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How to install a dash cam in a truck with a canopy

Choose the rear view and plan a camera route for your truck

Choose the view you need

A rear camera inside the cab may look through both the truck's rear window and the canopy. The view depends on the windows, headrests, cargo and camera position. A canopy with no rear window can block the view behind the truck; even with a window, the recording may not show the area close to the bumper. Review a test image before committing to a mount.

A front-only setup does not record the view behind the truck. A cabin-facing camera shows the cab and its occupants; it does not replace a rear-road view. Choose the camera views that match what you want to record.

If the view through the cab is too restricted, an exterior rear camera may be an option. Choose a camera and connection cable that their manufacturer specifies for exterior use and for your exact front camera or recording unit. A camera supplied for an interior rear window should not be assumed suitable for rain, road spray or washing.

Illustration of a pickup with canopy, with a dashed red box highlighting the rear window
The marked area illustrates the canopy and rear-window view. The right camera position depends on your truck.

Behind glass or outside the canopy

An interior installation avoids putting the rear camera itself outside. It also keeps its view dependent on what it can see through the truck and canopy. Check for obstructions when the truck is loaded as well as when it is empty. If a rear window moves, choose a position and cable arrangement that do not interfere with its movement, following the vehicle and camera instructions.

An exterior camera can be placed beyond an opaque canopy, but its mounting point and cable entry need more planning. Check that the camera, connectors and cable are intended for the exposure at their proposed locations. The manufacturer's instructions for the BlackVue DR770X-2CH Truck describe an external rear camera and recommend protecting its externally mounted waterproof cable. That is an example for that system, not a compatibility or weatherproofing claim for another camera. Browse our BlackVue cameras, and check each model’s intended mounting and cable compatibility before choosing one.

Pickup and canopy illustration with front and rear camera callouts
Illustrative camera positions on a pickup with a canopy; actual mounting and cable routes depend on the equipment and vehicle.

Plan the cable and power before mounting

Measure the intended route before buying a cable. Include enough length for the path the vehicle and camera manufacturers allow, plus any movement where the canopy or its doors open. Confirm the connector and cable are approved for your exact camera system. A cable that reaches is not necessarily compatible.

Keep wiring clear of airbags and their deployment paths, moving parts and sharp edges. A cable hidden behind trim or a weatherstrip is not automatically clear of an airbag. If you cannot establish a safe route from the vehicle manufacturer's instructions, ask a qualified installer or dealer. Have the installer check any proposed drilling, seals and electrical connection for your truck and canopy before work begins.

If you may remove the canopy, discuss how the rear camera connection will be handled before the cable is secured. Avoid pulling on the cable or connector when moving or removing the canopy; follow the equipment instructions for disconnecting and protecting it.

For driving power, our 12V power guide explains the basic connection. Our hardwiring guide covers another approach. A separate dash cam battery, such as our PowerCell 8, may be an option for parking recording when the camera and installation are compatible. Check the camera's parking-mode and power requirements before selecting one.

Dash camera battery pack on a white background
A dash cam battery pack can be considered as part of a compatible parking-recording setup.
Another image of a dash camera battery pack
Another image of a dash cam battery pack. Check compatibility and installation requirements for your equipment.

Check the setup before relying on it

With the truck safely parked, check both camera views in the camera's app, screen or viewer. Open and close the canopy and any moving window as appropriate, and verify that neither the mount nor cable obstructs movement. Review a saved test clip in the conditions that matter to you, including with your usual load. A camera's view and recording settings determine what it captures; a rear camera cannot guarantee every event will be recorded.

Need help choosing a compatible camera or planning the route? Contact our team with your truck and canopy details, the view you want, and your camera model if you already have one. If you are considering professional installation, our installation booking page lists our Richmond, British Columbia location; confirm current availability before making plans.