WinnipegFX4

This is a long one.

I have a 2013 FX4 SCrew with the MyFordTouch 8” screen and backup camera, and I have a 30 foot travel trailer. I want to add a backup camera to the back of the trailer. Due to the length of the trailer + the truck, I don’t want to go with a wireless unit because I’ve read about range issues with the wireless models.

I’d rather avoid pulling any new wiring through the truck, and using the built in screen seems more convenient than mounting a new screen that is probably smaller and lower resolution. I’m thinking that I’ll buy a third party camera and wire it to a harness/pigtail that matches the harness used by the tailgate camera. Then I’ll just swap the connections as needed (plug/unplug).

I’m trying to keep it as simple (and cheap) as possible so something like Lockpick is overkill.

I’ve found some forums covering similar topics, but not one that is quite what I’m looking at. If anyone could provide feedback on my plans it would be appreciated.

Starting at the rear of the truck:

1. This is the harness that I believe plugs into the tailgate camera at one end, and into a primary wiring harness under the truck by the spare tire at the other end. (BL3Z-14A411-A)
http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/Ca...11-A%20#Search

The camera end looks like this:
https://skitch-img.s3.amazonaws.com/...wj4yyjej6n.jpg

The truck end looks like this:
https://www.f150forum.com/members/pi...-connector.png

The end that goes to the truck looks a lot like pigtail WPT-758 (Service#: 3U2Z-14S411-FEAA):
http://www.fordtechservice.dealercon...torcatalog.pdf

First questions: Is that the right pigtail and am I better off buying and cutting the harness or buying the pigtail. One problem is that I’m not positive that that pigtail is the right one and I won’t know until I order one (that part comes up as a connector for rear lights/signals). I’m 99% sure that the harness is the right one, but it seems like a waste to have to cut it.

2. Next, the wiring from the camera harness to the back of the trailer. I probably want to buy about 50’ of wiring, and I believe that I need four wires.
- is it four wires that I need?
- recommendations for type, gauge, waterproofness, etc?

3. Pinouts. Depending on which camera I go for, I’ll need to figure out the pin-outs. From reading through other forums, I believe that I need to make sure that the camera is 12V and that there will typically be a power cable and a video cable, both with two wires.

Is that correct (i.e. 2 video wires and 2 electrical wires) from the camera?

I’ve found a number of pictures for pin-outs of the Ford OEM camera, both ends of the camera harness and the truck harness that the camera harness plugs into. The problem is that they don’t all agree and I’m not sure which matches my 2013 FX4 SCrew. examples:
http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...124-c-4357.jpg
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/...aconnector.jpg
https://skitch-img.s3.amazonaws.com/...wj4yyjej6n.jpg
http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...9-f150-cam.gif
https://www.f150forum.com/attachment...mera-wires.jpg
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/6B...59_camera1.png

Does anyone know the pin-outs for both ends of the camera harness for the 2013 FX4?

4. Camera. Any thoughts on a good camera to use? If I go third party (e.g. ebay or Amazon) then I don’t want anything very expensive ($30 - $40). Should it have alignment guides or not? Night vision? Resolution?

Alternatively, if I go with a Ford OEM camera I don’t have to mess with pinouts (except to cut the harness and splice in 40’ of wiring) and I already know what the picture quality will be and how it will work with the existing system. The downside will be that I need to figure out good way to mount it on the trailer. According to the FordParts site, the camera + housing/bezel would be about $160.
http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/Ca...11-A%20#Search

So, third party (harder to wire/pinouts, easier to mount, cheaper, night vision) or OEM camera (100% compatible, easy wiring, harder to mount)?

Also, does anyone know why fordparts.com lists the camera + bezel + harness + screws/clips for a total of about $210, but most online sites list the package for $300 - $400?

Thanks for any help.

camera-source.com

We have a kit that will do exactly what you want to do, without splicing any of the factory wiring. This kit comes with a commercial grade camera for your trailer, all the wiring, heavy duty quick disconnect for the rear bumper, and a MyTouch lockpick for interfacing your factory radio screen plug and play. The best part is that you can keep your factory camera and set the lockpick to turn on the trailer camera instead while in reverse. Or... you can turn on either camera at any time even while driving down the highway.

Here's the link to the product page and you will want to add the MyTouch lockpick to the order:

https://camera-source.com/products/d...heavy-duty-5th

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,
Camera-source.com
414-939-5226

WinnipegFX4

Thanks. It's not really what I'm looking for. I don't really need the features of a Lockpick. No need to automatically switch between cameras, only one camera is of any use to me at a time (if trailer is connected, then tailgate camera is of no use, if trailer is not connected, then the trailer camera is of no use). And judging from the Youtube videos, the Lockpick is non-trivial to install. I really don't want to be pulling the interior of my truck apart. Plus the Lockpick is really pricey. (I do like the idea of watching out of the camera when not in reverse, but I don't really need it)

Also, I think that this kit requires running the wiring through the inside of the truck. Again, non-trivial and something I'd rather avoid.

By buying secondary harness that I mentioned (BL3Z-14A411-A) for $30 (or the pigtail if it's the right part), then I don't need to do any wiring on or in the truck at all. None. Nothing on the truck gets cut or spliced. Only the secondary harness.

Then, I just unplug one harness and plug in the other harness whenever I connect or disconnect the trailer.

I do appreciate the response though. The cameras you guys use look decent. I'll look into those.

camera-source.com

No problem. We also have this one which plugs directly into the factory harness (CS-FTRSK):

https://camera-source.com/products/f...per-camera-kit

Still more expensive than the $40 eBay camera you are looking for but it's a high quality 700 TV lines of resolution camera, comes with a 1 year warranty, and simple to install!

Take care,
camera-source.com
414-939-5226

WinnipegFX4

Now THAT is a lot closer to what I'm looking for.

Do you have a picture of the cable end that connects to the truck?

It should look like the female end here:
https://www.f150forum.com/members/pi...-connector.png

I notice that the Sony camera only has a 150 degree view. is there any chance of swapping that out for one with a wider view? e.g. 170 degrees.

It is a little on the pricey side, but not as much I would have thought.

Also, do you ship to Canada? If so, how much is shipping?

Thanks

PS, you guys should change this kit's name. I saw it last night when I first went to your site, but skipped right past it since I don't have a salt spreader and I don't need to remove my tailgate.

camera-source.com

Yep it's the same plug so no worries. This Sony camera is awesome and 150 degrees is more than enough for most mounting locations. In fact we can't make this cam with a wider view lens without distorting the view. Our sharp version of this camera is 130 degrees so the sony is a nice wide view.

Thanks and let me know if you have more questions.