Chevrolet Silverados Offer Surround-View Cameras

Chevrolet today announced a new backup camera retro-fit kit available for the current-generation Silverado 1500 and Silverado Heavy Duty pickup trucks for model years 2014 to 2016.

Chevy is a little late to the party on this one. Ram offered the first factory-available bed camera two years ago, while the new has been shown with an integrated 360-degree-view camera setup for trailering.

Chevy is making the new side-mirror and rearview cameras available for vehicles that already have towing mirrors. The new system also will allow for two externally mounted wireless cameras, one for mounting on the back of a trailer and the other for inside the trailer to keep an eye on cargo.

The new system will be activated by pressing and holding radio home button for five seconds, then selecting the trailer camera view you want.You can even have three cameras displayed on the viewing screen at the same time. Chevrolet has partnered with EchoMaster to create the camera setup to minimize blindspots and help customers who tow large, long horse, camper or cargo trailers. Later this summer, Chevy also will offer a separate camera that can be integrated into the center high-mounted stop light to give the driver a view of cargo in the bed or to help with lining up a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer.

The new retro-fit package will be available through dealership by the end of April and will cost $999 (prices do not include tax and installation fees). The system will be fully warrantied by EchoMaster.

Chevy also announced that 2016 Silverado HDs will now offer a factory-installed fifth-wheel/gooseneck frame-mounted hitch that will include a seven-pin in-bed trailering plug and all the necessary wiring. The new package will be available for $350 and will be compatible with all GM trailering accessories such as the gooseneck completion kit ($315), the 20,000-pound fifth-wheel platform ($939) and the 25,000-pound fifth-wheel platform ($999).

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