2015 Ram Back Up Camera

[BrianG]

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.

 

[Vic]

I went to OEM route - got a camera for about 80 on ebay and the harnesses (there are 2) from various online dealers - I think I was into it for about $150 in parts total. The 2nd camera is mounted on the back of my Hallmark and it sure is nice having the function when the camper is on. The only part I complain about is the stupid OEM plug design is a bit tricky to unplug and plug back in when removing the tailgate. But a small price to pay for the back up safety.

 

[Bigfoot]

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?

 

[Potts208]

I recently installed OEM camera using parts listed by northshorehenry (thanks for figuring out the part numbers). I housed the camera in a 1.25" type LB electrical conduit attached to a Simpson strong-tie staircase angle. Also used some rubber washers around the camera lens. The staircase angle holes match up perfectly (7" apart) to the screws that affix the rear license plate holder to the bumper. I had to spread open the staircase angle so that the camera angle was sufficiently pointed down. I use a brophy hitch step so the camera housing isnt in the way of getting in/out of camper. All in all pretty happy with its function.

 

[BowAholic]

looks like a great way to protect the camera... great (cheap ) idea!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

That looks like a clean install! My only concern would be catching it with my size 14s while entering or exiting the camper...

 

[Potts208]

That looks like a clean install! My only concern would be catching it with my size 14s while entering or exiting the camper...

I may move the camera housing as far to the passenger side as I can without limiting access to the spare tire port. My door hinges on that side. I also might try to snug it up closer underneath the door. I probably wont do either until I (or soeone else) steps on it that forces the fix. But, your right, it is "catchable even with size 9s. At least the camera is protected

 

[BowAholic]

I looked at the 1.25" type LB electrical conduit today and it's huge... Any way it would fit a smaller size like 1" ? I'll take my camera with me the next time I go and see what it will fit inside. Also, how did you attach the camera inside the conduit LB?
thanks,
Bob

 

[Potts208]

It is huge. I wanted to use a 3/4 or 1" but couldnt get the camera housing (square) to fit inside anything smaller than the 1.25" so that the camera bracket would mount flush on the inside.

 

[poinrobe]

I wanted to give thanks to those folks who have contributed this thread and give a litle report on how I solved this issue. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman model and really wanted to have the same quality backup camera view that the rear tailgate offers. I ordered the parts as spec'd in NorthShoreHenry's prior post. I ordered the harnesses from an online Ram distributor and got a used camera from someone on ebay. I paid 75.00 for the camera and about 100 for the harnessess (obviously a total ripoff).

I considered mounting the stock camera low by the licence plate as others have done but I didn't like this option for 2 reasons. First, I was concerned about accidentally kicking it when I was getting into the camper. Second, I often have a dirtbike or mountain bike on a hitch carrier when I am camping and I was concerned that the view from the low mount would be blocked by whatever was on the hitch mount. So I opted to mount it to the camper door. I mounted it high enough that I wouldn't hit my head on it. Then I considered how to mount the stock camera. It looks pretty robust but I don't think it is water proof so i decided to try to fabricate a waterproof case for the camera. I opted give 3D printing a try. I had been wanting to try this out and this seemed like a good project for it. I had used Google Sketchup before for other projects so I decided to give it a shot. Google sketchup is an awesome program and I highly recommend it. After a little fiddling I was able to to export a 3D print file ( .STL). I then used 3DHUBS.com to find a guy in my neighborhood to print it. I opted to print it in ABS as it seemed to be appropriate for this application. I paid 27.00 through paypal and picked up the next day!! I was amazed that my first set of measurements were just about spot on and that camera fit perfectly and the case snapped together just as designed.

So then I just had to mount it. Before I could do that I had to dissect the wiring harnesses and splice together the various wires ( 6 total). I soldered and heat shrinked all the connections. Fortunately when I plugged in the camera, the image came on the backup screen! I then had my wife hold the camera in place while I sat in the cab so we could figure out the best angle to mount the camera. i then fabricated a simple bent aluminum mounting plate out of some scrap I had lying around. I placed the wire in black plastic flexible sheathing and carefully mounted to camera and the new wiring harness with self drilling sheet metal screws.

In the end, I am very happy with the result. I can pass the 3D print file to anyone who wants to give this project a try.

 

[FWCJH]

I like it, great work Mark!!

