I bought a dual backup camera system for my Suburban and the trailer.

It's called CubbyCam, has a monitor that has a factory look, fits in an existing cubby that GM put in many trucks.

I've found it hard to back up to the trailer when hooking up & also while on the road, keeping track of the idiots that like to tailgate a trailer. It also will help me in backing the trailer up into the garage.

The kit has a video switcher module to select either camera. When vehicle is placed into reverse, the screen and selected camera will turn on. Has a separate override switch that turns the system on while driving.



Here's the rear hitch camera.

I enjoyed using my air gun for the first time while dropping the hitch to install the hitch camera mount.

(in my best Tim Allen voice, Auuuughhhh, Auuuuughhhhh AUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! )



Camera for the rear of trailer, (lens is all that will show.)






Had to create a place to put two switches, added this plate. (dash is disassembled in this shot)



Doesn't look to bad.



Hey, a Fiero behind me !! (photo taken at night, not bad for 10:30 pm)

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-06-2008).]

Pretty nifty. How did I get by without all these gadgets for all these decades?

Pretty neat, so how much did that run and does it really help you that much when backing up?

(I really like it but it would have to be pretty affordable and very useful for me to mess with the dash like that, IMO)

Once you have a camera back there you'll wonder how you got by without it all these years.

(I have one on my Town Car. Its mandatory. )

your bumper will thank you..

quote Originally posted by sostock: Pretty neat, so how much did that run and does it really help you that much when backing up? (I really like it but it would have to be pretty affordable and very useful for me to mess with the dash like that, IMO)

Cost ? Lets say my tax stimulus check came in handy, and leave it at that.

Does it really help ? Oh yes, If you have ever towed a trailer, hooking up alone, you'll need to get out & in 4 or 5 times to line up right. Also, while trailering, it's handy knowing whats behind you, especially when backing up !

The fun I have when backing up the trailer into my garage, using a curved driveway, not knowing I'm about to hit the wall that I can't see. Oh yes, quite handy.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Once you have a camera back there you'll wonder how you got by without it all these years. (I have one on my Town Car. Its mandatory. )

I know what you mean !

quote Originally posted by DjDraggin: your bumper will thank you..

Yep.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 05-30-2008).]

quote Originally posted by DjDraggin: your bumper will thank you..

Perhaps, but my wallet will thank me more if I pass on it. By not buying a lot of specialized gadgets or 'big boy toys', I don't have worrys about things like higher fuel prices--not that anyone here in this thread specifically has; I really don't keep up with that. Been pretty frugal all my life, and now it is paying off. Now is not the time for me to become extravagant in too many extra purchases---well, except the Indys.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-30-2008).]

I also added a new Denali instrument cluster I got on E-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBay...em&item=330237396073

It comes with the transmission temperature gauge that the 1500 Suburban's were lacking.

While towing, pulling long hills, I'd like to know how the transmission is doing.

Here is something I posted on another board.

Well Here is something I did that some of you may be interested in. I had the idea of using small cameras for seeing my blind spots. I thought this was a good idea due to the size and blind spots on both of our wagons. What we did first was to buy two car stereos that had a screen that could use video inputs. The radio we purchased was a Power Acoustik PTID-5300.

It has a trick touch screen that is removeable. But also flips down to slide a CD/DVD in. And when the face is removed you can not tell it takes disc's. Then we bought a cheap color 12V camera.

Then you install the radio unit as you would any normal unit. But for the screen to work you need to do one of 2 things. Either hook it to the emergency brake switch. Or just ground it, which would allow you to use it any time like for a back-up cam. BUT keep in mind most places consider it illegal to view such things(mainly DVD's) while driving. I don't think any officers would have a problem if you just use it as a back-up cam. Now after the radio is hooked up(not yet in the dash). Hook up a RCA cable to a video in hook-up and then the other end goes to the cam. You will also need to hook a positive wire to the cam for power. As well as a ground wire which can be done anywhere close to the cam. I used the bumber itself. Now for mounting the cam I wanted mine hidden completely. So I epoxied it behind my license plate so it looks thru the top bolt hole which is unused in my bumper. You would have no idea its there even if you are looking for it. Now I was also thinking of running two cams so I put a 3 way toggle switch on my dash so I can switch power from one to the other. Here is a shot of the cam when it's on. keep in mind it was 8pm so it was a bit dark out already.

