Best Way to route camera cable into a SUT

[GamblerHummer]

I apologize if this has been posted before, but I have searched the site, but have not found specific instructions for the best routing for a camera cable into the SUT from the rear of vehicle , to a A/V control module inside the SUT. All the instructions I find are for the SUV. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[GamblerHummer]

I apologize if this has been posted before, but I have searched the site, but have not found specific instructions for the best routing for a camera cable into the SUT from the rear of vehicle , to a A/V control module inside the SUT. All the instructions I find are for the SUV. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[rodster]

Where are you mounting the camera?

[GamblerHummer]

I am planning on mounting it right above where the liscense plate is.

[rodster]

That's just about the same install I did. I'm not near my truck so this is from memory . . .

Wires/cable from your camera will run parallel with the license plate light wire from the back of the tag frame and then through the rear bumper. Use a phillips head to stretch the bumper grommet open and the cable should fit through the same hole. If not, cut the grommet with a razor next to the nipple where the tag light wire is. Consider including a quick-disconnect before the bumper -- you'll need it when and if you remove the tag holder to get at the spare.

Once through the bumper, run your wire to driver's side and then make the run forward on top of the frame. You'll know you're in the right place if you're now going forward along brake lines and a wiring harness, which is enclosed in conduit. The existing conduit clamps have unused clips that you can seat the cable in.

Once you're all the way forward and just in front of the firewall, run the cable up, pierce the firewall grommet, fish the cable through and you're done. I spent a good deal of time looking for an alternative path but this was the easiest I could find.

There are loads of posts here on penetrating the firewall grommet. Do a search and you'll find plenty. To see a picture, search for Hummer Hymen (no kidding).

If you get a Hitchcam product, there's more to the wiring than just the video cable. Three small wires exit the camera then go into a small black box that then outputs to the S-video cable. You'll run power wires to the box from a switched 12v source and a reverse light 12v source.

If I help further, say the word and I'll do what I can. Good luck.

Edit: Forgot to mention, be sure and seal up the firewall grommet when you're done fishing the wire through. Black RTV silicone adhesive works great. Also, before you seal the grommet, consider pulling a few extra wires through for later use. The grommet experience wasn't all that bad, but I sure wouldn't want to do it again and I've already found uses for all but one of the pre-pulled wires.

[captainmike]

So how is the rear view with the camera mounted on the spare? Can you use it to line up your trailer hitch? I wanted to mount mine so I can see the hitch but clearly this is not easy on the SUT.

[rodster]

For everyday backing up, the Framecam-on-spare is a good setup. You can tilt the cam straight down if you want but the spare is in your line of sight to the hitch receiver. I doubt you'd be happy with a setup like mine.

Hitchcam also sells a product called Unicam, which would proabably work perfectly for you and provide all the other rear-cam benefits, too. You could mount the cam on your bumper, just above the receiver? http://hitchcam.com/