Cargo camera?

First post... bought my 2018 SR5 CM in October and started learning from this site immediately thereafter! As many have said, this one of the most informative and active internet groups I've had the pleasure of joining!

Love this truck, but it's the first extended cab I've ever owned, and it never occurred to me that you can't see what's in the cargo box while driving. I purchased the FRAC harness and plan to install soon, but then it occurred to me that maybe it could be used to implement some kind of cargo camera.

It looks like there is a plug-and-play kit for the newer Rams, but have found no such kit for the Tundra.

Actual question is, has anyone put a cargo box camera on their Tundra?

 

Phoenix Android Head unit comes with three available plugs for cameras, I did a little experimenting with a $100 security cam and wifi to a drone. Phoenix also has a few options for cameras also along with a wire less hookup.

https://youtu.be/Y8XhLHrznVM

https://youtu.be/dE4uD3F8G8s

 

Thanks for the reply, ZPMAN. That looks like quite a system you have installed. What is that 360 degree camera mounted to? I'm hoping someone may have figured out a way to put a camera in the third brake light angled down into the bed. Or maybe some other location that allows for monitoring the truck bed. I really don't want to replace my head unit.

 

I do miss the cargo cam on my old Ram Mega Cab. Nothing worse than having a bunch of bikes and gear in the bed going down the highway and hearing something banging around that shouldn't be and no way to look and see if you really care or not without pulling over.

 

That’s pretty awesome. If Phoenix would come out with an 12v accessories controller like Alpine has I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat.

 

This is the cam https://www.bestbuy.com/site/d-link...Ceufn3y030k4BGj1g3caAsBlEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds I had temporarily mounted to the roof, loaded the program to the head unit for control/ view with the wifi. The drone was a Go-Pro that I viewed with the wifi from the head unit.

 

If you have the FRAC already you cold incorporate this https://phoenixandroidradios.com/co...ar-camera-automatic-control-module-switch-box into the front cam along with a cam of your choice for the bed of your truck or add one of these https://phoenixandroidradios.com/co...iew-camera-and-car-dvd-player-parking-monitor for the inside of a trailer up to 165' long.

 

I bought a dash cam mirror. It has front camera built into the mirror, which clips onto the existing and a rear camera as well. It is made to connect as a back up camera as well as a rear dash camera. I am an electrician and having a custom ladder rack made, and will have a place to mount this camera on it to see the bed and still work as a dash cam. Currently I have it just mounted with some double stick tape facing through the rear window and I really like that I can look at the bed.

 

Thanks again for everyone's input. Clearly there is no plug-and-play solution so I'll have to continue to weigh out options. Modifying a dash cam is looking favorable.

 

I just finished hooking up a cab mounted camera on my 2018 Tundra Ltd. Camera is mounted on the 3rd Brake light lens with wiring running across to left hand cab corner, down and forward to above brake pedals. Used the 3rd party AV plug and play harness into the entune unit, added a switch to control power to the camera (so won't be powered unless i want it), added another switch to disable the reverse gear wire so I can use the new camera (otherwise the factory camera overrides the display). Added a switch for the speed sensor at the same time (so my passenger can program the GPS etc). As usual the second time I need to do this it'll be a snap (I plan on adding a front camera).

 

I want one and have been looking. So far, to fit my needs, all I’m going to do is take my daughters GoPro and suction cup it to the back window. The GoPro app allows live streaming wirelessly. So, I plan on mounting my iPhone near my a/c vent so I can easily see the bed contents.

John

 

New Rams come with both tailgate and cab cameras if you order it.
I used this harness

$32 Germes Lab. AV Video Audio Cable Compatible with Touch 2 with Go Plus, Link, Entune Audio Plus Premium Audio Monitors

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00QGRFJN4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

together with a camera.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073VHQSHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(first camera gave me an upside down picture when mounted the way i wanted it).

Those two together give me a picture (it activated the A/V input option on the entune unit which is one of the 'audio sources' (like AM FM USB Sirrius). However if I switched into reverse the factory camera overrode the screen display. The Entune switches to the factory camera based on a 12v 'signal' into the unit (on the same 28 pin cable). So today i cut that input cable and installed a switch so I could, in effect, turn off the 12v feed when I want to see the box. In my case I want it to help hook up my gooseneck trailer. I have used a dpdt on-off-on switch so I can add a second camera (either on the front or more likely in the horse trailer) and switch between the inputs.

 

Some pics

 

It certainly does what I am looking for and looks like a clean installation. Good job. How bad was the job of wire routing inside the cab? I assume you pulled lots of interior trim. Any challenges to get it back together?

 

Hardest thing is dealing with the head liner...try not to pull it down.
I used a long zip tie (like 30 inches) to push from the 3rd back hole (after it was removed) to the side of the cab. Taped a string then pulled the wire.
I have a double cab. There are a couple of bolts to remove on the 'vertical trim (2 pieces)'. the 'push in clips' popped out. some fell....probably should buy a couple to replace them but the trim is fine without all of them .
The sill pieces pop easily. The side panel by the emergency brake has 'nut' to remove.
One thing is make sure the seat belt is free behind the trim. I didn't and then later found it was pinched and wouldn't retract or extent. Had to pull the trim off again.