Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera and Hitch Aligner System

This backup camera is excellent quality and super easy to install. The pre-wired plug made it simple to install to the existing trailer harness. Routing the cable was easy following existing framework and cables. I had plenty of wire to be able to mount the display in the center of the dashboard. The image quality is amazing.1370841

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Kenneth

8/23/2023

Excellent!!! A year later and it’s like the day I installed it

by: Gerry04/24/2023

I bought this back up camera for my 2005 Chevy Tahoe for the sole purpose of hitching up to my trailer. It has met all my expectations beginning with ease of installation. Best of all, in hitch mode, the hitch ball and trailer coupler are displayed. No more getting in and out or banging into the coupler. Just back up until the ball is directly under the coupler. Get out once and hook it up. It's great when a product delivers!1563826

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by: Duncan 10/24/2023

Straightforward installation in to an older vehicle - wired in to one of the reverse lights for power. Surprisingly good image quality. Object detection (sound) works well. Has withstood harsh vibrations from many miles of pot-hole and washboard unpaved road. Adhesive on camera base didn't stick to my dash - installed in the cold, used heat gun to warm adhesive prior to sticking to dash - but solved that with a screw.1685763

by: Ronald09/21/2023

I purchased my first smart hitch back-up camera about 10 yrs. ago and love it.
The license plate camera electronics failed due to seal failure and water intrusion. I could not find the stand alone camera unit for sale so I purchased the complete system.
When I received the new system I applied RTV around the outside of camera assembly where the electronics are assembled together. Not sure if the new units seal has been improved so hopefully this will help to prevent water intrusion.
First unit worked flawlessly for years so I am very pleased.1671143

by: Denise 07/05/2022

Bought it for ny husband to help hook up camper. He likes it and it makes our hookups easier. Our daughter has a narrow drive so it is essential when backing out. Our truck doesn't have really bright backup lights so adding some to the camera attachment would have been helpful.1320091

Denise

7/6/2023

Great. Thanks for asking.

by: Timothy 06/30/2022

Camera still works fine. Not really designed for trucks or taller vehicles with a drop hitch. I had to angle (block) out top of my plate more than an inch for it to pick up the hitch.1317589

Timothy J.

7/2/2023

Still working fine, lot easier to hook up my trailer.

Been wanting a backup camera for years. Finally bit the bullet and got one. Easy install and works like a charm. No more jumping in and out of the truck to hitch up a trailer. Also makes backing into close spaces much easier.1672774

Such a great addition to an older truck! Easy to dial in, cut my trailer hook up time in more than half.1669913

Code Product
HM50002 Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera and Hitch Aligner System

Absolutely best purchase I've ever made! I own a 2004 F-150 Ford Lariat and pulled a 30ft. Travel trailer for 10 years without this product. I didn't find out about it until I traded for a Motorhome with a backup camara. I kept my truck but still had difficulty backing in & out of parking spaces. This camara is a life saver. My truck has the new wider wheel base and equipped with the trailer tow pkg. and the bed has a tonnal cover on it, so it's difficult to judge how close I am to something when backing up. It comes with easy installation instructions and works fantastic. I'm 77 yrs. old and installed it myself. It would be a lot easier if I had a lift but no such luck. The installation instructions are very simple if you have any kind of "do it yourself " mechanical experience. The hardest part is running the 20 Ft. Wire under the truck and zip tying it up. That's where a Car Lift would make it a snap. Scooting around on your back at my age is not recommended. There are videos on YouTube that show you how to remove & replace almost any part or trim piece on almost any vehicle. I mounted my camara on the left drivers side dash right by the windshield post. Perfect position for my truck. I have a dash cover and the screen mounting has a glue attachment, not a suction cup. I removed the adhesive cover on the camara and the same on a piece of Velcro and I stuck it to the fabric of the dash cover for a secure mounting that I can lift off if needed. I've showed it to a couple of friends who are going to buy one even though they don't tow anything. It's an amazing amazing Back Up Camara well worth the price. 235234

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Ron H.

1/11/2017

Its still working like brand new! Fantastic back up camera! The camera and sensors work great especially when backing in or out of parking spaces. I wish I had it the 10 years I was towing a travel trailer. Lining up the trailer hitch would have been a piece of cake! It has been a life saver any time I have to backup anywhere. Especially in large parking lots with other cars nearby or distracted people walking behind me. Wouldnt go anywhere without it.

