Alpine HCE-RCAM-WRA Spare Tire Camera

Product highlights

What's in the box

• Camera with mounting bracket (attached 18" cable) 
• 10' Power/Video cable (7.5A fuse) 
• 23' Extension cable 
• Spare tire bracket 
• 3 Retaining clips 
• Torx-screw 
• Lock-washer 
• Heat shrink tube 
• Water-proofing pad 
• Two-sided tape 
• 5 Wire-ties 
• Allen-wrench 
• Installation Instructions 

Written by Crutchfield's Alexander H.

Traditionally, you want to mount a backup cam in a centrally located spot on the rear of your vehicle, usually in close proximity to your license plate. If you're a Jeep Wrangler owner, you know that ain't happening because of where the Wrangler spare is traditionally stored. Alpine's HCE-RCAM-WRA offers a creative solution — a backup camera that mounts behind your spare tire and looks through the spokes to give you a view of what's behind you.

Alpine adds High Dynamic Resolution to the HCE-C1100 rear-view cam to give you their best picture yet. With HDR, you'll see more detail whether you're backing up in a bright parking lot at noon or a dark parking garage at midnight. The camera works with any aftermarket car stereo with a composite (RCA) camera input. With the addition of Alpine's SGS-CH01 camera interface (not included), you'll be able to integrate this camera with select Jeep Wrangler factory radios and add active parking lines.

Alpine's bracket uses your Wrangler's bolt pattern to mount behind your spare. On the camera end of the bracket, Alpine gives you the flexibility to move the camera to the left or right for a clear view through the Wrangler spare's 5x5 wheel pattern. 

What does it do? Unless otherwise noted, a backup camera is only intended for use backing up your vehicle. (If you require a front-view or constant rear-view camera, check for that capability.)

What tools and supplies will I need? A panel tool, a wire cutter/stripper, a soldering iron, and a rosin-core solder with heat shrink tubing are recommended, along with whatever tools are needed to remove the radio from the dash.  

How much wiring is required? Wiring instructions vary from camera to camera. Some cameras have power wiring that can only be connected near the radio. Others let you power the camera at compatible reverse lights. In all cases, the camera must be wired for power and ground, the camera's video output must be connected to the radio/monitor, and the radio/monitor must be connected to a reverse trigger in your vehicle. Some radio replacement interfaces supply a reverse trigger wire for the radio -- using that wire to power your camera will damage the interface.

Will the included video cable be long enough? You'll need to route the camera's video cable from its mounting location outside your vehicle into your vehicle's cabin and all the way to the screen in the dash. This often requires drilling a small hole in your vehicle or filing some metal and or plastic. You'll also need to estimate the length of cable needed to run from the camera to the dash, which will not be a straight shot. Each camera's cable length is listed.