302A with Add-On Trailer Camera?

[suprasteve]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 21 XLT with 302A package. I don't have the 360 camera package, but was wondering if there is a kit that exists to allow me to add a trailer camera onto it. Any advice is appreciated.

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[HammaMan]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 21 XLT with 302A package. I don't have the 360 camera package, but was wondering if there is a kit that exists to allow me to add a trailer camera onto it. Any advice is appreciated.

To use a trailer camera that plugs in, you need to replace the rear harness at the bumper that goes to the trailer connectors and plugs in above the spare tire (truck harness). That will allow you to use trailer TPMS and camera via connectors.

 

[amschind]

I replaced the rear harness. I have 360 camera, but I have the 302A. Camera works fine.

 

[Buyer2021]

I replaced the rear harness. I have 360 camera, but I have the 302A. Camera works fine.

The 360 cam package is the KEY difference between your situation and OP @suprasteve who explicitly states: "I don't have the 360 camera package".

He can replace rear harnesses all he wants, but lacking the 360 cam package which provides the critical aux cam icon on his display (touch the icon to display a blue screen without the cam attached), he will not be able to display the Ford Accessory Trailer Cam view.

Maybe one exists but I'm not aware of any 'kit' to remedy that shortcoming.

 

[astrand1]

I wonder if he replaces the rear harness could he turn on the aux camera in forscan? I already have the 360 cams so I’ve not looked for that as an option. I’ve actually ordered my harness and the camera/Tpms kit.

 

[{tpc}]

Just get a furrion. Less expensive, more functionality, easier to install. I have one, and i've toyed with the idea of hooking up the ford one. So far I have not. I'd like to have the tpms functionality, and i think i can do the harness swap to get it, but the cost is well, too costly.

 

[amschind]

The 360 cam package is the KEY difference between your situation and OP @suprasteve who explicitly states: "I don't have the 360 camera package".

He can replace rear harnesses all he wants, but lacking the 360 cam package which provides the critical aux cam icon on his display (touch the icon to display a blue screen without the cam attached), he will not be able to display the Ford Accessory Trailer Cam view.

Maybe one exists but I'm not aware of any 'kit' to remedy that shortcoming.

I get it, that's why I made note of that difference. The big question that arises is: since the packages are almost identical, is that something that can be added in ForScan?

 

[Aron]

Just get a furrion. Less expensive, more functionality, easier to install. I have one, and i've toyed with the idea of hooking up the ford one. So far I have not. I'd like to have the tpms functionality, and i think i can do the harness swap to get it, but the cost is well, too costly.

I had a Furrion camera before the Ford one, and it's a night-and-day difference. It's like "the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing it," as a favorite comedian once said.

The Furrion setup will work if you don't have the necessary options on your truck, and I used mine for years. It's probably about the same level of effort to install. However, the Furrion screen is tiny and reliant upon a weak over-the-air signal to transmit the video image--I was near the limits of it's range on my setup, and I would often get frozen or jumpy video. Plus, you would have to splice the camera into another cable to power it, so it's not always a simple install.

The Ford system is self-contained and is powered by the 7/12 connector on the truck, so no need to splice wires. The installation is straight-forward: just replace the 4/7 connector with a 7/12, and run the cables along your trailer to the camera mounting site. The video feed is hard-wired, so no jumpy signals. And the screen is 9x bigger, so you can see a lot more detail (I think that math is correct--regarless, it's 12" vs 4"). Plus, there are less gadgets sitting on your dash or suctioned to your windshield. On the downside, it is quite a bit more costly, and your rig might not support it without further modification.

 

[{tpc}]

I had a Furrion camera before the Ford one, and it's a night-and-day difference. It's like "the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing it," as a favorite comedian once said.

The Furrion setup will work if you don't have the necessary options on your truck, and I used mine for years. It's probably about the same level of effort to install. However, the Furrion screen is tiny and reliant upon a weak over-the-air signal to transmit the video image--I was near the limits of it's range on my setup, and I would often get frozen or jumpy video. Plus, you would have to splice the camera into another cable to power it, so it's not always a simple install.

