Reverse Camera - Seeing the tow ball

[davidsford Member Find all posts View Profile Close davidsford]

I know there has been some discussions buried in other threads about this topic, but wanted to discuss specifically being able to see the tow ball from the standard reversing camera.

I have tried various modifications, like removing the shroud, putting spacers in various spots to try and move the camera out more but still I cannot see the tow ball. The most success I have had is by putting in 4 washers as spacers to move the camera out more like this -


With 4 washers in I can see the tow ball fine without the spare wheel cover on. With the spare wheel cover on I can only see a very tiny amount of the top edge of the ball, almost not at all, it's only because I know roughly where it is I can see something.

My current method is to pull the pin on the bar, slide the bar out about 1 inch and then reverse up to the camper/trailer. Once in position I slide the bar back in and put the pin in. This is not ideal and I would really like to find a decent solution.

I guess my options are -

1) Get an extended bar for the hitch, but I don't want to put any more strain on things.
2) Remove the spare wheel cover completely, highly likely if I can find somewhere to store the cover, and get approval from the Mrs
3) Put longer bolts and spacers on the mount for the camera to move it out even further (but I think this would leave the camera housing exposed)

Do others have the same problem? What have others done? Is perhaps my spare wheel cover faulty in some way and sticking out too much?

This is on a 150 GXL D4D, with a Hayman Reese tow bar, not sure if that makes a difference either.

Thanks

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I used to stick a pencil with bluetac to my towball sticking out vertically so I could see it but now my cover doesn't fit back on I don't need to I can see the ball.

[Sambo150 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sambo150]

I went Option # 1. Works ok.

[downunder Find all posts View Profile Close downunder]

Any chance of putting some more close up photos of that area up, i have a GX prado comming and i was going to put the revering camera in that area somehow. If you could post some more photos so i can see the potential problems i can possibly work a was around the issue, as i cannot see from the top view photo.

[greyingout Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close greyingout]

Mod to rear camera mount so you can see the towball

I have the same problem not being able to see the towball. I can’t believe how something this obvious was missed by the manufacturer.

To be able to see the towball I have done several of the previously mentioned, such as packing the rear bolt on camera bracket with a washer, slightly elongating this bolt hole and leaving the rear wheel cover at home when going caravanning.

The only thing I haven’t noticed mentioned is paring the bottom of the black plastic camera mount. If you look at the centre dashboard LCD you will notice some black area just above the words “Check Surroundings for Safety”. This seemed like wasted real estate to me.

With some careful carving back of the bottom of the plastic camera mount with a very sharp knife the camera will see the towball (with the wheel cover off) and the dashboard display is useable right down to the top of the warning statement.

[davidsford Member Find all posts View Profile Close davidsford]

Yes I have noticed the shadowing also, I also noticed it gets worse when the rear wheel cover is on, you can actually see the shape of the wheel cover outline. If I take my wheel cover off I can see the ball fine so this is looking like my best option.

I also mentioned this to my Toyota dealer when I was discussing the mud flaps, as I said I thought it was a faulty design also. The response I got was....yeah it's bad really but the 200 series is fine ! - What like I am supposed to upgrade to a 200 series!

The other thing which has been mentioned elsewhere but worth repeating here for those looking at this thread is that where the words “Check Surroundings for Safety” appear, if you line up with the letters "rr" you will be pretty much spot on, just remember to stop short of the trailer hitch disappearing out of view

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I have a Toyota tow bar with a Hayman Reese weight distribution hitch, and I can see the top of the tow ball when reversing with the wheel cover attached.

With the standard tow tongue, the camera will not see the tow ball at all, so the only way then is as KAKADAZ used to do and attach some temporary object to the top of the tow ball, or have the missus stand behind and yell instructions (that's usually fun)!

Yowie.

[davidsford Member Find all posts View Profile Close davidsford]

I finally decided with option 2) Remove the spare wheel cover. I can see nice and clear now and I think the car looks better too

[shaun350 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shaun350]

I had the same problem. With the HR distribution hitch on I could see the towball but not with the standard toyota bar. I believe both the wheel cover & the camera shroud blocked the towball view. I removed the wheel cover and the shroud around the camera and now I can just see the tow ball. It gave me slightly better view out the back aswell. I believe it looks better now - too much plastic on the back gave it an soft urban look.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Cover on looks a bit Rav4....lol

[larks120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close larks120]

An alternative is leave the car one alone as it gives a good side view.

I used a portable monitor and ran a separate line to a plug at back of car. When hooking up van I plug in camera that fits into back off HR and looks directly at the ball. When connected I remove portable camera from HR and plug in Van camera.

Mark

[Foxy49 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy49]

Better still guys you should have bought a Shortie with a HR then you wouldn't have to do anything, no mods at all

[Gav4x4 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gav4x4]

Can you add a second camera to the standard screen included in the GXL (2012) ? I want to put one on the rear of my camper.

[Ages Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ages]

Can you add a second camera to the standard screen included in the GXL (2012) ? I want to put one on the rear of my camper.

i'm trying to work this one out at the moment. if you could know where all the wires of the camera terminate to it would be a start.

[S.W Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close S.W]

Can you add a second camera to the standard screen included in the GXL (2012) ? I want to put one on the rear of my camper.

Has anyone managed to figure out if it is possible to view a second camera (for a trailer/caravan) on the standard screen?