Truck Campers Only, w/ an Overland & Off-roading theme

[PJPVI]

I used to go to Baja quite a bit in the 80’s, and experienced several roustings by the “law”. I’m curious what that scene is like now too.

I have had no issues or problems with the "law" in Baja and actually can say the opposite. Most (if not all) of my experiences have been pleasant.

In 2020 on mainland Mexico I had a young buck cop stop me with the hopes of a payment for my van being too heavy for a TIP. I just played ignorant until he got frustrated with me and sent me on my way. I had another stop on mainland same year that I thought for sure was going to be "the one". A "law" (don't recall what branch) truck passed me and on the other side of the hill they were parked across the road to stop me. Turns out they just wanted to talk about the van. All smiles, a friendly conversation and I was on my way.

In Baja I don't hang out or even go through the north west quadrant and stay clear of tourist hot spots (think Cabo San Lucas). The biggest town I've been in for any length of time is La Paz. The towns I tend to stop at in between being off the grid are San Ignacio, Mulege and Loreto.

 

[gmoon]

Here is my setup. Left camera is the Wolfbox G930 4K and the right one is the one from CameraSource.

Plug & Play Camper Camera Kit, Mini Universal Cam Fits Ford® Super Duty - SKU: CS-FTRSD-LP-1722-15

The Wolfbox camera is fantastic and significantly better than the Camerasource cam. Honestly, the Camerasource camera is low-end aka cheapish. I am planning to upgrade it to something better.

View attachment 139270

If you are looking for a picture how it is on the 12" screen, I can take one in the morning.

Let me know what you would consider swapping that Camerasource unit with. The Rostra pricing is STEEP.. Given we have a wholesale account with FORD, im going to try to see what a camera would cost that could then be placed in the overpriced, but still relativlty cheap "empty" rostra housing

I will post that pricing once I know it.

@Chris-DTA how is that camera angle? I need to decide if I should mount above my rear door like the ST's seen on this forum, or below my tray like yours... Hmm...

@TRAMPER thank you for those photos. After a decent google deep dive I still cant find that housing!

 

[Chadx]

I haven't been able to find a good downturned camera-housing either. Found these three kits so far. I have sent and email to Supertramp to ask what housing and camera they are using so I can compare to other sources. When I hear back, I'll share.

On each of these, look through the images to see how the camera would look with the various mounts and brackets. Not seeing anything as clean as the supertramp camera housing.

https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8660-2017-superduty-360-camera-relocation-factory-ford-camera/


https://www.camerasource.com/produc...ilter=6011&model_filter=6217&year_filter=6297


https://www.camerasource.com/2017-s...?_q=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&o=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&q=ftrsd

 

[njburn]

I haven't been able to find a good downturned camera-housing either. Found these three kits so far. I have sent and email to Supertramp to ask what housing and camera they are using so I can compare to other sources. When I hear back, I'll share.

On each of these, look through the images to see how the camera would look with the various mounts and brackets. Not seeing anything as clean as the supertramp camera housing.

https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8660-2017-superduty-360-camera-relocation-factory-ford-camera/


https://www.camerasource.com/produc...ilter=6011&model_filter=6217&year_filter=6297


https://www.camerasource.com/2017-s...?_q=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&o=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&q=ftrsd

Could you use something like the Furrion housing but drill a hole and mount your own camera?

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Furrion/FRCBRKT-BL.html?feed=npn&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8OD82Le_gwMVIFpHAR1k3QcZEAQYASABEgJKMfD_BwE

I have one of these from the factory on my travel trailer and used it to mount a different camera to.

 

[TRAMPER]

2021 RAM 3500 Tradesman | AEV Prospector | FWC Grandby

Now to address lights and wiring for my AEV premium rear bumper. Since these lights will only be intermittently used while backing up in the mountains and all I require is local illumination I selected Diode Dynamics Stage Series 3" Sport with white light and flood optics. For brackets I...

forum.expeditionportal.com

@gmoon

Ok so this took me a LONG time to find today, but I remembered reading it last fall and “RamblinChet” gave a very detailed description of what, where and why he installed his backup camera how he did.

Post #504 starts the real details but he does mention it a little farther up the page.

His camera is going on a 4WH camper and a Ram but the idea certainly applies.

Hope this helps some of you. It’s at very worst worth the read.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

What camper do you have? Why don’t you like about the cushions? If they aren’t comfortable you can probably cut your own foam and replace it yourself. If it’s just the covers any boat marina/ canvas place can probably make you cushions.

