Best Dash Cams for Pickup Trucks (2026)
October 18, 2026 · 16 min read
A pickup is not a tall sedan. The rear glass can be a sliding panel, and on a crew cab the rear camera cable travels more than 15 ft. Pick the wrong dash cam for truck use and you get a cable that stops short or footage of nothing but your trailer’s nose. This guide matches five cameras to the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Ram 1500.
Updated — first published
Quick answer
The right dash cam for a truck is a two-channel camera with a rear cable of at least 6 m (19.7 ft), mounted beside the windshield sensor housing. The VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH fits most full-size pickups. The exception is towing: a trailer blocks an in-cab rear camera, so mount a waterproof one outside.
VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH
4K front and 2K rear on Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, with GPS built in, for any pickup you drive every day.
VIOFO A329WW 3CH
Two IP67 cameras mount outside the truck, so a trailer cannot block your only view behind.
VIOFO A119 Mini 2
A small front-only camera that hides behind the mirror. You give up the rear view.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for owners of full-size, half-ton pickups who want video evidence of the road ahead and the traffic behind.
This is for you if
- You drive a 2019–2026 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 or Ram 1500, or a 2021–2026 F-150
- You tow a camper, boat or utility trailer and want the space behind it on video
- Your truck sits in a job-site lot or driveway and you want parked-car recording
Look elsewhere if
- You run a commercial fleet and need cloud tracking, driver scoring or semi-truck systems
- You drive a compact pickup such as a Ford Maverick, whose cab and cable runs are much shorter
What is different about a truck install
Three things change in a pickup: the windshield is more upright, the rear camera often goes on glass that slides, and the cable run to the back of a crew cab is long. None of these show up on a dash cam’s box, and all three decide whether the install works.
The rear window is the bigger trap. Many half-ton trucks have a sliding center panel, and a camera stuck to it moves every time you open it. The rear camera also sees the bed before the road. Before you buy two channels, read do you need a rear dash cam?
Windshield and cab fit by truck model
All four top-selling half-ton trucks take a standard adhesive dash cam; cab length and rear glass are what differ. Truck makers do not publish windshield angles, so this table sticks to what they do publish: cab styles and equipment.
| Truck | Cab styles | Front camera spot | Rear glass | Rear cable to plan for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 (2021–2026) | Regular Cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew | Passenger side of the Ford Co-Pilot360 camera housing behind the mirror | Power sliding rear window offered on SuperCab and SuperCrew | Typically 3–4 m Regular Cab, 5–6 m SuperCrew |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2019–2026) | Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab | Beside the forward camera housing on trucks with collision alert or lane keeping | Power sliding rear window available | Typically 3–4 m Regular Cab, 5–6 m Crew Cab |
| GMC Sierra 1500 (2019–2026) | Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab | Same as the Silverado, which shares its cab | Power sliding rear window available | Typically 3–4 m Regular Cab, 5–6 m Crew Cab |
| Ram 1500 (2019–2026) | Quad Cab, Crew Cab | Beside the forward camera housing on trucks with collision warning | Rear power sliding window available, including on work trims | Typically 4–5 m Quad Cab, 5–6 m Crew Cab |
The cable figures are Cedar Buy estimates, not measurements: windshield to headliner to the top of the rear glass, plus slack. Measure your own truck before you order.
Quick comparison
Camera layout is the column that decides it: choose the layout your truck needs first, then the camera.
| Product | Camera layout | Rear reach | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIOFO A229 Pro 2CHBest overall | 4K front + 2K rear | Inside rear glass | Daily drivers, any cab | Amazon → |
| VIOFO A329WW 3CHTowing | 4K front + two 2K exterior | Outside, cables up to 15 m | Towing and trailers | Amazon → |
| VIOFO A119 Mini 2Budget | 2K front only | None | Front evidence on a budget | Amazon → |
| Thinkware U3000 | 4K front + 2K rear, radar | Inside rear glass, 7.5 m cable | Parked-truck security | Amazon → |
| Vantrue N4 Pro | 4K front + cabin + 1080p rear | Inside rear glass | Crew cabs, work crews | Amazon → |
What the table does not show
Heat and cold. The Thinkware U3000 is rated only to 60°C (140°F), against 65°C (149°F) for the three VIOFO cameras.
VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH — Best overall
The VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH is the best dash cam for most pickups because it records the road ahead in 4K and the traffic behind in 2K, both on Sony STARVIS 2 sensors built for low light.
VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH
Best for daily-driven pickupsA front-and-rear camera pair that suits almost any half-ton truck. The rear camera records 2560 × 1440, enough to read plates behind you at night.
Price and availability change often — check the current listing.
Check price on Amazon → Paid link.Strengths
- HDR on both front and rear cameras
- Built-in GPS records speed and location
- Front polarizing filter in the box cuts dashboard glare
Limitations
- Parking mode needs the HK4 hardwire kit, sold separately
- The rear camera lives inside the glass, so a trailer blocks it
Editorial opinion
Buy this if you tow rarely. The VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH spec sheet lists HDR on both cameras and an operating range down to −20°C (−4°F), so a truck parked outside in January is covered. Skip it if a trailer is hitched most weekends.
