Reverse Camera install to see the tow hitch

[sinistr]

Hi all,

I've had a look at the threads which pointed me towards the usual spot for mounting it - in the tailgate handle etc.

What i found out today however after connecting a reverse camera and temporarily mounting it in that spot, is that I can see backwards but the tow hitch is out of view - and I really want to be able to see the hitch, reversing onto the boat trailer or car trailer is 100 times easier.

I worked out the perfect spot --- just below the top stop light! I see the hitch and tow bar, i see the rear step and even some of the corner of the bumper.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/260.jpg
^ this is the light I am referencing and the space just below it.

question is - has anyone worked out a way to use this spot? looks like some drilling is involved to mount it, and run the cable. any ideas would be welcomed!

alternatively - I could mount it onto the rear bumper but i find thats direct in line of the hitch and basically would only be used for the hitch as its difficult to judge the distance.

thanks
Mike

[rufusking]

I have the factory reversing camera which is mounted at the handle location and I can easily see the towball on the screen. If your playing around with an aftermarket one it might be worth trying different cameras with greater field of view.

Getting access inside the top tailgate exterior trim is not easy. Good luck.

[CaverD3]

There are after market reversing cameras made for next to the number plate light. You can see tow ball from them.
The high level brake light is difficult to remove if you want to do it properly. With some fiddling you may get a cable through from the outside though.

[Canaussie]

Ya removal of the top light is crazy hard, it's glued in place with special silastic. Once you get it off, good luck not doing damage, you need a special glaziers wire, the area would need prepping to reapply new glue.....stay away from this area.

[sinistr]

Thanks guys for advice about the top taillight.. I thought it might be difficult to remove, actually thought about screwing the camera into the light - but that's quiet a fair bit of butchering.

Could I ask for those of you who have the handle camera installed to take a pic for me of the view you see on the monitor and post it up?

Thanks in advance.

[jimc]

My camera has been installed under the rear light. The installers swear they will never do another D3/4 again as they ended up having to drill into the light for the cable and have the camera stuck with industrial double sided tape.

While it works, it is not the ideal location as the camera's focus seems to be washed out but that just could be the camera?
I do have a rwc on the back too so the tyre further obscures the view of the camera.

The camera I fitted was an alpine ultra wide angle smart camera.

[bbyer]

This is a pretty informative thread on the reversing camera.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/126787-reversing-camera.html

Below is an ebay Australia link to a camera that replaces one of the rear number plate lights.

Car Reverse Rear Parking Camera Land Range Rover Sport | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Reverse-Rear-Parking-Camera-Land-Range-Rover-Sport-/220683541254#ht_5012wt_1354)

[sinistr]

Thanks bbyer, I've been looking at that thread and the links and have seen the links to eBay before.. I'm still not sure if what the camera actually sees - product shots are one thing but actual shots of the installed item is another - claims are that the step and hitch are visible.

In the meantime I returned the camera I bought and will order the one on eBay I think. Not many options available.

[sinistr]

i found this video which shows one of the cameras which fit where the number plate light fits and the view from the monitor.. no where near the angle needed to view the bumper and hitch…

VisionTech Disco 3 Reverse Camera - YouTube (http://youtu.be/ZyVAe_0EKEA)

[letherm]

Here's a shot of my screen. You can see the white edge of the bumper bar quite easily so you should be able to see a tow hitch. This is on a D4 HSE which comes standard with the larger screen. Sorry about the flash spot. :)71889

[sinistr]

Here's a shot of my screen. You can see the white edge of the bumper bar quite easily so you should be able to see a tow hitch. This is on a D4 HSE which comes standard with the larger screen. Sorry about the flash spot. :)71889

thanks very much! thats awesome!!!

I've done some looking into the possible camera installations, whilst the plug and play plate light solution looks great I found these two cameras which could installed in the spare plastic space next to the plate light (closer to the centre of the vehicle too). The angle on these is adjustable and they are able to be rotated - i think thats a very positive option.

360 Degree Waterproof CAR Rear View Reverse Camera Backup Parking CAM SPC 2345 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360-degree-Waterproof-Car-Rear-View-Reverse-Camera-Backup-Parking-Cam-SPC-2345-/400578450038?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d44561276&_uhb=1)

CAR Vehicle 360 Degree Cmos CCD Color Shockproof Reverse Rear View Camera AU | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Vehicle-360-Degree-CMOS-CCD-Color-shockproof-Reverse-Rear-view-Camera-AU-/171155239312?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d9a5b190&_uhb=1)

combined with this type of monitor setup and wireless transmitters (connectors looks the same) - this should be doable.

