Hello all, new to GMC Forum. Just bought a 2009 1500 SLE Crew Cab and am loving it. I was a Ford guy heading out for a replacement F150 and ...

Hello all, new to GMC Forum. Just bought a 2009 1500 SLE Crew Cab and am loving it. I was a Ford guy heading out for a replacement F150 and saw my black beauty sitting at the GMC lot while on the way to the Ford Dealer. Long story short, one ride around the block and I was sold on GMC!

Anyway, I noticed there was a backup camera option available... I tow my boat quite a bit by myself so was wondering if this would be a good way to view the trailer to hitch when hooking up. The dealer wanted $1200 to install this option but I've found some online for around $600. I'm wondering 1) if it would really work for trailer loading rather than just seeing what's in your backup path 2) if anyone has an idea if the after market kits are good quality and 3) if the aftermarket will work with the OnStar system as I really don't want to start disconnecting things.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Aftermarkets work fine, of course depending which brand you choose! And yes, you can see the hitch perfectly... It cheating at it best!

I am not firmiliar with aftermarket setups but most camers are a "fish eye lens". This slightly distorts the image but gives you a very wide angle view and in the center in perfect focus is your hitch. So easy my wife can so it!

Slightly off topic but i drove a rental acura and its backup camera had the path the vehicle was taking overlaid on the screen. I would say if you found an aftermarket with this feature to get it bc it spanks my GM camera for backing up. Of course, your prally not supposed to be using it as a backup device but a safety device, regardless... You can backup with the camera only with that overlay. I dont feel comfortable, as comfortable, backing with my GM camera! As far as hooking to a trailor, any of them are suffice for this...

Mine came with one and I love it when I hook up my trailer. Well worth the money!

I went with this low cost system.
http://www.peakauto.com/electronics-bac ... QAodZBjjCQ
I just use mine to back up to my trailer ball, then just put the monitor back in the glove box. For the little I use mine this system has been perfect for me. Its not the best system out there but it has a very clear picture and works perfect. I've had it on for over a year and no issues. Some reviews stated the camera lens gets moisture init causing foggy display. So before I installed it I siliconed the camera housing and havent had any problems. It might not be for you, but its a low cost option. Most local auto part stores carry them in stock.

Great info guys, thank you!

StarsnBars wrote:I went with this low cost system.
http://www.peakauto.com/electronics-bac ... QAodZBjjCQ
I just use mine to back up to my trailer ball, then just put the monitor back in the glove box. For the little I use mine this system has been perfect for me. Its not the best system out there but it has a very clear picture and works perfect. I've had it on for over a year and no issues. Some reviews stated the camera lens gets moisture init causing foggy display. So before I installed it I siliconed the camera housing and havent had any problems. It might not be for you, but its a low cost option. Most local auto part stores carry them in stock.

Hey starsnbars,

I got that same system and I see you say that you've never had any issues with yours... I have a problem where the monitor loses reception and blacks out in the middle of backing up all the time. Any idea what might cause this? I'm pretty sure this isn't the peak system as I had another brand before the peak, and it did the same exact thing. I like how the peak has the antenna transmitter and I installed it on the inside bed side (drivers side) and mounted it with 3m tape as far as I could get it to the cab. (About 3/4th the way up the bed towards the cab). I've tried multiple options with the power for the monitor such as hard wiring to the battery, hard wiring to a hot fuse, and the cigarette lighter. All the power options black out after about 2 seconds of backing up. What's nuts is if I'm sitting still with the truck in reverse, I get a clear view and the signal does not black out. Just when the vehicle moves. It's frustrating!

I put my reciever under the bed rail by the pocket. Put it in a little plastic fishing lure box and gluded it up under . Its not in the cab... That might be your problem. Also WiFi will muck up your signal. I used to leave it on when I was driving around town , and it would lose signal in certain spots .

You mean the transmitter under the bed rail? The receiver would be the monitor right? That's where I have my transmitter (the box with the antenna on it). The monitor is on my front window suctioned on it above the rear view mirror and I hid the wire and right now have it hard wired to a hot fuse in the drivers side fuse panel.

I also considered the WiFi being an issue, but I've done experiments where a wifi signal was present, and where one wasnt (used my phone to verify) and still get the same issue in both places. I like the fishing lure box idea too to protect the transmitter.