Get camera + wires out of SuperDuty tailgate? (Camera Source fix is $496)

LosAngeles

Active member
Get camera + wires out of SuperDuty tailgate? (Camera Source fix is $496)

Hi all

So my main question is - how difficult is it to fish the stock Ford SuperDuty tailgate reverse camera + camera wires out of the actual tailgate?
(that has the tailgate ladder in it)
I am assuming the 2020 would be similar to the 2019.
Google did not provide any info so far.

The story:

About to get our brand new, custom ordered 2020 SuperDuty F350, and then get our Hallmark pop up truck camper. The pop up truck camper will *always* be in the truck, and we have no need to ever use the truck as an actual pickup truck.

The tailgate will always be stored by us. It will never get used. I know I simply unplug the harnesses under the truck when removing the tailgate.

The truck has 360 view, so not just any camera will do, according to Camera Source (only a very few of their cameras are compatible with 360 view camera system, as per their website)

In terms of a rear view camera to be mounted on the rear bumper of the Hallmark pop up truck camper - - - we have two choices.

#1 - I could fish the camera out of the tailgate. I am told it is quite difficult, especially as our tailgate will have the built in ladder…..

#2 I pay almost $500 USD including shipping to me (ouch!) to get the specific Camera Source. I’ll paste the info they emailed me:

“We have a kit that plugs to the single coax and the back under the bumper and comes up automatically in reverse. Here is the link to CS-FTRSK-17SDRC”


The third option is that I get the $200 Camera Source option, but that is not automatic… every time I use it I’d have to hit the AUX button, and that is a pain. :-(
I dont want to have to do that. I’ll quote the email they send me:

“…. However, it will not come on automatically in reverse. We have a mini universal camera that would connect to the AUX connector up under the spare tire. ….. When in reverse, push the AUX button to view this camera feed. Here is the link to CS-FTRSKLP-17SD-TRL”

So to repeat my main question - how difficult is it to fish the stock Ford SuperDuty tailgate reverse camera + camera wires out of the actual tailgate?
(that has the tailgate ladder in it)
I am assuming the 2020 would be similar to the 2019.

Pic of some random Hallmark attached. I think the camera will end up on the rear side of the Hallmark's rear bumper.... attached just to the right of the ladder - and the ladder is removed when underway.

Thanks!

J.
web-hallmark-rear--nice-pic.jpgweb-hallmark-rear--nice-pic.jpg
 

Todd n Natalie

OverCamper
It doesn't answer your question. But, personally, I would leave the stock camera in the tailgate. If the day comes that you want to sell the truck, I would imagine if it's that difficult to fish out the wires, it'll be 10 x harder or more expensive to reinstall them. Just food for thought....
 

LosAngeles

Active member
I'm just super bummed.... that the $200 Camera Source option is not automatic.... and it is $500 for the correct camera. Ouch!

:-(
 

HayStax

Member
Why can’t you just take all the guts out of the tailgate and see how the camera is wired in? It can’t be that difficult. maybe call a body shop or ask your dealership. Hell just get one from Ford
 

09Busaman

Member
If this is a long term investment, why not sell the tailgate and buy the camera you need? Quick check online looks like they are selling for around 600. Dont get me wrong, if that was my plan I would heavily consider not selling it, but if you dont ever plan to use it..
 

LosAngeles

Active member
Thanks everybody for the good thoughts. :)

Update: I *think* I will likely go with this solution…. to be determined.
New info that I just learned today is below.

So i think I will buy a new, OEM Ford tailgate camera from Ford - identical to what is in my forthcoming F350 SuperDuty. (just the camera alone)

¿ Anyone have any rough idea what the camera alone may cost?
Ford can’t price it without the VIN of my forthcoming vehicle, as they need the VIN to ensure I get the exact correct part.

and

Camera Source can sell me a 14 foot harness for $99 - This plugs directly into the Ford OEM camera and also plugs into the connector under the bumper.

My RV manufacturer will make a small metal box, put this camera in it, and mount that on the rear bumper of the camper, for no extra charge (as Hallmark is awesome:))

This solution has the advantages of: being the exact same camera as Ford uses…. so zero compatibility issues, and it should look good…. and also hopefully cheaper than the $459 plug and play option Camera Source offers.

Also I get to leave the stock camera in the tailgate… and at some point down the road I will be very happy to have not ripped the original camera out of the tailgate. :)

and… Anyone have a lead on buying legit OEM parts from Ford, at a good price?
(so i can get the camera from them)
or should i just take my chances and walk into my local Ford dealership?

Thanks!

J.

:)
 

jadmt

ignore button user
Rockauto.com has been awesome on oem parts. Also just go to a dealership website pull a vin off any new truck and use that it will give you an idea of price. I was at Honda dealership the other day to get touch up paint for a 2016 crv and they said could not sell it to me without vin. I walked out to their lot and took a phone photo of a vin on their lot came back in and got the paint.
 

LosAngeles

Active member
Rockauto.com has been awesome on oem parts. Also just go to a dealership website pull a vin off any new truck and use that it will give you an idea of price. I was at Honda dealership the other day to get touch up paint for a 2016 crv and they said could not sell it to me without vin. I walked out to their lot and took a phone photo of a vin on their lot came back in and got the paint.

Thanks. Cool. :)

so my only concern is getting a camera that is 360 compatible.

to get a ballpark price i'll go to the dealership and snag a VIN off a truck with 360

i assume driver low down windshield area is where the VIN is? on a current SuperDuty - so i can see it from the outside...?
 

jadmt

ignore button user
On my 2012/Hallmark K2 I just got a replacement tailgate camera and harness from a Dealer online that discounted (they never seem to be consistent so you'll have to look around) Wasn't too expensive, but that's all relative. I then mounted the camera to the camper bumper. It seemed a little awkward and exposed but have had zero problems with it and being an exact replacement the truck doesn't notice the difference.

In this picture you can just barely see it in the lower left (I notched the step bracket so the mounting tab would align with that hole)IMG_20160529_1634055 (2).jpgIMG_20160529_1634055 (2).jpg
 

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