Does it show the image in reverse, like a mirror? It would be hard to use if it didn't, after using mirrors all these years.

------------------
1986 SE 350 V8

quote Originally posted by The_Stickman2: Here is something I posted on another board. Well Here is something I did that some of you may be interested in. I had the idea of using small cameras for seeing my blind spots. I thought this was a good idea due to the size and blind spots on both of our wagons.

Thanks for sharing wow, look at that huge dash !!

Anyone else have a shot of their backup cams in action ?

I selected the Cubbycam for my use, love it's factory look monitor & use of high quailty waterproof cameras. The level of detail in low light & normal light is great.

quote Originally posted by tesmith66: Does it show the image in reverse, like a mirror? It would be hard to use if it didn't, after using mirrors all these years.

Yes, it has a switch, it's set for reverse image now, if wanted, you could change it.

Update :

Installed the second camera on the trailer.

Drilled through the sheet aluminum with 1" hole saw.


Mounted camera with slight downward angle.


Dressed up cable harness for a finished look.


Now I can select either camera. They sure helpped in backing up the trailer into the garage. I was able to do it alone with out help for the first time. Usually I'm getting in & out to checking the clearances many times.

I placed a target on the wall behind the trailer, and one on the wall behind the truck, to aid in finding the right spot. If you saw how close I have to back it up to the rear wall, you would laugh. There is 1/2 " space, in order to get the garage door closed.

A tight fit, all the toys are put away now.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-06-2008).]

Very clean. You do a very nice job installing stuff. Hats off to you!!

You need a bigger garage.

quote Originally posted by tesmith66: Does it show the image in reverse, like a mirror? It would be hard to use if it didn't, after using mirrors all these years.

The images are the same as in the mirror. What's on the right side is on the right side and so on.

quote Originally posted by AntiKev: You need a bigger garage.

I won't speak for CoolBlue87GT but...do they even make one big enough, ?

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Does it really help ? Oh yes, If you have ever towed a trailer, hooking up alone, you'll need to get out & in 4 or 5 times to line up right. Also, while trailering, it's handy knowing whats behind you, especially when backing up !

Or, when your wife is trying to direct you, the saved frustration should be worth twice the cost of the system, . On your part. The yelling that she would not have to hear would be worth her paying for the system, . I have seven different trailers, I know.
Hmm....

quote Originally posted by AntiKev: (cllifw) You need a bigger garage.

I won't speak for CoolBlue87GT but...do they even make one big enough, ?

Well Said !

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Does it really help ? Oh yes, If you have ever towed a trailer, hooking up alone, you'll need to get out & in 4 or 5 times to line up right. Also, while trailering, it's handy knowing whats behind you, especially when backing up !

Or, when your wife is trying to direct you, the saved frustration should be worth twice the cost of the system, . On your part. The yelling that she would not have to hear would be worth her paying for the system, . I have seven different trailers, I know.
Hmm....

"Or, when your wife is trying to direct you, the saved frustration should be worth twice the cost of the system,"

Well Said again

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I won't speak for CoolBlue87GT but...do they even make one big enough, ?

Heh. Fair enough. Much like a task will expand to fill the time allotted to it, a mess will expand to fill the space allotted to it.

Took the trailer out, here's some photo's of the trailer cam.



The view down the street behind the trailer.


This one is the truck camera, with hitch still attached. (Normally you wouldn't see the hitch)

(last shot, had trouble with camera, image looks better that that)

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-08-2008).]