Updated on February 21, 2023
Despite the obvious benefits of a dashcam, there are some vehicle owners who prefer not to use them at all. One of the reasons mentioned is that there are a lot of wires and hardware to be hidden or to be placed, which can put people off. The last thing that they want is the wires interfering with their driving. This guide is aimed at vehicle owners who would love to use a dashcam but don’t quite know where or how to hide the wires.
5 Tips For Tidy Cables
1. Use The Headliner
The easiest way to hide your dashcam wire is to run it all along the headliner, down the weather sealing or the rubber stripping of the A-pillar and then under the dashboard. I have seen some drivers preferring not to hide the cord under the weather sealing at the side of the vehicle. This is up to you. However, I strongly recommend that you hide the cord under the stripping if it is possible. It can save you a lot of botheration when driving.
2. The Pillars
There are two options to run the power cord down the A-pillar. Either take the passenger-side route or the driver-side route. Again, I prefer the passenger-side route. Most power cables are long enough for that. Whatever you do, don’t run it straight down the middle of the windshield or use gum tape to do that. You may have to use gum tape in some places but refrain from blocking your view in any what whatsoever. However, if you don’t mind running the cable down the door on your side (driver’s side) of the car, you can go ahead and adopt that method. Just ensure it does not get slammed upon when the door is shut. Either way, the decision is yours.
After you have mounted the dashcam on to the windshield, the next task is to run the cord all the way to the power source. The headliner can be pulled out ever so slightly, and the wire tucked neatly behind. When you reach the A-pillar run the power cord under the weather sealing. Running the cable under the weather sealing rubber strip ensures that it is securely held in place.
3. Finishing Off
Loose cables or those contained in place using gum tape can come off and then get squashed when the door is shut. When you reach under the dashboard, run the cord all along until you enter the central console. You can use gum tape to secure the cord under the dash. At that point, you can reveal the cable and plug it into the power source.
I have seen some vehicle owners run the last mile underneath the floor mats. That can work as long as it is secured in place. You don’t want anyone to trip and fall either getting in or getting out of your car, truck or SUV.
Despite doing all of this, there will still be some areas where the cord will be visible. Especially if you have a dual dash cam, it is recommended to buy a power cable that is about the same length of your car as described above. Though, in reality, that almost never happens. You have to accept the length of the power cable as provided. The only thing that you need to ensure is that the length of the wire should not be less than the length as described above.
4. Your Local Garage
The above is described as a DIY method and could probably be done in an hour or two, depending on your vehicle’s cabin interior, your available tools, and your expertise. However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of this, it’s better to leave it alone. Instead, take a trip to your local independent garage, they should happily help for a small fee. You could also contact auto electricians, car security experts and sound specialists who will also have experience hiding wires and dealing extensively with vehicle interiors.
5. No Wire Solution
After reading the above, if you’re one of the individuals who are still not convinced and are against wires altogether, there is still a solution for you. Although dashcams run on a power source, there are video recording solutions other than a dashboard camera that can serve the same function. For example, using a smartphone or digital camera as a dashcam is a perfectly normal and viable solution, which can run on battery for hours once fully charged at home. Take a look at our article on different types of dashboard cameras for more information on alternatives to using a purpose-built dashcam.
With more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Ash possesses a deep understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by drivers on the road. His relentless commitment to road safety and ongoing research is fueled by a genuine desire to create safer environments for all drivers.
