Since I started this discussion I've talked a lot with Chris Triplett at camera-source.com. They can easily provide Ram owners with a great camera you can attach right to your license plate or mount on your FWC. There is one catch, the connector from the rear of the truck to the tailgate is proprietary and camera-source is unable to procure them. It's been a few months since talking with Chris, but I've emailed him to find out if there's been any resolution to this problem.
Thanks to turn_one for giving us all a clean solution with all OEM parts, this is probably the only solution for now. The OEM camera, camera harness, and the jumper cable part numbers all seem to vary, I went into Carson Dodge and got the numbers for my truck and along with that a blank look when they told me the prices.
If I get any good news from camera-source before I decide to go the OEM route, I'll post.
Just noticed this discussion. I installed an OEM camera in 2014 in the same location as turn_one after not finding any OEM-compatible aftermarket systems. I kept the tailgate camera intact for when I off-load the camper. Installation was relatively straightforward and it is nice to have plug-and-play. I considered mounting it higher up on the back of the camper but could not figure out a good way--wish I was handier in the shop.
The OEM tailgate camera is designed to point down from a protected location, so the bumper mount has some disadvantages: the driver's side view is partially blocked, the license plate light causes flare at night, dirt and moisture collect on the lens, and the display's guide lines (which I turned off) are useless. Still, I find the camera useful and worth the effort.
And, yes, the OEM harness has bizarre, proprietary connectors for no apparent reason. But what I really don't understand is why Ram and other manufacturers do not have a stock solution for when the tailgate is off or down. These trucks are designed to remove the tailgate so what do they expect us to do? If the backup camera is useful--it will be mandatory by 2018--why design it for part-time use?
Edited by Bigfoot, 19 January 2016 - 03:11 AM.