I had researched backup camera systems for my 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. I had gone in to one of the electronic stores to actually see what my options were. When I came to etrailer.com and saw the Hopkins Smart Hitch, I was impressed with the price and the features of the camera. I had looked at Garmin, Rand McNally, and a few others that were over twice the cost and had fewer options.
I called etrailer to make sure the unit would fit in my truck, Michelle was very helpful and took my order. The unit was shipped that day and was delivered within 3 to 4 days. I had it professionally installed, though I know I could have done it myself.
I am really pleased with all aspects of this camera. The audible signal (not available on some of the higher priced cameras) is really helpful - and the green, yellow, red bars give a true perspective of the proximity of obstacles. Being able to toggle between trailer hitch mode, and everyday backup mode is as easy as pushing a button.
I really don't think you'll find a better camera for the price. And, etrailer's customer service is excellent.
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Carl M.

11/15/2017

Thank you for the follow up. I do like the camera, and it has worked really well. The only thing that has changed is that I dont get the visual marker lines showing up any more. They come on for the first few seconds and then turn off. The camera works perfectly other than that.

Followed the installation instructions from the video provided on the website and it was a breeze. I recommend using conduit to protect the wire at the beginning and end of the feed through the frame. I also used it to protect the wire and connections at the rear of the vehicle (tape connections as suggested in video). I mounted my camera in the center dashboard console and hid the wire for a custom installation. I ran the wire along the knee console under the steering column and fed the wire upwards. I pulled the front dash console which requires using a plastic tool so you don't mess up the dash (very easy to do-check youtube). I drilled a hole in the top of the center console and fed the monitor wire down and connected the wire coming from the camera and tucked above the radio. This can only be done if you remove the face of the radio. Again, make sure you use a plastic tool to remove the radio face and watch a video. It looks great in the vehicle.167508

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Scotty

12/14/2015

Gary how did you mount the camera to the pocket on the dash above the radio? To keep it from moving?

Anonymous

12/19/2015

Hello Scotty,The unit comes with double sided tape to mount. I trimmed the rubber mat around the base of the unit that lays in the pocket. You cant see the base as it is hidden by the raised edge of the pocket. Thanks.

by: Rich S.02/21/2017

Back-up camera has performed very well with no problems. It was super easy to install and I love the ability to switch between regular back-up view and trailer hitch view. It makes hitching my trailers super easy and backing up safer. Thanks for the great service and value.344014

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Richard S.

2/21/2018

Excellent! If you tow a trailer very often, you absolutely will love this camera. I use my two trailers a lot and this makes the hook-up effortless. It is a must have!

Excellent back up camera. I have purchased 3 of these for our family's car and they are outstanding and definitely improve safety when backing up1673669

Easy kit to install! Great picture as it's a wired system so no flickering. Simple to unplug the factory harness and plug the Hopkins harness in. Then run the wire up under the bed/cab and zip tie in place to keep from flopping around. I have an '04 Silverado Crew cab with a 6 1/2' bed and I ran the wire up into the engine compartment and thru a grommet in the upper drivers side of the engine bay. Mounted the screen in the center console area by the cig lighter and had about a 1/2' of spare wire left...

Great value!143120

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Jim M.

11/27/2014

I have an 07 Classic Silverado Crew with a 6.5 bed. Did you need the extension cable to connect the wires to the cab? Thank you

Bob P.

12/1/2014

No, did not need the extension cable. Placing the screen up on top of the dash and Im betting you would....I did ask for and receive the extension tho, just didnt need it. But - I think Ill use it as Im planning on modifying the camera location by putting it up on the tailgate handle to get more of a downward view of the receiver. The lens as it is now is too level with the receiverbumper so it has to be real close before its there... System is still a great bargain!

Here are some photos of my install on a 2006 Toyota Tundra.



Notes:

Photo 1 is of my front plate with an uncut license frame.

Photo 2 is the back plate with the frame cut to accommodate the camera.

Photo 3 shows the location I choose to mount the display.

Photo 4 close-up (the device to the right is an aftermarket Bluetooth hands-free phone interface)610508

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Par-t-foul

3/8/2020

Back-up lines are very accurate. Love it. My employer installed on his dump truck.

The T Connecter makes for a VERY EASY install! The system does exactly what it was intended for and makes trailer hook ups a breeze, the only down side to this system is the monitor size, not really a deal breaker, it is still large enough to see what's is going on behind the truck just wish it was larger. Had to do a little modification to adjust the camera angle, but over all a great product.