If you want one camera that fits any F-150, Silverado, Sierra or Ram cab, this is the one.
See it on Amazon →VIOFO A329WW 3CH — Best for towing
The VIOFO A329WW 3CH is the towing pick because its two rear cameras mount outside the truck, where a trailer cannot block them.
VIOFO A329WW 3CH
Best for trucks that towA 4K front camera plus two IP67 waterproof 2K cameras (IP67 means sealed against dust and a dunk in water). For a pickup, VIOFO suggests one camera on the driver’s side and one at the rear.
Price and availability change often — check the current listing.
Check price on Amazon → Paid link.Strengths
- Exterior cameras see past a trailer or camper
- External SSD support holds weeks of road-trip footage
- Five parking modes, including low-power impact detection
Limitations
- Routing cables outside the cab means sealing a body opening
- The longest install job of the five
Editorial opinion
Get this if you tow most weekends. VIOFO lists cable options up to 15 m for each exterior camera, long enough to mount one on the back of the trailer itself.
If a trailer hides your rear window most weekends, this is the one.
See it on Amazon →VIOFO A119 Mini 2 — Best budget pick
The VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is the budget pick because it records the most common evidence you will need, the road ahead, without paying for a second camera.
VIOFO A119 Mini 2
Best for front-only recordingA single front camera that records 2K at 60 frames per second, which keeps fast-moving plates sharper than 30 fps. It cannot take a rear camera, now or later.
Price and availability change often — check the current listing.
Check price on Amazon → Paid link.Strengths
- Small body blocks little of a tall windshield
- Voice control to save a clip hands-free
- Same cold rating as the bigger VIOFO cameras
Limitations
- No rear camera, ever
- HDR works only at 30 fps, not at 60 fps
Editorial opinion
Buy this if front evidence covers what worries you. The A119 Mini 2’s −20°C rating matches the larger A229 Pro, so a winter truck is no problem. Skip it if rear-end evidence matters to you.
If you only need the road ahead on video, this is the one.
See it on Amazon →Thinkware U3000 — Best dual-channel
The Thinkware U3000 is the dual-channel pick for trucks that spend long hours parked, because built-in radar in both cameras watches for movement while using little power.
Thinkware U3000 (front + rear)
Best for parked-truck securityA 4K front camera and a 2K rear camera, both with radar for parking mode. The included rear cable is 7.5 m (24.6 ft), long enough for every crew cab in the fit table. There is no screen; you set it up from your phone.
Price and availability change often — check the current listing.
Check price on Amazon → Paid link.Strengths
- Radar parking mode draws less power than motion recording
- 7.5 m rear cable reaches any crew cab’s rear glass
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for setup by phone
Limitations
- Rated only to 14°F, so it may shut down in a northern winter
- Replaced by the newer U3000 Pro, which is a different listing
Editorial opinion
Get this if your truck sits unattended for hours and you live where winters stay above 14°F. Radar parking needs constant power from a hardwire kit or the OBD-II cable that ships in some bundles.
If your truck spends nights in a lot you cannot see, this is the one.
See it on Amazon →Vantrue N4 Pro — Also worth a look
The Vantrue N4 Pro is worth a look if you carry a crew, because it adds a third camera that films the cab interior, with infrared lights for night.
Vantrue N4 Pro
Best for crew cabs and work crewsThree cameras in one kit: 4K forward, 1080p cabin and 1080p rear. The cabin camera uses four infrared LEDs, so it records in black and white when the cab is dark.
Price and availability change often — check the current listing.
Check price on Amazon → Paid link.Strengths
- Records the cab interior, day and night
- Three cameras from one power cable
- 4K front on the same sensor as Pick 1
Limitations
- Large body hangs lower on the windshield than the others
- Rear camera records 1080p, below Pick 1’s 2K
Editorial opinion
Buy this if a crew or passengers ride with you. If nobody does, the cabin camera is wasted and Pick 1 gives a sharper rear view.
If you want the inside of the cab on video too, this is the one.
See it on Amazon →Fitment notes: F-150, Silverado, Ram, Sierra
Every pick above fits all four trucks; what changes is where you stick each camera.
Ford F-150 (2021–2026)
On trucks with Ford Co-Pilot360, a camera housing sits at the top center of the windshield, behind the mirror. Mount the dash cam on the passenger side of that housing, never in front of it, or pre-collision assist may report a blocked camera. With a power sliding rear window, put the rear camera on the fixed glass above the opening panel.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2019–2026)
Trucks with forward collision alert or lane keeping carry a camera housing behind the mirror; treat it like the Ford’s and mount beside it. Some Silverados have a rear camera mirror fed by a camera at the back of the truck. That factory camera is separate, so your dash cam still needs its own rear camera on the inside of the rear glass.
GMC Sierra 1500 (2019–2026)
The Sierra shares its cab with the Silverado, so the same mount spots and cable lengths apply.