The Ford system is self-contained and is powered by the 7/12 connector on the truck, so no need to splice wires. The installation is straight-forward: just replace the 4/7 connector with a 7/12, and run the cables along your trailer to the camera mounting site. The video feed is hard-wired, so no jumpy signals. And the screen is 9x bigger, so you can see a lot more detail (I think that math is correct--regarless, it's 12" vs 4"). Plus, there are less gadgets sitting on your dash or suctioned to your windshield. On the downside, it is quite a bit more costly, and your rig might not support it without further modification.

I was offering because a lot of trailers are prewired to accept the furrion setup. I have no doubt the ford one probably works great. My furrion 5 inch screen is good enough, and I like being able to "hear" with it if needed. The trailer was prewired so it took all of about 5 min to install, and the unit in the truck plugs into the cigarette lighter plug. I have a 31 ft trailer and no jumpy or loss of signal.

The other thing is, I like to be able to see whats going on behind the trailer while driving down the road, and being able to have the navigation up on the big screen. Especially now with full screen carplay. I suppose there are ways to support both with the straight ford setup, but not fullscreen carplay and the video signal.

 

[Aron]

I was offering because a lot of trailers are prewired to accept the furrion setup. I have no doubt the ford one probably works great. My furrion 5 inch screen is good enough, and I like being able to "hear" with it if needed. The trailer was prewired so it took all of about 5 min to install, and the unit in the truck plugs into the cigarette lighter plug. I have a 31 ft trailer and no jumpy or loss of signal.

The other thing is, I like to be able to see whats going on behind the trailer while driving down the road, and being able to have the navigation up on the big screen. Especially now with full screen carplay. I suppose there are ways to support both with the straight ford setup, but not fullscreen carplay and the video signal.

That's a good point--the Furrion system has an audio signal as well, which the Ford system doesn't have. I have used that once or twice when trying to communicate with my wife when backing into a tight camping spot.

And you're right--I forgot that some trailers come pre-wired to accept a Furrion system more easily. In those cases, the balance might lean towards the Furrion system. My trailer did not have any pre-wiring, so it was much more difficult to install a Furrion.

Regarding the screen utilization, I had a similar thought process as you are describing when I first installed the Ford system. I was concerned that I'd want the camera up full time while also wanting access to the navigation and other settings. In practice, it's been pretty easy to swap between the two screens with the push of the camera button. I generally leave it in Nav/Carplay mode, and only turn on the camera when I want to get a better idea of what's behind me (in preparation for passing, for example). I suppose that you could leave it in camera mode full time and rely upon the Nav and radio information on the Instrument Panel, but I've been accustomed to looking at that information on the center screen.

Regardless, if your truck system isn't set up to get the Ford camera feed (if you don't have the 360 camera package, for example), then I agree with you that it's probably not worth the cost and headache of trying to retrofit that stuff to get the Ford system to work. A Furrion system is good enough.

But if you can equally choose between the two, the Ford system is worth the added cost (in my opinion).

 

[Buyer2021]

Regardless, if your truck system isn't set up to get the Ford camera feed (if you don't have the 360 camera package, for example), then I agree with you that it's probably not worth the cost and headache of trying to retrofit that stuff to get the Ford system to work. A Furrion system is good enough.

But if you can equally choose between the two, the Ford system is worth the added cost (in my opinion).

Gotta agree with all of that while recognizing others may differ in opinion (always pros and cons, no worries!).

I also love the IPC integrated Trailer TPMS that's supported with the Ford Accessory kit.

There's a number of good-functioning aftermarket trailer cams and TPMS systems available, no question about that, I've been glad to have some of them when they were my only option.

But none of those brought a smile to my face like the integrated Ford cam+TPMS do ... I really love my 'bespoke' Lariat tow vehicle, it truly is the best 'tug' I've ever owned in many decades of RV-towing.

 

[{tpc}]

I'd like to have the tpms in mine at a minimum, but I guess if I am going that route, I'd swap the camera out for the ford one and sell the furrion. Right now, my own personal issue is that my 12 pin connector is only populated for the yaw sensor, which I do have and it does work. So I think there is a harness that needs to be replaced, as I have the 360 camera package and the soft button on the screen for the additional camera. I guess that harness was something they were running short of when they built my truck.

Originally I was going to add the furrion side marker cameras as well. Turns out that wasn't a priority lol.

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