks and vans.

For hatchbacks and SUVs, you will usually pass the cable through the A, B, and C pillar areas.

Wiring to the hatchback

Routing wires from the front to the rear of a car can be tricky. To avoid a messy install, thread the cable through the rubber hoses connecting to the liftgate. First, check which hose has more room by gently squeezing them. If there is enough space, you may be able to push the wire through by hand.

For tighter hoses, use a rigid thin wire, coat hanger, fishing wire, or long zip tie to guide the cable through. Attach the camera cable to your guide wire with electrical tape, fully covering the tip to protect the cable pins.

Pull the required length of wire through, then hide it behind the trim, making sure all plastic clips are properly aligned. Reattach the rubber tubing securely so it remains waterproof.

Some cameras have different plugs for the front and rear. For example, rear plugs may have straight tips, which are easier to thread through hoses. Make sure you are using the correct end of the cable for installation.

Mount the rear dash camera

Now it is time to mount the rear dash cam. Every package comes with an adhesive mount that attaches to the rear windshield. We recommend attaching it at the centre of the rear windshield while avoiding the rear defroster grid lines where possible.

Make sure to mount the camera in a location where it will not move and where the cable has enough slack for the liftgate to open and close. For best results, check the live view from your rear dash cam in the smartphone app to confirm the camera angle is wide enough and is not blocked by defroster lines. We recommend mounting near the top centre of the rear windshield unless the view is obstructed.

Alternatively, you can install the rear dash camera near the rear roof area instead of directly on the window. This is especially useful for rear windows that can be lifted independently from the main trunk hatch. The basic headliner fabric in your vehicle is not suitable for standard adhesives, so you will need a stable platform or mounting method.

Another more professional alternative is to use a magnetic coin mount.

Test the rear dash camera

After mounting and wiring, test the rear dash cam to make sure it is working properly. Turn on the vehicle and check if the dash cam powers on automatically. If it does not turn on, check the power connections and make sure the dash cam is properly mounted.

Clean it up

Finally, now that the cameras are installed, clean up the wires. Use electrical tape or cable clips to keep cables bundled in the headliner, tuck everything away, and put the trim covers back. Make sure there are no kinks or rough corners in the cable path, because those can cause problems later.

That is how you install a rear dash camera on a vehicle with a liftgate. If you have other questions, feel free to contact our product experts and we will be happy to help.

For more dash cam installation guides, visit our Dash Cam Installation Guide.