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Daniel

4/25/2020

Works as it did day 1, Should have done this long ago

by: Jim07/08/2016

This is a great little camera that makes hooking up to the trailer a much easier and safer endeavor. I got a slick little dashboard mount for the screen that keeps it out of the way, but still easy to see when backing up. If you don't have a backup camera on your vehicle, this is very useful and low cost improvement269390

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Jim

7/28/2017

I still have the truck and camera. Its still working...the only issue I have is the back up guide lines dont display when backing up to the trailer.The camera and screen work as a visual guide, but I miss the guide lines. Its odd that they come on when I start and shut off the truck, but just for an few seconds, then dissappear. Strange, I dont know if its a setting, or an issue.

For the price, you can't beat it. I just installed it. Other than the sensors and distance lines being a little wacky, I can back straight to my trailer hitch, and that beats getting in and out of the truck 20 times. Relatively easy install on my 2001 Chevy.894910

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Michael

10/3/2021

Excellent. Easy to install.

This Unit is exactly what I needed, this unit has sensors for distance detection and warns you with beeps as your getting closer to an object, the camera unit installation is Farley easy and holds the License plate (Plate needs to be alone frames wont let you install the camera / Sensor unit what's nice of this unit is if you have and EOM 7 way Then you can use the tee adaptor that comes with it which lets you tap into the backup circuit without having to go into the rear taillight and tie into the backup light. the sticky part is running the wiring from the back to the front of the truck but with patience I got it done, had to drill a small hole under the drivers seat ( actually there is a existing hole through the metal part the seems to be sealed by some black sealer) I sealed around the wire I installed with black silicone sealant, then ran the wire under the carpet over to the driver side door up the molding and to the let side of the dash as shown in the photo. it works great now I can backup in the drive way without fear of hitting the garage door as it beeps as I get close to the door, and it can be switched to a tapered sense so you can use it to line up with a trailer hitch without getting in and out of the truck to do so. I like the unit.575488

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Well I finally got around to do the review, and let first say install took a little while couple of hrs only because I wanted to hide everything ,I am mechanically inclined and have the panels tools to remove everything and do it correctly. I purchased the extension wire for 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited and actually not needing it the length of cable it was definitely long enough (with about 1 ft) extra tucked under the driver door panel, but guess depending on where you locate the monitor I mounted mine in corner of the windshield. Wish they would of have extended the Red wire for the reverse light (8 -10 inches ) longer I don't like extra splicing. Then finished the install and start it up throw that sucker in reverse and nothing on the screen!! My Bad reverse light wire had a bad connection!! (Lol) corrected it and Presto works great , whatever ground, power you hook up leave that area open to double check your connections... As far as backing up this thing is awesome gets me right under the coupler ( wife thinks I'm a bad***) ..I drive a Tractor trailer for a living little different hooking to a pin on a trailer, but anyhow this camera system is great beats getting out of the truck 3-4 times!! And night time is just as great!!
Oh Thank you etrailer for the instructional videos, very detailed...I wouldrecommend this back up system to a friend!!
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I purchased the hard wired back up camera because I wanted a good clear picture and did not want to worry about wifi or Bluetooth interference. The camera took about an hour total to install. I adjusted the sensors, screwed the camera and sensor assembly along with the license plate onto the back of the truck. Pushed the tab on the 7 way plug connecter to take the OEM coupler apart, put the jumper in place and then just routed the wires towards the cab. I cut a "Plus sign" slit in the grommet in the floor, this grommet was about 8" from the sill plate and about even with the front edge of the front door opening. I had to pull the LH front sill plate off as well as the LH kick panel, and pulled the floor matt back. I do not have carpet in my truck but the process would be the same. I ran the wiring through the grommet and then up the LH A-pillar and above the headliner. I had to use the 5' jumper wire in order to run it up the A-pillar. I mounted the display screen in the top left corner of my windshield, very convenient yet out of the way. The display is very clear and the sensors read very well, when the beeps go to a "constant on" I am about 4" from an object. This seems close but the bumper is about 4 to 5" deep where the plate and camera assembly are mounted.

