Best Dash Cam for Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra: What Fits

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are two of the three best-selling trucks in America. They're also one of the more specific installation environments for dash cams — large windshields, GM's safety camera placement, and a driving position that's much higher than most passenger cars. Here's what fits and how to install it right.

The Silverado / Sierra Windshield: What You're Working With

Full-size truck windshields are large — typically 10–15% larger surface area than a comparable SUV or sedan. This actually works in your favor for dash cam placement: there's more clear glass to work with, and more flexibility in where the camera sits without entering the driver's sightline.

2019+ Silverado and Sierra models (1500, 2500HD, 3500HD) equipped with GM's front camera system (part of the Safety Package II and III on most trims) have a forward-facing camera mounted behind the rearview mirror. This camera is part of the HD Surround Vision system. Mounting a dash cam directly in front of or adjacent to this camera can obstruct it.

The restricted zone for the GM forward camera on newer Silverados and Sierras is typically 12 inches centered on the mirror mounting point. Stay outside this zone.

Recommended Mounting Position

For 2019+ Silverado and Sierra:

• Mount the dash cam to the left of center (driver's side), at the top of the windshield below the frit band
• Keep the mount at least 8 inches from the rearview mirror housing
• The cab-corner area of the windshield — upper driver's side — provides clear glass and sits completely outside the ADAS camera zone

For older Silverado and Sierra (pre-2014, before widespread ADAS integration):

• Top-center mounting is standard
• More flexibility overall — check whether your specific trim includes any factory camera systems before mounting center

Truck-Specific Installation Considerations

Higher Windshield Angle

Full-size trucks sit higher than passenger cars, and the windshield angle is often more vertical. This means:

• Sun glare is more direct in certain angles — position the camera to minimize glare on the lens
• The dashboard is further from the windshield than in most cars, so the recording angle shows more sky and less road close to the vehicle. This is normal and doesn't affect useful recording range.

Cable Routing

The Silverado and Sierra A-pillar trim pulls away from the body with a firm tug — no tools required on most model years. Tuck the power cable under the trim, route it down the A-pillar, and into the footwell.

The 12V outlet (cigarette lighter) in most Silverado and Sierra models is located on the lower center console — a longer cable run from the windshield than most cars. Most dash cam power cables are 11–13 feet, which is typically just enough. If you're routing cleanly and it's slightly short, a short extension cable resolves it without running exposed wire across the cabin.

Pickup Truck Bed Coverage

Standard front-camera dash cams don't cover the truck bed. If bed coverage is important to you — for cargo monitoring, theft deterrence, or accident documentation during backing — a separate rear camera or a dedicated parking camera system is the right approach. The dash cam rear channel typically captures the area behind the truck cab (through the rear window), not the open bed.

What Cameras Work Well in Silverado and Sierra

For Single-Channel Front Coverage

The Nexar Beam is a compact, unobtrusive camera that works well in trucks. Its small footprint makes it easy to position outside the ADAS camera zone without feeling like it's taking up windshield real estate. Cloud connectivity means footage is backed up automatically — useful for trucks used for work, where incidents during work hours may be relevant to employer insurance.

For Front and Rear Coverage

The Nexar B2M provides front and rear dual-channel recording. The rear camera mounts to the rear window of the cab — not the tailgate or bed area. In trucks used for towing, this captures the hitch area and vehicles behind the trailer, which is useful for liability documentation.

Parking Mode for Trucks

Trucks parked in work sites, loading docks, or public lots face specific parking risks: other large vehicles, forklifts, and high foot traffic around the vehicle. Parking mode matters more for trucks that spend time in these environments.

A hardwire kit for the Silverado/Sierra is straightforward — the fuse box is accessible in the driver's side footwell. Look for a constant power fuse (for the parking mode always-on feed) and an ignition-switched fuse (for the switched feed that tells the camera the car is running). Nexar's hardwire kit includes voltage cutoff protection, preventing the camera from draining the truck's battery in extended parking mode sessions.

The Right Setup for Most Silverado / Sierra Owners

Mount the Nexar Beam upper driver's side, below the frit band, clear of the GM camera zone. Route cable via A-pillar to the center console 12V outlet. Enable cloud backup. If parking mode is needed, upgrade to hardwire.

For work trucks that double as personal vehicles, front-rear dual channel and a hardwire installation is worth the extra setup time. The truck is in more varied environments than a personal commuter — the coverage and always-on parking protection reflects that.