Backup camera

[Ronin]

I have the Camera Source Camera mounted on the license plate frame on my 2014 Tundra. I've had it for over a year and I've never noticed glare from the license plate lights. Maybe I'm just used to it. I'm glad I didn't mount it to the camper because I can use the same camera with the camper on or off.

 

[Sourdough Jack]

Ronin, Nevada City here. I too, use the license plate bracket and after playing around with various attachment points, I think it probably makes the most sense. I'd rather have a better perspective when backing into a trailer hitch, but other attachment points have their own compromises.

 

[Escapepod]

Well, I didn’t like the license plate location, so I mounted the camera on the door, centered over the truck hitch. Now I have a nice view of hitch alignment for hooking up the trailer.

Image1521857713.492577.jpg

Used white electrical tape to hold the black camera wire in place. No telling how long it will last, but it’ll give me time to explore alternatives.

This is a tidier and more durable solution: wire "raceway" hides/protects most of the camera wire. No holes drilled, and minimum adhesive for the raceway. Total cost was about $5 in materials.

 

[Inshore Chaser]

Escapepod....really like your camera mount! I will be towing a boat with the camper on so the hitch alignment angle is important to me. I have a few questions if you do not mind:

- Did you purchase the license mount camera from Camera Source and simply disassembled to use as a surface mount?
-How did you fasten the camera to the camper door?
-Was the stock camera wire long enough to connect to your OEM camera harness?
-what type of adhesive did you use for the raceway?

Any other information/advice would be appreciated!! THANKS

 

[Escapepod]

Escapepod....really like your camera mount! I will be towing a boat with the camper on so the hitch alignment angle is important to me. I have a few questions if you do not mind:

- Did you purchase the license mount camera from Camera Source and simply disassembled to use as a surface mount?
-How did you fasten the camera to the camper door?
-Was the stock camera wire long enough to connect to your OEM camera harness?
-what type of adhesive did you use for the raceway?

Any other information/advice would be appreciated!! THANKS

Hey, ‘Chaser:
Yes, the camera was a stock kit from Camera Source. It comes with a separate mount if you don’t want to mount over the license plate. The mount has a strong adhesive backing, which was enough to avoid drilling holes for mounting. The wiring was long enough, though not a lot to spare. The raceway is available at Lowe’s or Home Depot (I think it is .5” in width) and has its own adhesive strip. Wrapped white electrical tape around the black wire at both ends.
The camera is at the approximate spot it would be on your tailgate, so you have a good view of the hitch as well.

 

[ottorogers]

Trikebubble, I agree the camera source unit seems to be better than OEM

Maybe better, but their prices are ridiculous

 

[MountainSufi]

Howdy from Jackson Hole!

I have a step on the upper mount of a 2 tier hitch on my Tacoma. The step is big, for safety and beer reasons. A great way to start stepping out of my camper.

Because my tailgate is removed, I had Rocky Mountain 4 Wheel Campers install a new backup cam. Just above the license plate. $300.

Problem... The Step partially obscures my license plate, which will attract unwanted highway patrol attention!!!

I then paid to have a shop disconnect the standard license plate light. They moved my license plate to the left side of the bumper with a new light above it. BINGO!!! Visible license plate with light, street legal. No glare from the standard light on the replacement rear view cam.

Only bitch is that the replacement backup light is grainy, low def, compared to my Taco stock. BUT, it'll do. Every $ spent is worth having a rear view cam, large rear step, and no LE attention.

This is my first post. Glad to be of service!

 

[Andy Douglass]

So Camera Source seems to have two plug/play camera options for my truck (2018 Dodge with factory tailgate cam), one is a smaller version, which looks like what I see in the pics in this thread. The other one is bigger and has a "heated camera" option:

https://camera-source.com/automotive-cams/dodge-oe-fit/2013-ram-camper-camera-kit-plug-play-commercial-grade-cam.html

I don't necessarily want a larger camera, but the adjustability is nice, and I'm assuming the heated option is to defrost the camera. Anyone have any experience with this setup? Is the heater always on? Is the camera gigantic?

 

[Stiller320]

So Camera Source seems to have two plug/play camera options for my truck (2018 Dodge with factory tailgate cam), one is a smaller version, which looks like what I see in the pics in this thread. The other one is bigger and has a "heated camera" option:

https://camera-source.com/automotive-cams/dodge-oe-fit/2013-ram-camper-camera-kit-plug-play-commercial-grade-cam.html

I don't necessarily want a larger camera, but the adjustability is nice, and I'm assuming the heated option is to defrost the camera. Anyone have any experience with this setup? Is the heater always on? Is the camera gigantic?

Someone asked that question for the larger Camera Source camera that fits Tundra and the answer was 3"x3"x21/2". I don't see that it says this camera is heated however.

 

[EDR]

Andy Douglass -
Another option is to find a factory tailgate camera with the harness. I got mine used off of eBay. The camera is approximately 2” x 2”, and I made a simple bracket and mounted it up under the camper, where it is out of the way. It sits lower, but still higher than the license plate. The only minor drawback was the extra harness wiring that had been inside the tailgate. I just located it behind the bumper and zip tied it off. Works great.