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Wired tow mode camera (Ram) installation

daemonic3

Active member
There are several types of wired cameras for the various brands, but I never installed them for my Fords because it was a backup camera only and didn't seem worth the trouble (I think you cannot view them on the Sync screen above 8mph). This camera on my new Ram is specifically for the digital rear-view mirror, not the Uconnect screen. I found this usage compelling because the rear view mirror becomes useless when towing, and now it can be useful again with a high resolution camera I ordered with the truck, and it works at any speed without tying up my main screen.

My priorities were:
1) Nothing permanent to the trailer (my requirement, because we keep changing trucks or trailers about every 3-4 years, not planned)
2) Nothing "ugly" (this requirement is from the wife)

My routing path:
I wanted to follow underneath on the camp-side of the Delta because 1) I planned to store the extra 15-20' of slack inside my battery storage box on that side and 2) I wanted to send the cable up through the ladder and mount to the ladder. My father in law welded a piece of 1" square tube to match the look of the ladder, and used a threaded rod through it to cinch it very tight around the Delta's ladder square tubing (no permenent attach). I tested and there is no rattle/bounce, though extending the arm all the way to the centerline of the trailer may induce some bounce that I didn't want to risk!

I didn't take pics of my underbelly routing, but there's nothing special. I followed the frame, and used cable ties at basically every point I could attach. These would be the frame brackets that span the chassis frame to the J-skirting, and little eyelets at every chassis frame triangular joint. I cinched them all tight for no more slack, then coiled all the extra cable (and Ram's repeater) inside my battery box. I used a hole saw to make the battery box hole and grommeted it for a clear look. Unfortunately the coax connector is the one on the left side of the truck's bumper (oops) which messed up my whole master plan of having everything on the passenger/camp side. Oh well!

Some final results, and couple images of the digital rear view mirror views. One view is the trailer camera takes up the whole mirror screen, while another view is "tri-mode" where the trailer rear is in the middle, and 2 side-surround cameras show on the sides. The Ram side-surround cameras are wide angle cameras mounted on the rear view mirrors. They really are awesome at showing if you are tracking in the center of the lane.

Anyway, just showing one option for installation on a Delta out of many possibilities!

SIDE NOTE: Ignore the manual tongue jack. Dealer put that on temporarily while waiting for a replacement Bastion jack because mine failed.
 

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BryanValRox

Elite Member
There are several types of wired cameras for the various brands, but I never installed them for my Fords because it was a backup camera only and didn't seem worth the trouble (I think you cannot view them on the Sync screen above 8mph). This camera on my new Ram is specifically for the digital rear-view mirror, not the Uconnect screen. I found this usage compelling because the rear view mirror becomes useless when towing, and now it can be useful again with a high resolution camera I ordered with the truck, and it works at any speed without tying up my main screen.

My priorities were:
1) Nothing permanent to the trailer (my requirement, because we keep changing trucks or trailers about every 3-4 years, not planned)
2) Nothing "ugly" (this requirement is from the wife)

My routing path:
I wanted to follow underneath on the camp-side of the Delta because 1) I planned to store the extra 15-20' of slack inside my battery storage box on that side and 2) I wanted to send the cable up through the ladder and mount to the ladder. My father in law welded a piece of 1" square tube to match the look of the ladder, and used a threaded rod through it to cinch it very tight around the Delta's ladder square tubing (no permenent attach). I tested and there is no rattle/bounce, though extending the arm all the way to the centerline of the trailer may induce some bounce that I didn't want to risk!

I didn't take pics of my underbelly routing, but there's nothing special. I followed the frame, and used cable ties at basically every point I could attach. These would be the frame brackets that span the chassis frame to the J-skirting, and little eyelets at every chassis frame triangular joint. I cinched them all tight for no more slack, then coiled all the extra cable (and Ram's repeater) inside my battery box. I used a hole saw to make the battery box hole and grommeted it for a clear look. Unfortunately the coax connector is the one on the left side of the truck's bumper (oops) which messed up my whole master plan of having everything on the passenger/camp side. Oh well!