The only thing I that gave me trouble was squeezing the OEM 7 way coupler onto the jumper wire that was provided, I originally installed the entire unit and it quit working, vibration when driving had caused the coupler to pull apart just enough to kill the camera. This was an easy fix and it works perfect now. I would definitely recommend this camera to a friend.173009

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As always, etrailer purchases arrive quickly. I installed the Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera on my 2016 Ford F-150 after watching the excellent installation video on the etrailer web page. I highly recommend watching the video. The installation process went well, and the monitor has a very clear picture. The only challenging aspect of the installation process was the alignment of the camera so the hitch ball was at the "red" line level on the monitor screen. My trailer hitch ball is at the same level as the the license plate (see photo), making it necessary to angle the camera up higher than its upper limit. To correct the problem, I had to angle the license plate upward. Once that adjustment was made, the entire system worked great! My only suggestion to the manufacturer would be to change the camera housing so there is a greater range of camera adjustment.609307

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I just installed the Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera system and like it very much. I have a fishing boat & trailer, a utility trailer, and a RV camping trailer and this will make hooking up to them a breeze. My neighbor also has a fishing boat & trailer and I showed it to him. He had to get his wife and show it to her also. He said it was going on his Christmas wish list! It took me about 2 hours to install, with 90% of the time used to run the wire from the back to the windshield. I then had to adjust the camera position as it showed clearly the hitch and about 20 feet behind the truck, but I wanted it to show more distance behind the truck. I was in a parking lot last night and it did not give me as good a look behind me as i desired, so I loosened it and tilted it up a little more. It works great now. It did pick up the hitch ball with the backup sensors and sounded a constant alarm, so I loosened them and tilted them up a little also, but they do not move nearly as easily as the camera does. I had to move them rather forceably and tighten the screws before letting them go to prevent them from dropping back to their original position. The instruction sheet shows some adjustment positions for the sensors, but does not give enough information to tell you how it is suppose to be done, so I just had to guess. I probably did not do it the way they intended, but they did not say, so it works anyway. My truck is a Dodge Ram 1500 and I watched the video on your web site showing how to install it on different vehicles, and it was really helpful. I probably would not have figured out how to get the wire inside the cab without the video, but it was "spot on".
My photos show the camera installation, the installation on the front windshield, the wiring connection to the factory installed wiring harness, the attachment of part of the wire, and the entry of the wire into the vehicle below the driver"s seat. As your video showed, I then ran the wire beneath the carpet to the rubber door molding, and behind the plastic to the left of the windshield and out at the top. I had planned to install it beside the rear view mirror, but I could not hide the connection so I stopped by the side and installed it at the top instead. I was initially concerned about the small size of the monitor, but it is color and shows up very adequately.
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by: Augie 01/24/2018

Easy to install. Hardest part is running the wires. Install videos are a great help. Just enough wires to mount on the dashboard or lower console on Mega Cab. You will need the extension, separate order, if you want to put the monitor above the center mirror and you have a looonge wheelbase vehicle. Adapter had to be cut off as stated for my year, 2006. Red and black wires are light gauge. So I made the cut on the thicker wires off the adapter. 469106

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I Installed camera #HM50002 in my 2002 F150 supercrew. Ford does not have the relay in the fuse box for the trailer backup light to work with the factory 7 pin connector on the 2002 models.
You will need a relay for the older Fords. I got mine at Pep Boys. ( BWD accessory relay Part no. R3146 for $15.00.)
I hooked it up to the OEM 7 pin connector with the T adapter connector furnished with the camera. I zip tied the cable to the frame rail and removed the floor thresh hold for the front and rear doors. They come off easily with a large flathead screwdriver.
There is a grommet in the thresh hold box section you can see from under the truck that you can run the cable thru once you remove the grommet. The grommet hole is about 4 inches from the rear end of the rear door threshold. I Ran the cable through the hole and pushed it from the rear to the front inside the box section. I sliced the grommet about half way down for the cable and pushed the grommet back in.
I then removed the front left kick panel and pulled the weather stripping away from the floor up to the dash and ran the cable to above the dash. From there I ran the cable under the front of the headliner and placed the camera just above the rear view mirror since I had plenty of cable to mount it there. The cable slides under the front of the headliner easily with a gentle push with your fingers. I pushed the weather stripping in place, and snapped in the plastic floor threshold covers and left kick panel. I then zip tied the extra wire length from the T connector up out of the way.
All wiring and cables completely hidden! Since mine is a lifted 4X4, I had no need for a lift as I had plenty of room to run the cable from under the truck. Be careful with the license plate as it is a close fit.
Make sure you push the wires out of the way on both sides so you don’t pinch or cut the wires in the license plate mount. In the middle of fuse box picture you will see 2 relays, a blank space and another relay. The blank space is where the R3146 relay goes.
It's an great back up camera. I love it!238396

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