Tailgate camera use with tailgate off?

[Fernweh]

Looking for some advice about tailgate camera use once you have your tailgate off to load and use your camper. My old truck didn't have camera, my new tundra does. I see some folks relocate while other leave unplugged. What's your recommendation? Thanks

 

[moveinon]

I just went to a junk yard and paid $10.00 for a OEM camera off a totaled truck and made an aluminum mount to attach to my Fleet. Plug and play and very easy to do.

 

[rando]

Same here - bought a camera on ebay off a wrecked Highlander (same part number as my Tacoma) and mounted that to my flatbed with a DIY mount. With the camper on the back the camera is particularly useful.

 

[Fernweh]

These are good ideas... Does anyone just leave it discounted? Been driving for years and just recently have had a back up camera.

 

[trikebubble]

Camera Source makes a plug & play unit for the Tundra. Very quick and easy to install, and it comes with a long lead wire. I have mine connected to the right underside of the camper. I ran the wiring up and through the right brake light housing. If I ever take the camper off (which I rarely do) I can unscrew the camera from the camper, disconnect it underneath (reconnect the oem tailgate camera) and stow it in the brake light housing. It works very well, gives good vision even from right of center.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Having a camera beats the tar out of backing the camper into a post, rock, tree. I bought a second from Ford.

 

[Stokeme]

X2 ... I highly recommend calling Camera Source, excellent customer service, it helped ensure I got what I needed. I was able to reclaim the colored ... green, yellow, red ... camera backup markers, that were original to the stock camera. Below are 2 pics that show my backup camera mounted over the top center of the rear bumper via a handy standard porthole. (2018 F150) This was basically a plug & play into the harness plug that remained after the tailgate removal. Tap to enlarge.

 

[BrianG]

I highly recommend Camera Source also. The camera is so good I leave it on even when I put the tailgate back on! Plus it’s inches away from my hitch for easy alignment during trailer hookups!

 

[rubberlegs]

Removed camera from tailgate, fashioned bracket, screwed into wood on bottom of camper. It’s a little low but works.

 

[Fernweh]

Hey... These are all great ideas. I ordered a camera yesterday and have a plan to install along the lower edge of the rear bumper. Should work great. Thanks for the advice and ideas.

 

[Jack]

Hey Fernweh, beat you too it (well, maybe. but who cares). You are right, this is a great idea so i went and ordered one. Installed it today.. I have been looking for a solution for the last year (actually, since 2005 with our Eagle and Tacoma) and this does the trick.

The Camera Source camera provides its own backup lines, and they don't curve as the steering wheel turns. Minor issue.

It is vastly better than the alternatives that require a second screen. Put the Ranger into reverse, and the image is on the Ranger screen.

Because the tailgate is down, installing the camera on the bumper was not viable - and who knew FWC already had all the makings for a rear camera mount. That's a piece of 1/16 Al plate bent with an offset to hold the camera.

 

[WjColdWater]

X2 ... I highly recommend calling Camera Source, excellent customer service, it helped ensure I got what I needed. I was able to reclaim the colored ... green, yellow, red ... camera backup markers, that were original to the stock camera. Below are 2 pics that show my backup camera mounted over the top center of the rear bumper via a handy standard porthole. (2018 F150) This was basically a plug & play into the harness plug that remained after the tailgate removal. Tap to enlarge.

Very nice! That’s exactly the camera setup I need! Calling tomorrow.

 

[larryqp]

I like it. I have a camera which I think is from Camera Source on my F150, with a Hawk, I got it from the FWC dealer in MT, but I put mine on the license plate and since I made a "step" over the license plate area, the view looks similar to a periscope view. Very weird to say the least.

I think I'll move mine, like Jack has his, but I'll add some plastic self adhesive wire conduit. I can be clumsy at times and could see myself catching the wire and ripping it out.

Thanks Jack, what a great location and pretty simple, which of course is the best.

 

[Mthomas]

Have the camera source camera. Originally mounted at license plate, but it is too low to be really useful, and would now be hidden behind a spare on a carrier. Ran it along the door frame and mounted above the door. It gives a great birds eye view of what is behind me when backing up. Added bonus of no moving par5s in the form of flexing wires, which will fail eventually.