Pickup Bed Camera for hitching up

[dlewand53]

I just started to tow a fifth wheel. Bought a 3/4 ton diesel and put in a backup camera. Had ability to connect a second camera and wife said put one in so you can see when hooking up to the fifth wheel. So I bought another backup camera for about $10 and installed it on the third brake light of truck. Patched it in and can switch between regular backup camera and pickup bed camera. Put some white duct tape on pin box and hitch. For me it made it a breeze to hook up. Just square up the truck and then watch monitor on mirror. Match up the white lines on hitch and pin box. Hitched up real quick. Wife said I should post in case this might help someone else. Here are some pictures. (P.S. We just retired and are excited to take our first long trip with the 5th wheel to the Branson area from MN.)

[rsdata]

nice setup

[CAT-RN]

Yep. That looks great.

Russell

[5picker]

Looks as good as the ones that come from the factory that way.
Bravo!

[JimMorrell]

That's a really great idea for a 5th wheel. I have a 2011 F-150 that didn't have a B/U camera, and I tow a travel trailer. In my case, I bought an i Ball Camera (advertised in Trailer Life). It's magnetic and sticks to my tailgate. The screen plugs into a cigarette lighter outlet. No longer do my wife and I have those "discussions" as she tries to back me up. The i Ball does all the work, and its a cinch to hook up my trailer now.

[18CrewDually]

I had the same one but it only lasted 1.5 years. Water intrusion for the best of it. I know use a bullet style camera on both truck and 5er that i found on Amazon.
Just giving you a heads up. The camera comes on handy a lot.
Where in the factory harness did you tap into? Also, did you use a SPDT switching circuit on just the video wire or a DPDT switch on both power and video?

[LindaNTom]

"Patched it in and can switch between regular backup camera and pickup bed camera. Put some white duct tape on pin box and hitch."

Great idea! How did you patch it into your existing camera and be able to switch between the 2?

[DouglasReid]

I did the same thing, but mounted it inside the third tail light;

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by LindaNTom

"Patched it in and can switch between regular backup camera and pickup bed camera. Put some white duct tape on pin box and hitch."

Great idea! How did you patch it into your existing camera and be able to switch between the 2?

Here is the way to switch it between the tailgate backup camera and the one for the fifth wheel.

[mblee21]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I did the same thing, but mounted it inside the third tail light;

what brand of camera is that?

[DouglasReid]

don't know the brand got it off of eBay for less than $15.00

[mjones12]

That's a really slick setup. Nice work.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by mjones12

That's a really slick setup. Nice work.

thank you! I got the switch on eBay too for around $30 if I recall correctly.

If someone goes to do this it is important, VITAL to not glue the camera into place until you have it operational. As the camera rotates so does the image so you MUST get it aligned correctly before gluing it into place or the image will be tilted or even upside down.

I used 5 minute epoxy to glue it and seal it from getting water into my third brake light

[dlewand53]

This was an aftermarket install. I hooked into the reverse light for power. So both cameras power up when the truck goes into reverse. The rearview mirror is aftermarket as well. It has two separate inputs for the cameras. One is for backup camera and one is for additional camera. To switch between cameras you just tap the rearview mirror and a display comes up. Then you can tap the video icon to switch between cameras. I looked up both cameras and rearview mirror and they are not making them anymore. But I would guess there is something else like it out there.

[fkovach1]

I also purchased an I-ball backup camera, although it is wireless. I only bring it out when I set up. I have never had a problem with connectivity. I have noticed that the battery life is lousy. It only lasts for 2 hookups, so if you forget to charge it by usb you need to use the backup, the wife, who then tells you I told you so. 😁

[Villagerjjm]

Great idea!! My Colorado has a good back up camera but I have noticed that shadows will tend to fool you on distances to the hitch. I used reflective tape to mark the "sweet spot" on the hitch, and that helps out a lot!!

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I did the same thing, but mounted it inside the third tail light;

Well, where did you get your camera and what brand? Just check your post again sorry about price. what brand?

I'm interested in a good eyeball wireless on if available any suggestions?

[RV_Fan44]

Looks good! Where is your backup camera located?

[dlewand53]

The backup camera is the kind that mounts to the license plate. But in my case there was enough room on top of the license plate, between plate and tailgate, to be permanently mounted there.

[JCDMeyer]

Are these cameras wireless?