i just got the backup camera + tailgate handle installed this weekend. This is actually the 2nd camera tailgate handle that I bought off amazon. The previous one was from a different manufacturer for the same price. When I received that one I was immediately skeptical of the quality. It was entirely plastic and didn't seem all that durable. Sure enough, it broke while trying to use it to open the tailgate while I was still completing the install (The handle was installed and I was working on running the wires). Truthfully I'm glad it broke then, I took it back out and returned that piece of junk. After searching a bit more I decided to give the master tailgaters a shot in the hopes that it would be of higher quality as they claim. When it came, I was disappointed to see that it was also almost entirely plastic - but it did seem to be of a higher quality than the previous handle. I wish they would at least make the lever that actually pushed the mechanism to open the tailgate metal (or reinforce it with some metal brackets). Regardless I pressed forward. Obviously I cannot speak to long term durability (fingers crossed), but so far I'm impressed. It fits in the factory tailgate handle spot just right and looks good. The install was about as easy as you could hope for, and the image quality looks good to me. Installed on a 2011 Tundra Crewmax.The video wire was long enough to run under the body, up into the engine bay through the passenger side firewall grommet and behind the head unit with maybe a foot or 2 to spare. Here are my only complaints (and they are pretty minor honestly):
1) The quick disconnect should be about 3 or 4' further down the cable. Then it would be located just past the tailgate so it could actually be used to quick disconnect if you need to remove the tailgate. Its like 6" from the camera so it ends up buried in the tailgate instead.
2) I wish the power wires were as long as the video wire. I chose to connect the camera to the same power source as the head unit (that way it would always have power, not just when in reverse which would be the case if you powered it from the reverse lights). You could probably find some other always on power source closer, but since you have to run the video wire anyway... why not just grab it from there where you know what it is. Unfortunately, the power wires are not nearly as long as the video cable, so I had to buy some additional wire to solder and extend them. It worked fine, but would have been nice if I didn't have to.
3)Would have been nice if the wire included a 3rd wire to use for the reverse trigger. The foolproof way to get a reverse single to your headunit is to tap into the reverse lights at the back of the vehicle. Some kids include an extra wire along with the video + power for this exact purpose. I actually found a reverse trigger in the cab (light blue wire in the bottom white plug in the passenger kick panel for teh 2nd gen trundras) so I just ran a short wire from there to trigger. But again it would have been since if they would just add one more wire to the bundle to make the install easier.
Overall I am really happy so far. As long as nothing breaks in the future - I will consider this one a win. My gripes are minor and all of them were easy enough to overcome. Getting the video wire through the firewall grommet on the other hand... not so easy :)
| Manufacturer | Master Tailgaters |
|---|---|
| Brand | Master Tailgaters |
| Item Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 7.5 x 2.75 x 14.5 inches |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Item model number | MT-TT07B |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | MT-TT07B |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
