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Like a lot of you, I’ve removed my tailgate for hauling a camper. I did get the additional camera for the camper, and it works well when the camper is on. But when the camper is off, I miss having the 360 camera, especially when hitching a trailer. I didn’t want to pull the original camera from the tailgate, so I looked at aftermarket solutions, but $400+ seemed pretty pricey.
After some searching, I found the part number for the original camera and the type of connector connecting it. After that, I turned to eBay. Found a new in box camera for $160 and brown Fakra connectors for RG58 coax for $15. For an enclosure, there was already a piece of plastic trim on the rear of the truck that seem to almost be made for it, so I used it. Drilled a hole and mounted the camera with hot glue for now.
It’s best to mount the camera as high as possible, so for now mine is mounted to the camper platform. If you don’t have a platform, it can be mounted just below the bed. It works well. The only issue is, the image with the 360 view is a little wonky where the rear image is stitched to the sides due the camera being lower and part of the bumper is visible. Otherwise, it’s good. Here’s a couple of pics.
I did something like this but installed it on my camper so I can use the factory screen to back-up. Mine unfortunately doesn't work with the 360 but can be accessed with the Aux button
I have one on the camper that plugs into the 12 pin connector too. It’s nice to be able to switch back and forth between cameras. I have a toolbox on the truck, so I can’t see into the bed or the bottom of the camper when I’m loading it. But, I have a center line drawn on the bottom edge of the camper and use the 360 camera to align it when loading. Once it’s loaded, I switch over to the camera on the camper.
I like this idea a lot! I would have to be able to take it on and off easily as I take my tailgate off in early spring and then when I put the camper away after hunting season in the fall I put the tailgate back on.
Wow. That's very cool. I'm just thinking of going with a wireless camera and separate screen. But this would be pretty trick to do. I was wondering if anyone was able to use the rear view cam's to load if they were able to see the top edges of the bed well enough to see if they are centered. I'm thinking going to a new 350 dually crw cab is going to be a lot more difficult then loading my old GMC ext. cab. Though my old truck has a tapered bed so to make things difficult and tight anyway. But I just move a bit, hop out, look, adjust, move a bit more, and so on. Easier to do that then trying to figure out what my wife's random, epileptic seizure looking hand signals mean.....
@Drothgeb hi there. in my case I take the platform for the camper out. that plastic trim you say "it can be mounted just below the bed". any idea how to do that without having to drill holes?
Originally Posted by Drothgeb
Like a lot of you, I’ve removed my tailgate for hauling a camper. I did get the additional camera for the camper, and it works well when the camper is on. But when the camper is off, I miss having the 360 camera, especially when hitching a trailer. I didn’t want to pull the original camera from the tailgate, so I looked at aftermarket solutions, but $400+ seemed pretty pricey.
After some searching, I found the part number for the original camera and the type of connector connecting it. After that, I turned to eBay. Found a new in box camera for $160 and brown Fakra connectors for RG58 coax for $15. For an enclosure, there was already a piece of plastic trim on the rear of the truck that seem to almost be made for it, so I used it. Drilled a hole and mounted the camera with hot glue for now.
It’s best to mount the camera as high as possible, so for now mine is mounted to the camper platform. If you don’t have a platform, it can be mounted just below the bed. It works well. The only issue is, the image with the 360 view is a little wonky where the rear image is stitched to the sides due the camera being lower and part of the bumper is visible. Otherwise, it’s good. Here’s a couple of pics.
