Will Loaded Hitch Bike Rack Interfere with Operation of Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera # HM50002

Question:

I have a question about the Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera and Hitch Aligner System. I would like to use this system on a 2008 Honda Civic Sedan, I have already installed a hitch and a have a lighting setup from my taillights. Im looking to use the backup camera while pulling my micro-trailer Yakima Rack and Roll but mainly for my bicycle hitch rack. My question is this: Obviously the backup camera itself would be obstructed when the bicycles are attached to the hitch, but what about the hitch alignment system? It all depends on how obstructed, how clustered the bicycles are occluding that aligner system. If I have two bikes on the hitch ball, will the hitch alignment system show red all the time? How sensitive is this green, yellow, red alignment, can you change the settings on how sensitive or where to target when backing up?

asked by: Michael L

Expert Reply:

The Hopkins Smart Hitch Backup Camera and Hitch Aligner # HM50002 that you referenced does have two modes - backup camera and hitch aligner - and the set of sensors that activate it do not have adjustment capability to alter their effective trigger point. These distances are pre-set.

As you note a loaded bike rack will likely fool the sensors. This will to a degree vary based on the exact size and nature of the bikes. In your application a better solution may be a camera system that can be mounted atop the vehicle to avoid the interference altogether.

Swift Hitch Electronics offers their Portable Water Resistant Wireless Camera System with Night Vision, part # SH02DIGITAL. This system, which is illustrated in the linked installation video, offers 8-hour camera run time, automatic night vision operation with built-in infrared lighting and a 2-1/2-inch color LCD display on its monitor. A water-resistant housing and removable suction cup base make exterior operation and easy storage simple.

expert reply by: Adam R