I have a 2011 F350 with the rear view camera in the tailgate. I'm thinking about getting a slide in truck camper. When I do this the rear camera is gone as the tailgate will be taken off. Does anybody know if a person can purchase another camera that will work with the plug on the rear of the truck so I could mount the camera on the camper for use when backing up? And if so what sources do you know of so I can buy one?

Thanks

 

I would go with Ebay. That is my favorite place for this kind of stuff. Search for a wireless Back up camera that way there are no wiring issues with your camper. You can find a good one for under $70, no more than $100.

 

or you could just buy a camera on ebay and hard wire it to the wire that would go to your tail gate camera.

 

This is the way I would go if I didn't already have a screen in the cab of the truck. I also don't have any room to mount another screen for a wireless system. I have bucket seats so have the big console in the center. I'm just running out of room on my dash with my radar detector, Doran TPM for the trailers and I also run a Garmin GPS for custom routes that I build when traveling. I have the nav system so my backup camera gives me a nice big screen for my tired old eyes.

I was just wondering if anybody had found one that was a direct plug in for the Ford. I would get one off of Ebay but I would still need to know the wiring on the camera I bought and which to use on the plug and I'm sure Ford used a complete different plug than I can find anywhere. I have not removed my tailgate to see what type of plug it has. Maybe I need to do that first.

Thanks

 

did you ask the ford dealer yet???? never know till you ask

 

If you already have a camera hooked up, it likely has a video connector called an "RCA" plug, and the wire for power is there. Amazon.com has a wide selection of cameras with reviews and specifications. I installed mine under the bumper and it's not the ideal location for view, but it's out of the way. Make sure you get one that is waterproof, because not all of them are.

 

Does anyone know if you can hook-up the factory reverse camera to an aftermarket deck that supports a reverse camera.

 

The camera will likely be a run-of-the-mill analog unit that uses 12VDC for power and sends out a 1VPP NTSC 4:3 video signal. The only difference might be the connector (which is a minor thing to correct)... but I doubt there is a difference. If you could take a picture of the connectors at the camera and the display, I would recognize what you have... I've been doing this for 34 years.

 

I haven't actually taken anything apart yet, so I can't take any pictures of the connector. I was planning on changing my head unit later this year, probably to an alpine unit. I guess if the connector doesn't work with the unit I could get and adapter or something or just change the connector.

 

It will likely be an RCA connector - but I don't rule out the possibility of a BNC connector. Either way, Radio Shack carries adaptors that you would need to fix it.

 

Well the plug for the camera on the tailgate is not a RCA or a BNC for a stock 2011 Ford tailgate camera. I went out to take my plug apart and had one heck of a time. For something that is supposed to be easy for the user to take apart so they can remove their tailgate is not all that easy. I had to take it down from a loom hanger just so I could see the connector. Once down it has they typical tab on it to keep the plug together. For the life of me I could not get the tab lifted so I could pull the connector apart. The tab area is so narrow that I couldn't get my fingernail even under it so had to use my knife a little and ending up snapping the tab off the plug. Well it is eaiser to take it apart now , hopefully I won't have any problems keeping it together and if I do I'll zip tie the 2 halves together. Anyway there are 6 wires connected to it and I have no idea why there would be so many? So this might not be a simple plug and play thing. I think I'm going to check with the dealer but am afraid to find out how much they want. Any time you have to go directly to Ford for a part it feels like they are sticking a gun in your back and then their hand in your hip pocket and stealing your billfold.

Oh well this is going to have to wait till after Thanksgiving. Taking off for a few weeks.

Here is a link to a couple of pictures of the plug.

Ford Tailgate camera plug :: IMG_0012.jpg picture by Butch501 - Photobucket

 

Ah.... Leave it to Ford to have a proprietary connector on something as simple as a camera. Is that a 1.25" hole for the camera or is that 1"?

If the camper is on the truck, could a hitch-mounted camera see out back? Or is there too much plastic overhang to mount it there?

Cameras are so cheap (a good one for about $50), how about installing one on the camper and adapting to the same connector? You can make connecting the correct camera part of "Camper Retrofit and Activation Procedure" or CRAP you have to do when camping.

You also have the option of cutting that connector off and rolling with standard connectors. 6 contacts in the connector? It sounds like the night vision might not be automatic. 2 wires are video, 2 wires are power, and the other 2 could be to activate night mode or to control the camera gain. The other two contacts could be blanks, but I won't bank on that. Is there any form of control of the camera on your screen, other than on/off?

 

Couldn't you use a waterproof plug from the pos/neg video to a rca for the second camera? Then simply reconnect the two when the second camera is not in use. If you use the backup lamp positive lead from the trailer it should power the camera as it would from the truck.

 

Camera connected via rca video with power to backup light positive.





Rca plug. Trying to adapt now from my f350 to a 2015 f150