Get camera/wires out SuperDuty tailgate?(Camera Source=$496)

[LosAngeles]

Get camera + wires out of SuperDuty tailgate? (Camera Source fix is $496)

Hi all

So my main question is - how difficult is it to fish the stock Ford SuperDuty tailgate reverse camera + camera wires out of the actual tailgate?
(that has the tailgate ladder in it)
I am assuming the 2020 would be similar to the 2019.
Google did not provide any info so far.

The story:

About to get our brand new, custom ordered 2020 SuperDuty F350, and then get our Hallmark pop up truck camper. The pop up truck camper will *always* be in the truck, and we have no need to ever use the truck as an actual pickup truck.

The tailgate will always be stored by us. It will never get used. I know I simply unplug the harnesses under the truck when removing the tailgate.

The truck has 360 view, so not just any camera will do, according to Camera Source (only a very few of their cameras are compatible with 360 view camera system, as per their website)

In terms of a rear view camera to be mounted on the rear bumper of the Hallmark pop up truck camper - - - we have two choices.

#1 - I could fish the camera out of the tailgate. I am told it is quite difficult, especially as our tailgate will have the built in ladder…..

#2 I pay almost $500 USD including shipping to me (ouch!) to get the specific Camera Source. I’ll paste the info they emailed me:

“We have a kit that plugs to the single coax and the back under the bumper and comes up automatically in reverse. Here is the link to CS-FTRSK-17SDRC”

https://camera-source.com/automotive-cams/ford-oe-fit/2017-super-duty-w-360-view-relocation-kit-camera-included.html

The third option is that I get the $200 Camera Source option, but that is not automatic… every time I use it I’d have to hit the AUX button, and that is a pain. 😞
I dont want to have to do that. I’ll quote the email they send me:

“…. However, it will not come on automatically in reverse. We have a mini universal camera that would connect to the AUX connector up under the spare tire. ….. When in reverse, push the AUX button to view this camera feed. Here is the link to CS-FTRSKLP-17SD-TRL”
https://camera-source.com/automotive-cams/ford-oe-fit/2017-super-duty-w-360-view-mini-universal-trailer-cam.html

So to repeat my main question - how difficult is it to fish the stock Ford SuperDuty tailgate reverse camera + camera wires out of the actual tailgate?
(that has the tailgate ladder in it)
I am assuming the 2020 would be similar to the 2019.

I think the camera will end up on the rear side of the Hallmark's rear bumper.... attached just to the right of the ladder - and the ladder is removed when underway.

Thanks!

J.

[HMS_Beagle]

On the 2020 got no idea, but on my 2015 I bought a Ford replacement camera and the tailgate wiring harness (totaled less than $150), 3D printed a little plastic housing for it, stuck it onto the camper bumper with VHB tape. Not that much cost or effort and well worth it.

There are plenty of reputable, official Ford dealers selling parts online at a discount.

[Slymer]

I tried that with my 2011 F350 with ladder, and wished I hadn't. It was quite difficult to get at to get out, and even harder to get back in. I only ever did it the once. The wiring is not you typical stuff either. It is more like coaxial than what you would expect. Difficult to splice if you need to.

[hedge]

these cables are used for other things as well, not sure why Ford decided to use them for the 360 camera. I've been using this exact cable for a couple years now.

[Kayteg1]

You need to learn chinglish 🙂

[LosAngeles]

hedge wrote:
I'm from Canada so I ordered off the .ca site, below is a link to the listing.

ebay listing

Hey Hedge - thanks!!

And I am going to ask a dumb question

It calls this item “ Car Antenna Extension Cable,Fakra F Brown Female to Female Pigtail Cable 3m”

But I don’t want to extend an antenna ... instead I want to extend the tailgate camera.

This cable will work?

The description is confusing to me. For what I want it to do.

Thanks!

??

[Kayteg1]

That's a good find hedge.
Could not find anything even close 2 years ago.
For the price I can buy 1 just for spare.
You never know when in senior moment you drop the camper with cable still attached.

[hedge]

I'm from Canada so I ordered off the .ca site, below is a link to the listing.

ebay listing

[LosAngeles]

hedge wrote:
I purchased cheap cables on ebay, Fakra brown female to female. Can't notice any difference vs oem cable.

I purchased the kit from Camera-Source, but cable was way too long. It also used to be cheaper... but not much.

Hey Hedge - super cool info - thanks

Any chance you could look back in your eBay history and post the name of the seller on ebay who did the cable correctly?

and perhaps the "title" of the cable that worked? (on ebay) to help me find it again.

that would be invaluable. 🙂

J.

[hedge]

I purchased cheap cables on ebay, Fakra brown female to female. Can't notice any difference vs oem cable.

I purchased the kit from Camera-Source, but cable was way too long. It also used to be cheaper... but not much.

[Kayteg1]

LosAngeles wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
You read my reply in other topic, that you can buy Ford original harness in 5-foot length and use it, didn't you?

aha -i think i somehow missed that. Or forgot.

thanks - hopefully 5 feet would be long enough... unsure.

the camper hangs about 2 feet off the back of the pickup truck....

I have 4 feet camper overhang and 5' extension is plenty.
I did the job 2 years ago, so don't remember all the details, but when I decided to spend the money on extra harness to strip the camera wire, the original harness is still inside the tailgate at my garage ceiling.
Meaning you can pull the original harness and do it without spending money.

[LosAngeles]

Kayteg1 wrote:
You read my reply in other topic, that you can buy Ford original harness in 5-foot length and use it, didn't you?

aha -i think i somehow missed that. Or forgot.

thanks - hopefully 5 feet would be long enough... unsure.

the camper hangs about 2 feet off the back of the pickup truck....

[Kayteg1]

You read my reply in other topic, that you can buy Ford original harness in 5-foot length and use it, didn't you?

[LosAngeles]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Be prepared for sticker shock.
Trailer camera from Ford cost over $500, so let us know how much they quote you for tailgate piece?
For my 12-foot camper I need about 5 ft extension cable, so 14 sounds like bad overkill. Can't say how much signal the camera can loose on extra loops, but it can have bad effect.

IIRC the Ford Trailer Camera has a housing, correct?

I seem to recall people mentioning the tailgate camera plus harness about $250. I'm hoping around $200 for just the camera, as it has no housing.

and... the only harness that Camera Source sells is the 14 foot. No shorter option. If it is properly shielded it should be fine. If it is not I could always possibly shorten it. I can solder.

[Kayteg1]

Be prepared for sticker shock.
Trailer camera from Ford cost over $500, so let us know how much they quote you for tailgate piece?
For my 12-foot camper I need about 5 ft extension cable, so 14 sounds like bad overkill. Can't say how much signal the camera can loose on extra loops, but it can have bad effect.