Welcome to the seventh entry in September’s Medium Mod Contest. One Medium Mod will be published in every Email Alert in September. At the end of the month, we’ll hold a reader vote to determine September’s winner. Click here for information about the 2022 Mod Contest, including how to enter.
Bruce VanAken, Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Ram Backup Camera In PVC Pipe
2016 Ram 3500
2019 Northern lite 10-2LE
I wanted to be able to see more clearly behind the camper. I tow different trailers at times; a utility trailer, a Jeep trailer. Other times I flat tow the Jeep. We needed to be able to see what was going on back there while traveling. The camera has also been a good aid when backing the camper up for connecting trailers and parking.
I bought a factory camera salvaged from the tailgate of another Ram truck. This allows us all the factory functions of the camera system. I lengthened the wiring harness which I protected inside a plastic wire loom. Then I used tie-wraps to attach to the ladder going down and under the camper to connect where the tailgate harness is normally connected.
I built a mounting system using PVC pipe and conduit clamps to mount it to the rear ladder. I capped both ends of the pipe to keep out the weather and bugs. I did not glue the caps so that I could easily remove them if the camera needed to be worked on.
The camera is centered on the back of the camper and above the door which gives us a great view. I built the mounting system this way to be able to move it to a different camper easily. I did that when we sold our 2012 camper and bought the 2019 model which we currently have.
The camera has been in use for six years on two different truck campers. It comes on automatically when the truck is put in reverse since it is an extension of the factory system.
The camera has become a comfortable aid to connect my trailer, backing into campsites, and my storage barn where the camper is kept when we are not out on the road. The camera is also very convenient while traveling down the road because we can touch the camera icon on the dashboard display to check on whatever we are towing and or to see what is going on behind us.
It took approximately 10 hours to complete this including locating the parts. I had the PVC pipe on hand and the conduit hangers to build the mounts that clamp to the ladder. The fittings were purchased at the hardware store. The camera was located by doing an online search and was purchased for $100 in 2016.
The total cost for my 2016 build was around $130. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.
Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.
Enter Your Mods Now!
If you’d like to enter a modification you’ve done on your truck camper, click here. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time. Good luck mod makers!