“Camera Ready” connection location

[Jjpreston]

I have a 2017 Keystone Cougar 268RLSWE (1/2 ton 5er), which has a decal above rear running lights that says “Backup camera prep”, but there is no mounting bracket for a camera, and no obvious hole or panel under or near the decal. I can only assume it means there’s a power tap for a camera somewhere, but no indication as to where it is. I’m guessing it’s behind one of the running lights, but if anyone knows for sure I’d appreciate the input before I go pocking around. Thanks

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Most likely the “pigtail” will be behind the center running light. You can test it to see if it’s powered all the time or only when the lights are turned on.

To test if powered by running light circuit, simply hold the 7 way cord in your hand, end facing you with the locking tap UP. Jump the two top wires and your lights will come on if you have a battery hooked up.

[Jjpreston]

Thanks Chuckster57, that sounds totally logical and I’ll give it a try.

[JRTJH]

You stated that the decal is "above the center running light"... If you do find the pigtail behind that light (and you probably will), consider that if you mount the rear camera "above the running light" that it will "compete with the glare from the light as it views through the light"... In other words, your camera, if mounted above the running light, will not perform well at night. Mount the camera UNDER (not above) the running light to prevent issues with the glare.

[Jjpreston]

Very good point, thank you for sharing that, I appreciate it. Odd that they would put the decal there, but there’s a decorative decal just under the lights, so guess that’s the reason. Thanks again.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Jjpreston

Very good point, thank you for sharing that, I appreciate it. Odd that they would put the decal there, but there’s a decorative decal just under the lights, so guess that’s the reason. Thanks again.

My guess would be that the placement of the decal was decided by the sales dept. to "catch your eye" and has nothing to do with actual placement.

[Jjpreston]

Ok, so I took all the good advice and checked behind the center running light and did, in fact, find the pigtail (not a wiring adapter for a particlular brand of camera, just literally two wires pig-tailed together) so that’s great! Also jumped the two leads on the 7-pin as suggested, and the running lights do come on. So looks like I’m good to go with a wireless camera system of my choice, which will activate when I turn on my truck headlights (or parking lights). Thanks everyone, much appreciated!

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by Jjpreston

I have a 2017 Keystone Cougar 268RLSWE (1/2 ton 5er), which has a decal above rear running lights that says “Backup camera prep”, but there is no mounting bracket for a camera, and no obvious hole or panel under or near the decal. I can only assume it means there’s a power tap for a camera somewhere, but no indication as to where it is. I’m guessing it’s behind one of the running lights, but if anyone knows for sure I’d appreciate the input before I go pocking around. Thanks

You can call furrion techs of call keystone techs at this number 24 hr 844 649 4700

[BrooksFam]

Let us know what you go with and how the installation goes. I have the same sticker on my Bullet.

[BAMA4K]

I have a new 2021 Avalanche 378BH and I installed a backup camera but I’m not getting any power from the pigtail. I have trailer connected and marker lights on. Is there something I am missing?

[Camping family]

Make sure your head lights are on. Not on auto but on. I have a 29rks 2020 5th wheel and had a similar issues and it was cause I didn’t have the head lights on had them on auto.

[BAMA4K]

Do I need headlights on or just parking lights? I have the parking lights on which turned on the marker lights on the trailer. But I haven’t tried with headlights on. Thanks

[Camping family]

You need the head lights on. In order for the cameras to work. At least that is how mine work and I was told by the technician when I couldn’t get them to work. Headlights on and not on auto.

[JRTJH]

There is only "one wire" from the tow vehicle to the trailer that powers the running lights. It is "supposed to be wired (by GM, Ford or RAM) to turn on the running lights with the parking lights of the tow vehicle. There is no "separate headlight power" pin on the 7 pin connector/trailer umbilical.

If the running lights are on AND if the camera pigtail is wired to the running lights, then there is power to the camera. One common problem is the pigtail polarity. You may find, if you remove the camera and check the pigtail, that there's 12 volts on the wires but the camera doesn't work. If that happens, try reversing the wire connections. There's a "50/50 chance" that the wires are connected to the running light "bass akerds". You don't need to "dig into the running light to reverse the wires" just swap them at the camera connector.

On some trailers, the camera power pigtail is wired separately from the running lights. On those trailers, there is a "missing fuse" on the 12 volt fuse panel in the trailer power center. Open the door to the power center and see if there's a missing fuse location that's marked "camera".

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

There is only "one wire" from the tow vehicle to the trailer that powers the running lights. It is "supposed to be wired (by GM, Ford or RAM) to turn on the running lights with the parking lights of the tow vehicle. There is no "separate headlight power" pin on the 7 pin connector/trailer umbilical.

If the running lights are on AND if the camera pigtail is wired to the running lights, then there is power to the camera. One common problem is the pigtail polarity. You may find, if you remove the camera and check the pigtail, that there's 12 volts on the wires but the camera doesn't work. If that happens, try reversing the wire connections. There's a "50/50 chance" that the wires are connected to the running light "bass akerds". You don't need to "dig into the running light to reverse the wires" just swap them at the camera connector.

On some trailers, the camera power pigtail is wired separately from the running lights. On those trailers, there is a "missing fuse" on the 12 volt fuse panel in the trailer power center. Open the door to the power center and see if there's a missing fuse location that's marked "camera".

Sounds correct to me, however; maybe it’s jut the brand of camera system I purchased Furrion. But when I installed my cameras they were not working and I called the tech at Furrion and was told the headlights had to be on and not on auto. Turn them on and everything worked. Maybe it’s something to do with the auto setting I don’t know.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Camping family

Sounds correct to me, however; maybe it’s jut the brand of camera system I purchased Furrion. But when I installed my cameras they were not working and I called the tech at Furrion and was told the headlights had to be on and not on auto. Turn them on and everything worked. Maybe it’s something to do with the auto setting I don’t know.

Electricity is either on or it's off. The auto setting on the headlights just turns the lights on when it gets dark so in the daylight they will not be on. When you manually turn them on they they will be on in daylight as well as dark. In the daytime iot can be difficult to tell if the running lights (clearance lights) are on or not.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Camping family

Sounds correct to me, however; maybe it’s jut the brand of camera system I purchased Furrion. But when I installed my cameras they were not working and I called the tech at Furrion and was told the headlights had to be on and not on auto. Turn them on and everything worked. Maybe it’s something to do with the auto setting I don’t know.

Next time you're "hitched and ready to go" turn on the headlights, the running lights on your trailer will also turn on. Check the camera monitor, as you said, you'll get a signal from the camera. Then, turn the tow vehicle light switch to the "parking light position". I'm positive the camera monitor will still be showing what's behind the trailer. There is no separate power source through the 7 pin umbilical connector that distinguishes "headlights from running lights". It's all on Pin #3.

Chances are the tech you talked with told you to "turn your headlights on" because he's had experience with other phone calls where he's said, "Turn your parking lights on" and then had to explain how to do that, since most people never use their "parking lights" any more.....

[BAMA4K]

So I hooked up today and turned head lights on and and I have power to the camera now. Not sue what the deal with having to have headlights on but that was what it took. And as JRTJH stated the cameras now works with just turning on parking lights now. Really strange. Camera works great even at 70 mph down the highway. Thanks to everyone for all the feedback. Have a Happy Turkey Day!!

[BrooksFam]

What camera system did you install?

[BAMA4K]

Originally Posted by BrooksFam

What camera system did you install?

I installed the Haloview RD7. Really impressed with how well it works.