Activate backup camera without shifting to reverse?

[LadyBugg]

We just hooked up our harbor freight trailer to go pick up some lumber. Problem is that we cannot see it in the mirrors because it is so low and the truck bed blocks our view. Is there anyway to activate the backup camera without shifting to reverse?

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[dalola]

No. At least, not easily.

 

[BOB225DUSTER]

We just hooked up our harbor freight trailer to go pick up some lumber. Problem is that we cannot see it in the mirrors because it is so low and the truck bed blocks our view. Is there anyway to activate the backup camera without shifting to reverse?

Basically no . You can adjust the rear camera in settings to delay mode which keeps the camera on when going from reverse to drive .. but only till you go over 5mph then it shuts off. Helpful to make sure nothing comes undone during the initial pull from stop process.
Not sure if some one figured out how to over ride in forscan.

 

[Hunters Edge]

I would think about looking at aftermarket extended tow mirrors, that attach to the existing mirrors.

 

[Oscarcat]

I would add a couple of vertical 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC poles to your trailer to help you see it in the rear view and side mirrors.

You can probably buy a 10' pipe and make two 5' poles, one pole on each side, so you can judge the position of your trailer.

Edit: I stored my small trailer on end, meaning I tilted it up againt a garage wall when not in use. I designed my poles to be easily removeable.

 

[Zed79]

The snow plow marker whips work well. like this
Amazon.com: Buyers Products 1308115 Orange Sight Rod for Snow Plows (Bolt-On) .75" x 48" : Automotive

 

[LadyBugg]

I would add a couple of vertical 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC poles to your trailer to help you see it in the rear view and side mirrors.

You can probably buy a 10' pipe and make two 5' poles, one pole on each side, so you can judge the position of your trailer.

Edit: I stored my small trailer on end, meaning I tilted it up againt a garage wall when not in use. I designed my poles to be easily removeable.

Oh that’s a cool idea. Will try it out. Thx!

 

[NedF]

I was going to salvage my aftermarket reverse wireless cam from my SUV before I sold it and use the 12v Acc plug to power it when I needed a continuous camera view, but it seemed like a lot of work to get a 8-year-old camera. I will buy one when I need it and my plan is to put the camera on a magnet so I can position it anywhere on the truck or trailer were I need the view and power it using a long wire from the 12v plug in the bed.

 

[Jeff D.]

LadyBugg doesn't mention if they have a Lariat with Sync 3 or not, but if they did, then it is possible to activate the rearview camera on demand. It's not a simple process and involves jailbreaking the APIM, but a new button can be added to the display that will turn on the rearview camera whenever a person wants.

It doesn't cost anything to do, but given the amount of programming to make it happen, I believe a person should REALLY want this feature before going thru all the effort.

More details here: https://www.fmods.net/community/dlext/details?df_id=7

 

[RichardCranium]

I bought a cheap backup camera and wireless adapter for my travel trailer to use as a rear view mirror. The little monitor that came with it plugs into the 12 volt power plug. I did a little soldering to connect the wireless receiver to power and put a stick on magnet to the dash and on the bottom of the monitor so I can remove it easily. I have the camera mounted to the back of the trailer and the cable ran to the battery box where the transmitter, fuse, and a switch is. It works really well to see traffic behind me. I think the whole setup was around $25.
I tried a WiFi camera that hooked to my phone, but it didn’t work from the back of the travel trailer. Might work from the back of the maverick. I still have that camera and as someone else suggested, adding a magnet on something like that would probably make it portable. Someone mentioned powering it from their 6 pin, but another option is to power it from the running lights and just turn the running lights on whenever driving. Then just using your phone as the monitor. The WiFi cameras like that are a bit more expensive though. I think I paid $80 for mine.

 

[Joester]

I was going to salvage my aftermarket reverse wireless cam from my SUV before I sold it and use the 12v Acc plug to power it when I needed a continuous camera view, but it seemed like a lot of work to get a 8-year-old camera. I will buy one when I need it and my plan is to put the camera on a magnet so I can position it anywhere on the truck or trailer were I need the view and power it using a long wire from the 12v plug in the bed.

I was toying with 3D printing a larger shark fin for the antenna with a camera that looks over the bed and beyond for the same reason as the OP.

 

[zacatac]

I have two fiberglass driveway marker rods as corner markers for my utility trailer. I drilled holes into the top of some 5/8" bolts and epoxied the rods into the bolts. I drilled 5/8" holes in the rear corners of the trailer rails for the bolts and now I can add and remove them any time with a nut and lock washer.

I wasn't super concerned about MY visibility of the trailer, my issue was other people. At least half a dozen times I have been lightly rear ended while towing. People will stop behind me at a light and then forget the trailer is there when they go to scooch up a little bit more. I assume they can't see it over there hood because it has been a truck or SUV every time. I literally have the trailer painted red and have bright led lights on it, but once it's out of their sight none of that matters.

 

[Rentman1225]

Maybe something like this would work.
Solar Wireless Backup Camera Magnetic: WiFi Easy to Install Connect Phone Truck Trailer Hitch Rear View Camera Rechargeable No Drilling HD 1080P RV Ca https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQST947N/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_KhryeK7qzLNEz

 

[RichardCranium]

I was toying with 3D printing a larger shark fin for the antenna with a camera that looks over the bed and beyond for the same reason as the OP.

Interested in how you would wire it.

 

[Zed79]

Interested in how you would wire it.

Pull it from under the head liner where the antenna wire pass-through and reseal.

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