I don't have a slide in, just a creeper living vicariously. I have an Arkto G12, its an off-road trailer, and it's mostly the covers I don't like. They are a darker color that show everything the dog brings in lol. They also don't have any retention so most times the cushions are on the floor after driving on bumpy roads. Would like to see about different colored covers, with some velcro or magnetic features to keep them in place. The cushion shapes could be a little better too, for my uses at least. They don't line up with the openings below them.

Not many boat places here in New Mexico lol, but maybe

Finally @Ruadrigh, if you are looking for high quality mattresses or foam products, there is a company in the van space called Roamrest (a subsidiary of a larger custom mattress company) and they do really high quality stuff. We have some unique needs with our camper and they are crushing it. Upper mattress in the camper takes into account that my partner Stephanie is a slide sleeper and I am not so they select different foam layers, and then our lower benches have to double as a bed in adverse weather or stealth camping so but can only be 2-3" thick so they are working some foam wizardry to have it handle sitting as well as sleeping.

Thanks or the recommendation @gmoon, just pulled up their website and looks like they have a lot of options to sort through

Company is Guate Upholstery. I bought the Sunbrella fabric on Amazon and had it drop shipped to them. Their shop looked like they have been there for 100 years. A total mess, but their reviews were good, they were nice to work with, and did a good job. I would recommend them.

The cushions are 3" of firm foam. When I saw them I thought they would be too thin, but from my limited sit time on them they seem good.

Awesome, thanks for the reply and recommendation. There are a couple of those 100 year old upholstery places around town, but I've not been able to find any one that has used them.

 

[TRAMPER]

I haven't been able to find a good downturned camera-housing either. Found these three kits so far. I have sent and email to Supertramp to ask what housing and camera they are using so I can compare to other sources. When I hear back, I'll share.

On each of these, look through the images to see how the camera would look with the various mounts and brackets. Not seeing anything as clean as the supertramp camera housing.

https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8660-2017-superduty-360-camera-relocation-factory-ford-camera/


https://www.camerasource.com/produc...ilter=6011&model_filter=6217&year_filter=6297


https://www.camerasource.com/2017-s...?_q=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&o=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&q=ftrsd

@Chadx this is the “hitch view” from my camper. Please note that this picture doesn’t really show clarity but the imagine is the same on all cameras. It’s a LONG way down to the hitch but it does still look like it’ll get the job done.

Please read that post on Expo I linked above, it rationalizes why the camera should only be in the stock locations (middle of the door). Anyway…

 

[Chris-DTA]

Let me know what you would consider swapping that Camerasource unit with. The Rostra pricing is STEEP.. Given we have a wholesale account with FORD, im going to try to see what a camera would cost that could then be placed in the overpriced, but still relativlty cheap "empty" rostra housing

I will post that pricing once I know it.

@Chris-DTA how is that camera angle? I need to decide if I should mount above my rear door like the ST's seen on this forum, or below my tray like yours... Hmm...

@TRAMPER thank you for those photos. After a decent google deep dive I still cant find that housing!

The angle is fine for the camera (wanted to write "campera" haha) that replaces the factory cam. It is detailed enough that I can pull backwards and be within an inch or two of an obstacle.

The second camera - it does not really matter, because you can adjust the view angle from the Wolfbox rearview mirror screen. Super convenient.

 

[TRAMPER]

I haven't been able to find a good downturned camera-housing either. Found these three kits so far. I have sent and email to Supertramp to ask what housing and camera they are using so I can compare to other sources. When I hear back, I'll share.

On each of these, look through the images to see how the camera would look with the various mounts and brackets. Not seeing anything as clean as the supertramp camera housing.

https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8660-2017-superduty-360-camera-relocation-factory-ford-camera/


https://www.camerasource.com/produc...ilter=6011&model_filter=6217&year_filter=6297


https://www.camerasource.com/2017-s...?_q=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&o=FTRSD-LP-1720-5&q=ftrsd

That last model I had the Tacoma version on my Taco/ Khaya camper and I loved it! But that only had a backup camera and for that it was great. I think for the 360 cameras that is too low…. But I could be wrong.

