Turn off backup camera or add RV backup camera with 8.4 uconnect

[mafoo3038]

Well let me start off by saying that (1.) I'm new to this forum and I've been doing a little bit of research and haven't found what i'm looking for and (2.) the wife and I recently purchased a 2018 3500 crew cab dually with the cummins and we had a Ram 1500 Hemi before this.

A few weeks ago we helped a friend move and we rented an enclosed trailer and when we backed up (it was dark by now) the reflection of the reverse lights off the trailer made a blinding light through the camera. It was so bright that I couldn't see out of the the mirrors. My worry is, when it gets warmer out and we are towing our camper the same thing is going to happen and I won't be able to see.

I've already tried a lot of different solutions and none of them seem to work.

• turn the brightness of the dash down (doesn't help with the backup camera)
• press the "X" in the corner to turn if off (it's not there when you have it in reverse)
• Switch to the cargo camera (helps but still bright)
• hit the screen off button (doesn't work in reverse)
• cover the screen up with a rag/towel (works, but I want something better)

So my questions are:
1. Is there a way to turn the screen off while in reverse? I contacted the dealership and they told me they spoke with FCA engineering and were told there wasn't a way. Not sure if they actually spoke with FCA engineering but the dealership is one of the best in the state and are also a commercial dealer, so they might have.

2. If there isn't a way to turn the screen off, is there a way to use an AUX button connected to a wireless camera that I can mount to the back of the camper and connect it to the 8.4" u connect. I'm not sure how many video inputs the 8.4 inch screen has since I already have the backup camera and the cargo camera.

3. If there aren't any open video inputs, is there a device that could replace the backup camera video feed with a wireless RV backup camera when the AUX button is pressed?

I guess for now I'll keep a towel handy to cover the screen when it's dark...

 

[EZeis]

You probably don't want to try this method, but you could cover the camera while towing.

We just bought a 2018 as well. I towed the 5th wheel once, to the dealer during the day. So I have yet to experience this issue. I have the 5.0 touch screen radio, but probably will do the same thing you experienced. I know my 07 Ram the backup lights, taillights and brake lights reflecting off the 5th wheel makes a lot of glare in my side mirrors. Always wanted to install a switch to control relays to disable the rear taillights all together. But couldn't get myself to hack the wiring. Definitely concerned of the issue you experience. My lady works till 6 so we tend to get to our sites after dark. Turning my GPS off and dimming the dash lights help with glare. But if the radio is throwing blinding light, that will suck.


Earl

 

[zmos]

Well let me start off by saying that (1.) I'm new to this forum and I've been doing a little bit of research and haven't found what i'm looking for and (2.) the wife and I recently purchased a 2018 3500 crew cab dually with the cummins and we had a Ram 1500 Hemi before this.

A few weeks ago we helped a friend move and we rented an enclosed trailer and when we backed up (it was dark by now) the reflection of the reverse lights off the trailer made a blinding light through the camera. It was so bright that I couldn't see out of the the mirrors. My worry is, when it gets warmer out and we are towing our camper the same thing is going to happen and I won't be able to see.

I've already tried a lot of different solutions and none of them seem to work.

• turn the brightness of the dash down (doesn't help with the backup camera)
• press the "X" in the corner to turn if off (it's not there when you have it in reverse)
• Switch to the cargo camera (helps but still bright)
• hit the screen off button (doesn't work in reverse)
• cover the screen up with a rag/towel (works, but I want something better)

So my questions are:
1. Is there a way to turn the screen off while in reverse? I contacted the dealership and they told me they spoke with FCA engineering and were told there wasn't a way. Not sure if they actually spoke with FCA engineering but the dealership is one of the best in the state and are also a commercial dealer, so they might have.

2. If there isn't a way to turn the screen off, is there a way to use an AUX button connected to a wireless camera that I can mount to the back of the camper and connect it to the 8.4" u connect. I'm not sure how many video inputs the 8.4 inch screen has since I already have the backup camera and the cargo camera.

3. If there aren't any open video inputs, is there a device that could replace the backup camera video feed with a wireless RV backup camera when the AUX button is pressed?

I guess for now I'll keep a towel handy to cover the screen when it's dark...

Here’s what you need:

https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-chmsl-third-brake-led-light-cargo-camera-kit

It will allow you to use both.. bed and tailgate.

I managed to use the tailgate from habit despite the washout from the backup lights. But I hook up daily. So I have down.

 

[EZeis]

Here’s what you need:

https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-chmsl-third-brake-led-light-cargo-camera-kit

It will allow you to use both.. bed and tailgate.

I managed to use the tailgate from habit despite the washout from the backup lights. But I hook up daily. So I have down.

He already has both cameras, both give him too much glare. He's looking for a way to keep the cameras or the screen off to keep the glare out of the cab. Bright lights from the dash at night while trying to use mirrors is bad.


Earl

 

[Wiredawg]

At night, I have to reduce the brightness of the dash/8.4 monitor just to be able to see to drive. Recent trip with 4 friends had one ask me to turn brightness down on the 8.4 monitor before I had a chance to because brightness was bothering him.

As for the B/U lights, if you are electrically inclined, pop both rear tail light assemblies, cut the power lead to the B/U lights, connect wires to the two loose wires and run into cab and terminate to a single pole single throw switch that will function as an on/off switch. Just remember to flip it back on.

So, turn down dash/8.4 monitor brightness and install backup light on/off switch.

This is all I can think of to help.

Cheers, Ron

 

[mafoo3038]

Earl,
I thought about about covering camera while towing and I'd rather not do that. I never thought about cutting the rear taillights but being the truck is new i'd rather not void the warranty and my luck, when the wife uses the truck she'd be the one to get pulled over. I'm sure that'd make her happy .

Ron,
For the most part the dash light are turned down, but they don't seem to bother me too much. It's mainly the reflection from the reverse lights. I could cut the B/U light leads but again, its new, under warranty and the wife wouldn't like that.

I was thinking over the weekend as a simple quick fix when I have a trailer on, I could just unplug the tailgate. That would completely disable the backup camera and then I could just plug it back in when we're done towing. Plus I wouldn't have to cut any wires! To further my idea, if I could find a camera to mount of the back of the RV and then run the wires to the back of the truck. Unplug the tailgate and then plug the camera into the where the tailgate plugs into, that way when I put it in reverse it would turn on the camera behind the RV solving all of the problems. So i guess now I just need to find a camera, a tailgate plug, check to see if the stock tailgate plug cover will fit on the tailgate side, and possibly an amplifier. I'm not sure if the video would transfer the extra 50 feet or so

 

[lpennock]

Your truck should have came with a connector cover kit for removing the tailgate. If not it can be found on eBay. I bought an extra one of those kits and the pins to make the connectors functional. I now have a remote backup camera on my hitch extension when I have my cab over camper loaded. You should be able to do something similar.

 

[mafoo3038]

Your truck should have came with a connector cover kit for removing the tailgate. If not it can be found on eBay. I bought an extra one of those kits and the pins to make the connectors functional. I now have a remote backup camera on my hitch extension when I have my cab over camper loaded. You should be able to do something similar.

That's what I was thinking. I have the connector that came with the truck, I think I'll look for one to cover the tailgate end of the connection since i won't be taking the tailgate off.