TickTock

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OK. This is one of my more goofy projects considering you can buy a backup camera for $100. However, it works. Basically it solves the problem of not having a rearview camera when the tailgate is down. I experienced this when I was carrying a full sized bed with the tonneau cover down. I only had my side mirrors and could not see if anyone was directly behind me.

This is a 3d print which holds some acrylic mirrors in a penta-prism arrangement such that it will reflect the camera view rearward when the tailgate is down and still have an upright image.

Tesla Cybertruck Tailgate down camera mirror DIY 3D print -- solves problem of not having rearview camera when tailgate is down 1724112974606-tf


Image is somewhat degraded but it is still very useable - certainly better than nothing.

Image with tailgate up:
Tesla Cybertruck Tailgate down camera mirror DIY 3D print -- solves problem of not having rearview camera when tailgate is down 1724112902137-y7



Image with tailgate down and "prism" installed:
Tesla Cybertruck Tailgate down camera mirror DIY 3D print -- solves problem of not having rearview camera when tailgate is down 1724112902221-6k


I have uploaded the model if anyone wants to make one for themselves. Can be downloaded here:
https://www.printables.com/model/980116-cybertruck-tailgate-camera-prism
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pricedm

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Nice solution.

I wish Tesla implemented something like the Rivian bed camera. It is mounted high on the back of the cab, so you can get a camera-based view of the bed and behind you, regardless of tailgate up/down position.

 
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TickTock

TickTock

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Nice solution.

I wish Tesla implemented something like the Rivian bed camera. It is mounted high on the back of the cab, so you can get a camera-based view of the bed and behind you, regardless of tailgate up/down position.

Yeah. Once I get the lightbar installed, I'm going to investigate adding a low profile camera to it. Would be a lot better if it was integrated like the Rivian or the Lightning, though.
 

CapheDa

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This is a great idea. It solves the problem of hauling items with the tonneau open but the tailgate closed. Range is significantly improved with tailgate down if the tonneau is open (per wind tunnel testing of the CT we saw on YoutTube). I just hauled a quad a couple hundred miles but left the tailgate up so I could have a rear camera but my range suffered. This solves that!
 


paynemic

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Thanks for sharing it. I think it’s a great idea! Could it be made any smaller and keep the same effect?
 

spamy42

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OK. This is one of my more goofy projects considering you can buy a backup camera for $100. However, it works. Basically it solves the problem of not having a rearview camera when the tailgate is down. I experienced this when I was carrying a full sized bed with the tonneau cover down. I only had my side mirrors and could not see if anyone was directly behind me.

This is a 3d print which holds some acrylic mirrors in a penta-prism arrangement such that it will reflect the camera view rearward when the tailgate is down and still have an upright image.

1724112974606-tf.png


Image is somewhat degraded but it is still very useable - certainly better than nothing.

Image with tailgate up:
1724112902137-y7.png



Image with tailgate down and "prism" installed:
1724112902221-6k.png


I have uploaded the model if anyone wants to make one for themselves. Can be downloaded here:
https://www.printables.com/model/980116-cybertruck-tailgate-camera-prism
I could have used this today! Awesome
 

Mdub

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Nice solution.

I wish Tesla implemented something like the Rivian bed camera. It is mounted high on the back of the cab, so you can get a camera-based view of the bed and behind you, regardless of tailgate up/down position.

I would bet Tesla get this in the next version. Like years from now, but it will happen.
 

Pops

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Great idea! This thing is attached with magnets ... brilliant!
 


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TickTock

TickTock

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Did the image get better with the mirrors?
The pic with the mirrors does look brighter and sharper. I think that is just the auto focus and auto exposure algorithm of my camera. To my eye, they both looked similar except for a little distortion with the mirrors.
 
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TickTock

TickTock

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the thing is though if you have the tailgate down you likely have tonneu open which lets you just use the regular mirror?
This has not been my experience. You are correct, though, that you *could* open the tonneau to use the regular mirror. However, I removed that almost immediately. It offended me. ;-)
 

TECH49

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Brilliant idea. Congrats. Wish it was quite a bit smaller. hmmm...
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