Ram 1500 (2019–2026)
The current Ram 1500 comes as a Quad Cab or Crew Cab, with no Regular Cab, so plan for a rear cable of at least 4 m. A rear power sliding window is available even on work trims, so check your rear glass before you choose where the rear camera goes.
What to look for before you buy
Rear cable length matters most in a pickup, because a cable that stops short ends the install. After that, check parking power and cold rating.
Rear cable length
Measure from the top of your windshield, along the headliner, to the top of the rear glass, and add 1 m for slack. A crew cab typically needs 5–6 m. VIOFO’s replacement rear camera for the A229 series ships with a 6 m (19.7 ft) cable, and the Thinkware U3000 includes 7.5 m.
Parking power
A dash cam on a 12V plug turns off with the truck. To record while parked, you need a hardwire kit to the fuse box or an OBD-II power cable, both of which watch your battery voltage. Read do dash cams record when the car is off? before you decide.
Operating temperature
A parked pickup bakes in summer and freezes in winter. Look for a rating down to −20°C (−4°F) if you live in the northern states.
Ignore the widest viewing angle
A 170° lens sounds better than 140°, but the extra width bends the edges of the picture and makes plates smaller in the middle. Every pick here uses 140° to 160° on the main camera.
Key terms, explained
Dash cam boxes use these words as if everyone knows them.
Plain-language definitions
- Two-channel (2CH)
- A dash cam that records two cameras at once, usually front and rear. A three-channel (3CH) model adds a third camera, such as a cabin or exterior camera.
- Supercapacitor
- A small power store that replaces a lithium battery and handles heat and cold better. It holds only enough charge to save the last clip.
- G-sensor
- A motion sensor that detects a sudden jolt, such as a collision, and locks the current clip so it is not recorded over. For how sensitive to set it on a stiff-riding truck, see what is a G-sensor on a dash cam?
Mistakes that cost people money
The most expensive mistake is buying a two-channel camera whose rear cable cannot reach your rear glass.
- Buying before measuring the cable runA crew cab can need 6 m of cable. Measure first, then check the maker’s spec sheet.
- Sticking the rear camera on the sliding panelThe camera moves every time the window opens and the cable gets pinched. Mount it on the fixed glass above the opening.
- Covering the windshield sensor housingA dash cam in front of the forward camera can disable collision warning and lane keeping. Mount it beside the housing.
- Expecting an in-cab rear camera to see past a trailerIt will film the trailer’s front wall. If you tow often, you need an exterior camera like Pick 2.
How these picks were chosen
Each pick was chosen for how well it fits the cab layout of a full-size pickup, using the makers’ own spec sheets rather than hands-on testing.
Our selection method
- Cedar Buy compared manufacturer spec pages from VIOFO, Thinkware and Vantrue in October 2026 and 2026 equipment lists for the four trucks.
- The heaviest weight went to rear reach and camera layout, because those decide whether a camera works in a pickup at all. Low-light sensors and cold ratings came next.
- Front-and-rear cameras with short or unlisted rear cables were left out, as were fleet systems that need a monthly subscription.
- Specifications come from manufacturer documentation. Cedar Buy does not physically test products — see our editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I mount a dash cam in a pickup truck?
Mount it at the top of the windshield, just to the passenger side of the mirror and inside the area your wipers clear. On trucks with collision warning or lane keeping, a camera housing sits behind the mirror. Keep the dash cam beside that housing, never in front of it, or the truck’s safety systems may report a blocked camera.
How long does a rear dash cam cable need to be for a crew cab truck?
Plan for 5 to 6 meters, or about 16 to 20 feet, on a crew cab. That covers the route from the windshield along the headliner to the rear glass, with slack. Regular cabs typically need 3 to 4 meters. Measure your own truck, then check the included cable length on the maker’s spec sheet before you buy.
Can a dash cam see behind a trailer when I tow?
No. A rear camera inside the cab looks through the rear glass and films the front of the trailer. To record what is behind or beside a trailer, you need waterproof exterior cameras, such as those on the VIOFO A329WW 3CH, mounted outside the truck or on the trailer itself with a long cable.
So which one should you buy?
Get the VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH unless you tow often, work a crew or only need the road ahead. For most pickup owners, Cedar Buy’s pick is its 4K front and 2K rear pairing, mounted beside the sensor housing.
| If you need | Best pick | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | VIOFO A229 Pro 2CHBest overall | 4K front + 2K rear, both STARVIS 2 | Amazon → |
| Towing and trailers | VIOFO A329WW 3CHTowing | Two IP67 exterior cameras, cables up to 15 m | Amazon → |
| Best budget pick | VIOFO A119 Mini 2Budget | 2K at 60 fps, front only | Amazon → |
| Parked-truck security | Thinkware U3000 | Radar parking mode, 7.5 m rear cable | Amazon → |
| If you are still unsure | VIOFO A229 Pro 2CH | Fits every cab style in the fit table | Amazon → |
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