Solution to integrate their RV backup camera with F150 lightning existing display

[JackFlash]

Drop me a note.

I found a thread on another F150 (ICE) forum that lays out exactly how to do this, using an existing F150 harness near your back bumper that enables the AUX camera on your F150 display. Total build cost (for hard wired) was about $50 (including camera and connector). Full wireless was about another $15.

Basically removes the necessity to have another display in the cab when backing up your travel trailer, boat,...

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[JackFlash]

FYI: Already got a few DM's on this. Found the link to the instructions in the F150 owners forum:

Aux cam setup instructions

 

[jdmackes]

Which wireless camera did you go with?

 

[JackFlash]

Which wireless camera did you go with?

I'm using this cam (which you can use without wireless): Amazon Link

Along with this pair of wireless Tx/Rx to make it wireless from the back bumper of the truck (where the harness is - to the back of the trailer): Camecho NEW 2.4G Wireless Color Video Transmitter and Receiver for The Vehicle Backup Camera Front Car Camera

The Cam list above includes a 30' RCA-type video cable if you just wanted to run it 'wired'. In either case you'll need DC power 12v for the CAM where you wind up mounting it.

 

[JackFlash]

FYI: This is what the end result looks like, testing the new Cam with the harness built per the above thread. Cam just sitting on the back bumper for the test:

 

[CD4TNF]

I'm not a camera tech person. Not sure if this idea is feasible. Can that digital signal get routed to a digital recorder for camera recordings?

 

[JackFlash]

I'm not a camera tech person. Not sure if this idea is feasible. Can that digital signal get routed to a digital recorder for camera recordings?

I think you may be misunderstanding the point of this: This is to enable a camera's video output from your trailer (or any other place you'd like to put it) to be able to be displayed on your main F150 Lightning dashboard display. Most trailer backup cameras require you to use either a separate dedicated display, or your smartphone. I'd rather just display that feed on the built-in F150 screen - which conveniently has an "AUX" video feed in your cameras screen. This setup allows you to do that.

If you wanted to record what that camera is 'seeing' - you could use a camera that already has SD card recording feature, or, you could send that camera feed to a recording device.

In may case - common for RV'ers - I just want to be able to see behind the enormous blindspot that is my travel trailer

 

[CD4TNF]

I got the point of the post and your use case. I was thinking latterly to other use cases.

I can forsee a rear end crash occuring and needing the camera video of the impact to the travel trailer. You did answer my question that it is common to record the video feed.

Neat you got your proof of concept working.

 

[JackFlash]

I got the point of the post and your use case. I was thinking latterly to other use cases.

I can forsee a rear end crash occuring and needing the camera video of the impact to the travel trailer. You did answer my question that it is common to record the video feed.

Neat you got your proof of concept working.

TY! It's pretty cool. For your use-case you could put something like this inline between the camera and the truck harness - I'm guessing there are cheaper options, or just a backup Cam that is able to loop video recording on an SD card:

Video capture device

 

[CD4TNF]

Great thanks for the link!

Good luck getting your project to the finished product on your trailer.

 

[JackFlash]

Great thanks for the link!

Good luck getting your project to the finished product on your trailer.

My pleasure - always geek out on this kind of thing and was glad to share my work. I'll update when I get the Travel Trailer out of storage (May 1) and install the cam

 

[Firn]

I got the point of the post and your use case. I was thinking latterly to other use cases.

I can forsee a rear end crash occuring and needing the camera video of the impact to the travel trailer. You did answer my question that it is common to record the video feed.

Neat you got your proof of concept working.

that the trailer camera uses a standard analog signal from the cameras is good indications that the other cameras do as well. Its possible that one could hijack that signal and record from any or all cameras. You would need to add the recorder, and tap into the wiring, but it may be possible.

You would need to power the cameras, and I'm guessing the best place to get the signal is behind the radio, but those are not impossible issues.

.

Worth mentioning is that one isn't restricted to a trailer camera. You could use this for literally anything, heck, it could be a wireless camera in your chicken coop for all it matters. Or put one on the roof with a telephoto lens for spotting cars with large lettering parked in the median. Back seat dog camera. Trail camera strapped to the frame....

 

[Lukewv]

My pleasure - always geek out on this kind of thing and was glad to share my work. I'll update when I get the Travel Trailer out of storage (May 1) and install the cam

I

TY! It's pretty cool. For your use-case you could put something like this inline between the camera and the truck harness - I'm guessing there are cheaper options, or just a backup Cam that is able to loop video recording on an SD card:

Video capture device

I

FYI: This is what the end result looks like, testing the new Cam with the harness built per the above thread. Cam just sitting on the back bumper for the test:

I just wanted to say thanks for posting the how to instructions for the wireless auxiliary trailer camera using the integrated truck screen you saved me $1150.00 that's how much Ford wants for that camera wire harness ,not to mention I really didn't want to drill holes in my new camper trailer for the wires . How cool is that wireless transmitter/ receiver from Amazon works great and only $13. But I could have never done it without knowing what and where the four pins I needed out of the 12 that were there , I didn't even know that plug was there so thanks again I now have a perfectly good trailer camera for under 50 bucks thanks to you.

 

[queuewho]

Does the camera work when not in tow mode?

 

[watts/up]

Wonder what the limiting factor is here resolution-wise. Could it handle a smartphone video out signal...

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