Some final results, and couple images of the digital rear view mirror views. One view is the trailer camera takes up the whole mirror screen, while another view is "tri-mode" where the trailer rear is in the middle, and 2 side-surround cameras show on the sides. The Ram side-surround cameras are wide angle cameras mounted on the rear view mirrors. They really are awesome at showing if you are tracking in the center of the lane.

Anyway, just showing one option for installation on a Delta out of many possibilities!

SIDE NOTE: Ignore the manual tongue jack. Dealer put that on temporarily while waiting for a replacement Bastion jack because mine failed.

daemonic3, would you be willing to share your make and model and build date of your ram?
I have a 2024(Sept.2023)Ram 3500 Limited with the wired tow mode camera option as well. While I haven’t gotten the camera installed yet, I have tested its operation. My issue is that I was expecting to have the tri mode view as well, however when I cycle thru the modes on the rear view mirror, it never appears as an option. I just get the single view.
I am curious if this could be activated by a dealer reflash?
 

BryanValRox

Elite Member
Sorry folks, this didn’t post correctly, my bad!
daemonic3, would you be willing to share your make and model and build date of your ram?
I have a 2024(Sept.2023)Ram 3500 Limited with the wired tow mode camera option as well. While I haven’t gotten the camera installed yet, I have tested its operation. My issue is that I was expecting to have the tri mode view as well, however when I cycle thru the modes on the rear view mirror, it never appears as an option. I just get the single view.
I am curious if this could be activated by a dealer reflash?
 

daemonic3

Active member
Hi Bryan,

The Ram camera options are VERY confusing. Descriptions can be misleading and changes happened every few years with the cameras even though the Rams were still all technically gen 4.5 or whatever. I read all the threads and still am not 100% clear on everything.
There are a few DRVM modules in my understanding. One has only the tailgate or trailer view, like yours, while another has "Digital rear view mirror with side views". The latter is called DRVM 3.0.
Take a look at this thread, you can see why people get confused. Ram's own description images are incorrect. If you did not get "Tow Technology Plus" you dont have the correct DRVM module under your seat to get the side views.

https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/2024-3500-tow-mode-camera.16610/
 

daemonic3

Active member
Sorry folks, this didn’t post correctly, my bad!
daemonic3, would you be willing to share your make and model and build date of your ram?
I have a 2024(Sept.2023)Ram 3500 Limited with the wired tow mode camera option as well. While I haven’t gotten the camera installed yet, I have tested its operation. My issue is that I was expecting to have the tri mode view as well, however when I cycle thru the modes on the rear view mirror, it never appears as an option. I just get the single view.
I am curious if this could be activated by a dealer reflash?
Oh and mine is a 2024 Limited Longhorn, built in Feb'24. I ordered every tech and tow option because of all the conflicting information I was finding. So I have everything, including a trailer 360 surround camera system there's no way I'm installing. If you have the 12-pin connector and are interested, let me know and maybe we can reach a deal :)
 

BryanValRox

Elite Member
Oh and mine is a 2024 Limited Longhorn, built in Feb'24. I ordered every tech and tow option because of all the conflicting information I was finding. So I have everything, including a trailer 360 surround camera system there's no way I'm installing. If you have the 12-pin connector and are interested, let me know and maybe we can reach a deal :)
Appreciate all of the information, my hope is to have the rear camera installed in the next couple of weeks.
One project at a time, but I do have the 12 pin connector as well. 😄
 

Yellowknife

Member
Nice install. I have been looking at doing the same thing with my 2022 Ram Limited 3500 with that camera option on our 2022 390MP but it's like 42 feet long so it will be like 50ft of cable to run.
 

daemonic3

Active member
Nice install. I have been looking at doing the same thing with my 2022 Ram Limited 3500 with that camera option on our 2022 390MP but it's like 42 feet long so it will be like 50ft of cable to run.
The '22 I believe is the last year before they added the repeater that gives 70' of clean signal. Without it I think people have only been able to extend with 6 or 10' fakra-Z cables. Anything more gets glitchy
 

Yellowknife

Member
The '22 I believe is the last year before they added the repeater that gives 70' of clean signal. Without it I think people have only been able to extend with 6 or 10' fakra-Z cables. Anything more gets glitchy
I wonder if the new version with the repeater would work if I can enable it it with AlfaOBD.
 
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