Installing Hopkins Back Up Camera on 2013 Toyota Tundra Pulling 25 Travel Trailer
Updated 01/30/2015 | Published 01/29/2015
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Question:
Backup camera HM60195VA, custom install. You have a great reputation, and a friend I trust highly recommends you. I would like help with a technical opportunity/problem. I have a 2013 Tundra I use to tow a 25foot travel trailer. I would like to put a camera on the back of the trailer so I can see what is behind me while I travel, including on the highway, to see who might be coming up behind me when changing lanes. And of course to help backing the trailer. I fear that a wireless system will interfere with the in-cabin blue-tooth, and the only wired system I found you to have is the HM60195VA. This unit comes with less than 20foot of cable, and I will need about 30foot in each of two cables: the first runs from the screen in the cabin to a connection at the hitch and the second runs from the connection at the hitch to the camera on the back of the trailer. My Specific Questions: 1 Will the system allow me to separate the camera and screen by 60foot of cable without degrading the image? 2 If I power the camera with a running lights connection rather than backup lights switched power, can I keep the camera running for many hours per day? 3 Is the connector for this HM60195VA camera system a standard connector or custom? 4 Is there a cable set I can buy premade, 5 can I buy a connector set and make my own cable extensions? Thank you for your help and your expertise.
asked by: Bill D
Expert Reply:
Thanks, Bill. We appreciate you coming to us to answer your questions.
I spoke with my contact at Hopkins to go over your set-up and get his opinion as well.
When it comes to using the Hopkins Rear View Camera with Backup Sensors, # HM60195VA, on your 2013 Toyota Tundra towing a 25' travel trailer you will need a few wire extensions to complete the set-up. We estimate that you will need 2 of the 5' Extension Cables, # HM3100504060 and 2 of the 25' Extension Cables, # HM3100504061. The Hopkins back up cameras use custom connectors which are not sold separately so their extension cables will need to be used.
Just a quick run down of the installation. Using the cable included with the camera you'll start at the back of the truck and tap into the wiring(running light circuit in your case) on your Tundra. The other end of the cable will be routed toward the front of the truck. The 5' extensions will be used to extend the wire up into the cab where the monitor will be mounted. Now moving onto the trailer, at the back you will mount the camera and use the 25' extensions to route a connection to the front of the trailer and connect to your truck.
While talking with my contact at Hopkins, we discussed the effects of using the extensions and he said that you will still receive a quality picture. He has a customer that uses a total of three 25' extensions and says that the picture is just as clear as it was without the additional wiring.
As for using the running light circuit to have constant power to your camera, this is perfectly acceptable, and many others also use the back up camera in this way.
I have included a short video that will give you the basics of the install.
