Customer-Installed Aftermarket Trailer Camera

[wayne b]

Towing a trailer is a main reason I got the truck, and it has the great rear hitch camera system and large screen. It's confusing as to why this isn't more of a straightforward solution. Apologies for jumping on this thread (there are several) with my ignorance/questions. My understanding from this thread and others is the choices are:

• $900 Ford camera that is not yet shipping. With the promise that it's integrated and tested.
• aftermarket cameras that can be wired and display in the AUX camera screen, but questions about whether they will display while moving/towing. From following some of the links, seems like $300-600 is the price range.

I'm towing an airstream that has a crappy Voyager camera that I'd like to upgrade at some point. The camera is wired for power, but it's wireless signal. Are the two choices above equal in terms of install time/effort in terms of getting the video signal wire to the hitch? One Ford video shows the wire from the camera strung along the roof of the trailer, is it also possible to go under the trailer? Are either Ford or aftermarket better or worse for driving (widest view) vs. backing up/parking?

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[SomebodyInGNV]

Does anyone have new information on this? I have an XLT HDPP/MaxTow with Co-Pilot Assist on order. That includes/requires 360 degree cameras. From that, I assume the infrastructure exists on the truck.

I have an option to buy a new-in-box SuperDuty camera/TPMS kit for a 2018 truck. I'm sure the wire harness can't accommodate the yaw sensor because it didn't exist in 2018, but that the other wires all work the same and probably go to the same pins as those on the 2022 with yaw sensor. If that's the case, I'm willing to forego the yaw sensor (I haven't used the backup system on my 2016 since I bought it) or maybe add the extra conductors to the yaw sensors.

The XLT on order has only an 8" screen. While the 12" would obviously be better, the 8" works for me as a backup camera well enough now on my 2016

 

[EatDirtFartDust]

I assume the infrastructure exists on the truck.

It don’t.
Ford released the truck without the capabilities and won’t admit it.
They’d rather ignore the problem than admit to it and risk having to give refunds or worse, a class action.
Who wants to join a class action with me?!

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

It don’t.
Ford released the truck without the capabilities and won’t admit it. ...

When did you get your truck? Is that also true of trucks being built now?

 

[EatDirtFartDust]

When did you get your truck? Is that also true of trucks being built now?

In November. Mine was built in October.

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

In November. Mine was built in October.

Your occupation says "ford service manager". Is that as in working for a dealer? Or as in spending all your spare time managing the service on your Fords?

 

[EatDirtFartDust]

Your occupation says "ford service manager". Is that as in working for a dealer? Or as in spending all your spare time managing the service on your Fords?

I was a service manager at a ford dealer up until 3 months ago.
Couldn’t put up with Ford’s practices, so I went on to a different manufacturer after 18 years.

 

[GChurch]

It don’t.
Ford released the truck without the capabilities and won’t admit it.
They’d rather ignore the problem than admit to it and risk having to give refunds or worse, a class action.
Who wants to join a class action with me?!

I figured out how to get OEM trailer TPMS sensor and backup camera working by swapping the smart-trailer/backup sensor wire harness that is included with 21’ model year+ f150s with the 22’ model year f250 equivalent harness. (I have a 402a F150 Tremor). Ford should have to do this free for anyone who wants the option (in my opinion) since they marketed it. Ridiculous that we should have to jump through such hoops to have the feature on our trucks.
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/any-update-on-a-trailer-tmps-system.4989/page-5

It would be cool to try a better quality 3rd party camera than the most recently released ford trailer camera and should be doable if someone figures out the pinout on the ford trailer camera. The low-light quality in OEM is the worst part but it still gives you more than enough to see cars at night switching lanes on the highway etc. **Update** found this which looks to have compatible plug with stock harness. If camera-source wants to sponsor me I’ll try it out https://camerasource.com/2017-super-duty-w-360-view-commercial-trailer-cam.html

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

... It would be cool to try a better quality 3rd party camera than the most recently released ford trailer camera and should be doable if someone figures out the pinout on the ford trailer camera. The low-light quality in OEM is the worst part but it still gives you more than enough to see cars at night switching lanes on the highway etc. **Update** found this which looks to have compatible plug with stock harness. If camera-source wants to sponsor me I’ll try it out https://camerasource.com/2017-super-duty-w-360-view-commercial-trailer-cam.html

The OEM design is that the camera turns on only in reverse, correct? Or can you select to use it as an observation (continuously on) camera?

 

[GChurch]

The OEM design is that the camera turns on only in reverse, correct? Or can you select to use it as an observation (continuously on) camera?

You can select it continuously on, and you can use it in split screen mode with nav/CarPlay/etc. You have to select it when in reverse, but you can view with split trailer views and shows animation of yaw sensor position indicator in top right. See the end of attached video.

 

[SomebodyInGNV]

You can select it continuously on, and you can use it in split screen mode with nav/CarPlay/etc. You have to select it when in reverse, but you can view with split trailer views and shows animation of yaw sensor position indicator in top right. See the end of attached video.

That does look useful.

 

[billchurch]

You can select it continuously on, and you can use it in split screen mode with nav/CarPlay/etc. You have to select it when in reverse, but you can view with split trailer views and shows animation of yaw sensor position indicator in top right. See the end of attached video.

This is on the 2021 F150? I‘ve been reading a lot of threads but there seems to be confusion as to what I should order. Do you have the part number?

 

[strykerpsg]

Hi all!

Following this thread but very interested in the customer placed camera for my new Black Series HQ21. I do have a 22 F250 with ultimate tow package and pretty sure Sync4. Can anyone confirm or deny the ability to use a full time on to use as a rear view mirror when towing a trailer?

Thanks in advance.
Matt

 

[heffer86]

I figured out how to get OEM trailer TPMS sensor and backup camera working by swapping the smart-trailer/backup sensor wire harness that is included with 21’ model year+ f150s with the 22’ model year f250 equivalent harness. (I have a 402a F150 Tremor). Ford should have to do this free for anyone who wants the option (in my opinion) since they marketed it. Ridiculous that we should have to jump through such hoops to have the feature on our trucks.
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/any-update-on-a-trailer-tmps-system.4989/page-5

It would be cool to try a better quality 3rd party camera than the most recently released ford trailer camera and should be doable if someone figures out the pinout on the ford trailer camera. The low-light quality in OEM is the worst part but it still gives you more than enough to see cars at night switching lanes on the highway etc. **Update** found this which looks to have compatible plug with stock harness. If camera-source wants to sponsor me I’ll try it out https://camerasource.com/2017-super-duty-w-360-view-commercial-trailer-cam.html

Do you have the part# of the harness you replaced?

 

[jeffcrum]

Do you have the part# of the harness you replaced?

It is in the first post on the link.

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