4 3" CAR LCD Mirror Monitor Reversing Wireless Camera CAR Rear View KIT 170° | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-3-Car-LCD-Mirror-Monitor-Reversing-Wireless-Camera-Car-Rear-View-Kit-170-/261263714735?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd487e9af&_uhb=1)

I found with the LR plate light replacements there's additional cost of the monitor PLUS they are not wireless - looking at the connectors they would be difficult to match up as well to make them wireless. Each monitor will have a different set of connectors to the transmitter, and then again to the camera.

just my observations.

[rufusking]

This from a MY12 HSE. Towball is clearly visible, only issue is that with the camera offset from the centre of the car it takes a little judgement to line up the trailer coupling with the ball. Sorry pic is upside down but I wanted to get as close in as possible on that part of the screen.

[sinistr]

Boys, your cameras are 170degree number plate light replacement ones off eBay - do they all come with the same angle?

[rufusking]

Boys, your cameras are 170degree number plate light replacement ones off eBay - do they all come with the same angle?

The one I'm showing is LR standard fitment on HSE or factory option on others. Don't know camera angle of view but could take a few measurements and do a rough calculation.

[sinistr]

The one I'm showing is LR standard fitment on HSE or factory option on others. Don't know camera angle of view but could take a few measurements and do a rough calculation.


Thanks, even just a profile shot along the handle..

72013

I'd say it needs to point down a fair bit?

[101RRS]

I have been watching this thread with interest as I also have issues backing the car to hook up the van as it is mostly a solo effort on my part. I have a camera to go into the number plate light but my GPS does not have AV in so would have to have a separate screen.

As I only need it when connecting up the van not for general use, and as I do not have AV - looking at the issue I am not going to do a permanent installation and going to buy a $50 wired system and using a couple of velcro dots connect the camera on the tow bar, lay the cable through the car over the seats and plug it in to the rear power socket for power, do the hookup to the van and then just unplug and store with the tow equipment until required for the next use.

The effort that you have gone through is just too much effort for my requirements.

Good luck with your install.

Cheers

Garry

[rufusking]

These shots should give you a good idea where the camera is located and the position relative to the towball.

Garrycol, for easy one man lining up try having the camera directly above the towball. The offset with the factory one gives a skew view which is exaggerated when the trailer/van/boat coupling has been wound up higher than the ball.

[rufusking]

Apple is difficult to work with, each photo has the same name so I'll need to post each separately.

[rufusking]

And this,

[rufusking]

Plus this,

[rufusking]

Lastly,

[sinistr]

Champion! The angle is surprisingly low, I would have thought it would be pointing more downwards... Awesome! Gives me confidence the Internet ones off eBay could be good enough without going too far into putting a kit together.

I found this kit here, a little bit more deer than the others but it's actually using a wireless mirror with the transmitter built into the mirror, so no wires need to go anywhere only for charging when needed.

http://bit.ly/Mxm7fc

[letherm]

Mine is the standard LR factory fitted camera.

FYI the lines displayed show the line of the tyres (solid) and the line of the external mirrors (dashes). If you look at the picture you can get a fair idea of where the middle of the car is by looking at the tyre lines. The angle of view is obviously not 180 as you can't see the right hand (as viewed) corner of the bumper bar. Don't know the actual angle of view - sorry.

[kenl]

With the chinese new year now in full swing I can't provide a link, but there is a cheap (<$25) camera that fits into the blanking plug that the OEM one would normally be fitted and gives a clear view of the tow ball.

I use it daily, along with the air suspension to hook up the trailers.. love it

[geoz]

Just make sure you buy a quality camera. My first specimen gave a very bright picture so I could hardly see anything on the screen. Number two is fine, my only issue is that sometimes the GPS (VHS 700) does not switch back properly. Could be a wiring problem though.

[dazray]

With the chinese new year now in full swing I can't provide a link, but there is a cheap (<$25) camera that fits into the blanking plug that the OEM one would normally be fitted and gives a clear view of the tow ball.

I use it daily, along with the air suspension to hook up the trailers.. love it



Where did you buy yours from?

