OpieT

Wow! Really love the truck, congratulations. You seem to have a great attitude about the experience, makes the story better. Someone once told me that more times than not in life, people get what they deserve. Glad to see your patience rewarded.

kurtkrum

I just got a 2015 Duramax 3500. Love the color of your truck. Darn good looking wheels, dude.

dogger15

Thanks for the "thumbs up".

I poked around for some more info on the accessory camera system option and discovered it can be retrofitted to 2014-16 GMs as long as they were equipped with the trailer towing side mirrors. It's a dealer installed option so anyone that has a 2014 or newer GMC or Chevy 2500/3500 that came with the larger towing mirrors can order one or both of these kits and either DIY the install or have someone do it for you.

The tow mirrors are required for the turn cameras and those trucks will have the software and WiFi rcvr already installed to allow the display to interface with the cameras.

Here are some pictures I poached off the GM corporate site showing the components:


camera mounted on side mirror


Display menu showing camera positions that can be selected. The "other" icon would be the fourth camera mounted inside the trailer.


example of a multi-screen view


camera mounted to back of trailer. Signal is WiFi at 2.4 ghz and the camera has infrared lighting to deal with low light if your trailer doesn't have back up lights installed.

There are two kits. The first one consist of the two mirror mounted cameras and a third camera that mounts to the back of the trailer. It retails for $999. The second kit consist of a single aux camera that can be placed anywhere you choose (mine is going inside the trailer). It retails for $349. I'm pretty sure either kit can be had for less, my dealer included both kits installed for $1000.

I saw the other thread discussing a DIY surround set up and these WiFi cameras might be an option for owners of other brands of trucks. The cameras are made by Echomaster for GM.

I try not to get bogged down by the little stuff (life's too short and all that). In my experience it helps to keep a good sense of humor so you can laugh about all the craziness instead of cringe everytime you think back on it.

StoogeMoe

Thanks for the info. That's awesome to know you can retrofit a '15 truck.

Can you turn on that camera that is on the back of the trailer when you are driving down the road? Or only when backing up? That's one of the things I haven't got used to towing an enclosed is having that giant blind spot behind me. I would like to know if someone is behind.

dogger15

You can bring up any view anytime. If you look at the picture I posted of the "infotainment" display, just select the "trailer" icon and that will bring up the view behind the trailer. If you look at the next picture, the icon with the two mirrors and trailer has been selected and shows the view down both sides of the truck and behind the trailer.

I'm still learning all the features, but I think there is a way to do a picture in picture where a single camera view can be displayed in the corner while the main display is showing something else, for instance main view is map mode with small view of behind or inside trailer is shown in the corner.

I haven't bought a new truck in 16 years. My last truck's owners manual was about 60 pages. This truck's manual is 450 pages with a separate 150 page manual for the diesel engine. If this keeps up, they're going to have to send new owners to training school before they are allowed to drive off the lot.

Dr911

Main criteria:

1. Tow capacity min @ 5000lbs, pref 7000
2. MPG while towing open alum trlr
3. Reliability
4. How much time/energy and $$ it costs to maintain.

Not nec in order of important. Any input appreciated.

DTMiller

5. DD use or dedicated tow vehicle?

ExMB

See red above from past experience.

Disclaimer
I just upgraded to a F150.