A client from Chandler recently contacted the team at Handcrafted Auto Marine and Off-Road to inquire about adding a camera system to his Genesis Toy Hauler Vortex trailer. With the Vortex attached to his Ram truck, he found it difficult to see vehicles or objects on either side when maneuvering or changing lanes. Of course, it’s always impossible to see directly behind the trailer. After inspecting the vehicle and completing some research with our suppliers, we crafted a camera system that would make towing much safer for the client.
Toy Hauler Vortex Safety Upgrade
We started the project with the installation of three cameras on the Vortex trailer. A single RVS-9000 is mounted high on the back of the trailer and two additional RVS-9000 cameras are mounted on the sides of the trailer at the front. We adjusted each camera so that the client would be able to see everything beyond the edge of the vehicle. Each camera has a wide-angle 150-degree lens, making for a quite impressive view.
We ran all the wiring through the trailer, concealing and securing it as we went. We added a quick-disconnect under the fifth-wheel extension at the front and a matching connection on the side of the truck bed near the lighting connection. A coiled cable makes connecting and disconnecting the camera system quick and easy.
Trailer Camera System Integration
Turning to the client’s Ram truck, we added a camera to the front of the truck to make parking and maneuvering even safer. The Crimestopper Cam 300 generates a wide-angle view of everything in front of the vehicle.
We came up with a unique control system for the cameras that uses a PAC BCI-CH4 that integrates with the factory color display for the infotainment system. The left and right cameras are triggered by momentarily tapping the turn signal indicator, then pushing it all the way to the left or right position. We did this so that the client won’t get a blank blue screen if driving the truck without the trailer. Buttons on the steering wheel activate the rear and forward-facing cameras.
Visit Phoenix’s Vehicle Safety System Experts Today!
With the system installed, the client returned to Handcrafted Auto Marine and Off-Road in Chandler to learn how it works. We walked him through the operation process and explained how to connect and disconnect the trailer cable. He was absolutely thrilled with the work we did and loved that everything was integrated into the Ram without any extra switches on the dash. If you are interested in adding a custom safety camera system to your vehicle, drop by our store, give us a call or send our team an e-mail using our online contact form.
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