Trailer Backup Camera Switching?

Seems we do have time...

but K.I.S.S.

 

Thanks for the part numbers and the website for the rear camera plug! And, welcome to the site!

I'm frequently removing my tailgate when I slide in my Northstar truck camper, and I miss having a backup camera when the camper is on the truck. Instead of spending $250 on a pre-made camera (with plug) like the one found here, I'll simply make my own external camera for the truck camper using the OEM camera plug found here and a cheap backup camera found

Car Backup Camera Rilitor Rear View Parking Reverse Camera with HD CMOS 170° Angle IP67 Waterproof Night Vision Reversing Cameras for Cars Truck SUV RVs

here. Total cost so far is $30.47. I'll need to manually plug-in the camper camera each time, and, I'll mount it high enough on the camper to see above my moto/bikes or fishing boat.

 

Just beware that the OEM camera is 6 volt and your aftermarket is 12 volt. From what I have read this may work OK for a short time, but when powered up constantly it will slowly kill the camera. But hey they are fairly cheap, so keeping a spare camera would be an option.
Good Luck

 

Thanks for that! What are your thoughts on using a step up converter like

$14 DROK 5V to 12V Step Up Converter, DC 5V-11V to 12V Boost Converter Voltage Regulator Module 3A 36W Volt Transformer Power Supply for Car Stereo Radio

this one?

 

It may be best just to order the OEM female style plug and just use two pigtails that mate up to the red and blue wires to connect the yellow camera fed. Then just cap off the other two pigtails that connect to the black and white wires. You can then pick 12 volt feed to camper camera from several choices, backup lights, tail lights or power out from the round 7 pin plug on your bumper. Does both of your trailers use to 4 pin flat type plugs?
You may want to check out the front camera mod from auto solutions this will allow you to see your trailers while on the road. You can also use the same type camera in your front grill. You probably can get the module and both cameras for about 160.00 - 175.00.
I towed Harleys to Daytona twice a year for about 10 years for beers, bikes and babes, I would have loved to be able look at trailer without stopping.
Feel free to any questions, glad to help.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have the CS module already (see here), and I bought the plug that you listed (as seen here). I did think about hooking up the video wires only, and supplying the camera power from the camper marker lights, but I was concerned the OEM receiver may need to receive power feedback from the camera to confirm it's on? That's when I thought the 6v to 12v step up might do the trick.

By the way, I'm also bouncing this electrical question off of Ken over here.

 

On the relay box that I put together, when I plug up the RV camera the relay switches and isolates the 6 volts going to the OEM camera and has no effect on RV camera input.
If you are not using the round plug on your bumper when you are towing now, you may want to pick up 12 volt here. You could buy a 7 pin plug that will connect to bumper and then wire two harness from it. First harness is a regular 4 wire flat trailer plug that connects to trailer lights, the second will be a two wire harness that will connect 12v+ and 12v- from the 7 pin plug to the camper camera power input. On my 2018 I cannot open both doors on the 4 pin and 7 pin at the same time.

 

Thanks for the info! Understood, I can wire the video camera direct to the plug, without the 6v power lead being utilized, and, I'll most likely tap into my clearance lights on the camper for the power source (since I always leave my running lights on).

Now, on to a new problem that you pointed out, my truck camper (7 pin) plugs into the truck to charge the battery, run the fridge, and run the clearance lights while driving. I just confirmed that I can't open both trailer plug doors at the same time, so how am I going to plug in my boat (4 pin) and my camper at the same time?

 

Note to those thinking about positioning their camera: The higher up you can get it the better. Due to my laziness of not wanting to route wiring through the lift system of my pop-up, I mounted mine on the bumper. At that low angle the sun is in the camera's line of sight pretty much all day except for 11am to 3 pm, roughly. It kinda makes rear-view use on the highway tough because of that. Higher up means the camera is at a more downward angle, which keeps the sun from glaring the view for longer.

... Following because I love the idea of the relay board. Beats the hell out of my little cigarette lighter monitor.Way cool idea.

Bonus shot of me watching myself while following my own trailer.

 

I am sure I have seen a 7 pin adapter that has 4 pin tee in it. Check Or call E-trailer.
Looks like if you pick 12 volt from running lights then the y type adapter will do the trick.

 

FYI
If you don’t want to spring for the 2 into 1 adapter and don’t mind splicing your factory wiring. You can add a truck end of a 4 pin plug by splicing it in behind the bumper plug.The OEM bumper trailer plug and wiring are not very difficult to remove. Reply if you info on removal.

 

I'm thinking this will do the trick! I'm not thrilled about all that hardware hanging off the bumper, but I'd rather use this adapter than splicing into the factory wiring. Remind me again why I shouldn't rip the OEM doors off the trailer plugs?

 

You may have have a good thought there.
I am sure that I seen this same 2 door plug on Amazon, I think it was branded as a Curt device. I bet the price of the replacement plug will smoke the price of the 2 into 1

 

This is what e-trailer says about that. Product is here. It's a little cheaper, but I'm not thrilled about the dingleberry...

 

Or you may could just remove the small door and find one those rubber plugs to stick in it when not in use.

 

That’s not not the one. I am sure that I have seen an aftermarket plug online that looks just like the one in your bumper. Amazon?

 

Found it

 

This looks great, but unfortunately it's the same as the OEM "2 door connection protection".

 

Correct sorry for not being clear. I am saying if you choose to remove a door and want to fix it back at a later date it will only cost the 24.00 for a replacement.
I hope I am not running you in circles my friend.

 

Gotcha! I was hoping there was a product without the 2 door connection protection that I could swap in instead of ripping off a door. lol I'll report back when I wire up the camera.