Queen Creek Client Gets Kenworth Camera System

A client from Queen Creek came to Handcrafted Car Audio looking for a high quality camera system for his 2006 Kenworth W900L truck and trailer. Our team had him stop by with the vehicle so we could look it over with him and understand his needs better. Once we saw the vehicle in person, we instantly knew a camera system would make driving it a lot safer, and dramatically reduce the possibility of an accident or injury.

While he was here, the topic of a GPS navigation system came up, and all of us saw adding one to this vehicle as a logical option. We worked up a proposal for the client that he liked, so we set a time for him to drop off the vehicle.

Safety Concerns And Goals

The entire goal of the camera system for this Kenworth truck was to assist in changing lanes, ensuring that there are no vehicles near the rear of the trailer and also to the right of the cabin. The rear and side of the trailer are difficult to see with the mirrors because of how far back the trailer goes. You lose perspective of where the trailer ends in comparison to where the vehicle may be. The right side of the cabin creates a blind spot because of the dash and the wheel well, as well as this truck not having a window in the lower part of the door.

Adding a navigation system to this vehicle gives the driver turn-by-turn route guidance designed to compensate for tractor-trailers as well as Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming.

Five Cameras For Maximum Coverage

The upper camera gives the driver a birds-eye view of the trailer.

The side-mounted camera ensures higher turning safety.

Backing up is now safer with the rear pointing camera.

The rugged side cameras are designed to take the abuse of a big rig.

Front cameras are great for viewing in tight places.

We began by installing a total of three side view cameras. One was installed on the wheel well on the right side of the cabin, one on the right side of the trailer in the middle and another on the left side of the trailer in the middle. We installed a total of two rearview cameras. One is on the rear of the cab aimed at the load carried by the trailer and a second one is on at the back of the trailer itself, above the license plate.

Positioning these five cameras in strategic areas allows the driver to see clearly for 360 degrees around the vehicle, eliminating the blind spots.

Kenworth Style Harness

We wired all of the trailer cameras into a custom-made harness terminated in the same trailer plugs that Kenworth used to make the connection from the cabin to the trailer itself. Those plugs dock into the same style receiver on the cabin and the trailer as Kenworth used. The idea here is to be able to easily disconnect the trailer, of course, but also to make the cable easily replaceable at any truck stop store if necessary.

Quad-Screen For Camera Viewing

The camera at the top of the cab lets the driver keep an eye on the trailer.

Split-screen and quad-screen viewing options on the screen.

The side of the truck is easily viewed.

We also installed a 7” quad-screen monitor in front of the driver that is secured to the windshield. All of the camera images are displayed on this high-quality commercial screen.

Here is how the system works in regular driving mode:

The front right cabin camera is displayed full-screen, all the time. This way, the driver can constantly monitor any vehicle that might be in that blind spot. When he wants to change lanes to the right, he hits the blinker and the camera goes to split-screen mode, showing trailer right and trailer rear. This gives him a view of the area to his right, as well as an idea of whether the other vehicle is actually behind or next to the trailer. It is great for discerning exactly where the vehicle to the right is in relation to his trailer. The left turn signal does the same for the left side.

If the driver wants to check his load, he can just switch to the AV input, and the cab camera displays the load on his trailer. When he puts the truck into reverse, the image goes to the camera at the back of the trailer, letting him clearly see anything that is behind him.

Kenwood Navigation System Built For Truckers

The final touch was installing a Kenwood DNX-570TR navigation system in the dash.

Need A Kenworth Camera System?  Stop By Today

When you are ready to add a camera system to your vehicle, we invite you to come see us at Handcrafted Car Audio in Chandler, Arizona. Our team of experts will build you a camera system designed around your specific needs.

You can also contact us HERE for more information.