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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Has anyone figured this out?
You can relocate the camera to the back of the cap. Your body shop guy can extend the wire for the camera. The wire is not an optical cable. The problem is...GM will void your electrical warranty. So if anything electric goes wrong, and I understand this is a long list of things, GM will blame the issue on someone relocating your camera.
That's not how it works. A manufacturer cannot void your warranty due to aftermarket parts/work UNLESS they prove the warranty issue was due directly to the modification.
Ran into this issue with Kia of all things. Dealers and perhaps even manufacturer were implying, if not outright stating, that you HAD to use Hyundai/Kia oil filters, other wise youd void the warranty. That's not true. It's called the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. That's what describes the warranty denier having to prove the cause.
Thanks for the comment.
Where do I access the wire to the camera?
In the cab by the mirror or inside cab near the back where the camera is located?
Or do I need to remove the third brake light assembly?
What type of wire would you recommend?
I'm sorry I can't help on where to access the wiring. If the camera is in the 3rd brake light, I'd probably start there, but there may be a connector in an easier to access location, such as near where it passes through a body panel. I'd certainly rather not snake a wire between cab sheet metal if that is how it's run presently. It may just be run through the metal though, and be behind the interior trim.
I CAN say that if you care about it working like OEM, as long as possible, you need to spend the time to find a proper mating connector (and if the ends you need are not available, using a high quality OEM style male/female connector like Delphi/Aptiv's Metri-Pack line) and use automotive rated wire, SXL, GXL or TXL. Mouser.com is a HUGE resource for terminals, connectors, etc., but you will spend time finding the right components. Tools to crimp metri-pack are found for $18 and will look like factory when you are done.
Using cheap wire (often Chinese copper clad aluminum) along with garbage connectors like scotch locks or butt connectors that have no place on a vehicle, will ENSURE the install fails at some point, with frustrating, intermittent problems in the mean time. I've found eBay to be a good source for American, automotive grade, solid copper wire, in a multitude of colors, often in the exact color GM used.
If you can't tell, I do not half-ass projects. Do it right, or don't do it. The frustration (and even potential danger of a short) of bad electrical installs is not worth trying to cut corners. Not everyone has the same results, but GM doesn't use cheap wire and inferior connectors, and you know they would if they thought they could get away with saving the money.
It's not just an issue with a "cap". Any cargo loaded in the bed that blocks the camera renders the view useless. An easy remedy would be to allow the use of the backup camera that is already mounted on the tailgate.
I have a 2019 AT4 and I love everything of it other than speed limiting at 98 miles an hour...not that we have to go that fast but if you want to pass somebody that little extra power would be nice. As to the rear camera issue I don't have that problem and I don't want to promote covers but the bakflip mx4 comes to rest against the rear pillar and doesn't interfere with the camera it's a great cover on second note if you want to put GM's aftermarket roll bar with the Sierras script on the truck... the camera does get blocked so if GM could turn around and have that camera installed into that third brake light on the roll bar that would be great wish you all luck enjoy the rides..... ACFT PRO
To all, as I posted a while back. I spoke directly to GM’s corporate office, a dealer and a body shop. The fix is simple, but if done you void the entire electrical warranty, cause GM will blame any future electrical issue on fixing this problem. The fix is to extend the video lead to the back of the cap and mount the camera there.
They legally cannot void the entire electrical warranty because of that modification. The Magnuson Moss warranty act (more commonly know as lemon law) says that a manufacturer must prove that your modification caused the issue to happen. The problem is the manufacturer knows that it will cost you too much money to fight them in court.
Call GM! They think they can. I’m not an atty, nor did I call one to confer.
I'm just letting everyone know what the law is since manufacturers try to get away with finding any way they can to void your warranty. And they know most people don't know their warranty rights.
Any progress on the design?
Does anybody make a camper top for a carbon fiber bed?
Bill,
Where can we access the video lead?
Under the dash somewhere?
Or at the 3rd brake light?
You could get the Garmin GPS unit that will let you view up to 4 remote cameras that are wireless. Put one on the back of the cap.
My biggest issue is the factory offered sport bar blocking the camera. From my research there's no available spacer kit to allow the camera to function properly...any ideas?