Rear Camera

I installed a wireless system first, but the result wasn't what I was expecting, so I removed it again and installed a wired system. Very glad that I did!!

You have to plug in the umbilical cord anyway, so what's the problem with plugging in an extra cable...

JMO

We have used a wired system since our rig was new in 2005. It has been flawless. I would not be without it, we operate with it on constantly. It is wired to the reverse circuit, but can be manually turned on. We have to remember to turn it off as it's not wired on the key circuits.

AKSuperDually wrote:
I'm already having nightmares of driving through seattle and portland next month.

I may have to reconsider my plan.

Seattle and Portland aren't that bad with a 20 ft trailer as long you don't plan to drive through during rush hour changing lanes a lot. Checkout Ford-trucks site. The dash comes apart pretty easily, but you could always pay to mount the receiver at a audio install place. It shouldn't be that much.

A friend installed a back up camera system from Tadibrothers.com for my truck and camper. It is hooked up so on with lights which I always have on. Camera is installed above camper door. Wider angle than with license plate camera. Great system IMHO.

Like FreeLanceing, I installed a double-din nav/entertainment system with backup camera capability. The camera is a license plate camera with extra lights when on. It is wired to the backup light on the back of the truck, but I also ran a power cable all the way back to the cab along with the video cable. That is wired into one of the upfitter switches.

With this setup the camera is automatically triggered in reverse, and can also be manually triggered via the upfitter switch. There is a diode (60v/5A) that I put between the truck's backup light and the camera positive to prevent the backup light from being turned on when the upfitter switch is on. I also had to build a 3 1/2 ft. extension cord for when the TC is loaded and the plate is moved to the TC.

This setup works great, and everything is displayed on one in-dash screen so I don't have to have a lot of extra stuff sitting on the dash. I once had someone break my $400 Audi window to get to a $70 GPS unit and didn't want to risk that again!

eagle777 wrote:

dadwolf2 wrote:

eagle777 wrote:
I hard wired a rear view safety camera into the clearance lights so it will be on while the truck lights are on. so far no interference but never know down the road.

I assume you then run your clearance/running lights all the time then.

I always drive with lights on when the camper and boat are connected to the truck.

Me too. In fact all the time in any of my vehicles.

dadwolf2 wrote:

eagle777 wrote:
I hard wired a rear view safety camera into the clearance lights so it will be on while the truck lights are on. so far no interference but never know down the road.

I assume you then run your clearance/running lights all the time then.

I always drive with lights on when the camper and boat are connected to the truck.

Hmm...I just received a 2.4ghz wireless setup. Now I'm having second thoughts.
For me, it's the wiring in the cab that's a big deal. There isn't a short run available without massive disassembly of the interior of the truck. I've got my monitor mounted on the center of the dash, and I've got room for 3 cameras in my system. I was planning on a plate camera on the truck, a top down view from the camper (with view of the hitch), and then I was going to wire a provision for a rear facing camera mounted high on my 20' enclosed trailer. It's 50 feet behind me, backing is no fun, but the blind spots behind the trailer kill me. People are idiots. I'm already having nightmares of driving through seattle and portland next month.

I may have to reconsider my plan.

dadwolf2 wrote:

eagle777 wrote:
I hard wired a rear view safety camera into the clearance lights so it will be on while the truck lights are on. so far no interference but never know down the road.

I assume you then run your clearance/running lights all the time then.

I did mine this way. I dont need the camara all the time so lights arent on constantly, just when I need them or the camara.I mounted my camara under the rear overhang. Its main purpose is to monitor a trailer.

I swapped out the factory radio with a pioneer avh2600 touch screen radio. I have the camera mounted above the plate. I can use the radio screen for the rear facing camera, radio movies etc. I can also add a nav screen if I want to break the piggy bank. The main thing I was after was the ability to plug in an Ipod or tablet. It came with the usb port and the stereo cable as well. The system works really well and looks like factory.