Help W/ relocating camera port from bumper to bed for 5th wheel,

[2020_3500HD_High_Country]

6 hours ago, Bigcountry70 said:

Out of curiosity, what is length of your fifth wheel?  I read it could not be over 32 feet.  We are 42.  Thanks!  Dave

I believe the 32' restriction applies to the invisible trailer option for a bumper tow trailer, when you set the camera for a fifth wheel trailer that option isn't available. My 5th wheel is 45' and the cable for the camera is the exact length that I needed once I moved the camera port into the bed of the truck, I also ran my camera cable under the 5th wheel and fished it up by the generator and pulled it out next to the pin box.

[07HD]

On ‎3‎/‎8‎/‎2020 at 6:27 AM, Cool J said:

Just got back home after my wife's surgery and have completed extending my camera cables so I could swap the trailer plug with the video cable connectors from the bumper to the bed. It was a success and am very happy with the results and hope this helps everyone that tows a goose neck or fifth wheel.

 

I purchased the cables from PASTERNACK (www.pasternack.com) 866-727-8376, Sales Person was Derek Burkett with the following part numbers. The last two digits are the length. I ordered 36" which worked great, but some folks may want to order another 12". The total cost including taxes and shipping was less than $100.

 

        a. Rear view camera cable (black) PE3W08444-36, description. Black FAKRA Jack to FAKRA Plug Cable Using LMR-100 Coax.

        b. Inside camera cable (Water Blue which is a universal cable to connect to the Orange cable) PE3C2779-36, description. Water                Blue FAKRA Jack to FAKRA Plug  Cable Using LMR-100 Coax.

 

To install you will need to remove the bumper plug and the bed plug. The plugs have a metal squeeze clip that you need to press from the backside, the bumper can be accessed from behind the bumper and bed plug will require you to remove the rear taillight to access the rear of the bed plug. Your owners manual explains on how to remove the rear taillights. On the bumper plug video cables you will need to slide the red clips back and then push down on the release tab to release the jack from the plug. Next on the 7 pin connector you will slide the light grey clip back and then push down on the release tab to release the 7 pin connector (I found it easier to completely remove the grey clip due to access).

 

I installed the bed plug first which will require you to remove some of the spray-on bed liner and make adjustments to the metal squeeze clips to accommodate the Pyle National Plug and the thicker bed wall. It makes it easier to do a test fit before applying cables. I spent many hours searching and calling, but I couldn't find anyone that would supply waterproof connectors, so you will need to tape these up to keep out moisture.

 

The pictures will tell the story and I did finish up by using cable ties to secure the cables to the 7 pin cable harness from the bed plug to the bumper plug.

 

Did the round top cover from the bed, cover the hole in the bumper?

[Tow Big or Tow Home]

Thanks for all the great info. and work which has been done by Cool J and others here to solve this issue. Before I tackle this fix myself though I'm hoping GM will provide a solution to this problem with a dealer retrofit, since they'e the ones who created this issue after all. That's likely naive and overly optimistic on my part but I thought it was worth a try. I therefore called GM Customer Service to share this problem so it gets on their radar. They did assign a Case Number to my call, for whatever that's worth. I then also discussed the issue with my dealer so this issue will hopefully get back to GM through dealer feedback - I provided the dealer my Case Number to include with my complaint. My suggestion to both was that GM should install the same connector plug in the bed as on the bumper. As has been discussed here, there's no need for a 4 pin connector in the box and with a 7 pin and camera port connectors in both locations the cameras could be used with either a 5th wheel or bumper tow. If there's a need for a 4 pin connector that could then be easily done with a 7 to 4 pin adapter.

 

Again, I realize it's optimistic and naive on my part to think GM will provide this fix but I'm hoping if others also contact GM Customer Service and their dealer our concerns will be heard. If you're interested in doing so, the number I used to contact GM Customer Service is 1-888-988-7267. There will be the typical voice menu prompts but it you just press 0 at each prompt it will quickly bring you to a live representative. Thanks in advance to anyone who is so inclined to contact GM and their dealer to try to get them to provide this fix.

[Sask Farmboy]

On 3/8/2020 at 4:27 AM, Cool J said:

I installed the bed plug first which will require you to remove some of the spray-on bed liner and make adjustments to the metal squeeze clips to accommodate the Pyle National Plug and the thicker bed wall. It makes it easier to do a test fit before applying cables. I spent many hours searching and calling, but I couldn't find anyone that would supply waterproof connectors, so you will need to tape these up to keep out moisture.

If you want to make the connection waterproof, use a little grease on the terminals (I use dielectric grease) which will prevent all moisture from entering the terminals.

To finish off, you can use heat shrink tubing around the plugged in connector.

If you ever need to unplug the connector, just cut the heat shrink off.

[Gecko50]

Ok new question same subject matter. Did you swap the bumper plug assembly with the in bed plug assembly? So the 4 pin plug assembly is now in the bumper? Also you said that add 12 inches is that a cable 48 inches or ok at 36 inches. Another thing did you have 2 cable extensions made up for the relocation of the camera jacks? I just purchased my new 2020 K3500 Denali dually truck.