 

[BowAholic]

I finally did this and it worked great. I did use the next smaller size PVC...which is way cheaper and way smaller... you just have to use a half round file and remove the small lip inside the hole that the camera fits into. It only takes a few seconds and makes a perfect fit.
thanks!

 

[kmcintyre]

This is what I did.

NOT part #68200274-AA. That part number is a six pin plug/wiring harness and everything on the back of the truck is eight pins.

https://flic.kr/p/AqjWcm

Not it! That is the 10 foot extension that is intended to run to the back of a chassis model however, I believe the reason it is only six pins is because it doesn't need the additional wires for the locking tailgate.

So you need the entire OEM wiring harness which is part #68189124-AB and #68224929-AA. One connects to the truck bed (after you have removed the tailgate) and then the other completes the connection to the camera (which is normally INSIDE the tailgate). Don't ask why they needed to make this harness in to two pieces. Don't think that was necessary but that's what made it work.

https://flic.kr/p/AqjWcm

I labeled the harnesses with letters so it's easier to show them to you. A and C comes together as 68224929-AA. You discard C as you don't need it for anything (except maybe spare parts). B is normally the part that is inside your tailgate. I have already installed the camera (part number 56038978-A3) at the end of harness B.

I plugged everything in and I have confirmed rear camera image on my in dash display. Yay! So now all I have to do is strip off the unnecessary wire harness which is for the power lock on the tail gate, fashion a mount for the outside of my camper, duplicating the height and angle of the existing camera, hide all the ugly wires in a conduit of some sort, and it will be beer time!

I know this is a bit old but hopefully you are still around .

I'm still confused a bit. A and B are inside the tailgate and B connects to the end of A (Opposite the end with the cover). When you remove the tailgate, don't you unscrew the part with the cover after disconnecting it from C (C I assume wires into the main wiring)?

Now the part I'm confused about. Does the end of B not connect to the end of C (main truck wiring) so you have to use a new section of A and plug into existing C on the truck (under the bumper)?

I guess I'm trying to get all the pieces together before pulling the wires. In a nutshell, if I want to pull the tailgate off (wiring and all and not reuse it), I need a camera, and wiring A and B (if C comes with it, it's not used).

Phew.... Thanks!

 

[jebbs77]

In the end, I am very happy with the result. I can pass the 3D print file to anyone who wants to give this project a try.

I'd really like that file. Anyone get a copy?

-Jebbs

 

[MikeF]

In the end, I am very happy with the result. I can pass the 3D print file to anyone who wants to give this project a try.

If you still have the 3D print file, I'd like a copy, please. Ordered parts to put a camera on our camper.

 

[jebbs77]

If you still have the 3D print file, I'd like a copy, please. Ordered parts to put a camera on our camper.

Mark sent me the files and I also had it 3d printed. Looks great. I'll post photos when it's installed.

If you also need the files I've uploaded them to drop box.

3dbackupcam


-Jebbs

 

[MikeF]

Mark sent me the files and I also had it 3d printed. Looks great. I'll post photos when it's installed.

If you also need the files I've uploaded them to drop box.

3dbackupcam


-Jebbs

Would like to see when you're done.

He sent them to me, too. Got all my camera parts and having it printed up this week actually. Then just need to figure out a good placement on my camper and make the harness long enough to fit. Think I'm gonna go with a temp mount using my go pro camera mount with suction cup on the window in the door. It holds on my jeep windshield when running hard 4x4 trails. Should be able to hold on while on the freeway. Once I'm all done, I'll post pics as well.

 

[BowAholic]

I'm looking forward to seeing the installs. I needed mine mounted on my truck rather than the camper because I have some trouble backing up under the camper once the tailgate/camera are off the truck. By mounting mine above the license plate I can see to back under the camper and see to back normally with the camper on as well.

 

[jebbs77]

I'm considering doing a magnetic swivel mount on the Arctic fox landing so I can swivel it down at my trailer hitch or up at my trailer/jeep while towing. Although it would be really nice to have it up above the door so I can see everything. Currently I have a cheapie wireless camera on the license plate. It's pretty much only useful to make sure my Jeep didn't fall off. :-D

-Jebbs

 

[BrianG]

Backup camera's for Dodge Ram's, 2013 -2017, plug and play using OEM plug are now available at Camera-Source.com. $199.