Some owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra are complaining about a peculiar issue that occurs when installing a popular aftermarket component. Specifically, the innovative Rear Camera Mirror offered on both of the new GM trucks gets blocked when installing an aftermarket bed cap, thereby rendering the Rear Camera Mirror useless.
The issue stems from the fact that the front-most portion of an aftermarket bed cap fitted onto high-end versions of the GM trucks blocks the lens for the Rear Camera Mirror, thereby rendering the feature useless. The lens for the Rear Camera Mirror is placed on the rear-most part of the cab’s roof where the truck’s cargo lamp and CHMSL are located. What’s more, the feature is driven by a separate lens than the traditional back-up camera.
For those not aware, the Rear Camera Mirror improves on the traditional rearview mirror by streaming a live video feed of what’s behind the vehicle to a high-definition display in the rear-view mirror, thereby removing from view obstructions such as pillars, headrests, rear window glass or rear-seat passengers.
If at any given point in time, a driver desires a traditional mirror, he or she can simply “push” the mirror stem, disabling the Rear Camera Mirror functionality and transforms the mirror into a traditional rear-view mirror. The Rear Camera Mirror is available on the Silverado LTZ and High Country as well as the Sierra AT4 and Denali as part of the optional Technology Package.
GM Authority has received several letters from owners of the new GM trucks who have put caps on their beds. These owners have claimed that they would gladly pay for the hardware and service work to relocate the lens for the Rear Camera Mirror. GM could theoretically capitalize on this opportunity and offer a kit and an associated service guide for technicians to reposition the Rear Camera Mirror lens to another spot on the pickup truck, potentially next to the back-up camera lens, located on the tailgate handle.
Whether such a solution is even feasible is a whole different matter entirely. In fact, repositioning the Rear Camera Mirror to the tailgate handle would render the Rear Camera Mirror almost useless during towing, since a trailer would block most of the viewpoint of the camera.
Nevertheless, a potential relocation solution would not only allow GM trucks to continue offering the only available Rear Camera Mirror in the segment, but it would also become the first automaker to solve the rear visibility issues normally associated with installing bed caps on pickup trucks. Here’s to hoping GM’s team of engineers will find a solution sooner or later.
Have thoughts on the matter? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news and, GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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View Comments
I thought about this I'm fixing to get a cap on my 2019 Sierra 1500 denali.
It seems like a simple fix to me just put a spoiler all the way across the top of the roof and remount the 3rd bright light in the spoiler in the middle where the camera is.
Field adjustments happen all the time In my world that's what I'm gonna do with mine no problem.
I hope they give me my millions for coming up with that simple one!
C'mon everybody. Let's solve this glitch once and for all.
Has anyone figured the solution to a camper shell blocking the rear camera mirror? It’s not a GM problem. I would have just thought that after four years someone would have a solution. ARE or Leer is who I would expect to offer a relocation kit. If anyone has had any luck please share. Thanks
Why not a simple software solution where the driver could just select which camera to use? If I'm towing a camper and have the optional rear camera installed on the camper, the mirror could use that camera feed and the rear view mirror would show me what's behind me without the need for the invisible trailer function taking up the display in the vehicle ... which could then be used for tire pressure monitoring, or GPS, or ...
I would like to see a "fix" that allows the camera feed from the rear of a trailer to be seen on the interior rear view mirror rather than on the Infotainment screen. I do like the side view images when a turn signal is used, but don't want the screen "off" for all other features (maps, audio) while the trailer image is hogging the screen
Wow here we are going into 2024 and still no solution to the Rearview Mirror issue and truck cap "camper". The could have easily offered a third break light with camera relocation. Or even aftermarket camera that plugs into trailer camera spot.
Yup, I have a brand new 2024 2500 HD Crew Cab with a completely useless feature we paid for. Who doesn't add a cap to a pickup these days? GM screwed the pooch on this one!
Time for aftermarket bob to step up! GM ain’t gonna.
99% of pickup truck buyers don't. I hardly see them anymore.