Question/gripe about the backup cam

[nunucello]

Hi all,

I have been loving my new Maverick, it has been doing lots of truck work (moving furniture, etc) that could never have happened with our SUV. Also, it has been cold and snowy up here, and the AWD with stock tires has been amazing!

One of my biggest gripes though, is that the backup cam is useless when the tailgate is down and you are in reverse. Worse than that, it sets off the back-up impact warning, because it thinks that you are going to hit the ground (with the camera now aimed directly at the ground).

Has anyone looked at repositioning the backup cam somehow so that it remains functional with the tailgate down?

Thanks for sharing any advice.

Maybe it's possible to rig a mirror at a 45 degree angle when the tailgate is down - not sure if this would work. Would require designing a bracket which mounts on the logo plate.

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[UberGadgetFreak]

I have extra cameras and like to tinker... And this is the odd idea in my head right now:
Have a 2nd camera on the tailgate latch handle, but it faces upward. It could be incorporated into the trim so it looks OE, too. And use a tilt/gravity/position switch to switch between cameras, so when the tailgate it open, it switches to the latch-mounted camera that is now pointed rearward.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm thinking the "best cheapest" solution could be another camera in the "top" of the tailgate but it would have to be small, recessed, waterproof with some way for water to drain off, and would still probably get smashed up.

Plus the extra pieces/ logic to switch between Ford Badge and top of tailgate cameras....

The Subaru Baja had a trick license plate that was in the center of the tailgate but folded "down" when the tailgate was down... Perhaps a hinged Ford Logo could do the same?...

 

[jsus]

That's the case with literally every truck that has a backup camera. Idk where you expect them to put it that would allow proper camera views with full use of a tailgate. Seems like a small issue that doesn't warrant any change

Yup. The backup cam is on the very rear of the vehicle at an appropriate height. It provides a functional view starting with the area directly behind the vehicle. There's no good way to match that by moving the camera anywhere else. Even putting it in one of the taillight assemblies would skew the perspective, making it less functional. Unless you somehow put a camera in each taillight assembly, for stereo vision, but that would be awfully far apart to stitch the images together.

Putting it up by the CHMSL (3rd brake light) on the back of the cab would be way too high, and 5' from the rear of the vehicle, so, not very useful.

Keeping it functional on the tailgate with it open would put the camera too low to provide a proper view.

How often are you finding yourself needing to reverse with the tailgate down, anyway?

 

[kw86er]

Maybe it's possible to rig a mirror at a 45 degree angle when the tailgate is down - not sure if this would work. Would require designing a bracket which mounts on the logo plate.

They make them for smart phones. Could maybe rig one up with a bracket and HD Magnet

 

[JustDoIt]

I have a dash cam that includes a rear cam that's always on. I plan on moving this from my current vehicle to my Maverick.

Mounted it before on my license plate frame which is perfect.

 

[kw86er]

I have extra cameras and like to tinker... And this is the odd idea in my head right now:
Have a 2nd camera on the tailgate latch handle, but it faces upward. It could be incorporated into the trim so it looks OE, too. And use a tilt/gravity/position switch to switch between cameras, so when the tailgate it open, it switches to the latch-mounted camera that is now pointed rearward.

If one could run the OE wires to a switch/jack and a second camera with a whip, you could put it on a longer wire and a magnet that could be mounted anywhere when needed.

Just put a jack and switch on the left power panel/cover plate/cubby blank

 

[adkbiker]

Works similar on my 2014 F-150 FX4, the alarm is annoying. I've thought of installing an on/off switch for the backup alarm if I could determine the power wire. On the F-150 the alarm can be temporarily turned off using steering wheel buttons to de-activate the rear alarm when it activates but you have to do this every time you restart the vehicle. Assume this is same on the Maverick.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

That's the case with literally every truck that has a backup camera. Idk where you expect them to put it that would allow proper camera views with full use of a tailgate. Seems like a small issue that doesn't warrant any change

I put an aftermarket, wireless b/u camera on wife’s older car. Mounts on a plastic strip between license plate bolts. If there were a tailgate, it would look below it, straight back.

 

[Meintc]

I put an aftermarket, wireless b/u camera on wife’s older car. Mounts on a plastic strip between license plate bolts. If there were a tailgate, it would look below it, straight back.

Yeah, but the license plate isn't centered. Wouldn't that skew the angle?

 

[TomW]

Perhaps Ford could have added a sensor that detects if the tailgate is open and disables the backup camera and shows a message on the screen.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

Perhaps Ford could have added a sensor that detects if the tailgate is open and disables the backup camera and shows a message on the screen.

You guys are making WAY too much about this. You might end up reversing with the gate down such a minute % of the time.
Why get so darn complicated?!?

 

[JustDoIt]

Perhaps Ford could have added a sensor that detects if the tailgate is open and disables the backup camera and shows a message on the screen.

Nope. If using it for the lines maybe but if just nice to see if you’re running over something then it’s perfect.

 

[Swami37]

That's the case with literally every truck that has a backup camera. Idk where you expect them to put it that would allow proper camera views with full use

You guys are making WAY too much about this. You might end up reversing with the gate down such a minute % of the time.
Why get so darn complicated?!?

sounds like a lot of these people need to learn to drive. Lol

 

[Rentman1225]

How often are you finding yourself needing to reverse with the tailgate down, anyway?

Pretty much every time it is down and since the bed is short it may be down a lot

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