Backup camera set to always on

[AnneBinMaine]

First post. We pick up our 2018 Forester 3051S on 6/19th. I've read hours worth of posts here and learned a lot plus watching YouTube videos on the Forester. We're pretty seasoned campers with truck campers for years. Question on what the dealer called a backup camera. Is there a way of setting it to be always on showing behind the camper? Not just when backing up but always? It's amazing how close cars get to your rear bumper and I want to know what is there.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to picking up the rig. Anne

[Gumpster808]

Not sure on the 2018, but, on our 2014 3051s if I need it on when not backing up I just touch the on switch and it is on all the time.

Comes in real handy seeing the Toad is still there anytime I want.

[A32Deuce]

Our 2012 3100SS is the same, hit power button and its there. Nice to keep an eye on what's on the trailer I tow. Ours is a desperate screen, not part of a GPS or radio.

[emm-dee]

It’s controlled via a setting in the radio screen menu. Either on or off. It’s not a reverse camera and, if turned off, will not automatically come on when selecting reverse.

One feature I didn’t care for was when you selected a turn signal the display would switch to side view but when finished with the turn it takes 10-12 seconds before the normal rear view was restored. I put switches on mine to disable the side cameras. In the pix below you can see those switches. Also you can see an “X” on the radio screen. Pushing that will turn off the camera but you have to go back to settings to bring it back on.

[karrun]

I'm not 100% sure of this, but isn't it illegal in some (if not all) states to have an always on video screen in view of the driver's sight?

[A32Deuce]

That would be for DVD or tv, not for a back up/turn screen.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by karrun

I'm not 100% sure of this, but isn't it illegal in some (if not all) states to have an always on video screen in view of the driver's sight?

Hope not. I encountered some state troopers at a DUI checkpoint. The one doing the checking saw the iPad rear view “mirror” and said it was a great feature. He even called the other trooper over to see it, and that one said he was going to look into putting a similar system in to use when pulling his TT.

[jbrosecity]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

It’s controlled via a setting in the radio screen menu. Either on or off. It’s not a reverse camera and, if turned off, will not automatically come on when selecting reverse.

emm-dee's photo is exactly right. It's that little circular icon on the upper left... that produces a menu and you may need to scroll down to select "Camera view". Once done it will be always on except when using turn signals and the side camera's come on. Ford told me that could be disabled by pulling the connections from the camera which are located under the dash near the steering column but I haven't tried it. You turn it off using the "X" in the upper right corner of the screen or by selecting some other option from the menu. USB is another item on the menu and you can create playlists and load them on a thumb drive and play them by sticking the thumb drive in the USB slot in the radio and selecting USB. Once playing you can still leave the camera view enabled as well.

[JROtexas]

It sounds like your question has been answered by other motorhome members - but just to add for the benefit of travel trailer types - a rear 'observation' camera on our trailer is wired to our running lights (parking lights) and is always on when I turn on the lights. A 'back-up' camera would be wired to the back-up lights and would only display while the towing vehicle was in reverse.

[ncebeemer]

I have the furrion camera and it is on if I have the trailer running lights on. Always like to have that rear view for reference and safety.

[HAPP]

Originally Posted by AnneBinMaine

First post. We pick up our 2018 Forester 3051S on 6/19th. I've read hours worth of posts here and learned a lot plus watching YouTube videos on the Forester. We're pretty seasoned campers with truck campers for years. Question on what the dealer called a backup camera. Is there a way of setting it to be always on showing behind the camper? Not just when backing up but always? It's amazing how close cars get to your rear bumper and I want to know what is there.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to picking up the rig. Anne

Yes you can select any of the cameras to play. I use the rear camera often.

[AnneBinMaine]

Thanks for all the very helpful replies. Figured there had to be a way to do it but the salesman wasn't sure. We pick up the camper on the 19th and have a long list of items to check off on our walk through.

[TheMusikShoppe]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

That would be for DVD or tv, not for a back up/turn screen.

That's correct. At least in California, you can take your recreational class A test using one.