[kenl]

I bought my camera off of ebay, I just checked it was actually $28. The seller is THIS SELLER (http://stores.ebay.com.au/jupiterhotsale2009/) they currently have no items for sale due to the chinese new year, but when they return it is one of the universal ccd cameras.

I just went out and took a couple of photos in the dark, but it will give you the idea. I have a MSV2 so have enabled it on my main screen.

[dazray]

Thanks for that. I have one that goes in place the number plate light and you can't see the tow ball. It has a good image but I think I will get one like yours. Will make it heaps easier to hook up the van.

[bbyer]

I was not clear if the camera in the picture above was installed on a D3 or D4.

If it was a D4, could one remove the handle from the rear of a D3 and drill an appropriate sized hole in the handle to accommodate the camera?
I assume there is just hollow space above so to speak or must it be a handle from a D4 or the camera can only be installed there on a D4.

Regardless, it sure looks good and targets well.

[sinistr]

Thank Kenl!
The setup I posted earlier with the rotating round camera would allow for the same fitting.

Is it possible that the standard factory fitted cameras where the plate light goes allow for seeing the tow hitch but the aftermarket ones don't?

Just trying to get an understanding.

[CaverD3]

Some after market ones show hitch point and even guide lines.
See kenl's post.
He has attached a photo of an aftermarket one with view of hitch.

[Ean Austral]

I am following this with interest, to those who have fitted an after market camera with screen, does the screen come with a input where it can be used for other things when not used as a reverse camera.




Cheers Ean

[sinistr]

Some after market ones show hitch point and even guide lines.

See kenl's post.

He has attached a photo of an aftermarket one with view of hitch.


The camera in Kenl's post is an after market one which is installed next to the number plate light - completely separately.

I'm seeing posts of people's genuine cameras where you can see the hitch but some of the aftermarket ones don't allow that (still referring to the plate light replacement).

:)

[slug_burner]

It is not just the angle the lens can capture, where the camera is located and the bore angle also come into play. If not adjustable you may have to wedge the camera to get the correct bore angle.

[kenl]

I've tried the number plate replacement cameras (a few of them) and they never got the tow ball in picture.

My camera is fitted to a 2011 D4, There is a blanking plate on the far right hand side (facing the back of the car) I think it is for the original fit camera, I simply drilled a hole (20mm, using a step drill) in it and bolted the camera to it, then clipped it back in place.

The camera that I use is not well waterproofed, I found out the hard way, before fitting it silicone around the 4 philips head screws under the mounting nut, the whole plate too in fact. I also siliconed around the lense to be safe, but probably didn't need to, but there is a huge amount of water sucked into that area when it's wet.

Also, with my model (2011) it will only accept NTSC feed to the OEM screen, there is an option to change to PAL but it does not work.

I think in 2012 they changed to a completely different nav/screen so it may well have changed?

[Graeme]

I have a light replacement version that didn't show the towball so recently trimmed it to fit in the OEM hole but it still doesn't show the ball. Its not a high priority for me though so may just stay as is.

[Fitzy2011]

I am following this with interest, to those who have fitted an after market camera with screen, does the screen come with a input where it can be used for other things when not used as a reverse camera.




Cheers Ean

Ean
I bought a two channel unit from jaycar with one camera, so I purchased another camera for my van. If you don't use the 2nd channel it can be used as a normal av input.
Ken

[sinistr]

I've bought a set from eBay - waiting for it to come in now. It's a camera to fit next to the rear plate light and a wireless transmitter with a mirror monitor (sits over the standard mirror) - see how I go once I receive it and will post progress pics and final outcome.

[sinistr]

I'm back at this and with the Aussie long weekend at hand I hope I might spend some time on the camera install - finally.

Its been an interesting year, since posting on this last february I lost my job in april and have been doing all sorts of odd jobs - atm doing a motorcycle salesman position at a local bike dealership - long hours mean no time to play on the cars - which is very sad.

I hope to update you all soon!

[TDV6]

I have a video connection point beside my tow hitch for the rear facing camera on the back of my caravan, when hitching up I connect a second camera, which sits above the hitch to this point, after hitching up I stow this camera in the back of the car then connect the van's camera.

I had converted the car-van video connection to 4 pin flat connectors instead of the origonal round one's which were a P.I.T.A.

Camera is mounted on a bit of scrap alaminium to stop it flopping around.

Camera approx $10 from Amaz-etc and the 4 pin flat connecting plug costing a bit more.

Ryall