Where to Put a Dashcam in Car—and How to Spec the Rest of Your Vehicle Setup by Scenario
Why there is no single answer
I’m a quality and brand compliance manager at an automotive accessories company. I review every SKU and product page before it reaches B2B customers—roughly 300 items a quarter. In 2024, I rejected about 18% of first deliveries because of spec mismatches, missing hardware, or claims that did not match the certification file.
It took me 3 years and about 150 SKU reviews to understand that the question ‘where to put dashcam in car’ is not a preference question. It is a spec question. The same is true for a Midland CB radio, a Crosstrek hitch receiver, or wash equipment like a foam cannon. The right answer depends on ownership, vehicle architecture, and workflow.
From the outside, it looks like you just pick a mount and stick it on the glass. The reality is that windshield frit, ADAS camera housings, airbag zones, and state windshield laws change what is safe and legal. We didn’t have a formal install checklist for accessory bundles. Cost us when a fleet customer’s dashcam blocked the lane-keeping camera and triggered a warning light on every shift.
Small orders matter here. When I was starting out, the vendors who treated my $200 orders seriously are the ones I still use for $20,000 orders. A single Crosstrek owner testing a Midland 75-822 deserves the same clear specs as a 200-vehicle fleet.
Scenario A: Daily driver or small team (1–5 vehicles)
If the vehicle is yours, stays with you for years, and you drive a normal mix of city and highway, you can keep the setup simple but still spec it properly.
Dashcam placement: Start at the top center of the windshield, on the passenger side of the rearview mirror. Keep it inside the wiper sweep so the lens sees rain-cleared glass. Avoid the driver’s airbag zone and any ADAS camera housing. Check your state’s windshield obstruction rules before you mount anything. In some states, even a small suction cup can be a problem if it sits in the driver’s line of sight. The 'universal' mount kit added $12 (not that it fit anything without drilling).
CB radio: The Midland CB radio 75-822 is a handheld CB that can run on AA batteries or vehicle power. (Should mention: that matters if you move it between vehicles or use it in a rental.) For US CB operation, FCC Part 95 Subpart D does not require an individual license, but the equipment must be certified and you still have to follow power and antenna rules.
FCC Part 95 Subpart D governs the CB Radio Service in the United States. It does not require an individual license for CB operation, but transmitters must be FCC-certified and must follow power and antenna rules.
Hitch receiver: If your daily is a Subaru Crosstrek, a Crosstrek hitch receiver is not a one-size part. Model year, trim, and whether you have a rear bumper cutout all matter. Confirm tongue weight and towing capacity before you buy. A 2-inch receiver may be overkill for a bike rack; a 1.25-inch receiver may limit your trailer options.
Wash gear: The MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 price is usually in the $65–$90 range as of early 2025, depending on the kit and seller. Price is not the spec. Check the orifice size, the quick-connect fitting, and whether your pressure washer actually produces enough flow to make foam. A cheap cannon on a weak washer is just a wet mess.
Scenario B: Fleet, service, and contractor vehicles
Fleet vehicles change the decision because more than one person drives them, downtime is expensive, and installs need to survive years of use.
Dashcam: Hardwire the camera. Hardwiring is usually cleaner—at least, that’s been my experience with fleet vans that stay in one region. Use a fused tap or an OBD power adapter designed for continuous duty, not a loose cigarette-lighter plug. Place the camera behind the mirror, but test the ADAS system after install. If the camera, mount, or cable enters the camera’s field of view, you may get false lane-departure warnings.
CB radio: For dispatch or job-site coordination, a permanent mobile CB is easier to live with than a handheld. The Midland 75-822 can still work as a backup or for supervisors who move between trucks. Keep the antenna matched and mounted away from the dashcam to reduce electrical noise.
Hitch receiver: Spec by the trailer, not by the vehicle. A contractor might need a 2-inch receiver for a utility trailer; a service van might only need a step or bike rack. Confirm the class, tongue weight, and wiring harness before ordering. The cheapest receiver is expensive if it bends or voids a warranty claim.
Wash gear: If you wash vans in-house, a foam cannon is a chemical-application tool, not a toy. The MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 price becomes less important when you calculate labor. A cannon that clogs or leaks costs more in downtime than the difference between two models.
Small-order note: Even if you are starting with two vans, ask for a sample unit or a single-vehicle pilot. A supplier that will not support a small first order is telling you how they will handle a warranty claim later.
Scenario C: Off-road, overland, and towing builds
Weekend builds put accessories through heat, vibration, dust, and water. The install has to be more robust than the spec sheet suggests.
Dashcam: Top center is still the best starting point, but avoid suction mounts if you regularly leave the vehicle parked in the sun. The adhesive failed in July heat (ugh). Use a high-temperature 3M VHB pad or a semi-permanent mount. If you use a suction cup, check it before every trail run.
CB radio: The Midland 75-822 is popular for overland use because you can move it between vehicles and it does not require a permanent dash cut. For long trail runs, pair it with an external antenna. A handheld inside a metal cab with no external antenna is a short-range tool, not a convoy solution.
Hitch receiver: For a Subaru Crosstrek, towing capacity is modest. A Crosstrek hitch receiver should be selected for tongue weight and accessory use first. If you are carrying a spare tire or bike rack, check the vertical load rating. If you are towing, check the owner’s manual for the exact limit by model year.
Wash gear: After mud and dust, pre-soak with a foam cannon before you touch the paint. The MJJC Foam Cannon Pro V2 price is only one line in the budget. You also need the right soap, a pressure washer with enough GPM, and a drying method that does not drag grit across the clear coat.
Scenario D: Rental cars and temporary installs
This is the scenario many guides ignore. If you are picking up a rental—say through Midland airport car rentals—you usually cannot drill, hardwire, or leave anything behind.
Dashcam: Use a suction or temporary adhesive mount. Place it on the passenger side of the mirror, inside the wiper sweep, and check the rental agreement. Remove it before return. Do not run a cable across the driver’s airbag zone.
CB radio: The Midland 75-822 is a good rental-car option because it can run on AA batteries or a 12V plug. (Should mention: a magnetic antenna can scratch paint, so use a window clip or a temporary antenna mount.)
Hitch receiver: Do not add one to a rental. If you need to carry a bike, use a trunk-mounted rack that the rental company allows.
Wash gear: Skip the foam cannon on a rental. If you need to clean a windshield or lights, use the rental company’s approved supplies.
How to tell which scenario you are in
Ask four questions:
- Will this vehicle stay with me or my company for at least three years?
- Does the vehicle have ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) or a camera behind the mirror?
- Will more than one person drive it?
- Do I need to remove the gear before a lease return, rental return, or resale?
If you answered yes to the first question, hardwire the dashcam and spec permanent mounts. If you answered yes to the second, test placement before you stick anything down. If you answered yes to the third, choose durable, standard parts. If you answered yes to the fourth, stay portable.
That said, the categories are not rigid. A small contractor might start in Scenario A and move to Scenario B after the second van. A weekend driver might use Scenario D for a rental and Scenario C for their own Crosstrek.
No setup is universal. But a small order is not a reason to accept vague specs. Whether you are buying one Midland CB radio, a single MJJC foam cannon, or a batch of hitch receivers, demand the same things: clear fitment, correct certifications, and a return path if the part does not match the vehicle.