 

Thanks 

Chuck 

PAE

Edited July 23, 2020 by Gecko50

[Cool J]

Chuck,

 

1. I did move the bed plug with 4 pin to the bumper.

2. I ordered 36" cables, but the length just made it and would have preferred 48" length.

3. I hooked up the plug to operate both cameras. Each camera takes a different cable part number.

 

Larry

  

[Gecko50]

53 minutes ago, Cool J said:

Chuck,

Thanks Larry, I will be contacting that sales person and ordering 2 of those cables to relocate my plugs. Thank you for all the work  you have done.

Chuck

 

53 minutes ago, Cool J said:

1. I did move the bed plug with 4 pin to the bumper.

2. I ordered 36" cables, but the length just made it and would have preferred 48" length.

3. I hooked up the plug to operate both cameras. Each camera takes a different cable part number.

 

Larry

  

 

[Gecko50]

O contacted Derick Burkett yesterday and ordered my 48-inch cables. He was really nice. When my new truck went in for some accessories I mentioned to the dealer of the mod to get the cable connection into the bed. He was Really interested so I printed this post and handed it off to him. I mentioned  this to Derek when I ordered those cables. I should get them by Thursday. Thanks again Larry!!

 

NOW only if the cameras come back in stock. I see its in September for restock. 

 

Chuck

PAE

[Kyle Royston]

I’ll be ordering some cables as soon as my truck gets in. Does anyone have a PN for the 7 way and camera plug insert in the bumper? I was thinking about ordering another as opposed to moving the one on the bumper.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gecko50]

If you did that you would loose the 4 pin trailer connector? I would think better to swap both sets of plugs.

[Kyle Royston]

Yes I’d lose the 4 pin on the truck, but you can get a cheap adapter to go from 7 to 4 pins. It becomes a question of what you’re going to more likely need a 4-pin or the ability to swap between cameras at the bumper and box.

 

Pasternack shipped my cables yesterday should be here this week.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bill_2020AT4]

JJ, Thanks for all your effort.  Your pictures and description made it an easy switch.. Awesome job.  I did order the 48 inch cables, which made it a little easier.

Quick shipping from Pasternack.

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Gecko50]

Well I did utilize a true tape and pulled it to simulate placing the camera above the rear ramp door for my 48 foot goose neck trailer. The cable length I measured that I got on Wednesday. The cable is total of 59 feet from end to end. I am about 15 feet short! So I will be contacting Pasternack to see IF they can make me a 20 foot extension. I will discuss with them on the best way to do this to fit what I have on my trailer. I want to make sure the ends are kept intact as to fit the plug on the back of the trailer AND fit the camera and maintain any weather sealing it has. I have 1/2 EMT tubing in the ceiling an I thing that is the best place to have the splice made. Its well protected and cannot be damaged. Although I am also thinking of up front and leaving 12 feet of the existing jack then IF they have a quick disconnect fittings splicing the cable in case of a pulled cable I can have the cable section replaced easily . Well I'll call them on Monday.

 

Chuck

 

I cleaned them yesterday and went over some photos of the cable connection at the camera. They do not splice any cables they make. So they are researching how to make a 20 foot extension. 

 

Chuck.

Edited October 6, 2020 by Gecko50

[Gecko50]

On 10/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Gecko50 said:

Well I did utilize a true tape and pulled it to simulate placing the camera above the rear ramp door for my 48 foot goose neck trailer. The cable length I measured that I got on Wednesday. The cable is total of 59 feet from end to end. I am about 15 feet short! So I will be contacting Pasternack to see IF they can make me a 20 foot extension. I will discuss with them on the best way to do this to fit what I have on my trailer. I want to make sure the ends are kept intact as to fit the plug on the back of the trailer AND fit the camera and maintain any weather sealing it has. I have 1/2 EMT tubing in the ceiling an I thing that is the best place to have the splice made. Its well protected and cannot be damaged. Although I am also thinking of up front and leaving 12 feet of the existing jack then IF they have a quick disconnect fittings splicing the cable in case of a pulled cable I can have the cable section replaced easily . Well I'll call them on Monday.

 

Chuck

 

I cleaned them yesterday and went over some photos of the cable connection at the camera. They do not splice any cables they make. So they are researching how to make a 20 foot extension. 

 

Chuck.

Well the cable extensions are on the way! I had them make a 20 foot extension cable. It suppose to plug into the camera and then into the old camera plug. If this works then we can extend cables at the camera end. I did not want to cut into the rubber handle cable end and see what cable ends it has. I too a multiple photos of the cable ends. I called Pasternack and discussed with their tech department. Here is a link to the photos I took. Just as a FYI https://photos.app.goo.gl/d2UVb4djaqf3ashL9 Take a gander and check it out.

 

Chuck

[Rooftop Special]

I'm looking to make an adapter so I can use my existing camera on my 5th wheel. It utilizes this type cable:

 

https://www.amazon.com/EKYLIN-Extension-Motorhome-Waterproof-Shockproof/dp/B06ZXX8YJH/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4+pin+camera+cable&qid=1602520743&sr=8-3

 

Looking to go from the male version of the above to whatever connection is required for the plug on the bumper. I know people are using fakra connectors to extend the plug into the bed but I'm not sure a fakra is what's needed to plug into "outlet" on the bumper. The plug(s) on the bumper appear to have a larger center pin than what a fakra does. I've looked at everyone's photos but no one is actually showing the end of the camera cable that would actually plug into the truck. Hopefully I'm making sense?

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Casey

Edited October 12, 2020 by Rooftop Special