Escape's Backup-cam vs. Ford's 360 trailer cam?

[SteveSgt]

Ford offers a wired backup camera to mount on a trailer for recent F-series pickups that integrates with their 360° view feature. With it, you get to see an overhead view of your vehicle (and trailer?) along with the backup camera image.


Does anyone have experience with the Ford backup camera option as well as a more conventional camera like Escape provides?

[Centex]

Originally Posted by SteveSgt

... Does anyone have experience with the Ford backup camera option ...

I'm working on the installation of the Ford Accessory Trailer TPMS + Trailer Rear-View Cam on my 2022 F150 / Escape 5.0 as time allows.

Just FYI two posts I've made on an F150 forum in a thread about my project:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thre...89/post-227368

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thre...89/post-237112

You may find that whole thread a worthwhile read, despite the title it does have extensive discussion pertinent to the integrated trailer-cam and examples of successful installations.

I'll update here when I get mine up-and-running, I'm confident that we'll get there!

[SteveSgt]

Originally Posted by Centex

I'm working on the installation of the Ford Accessory Trailer TPMS + Trailer Rear-View Cam on my 2022 F150 / Escape 5.0 as time allows.

Just FYI two posts I've made on an F150 forum in a thread about my project:

Installing this looks far more involved that I would have expected. I'm hoping it'll be worth the effort.

My 2022 F-150 XLT has the 7/12 pin connector on the rear bumper, Max TT Package, Co-Pilot 360Assist 2.0, and the 360 Degree Camera Package.

The dealer told me that I can add the "manual" TT mirrors as a dealer-installed upgrade.

I can see the add trailer menu item. When I select it, it says something like "no trailer detected".

Originally Posted by Centex

I'll update here when I get mine up-and-running, I'm confident that we'll get there!

Thanks! I'll be on the "edge of my chair".

This is actually the first vehicle I've ever owned with a backup camera, and with an automatic transmission. So there's a lot to learn about it yet.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by SteveSgt

.... My 2022 F-150 XLT has the 7/12 pin connector on the rear bumper, Max TT Package, Co-Pilot 360Assist 2.0, and the 360 Degree Camera Package.

I'd be curious to know if the harness plug behind the 12-pin portion of your bumper connector has 2-wires into it or is populated with more wires as shown in the attached pic. IF the latter, congratulations, your truck is likely equipped for straight 'plug-and-play' of the Accessory Trailer Kit; IF the former, you will likely require the truck-side harness replacement described in the thread I linked (but not in my posts).

Your current screen / display behavior is consistent with all being fully enabled in the truck's systems, so once you get past the harness situation you should be good to go.

It's odd and unfortunate that Ford seems to be delivering late F150's having the requisite 360-degree cam package but without all of the support for the Trailer Accessory Kit ready-to-go; it's hard to discern the rhyme-or-reason, perhaps another commodity constraint issue, but it is what it is.

[SteveSgt]

Originally Posted by Centex

I'd be curious to know if the harness plug behind the 12-pin portion of your bumper connector has 2-wires into it or is populated with more wires as shown in the attached pic.

My hopes were up when I saw all 12 pins populated in the connector body.


Alas, I guess it's not going to be that easy.

Originally Posted by Centex

IF the latter, congratulations, your truck is likely equipped for straight 'plug-and-play' of the Accessory Trailer Kit; IF the former, you will likely require the truck-side harness replacement described in the thread I linked (but not in my posts).

I do plan to do some work this fall to install two ham radios. I guess adding the camera wiring will have to become part of that project.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by SteveSgt

My hopes were up when I saw all 12 pins populated in the connector body.
>>>
Alas, I guess it's not going to be that easy.
>>>
I do plan to do some work this fall to install two ham radios. I guess adding the camera wiring will have to become part of that project.

Well, it's little consolation but you're far from alone in this situation.

BTW, in regard to part of your original question re: other trailer cam systems ....

• There are certainly less expensive other-than-Ford options on the market
• Many offer much higher image quality than the Ford system
• Many offer night-vision capability
• Almost all are 'wireless' making the trailer-side installation much easier
• I'm not aware of any current aftermarket solution which integrates with the Ford display / 360-degree cam controls

I'm driven to the Ford solution because

• Image quality isn't critical for me, I just would like basic visibility of what is or is not behind me, I don't need to read license-plate numbers; I avoid towing at night for unrelated reasons.
• It can include the capability for trailer TPMS (pressure and temperature) and the sensors mount inside the wheel like an OE car sensor rather than on the outside on the valve-stem
• Paramount - it's fully integrated into existing vehicle displays and TPMS alarm systems, and that's worth a huge premium for me (I'll pay a lot to avoid dealing with add-on external displays / controllers).

YMMV of course

[SteveSgt]

Originally Posted by Centex

I'm driven to the Ford solution because

• Image quality isn't critical for me, I just would like basic visibility of what is or is not behind me, I don't need to read license-plate numbers; I avoid towing at night for unrelated reasons.
• It can include the capability for trailer TPMS (pressure and temperature) and the sensors mount inside the wheel like an OE car sensor rather than on the outside on the valve-stem
• Paramount - it's fully integrated into existing vehicle displays and TPMS alarm systems, and that's worth a huge premium for me (I'll pay a lot to avoid dealing with add-on external displays / controllers).

These are the same reasons I'm interested. I'll already have several other add-on gadgets on the dash, adding one more (a third-party backup camera) just adds that much more to the complexity and clutter.

I talked to the parts guy from my dealership today. He's willing to help me out, but knowing which is exactly the right part is beyond his expertise.