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How to Magnet Mount a Rear Cam

Using a magnet mount for a hatchback or SUV

Using Magnets for Mounting

Compared to installing a rear dash camera on sedans and coupes, having one for your hatchback, SUV, or any vehicle where the rear window moves is more complicated. In this article, we will show you an alternative to make your rear dash cam installation easier – through magnets!

What vehicles is Magnet Mounting best for?

Magnet mounting is a viable option for many different SUVs and Hatchbacks, but there are certain vehicle models that do have issues that magnet mounting solves. The most common issue is having a rear window that opens, making it so mounting to the rear window is not possible. Here, we've compiled a list of some of the vehicles we magnet mount onto for our standard installations:

  • Chevrolet: Blazer/Trailblazer
  • Ford Explorer (1991-2010)
  • GMC Envoy
  • Honda: Fit, Pilot, Civic Hatchback, CR-V
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Infiniti: QX4, QX56
  • Isuzu: Amigo, Rodeo, Ascender
  • Jeep: Grand Cherokee (1992-2022), Liberty
  • Lexus: GX, LX, ES
  • Nissan: Armada (2004-2015), Pathfinder, Terrano (1986-2012)
  • Oldsmobile Bravada
  • Pontiac Vibe (2003-2008)
  • Saab 9-7X
  • Toyota: 4Runner, Hilux Surf, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander, Kluger, Sequoia, Supra, Tacoma, Tundra,

This list is purely based off of our own findings and installations. Certain years may vary, and is certainly not all-encompassing for all models that magnet mounting would be applicable for.

 

How can magnets help with Dash Cam mounting?

Magnet mounting for rear dash cams is a method you can use to affix your dash cam to the headliner of your vehicle, instead of the vehicle’s window. Unlike typical adhesive or suction cup mounts, which rely on glue or suction to hold the dash cam in place, magnet mounts use two powerful magnets to create a new mounting location for the Dash Cam, attached to the fabric of your vehicle’s roof. This mounting style is ideal if you are unable to mount the camera directly on the windshield, normally due to a rear window that slides or can be popped open.

Things You’ll Need

  • Rear Dash Camera
  • Rear Dash Cam Adhesive Mount
  • Coin-sized Magnet x2
  • Rear Camera Cable
  • Trim Tool

The effectiveness of this method will depend on the strength of your magnets, and is why strong magnets are recommended. Stacking additional magnets inside the vehicle's frame will result in stronger adhesion between the magnets.

Prepare the Magnet Mount

 With this Magnet mounting style, you take 2, very strong coin-shaped magnets, installing one on each side of your headliner, with one going inside the vehicle's frame, and the other used as our mounting surface in the interior headliner. These magnets will adhere to each other, stuck through the fabric of your headliner.

To get the top magnet in the interior of the frame of your vehicle, you’ll likely need to use a pry tool or similar item to wedge your way under the trim’s lip, starting from the rear of your vehicle, with the hatchback propped up. There are normally clasps in-place to hold the headliner in-place, which can be easily popped off with a bit of force.

Many of these coin-magnets will come an adhesive side, which can be used on the magnet going in the interor, used to fix it in-place and make sure it doesn't slide around inside.

Mount the Dash Cam

Next, fix the basic adhesive dash cam mount onto the exposed magnet on your headliner fabric with the dash cam’s mount’s adhesive. These magnets should be strong, so be cautious while handling them to avoid pinching your skin. Also make sure that the dash cam is securely attached to the magnets, and should hold firmly in place.

Just make sure to mount the camera in a location where it will not move. For best results, check the live view of your rear dash cam straight on the smartphone app to determine if the rear dash cam angle covers well enough.

Test the Rear Dash Camera

Of course, after the mounting and wiring, we want to test the rear dash cam to make sure it's working properly. Turn on the car engine and check if the dash cam turns on automatically. If it doesn't turn on, check the power connections and ensure the dash cam is properly mounted.

Use the camera app's live-view to check the camera's viewing angle, ensuring it is properly lined-up with the angling lines.

Clean up the cabling

Finally, now that our cameras are installed, and the wires are well-kept, it’s time to clean up the wires going to your front camera. You can use electrical tapes or cable clips to keep the cables bundled up, close them and put the cover back. We go more in-depth on the basics of rear camera installation.

The benefit of this installation is that no tape or drilling holes in any plastic trim or roof liner is required.

And that’s how you install a rear dash camera using a magnetic mount. If you have other questions, feel free to contact our product experts and we’ll be happy to help! For more dash cam installation guides, visit our Dash Cam Installation Guide here.