 

[Chadx]

Thanks guys. I spent a bit of time, over lunch, looking through that other thread. Agreed the "best" solution would have a camper pretty much the same height and angle as the tailgate camera and everything else is a compromise. Big question to decide is if that is too much of a compromise. The "over the camper door" location is just clean and there are times it may actually be nicer to have the wider view. Though day to day, stock height would be nicer, it comes with the complication of being mounted smack dab in the middle of the Supertramp door. And the door hinge is on the right side so it would meant running the cord over to the hinge on the right, then down (with no molle panel or anything to hide it on the right), then over to the left to go over to the Ford camera plug. At that point, it could be interesting to consider running the wire into the camper near the propane cabinet and down into the camper basement and over. Or, mount it on the truck just under the bumper which would give distortion for 360camera as well, but still be usable (and much easier to mount and route. Decisions decisions.

 

[gmoon]

@Ruadhrigh if you want to order something, even custom, just let me know and I can get you hooked up with Josh there in sales. They are doing a custom mattress for us, plus custom bench cushions. I am having them do cordura fabric on the bottom so that we can flip the bench cushions over at night so the dog can jump up there after a long day at camp and not ruin things..

 

[gmoon]

While we are on topic of Roamrest/cushions:

I designed a second sleeping area down below on the bench / bench extension in our camper for kids, guests, and when the weather is crap and I cant pop the top. Generally bench cushions are VERY different than mattresses as your body point loads on a rather small portion of foam when compared to laying on a mattress.

Normally, you want 4" inches minimum for a mattress (in the vans we do 6") but I only have 2-3 inches for my bench cushions which makes it a bit tricky. For no charge, Roamrest sent me a custom foam layup bench sample for testing.. They even did Cordura fabric on some sides so that we can flip them over at night and keep the ol' girl (10 year old german shepherd) happy.

Not many companies will go to this length, sending out a custom sewn sample with a custom foam layup just for one build. Reach out if you are old and croaky or if you bought a overpriced camper with a CRAP mattress (that'd be me) and we can get you sorted.

(Ignore fabric colors as we have something fun planned).

 

[PJPVI]

I really need the weight of the camper now! Just had the rear Deaver springs installed a couple days ago. Sure hope my camper is heavy enough to level it out and let the springs & shocks work as intended. Unloaded the rear sits much higher than I was expecting.

I'll mate the two back together in the next day or two.

 

[TRAMPER]

I really need the weight of the camper now! Just had the rear Deaver springs installed a couple days ago. Sure hope my camper is heavy enough to level it out and let the springs & shocks work as intended. Unloaded the rear sits much higher than I was expecting.


View attachment 139683I'll mate the two back together in the next day or two.

Looks amazing. I’m sure it’ll level out. Deaver builds them to your spec so I’m sure it will be perfect!!! Can’t wait to see it put together!!!

 

[PJPVI]

Can’t wait to see it put together!!!

You and me both!

 

[Chadx]

I really need the weight of the camper now! Just had the rear Deaver springs installed a couple days ago. Sure hope my camper is heavy enough to level it out and let the springs & shocks work as intended. Unloaded the rear sits much higher than I was expecting.

Rake looks good when empty. Looks like a truck. Not a sacked-out, rear-bumper dragger. Ha.

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

That last model I had the Tacoma version on my Taco/ Khaya camper and I loved it! But that only had a backup camera and for that it was great. I think for the 360 cameras that is too low…. But I could be wrong.

Y'all, just get the cheap third brake light one off of Amazon. I got one for the GMC and it's adjustable. I can see my hitch and well enough in reverse to back without the mirrors, not that I don't use the mirrors.
Universal DC12V Car Brake Light Camera Tail Mount Backup Parking Reversing Stop Lamp Camera for All Vehicles https://a.co/d/iPIWTJe
Pretty sure it is this one.

 

[TRAMPER]

Y'all, just get the cheap third brake light one off of Amazon. I got one for the GMC and it's adjustable. I can see my hitch and well enough in reverse to back without the mirrors, not that I don't use the mirrors.

Wouldn’t do me much good….

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

View attachment 139717
Wouldn’t do me much good….

You would be able to see the top step, and behind 20+ feet or so with it facing down as far as it'll adjust. I have it on my knappheid box. Truck is about 9'8 tall and the camera sits at about 8' 8" or higher

 

[TRAMPER]

You would be able to see the top step, and behind 20+ feet or so with it facing down as far as it'll adjust. I have it on my knappheid box. Truck is about 9'8 tall and the camera sits at about 8' 8" or higher

Oh my bad, I misunderstood. The post you replied to we were talking about license plate frame cameras. I thought that’s what you were talking about. My camper already has a camera above the door so I’m not in the market.

You’re right though just about any camera that integrates with your factory system will probably work fine.