Silverado's Camera: Seeing Through Trailers

The Chevy Silverado's invisible trailer feature uses groundbreaking camera technology to revolutionise the way drivers view trailering. The Transparent Trailer View feature allows the driver to see through a conventional hitched box or camping trailer as if it were invisible. This is achieved by mounting a Chevy accessory camera on the back of the trailer, measuring certain dimensions, and calibrating the system. The camera provides a live feed of the trailer's surroundings, helping the driver to see blind spots and manoeuvre safely. The latest models offer multiple camera views, including a top-down view, which provides a bird's-eye perspective of the trailer and its surroundings. This feature is particularly useful when navigating tight spaces or aligning the trailer with a hitch.

Camera placement and functionality

The trailer camera on the Chevy Silverado is a valuable feature that enhances safety and convenience while towing. The camera placement and functionality on the Chevy Silverado trailers have evolved over the years to provide drivers with a comprehensive view of their surroundings.

The trailer camera is typically mounted on the back of the trailer, providing a clear view of the area behind the trailer. It is designed to help drivers maneuver their trailers more easily, especially when reversing or parking. The camera is connected to the vehicle's infotainment system, allowing the driver to view the camera feed on the center display screen.

The camera functionality on the Chevy Silverado trailers has improved with the latest models. Many newer Silverado models offer multiple camera views, including a top-down view, which provides a bird's-eye perspective of the trailer and its surroundings. This feature is particularly useful when navigating tight spaces or aligning the trailer with a hitch.

In addition to the rearview camera, Sideview Cameras are usually positioned on the side mirrors or fenders of the truck. They offer a wide-angle view of the trailer's sides, reducing blind spots and aiding in lane changes or parking maneuvers.

Another type of camera included in the Silverado's trailering camera system is the Hitch View Camera. This camera is mounted near the hitch and provides a close-up view of the trailer coupling process. It helps the driver align the truck and trailer accurately, ensuring a secure connection.

The latest Chevy Silverado models may also incorporate advanced features such as dynamic guidelines and zoom capabilities. The dynamic guidelines help drivers gauge the distance between the trailer and obstacles, while the zoom feature allows for a more precise and controlled towing experience.

Multiple camera views

The Chevy Silverado's camera system offers multiple views to enhance visibility and safety while towing. The exact number of camera views available depends on the specific model and year of the vehicle, as well as the camera package equipped. However, here is a detailed overview of the multiple camera views offered by the Chevy Silverado:

Rearview Camera: This camera is mounted on the back of the truck, providing a clear view of the area directly behind the trailer. It helps the driver see obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles, especially when reversing. This view is essential for improving visibility and overall safety while towing.

Side-view Cameras: These cameras are usually positioned on the side mirrors or fenders of the truck, offering a wide-angle view of the trailer's sides. They are particularly useful for reducing blind spots and aiding in lane changes or parking maneuvers. With the side-view cameras, drivers can make more informed decisions and execute maneuvers with confidence.

Hitch View Camera: Mounted near the hitch, this camera provides a close-up view of the trailer coupling process. It helps the driver align the truck and trailer accurately, ensuring a secure connection. This view is especially useful when connecting to a trailer, providing precise alignment and improving the overall towing experience.

Cargo Bed View: This camera allows drivers to see inside the cargo bed, making it easier to hitch a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer. It also enables drivers to monitor cargo and ensure it is secure during transit. The cargo bed view can be zoomed in for a closer look, ensuring a more controlled and precise towing experience.

Transparent Trailer View: This is perhaps the most innovative feature, allowing drivers to "see through" a compatible conventional trailer. By utilising a combination of cameras and software algorithms, the system creates a composite view that makes the trailer appear invisible. This view helps drivers see vehicles directly behind the trailer, improving situational awareness and reducing the risk of accidents.

Front and Rear Underbody Views: These camera views allow drivers to see underneath the truck, providing visibility of the terrain below. This is particularly useful for navigating rough terrain or manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Picture-in-Picture Side View: This view provides a rearward split screen of the left and right sides of the vehicle and trailer, along with an overlay of the area behind the trailer. It offers a comprehensive perspective, aiding in lane changes and manoeuvring.

Trailer Angle Indicator: This feature provides visual and audible alerts when the trailer is in danger of jackknifing. It helps drivers make corrective actions and improve the overall safety of the towing experience.

Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert: This system uses radar sensors in the rear corners of the vehicle to detect vehicles in the side blind zone, even when a trailer is attached. It extends the detection range, improving safety and helping drivers avoid lane-change collisions.

The multiple camera views offered by the Chevy Silverado provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle's surroundings, enhancing safety and convenience for drivers. With improved visibility and spatial awareness, drivers can navigate tight spaces, crowded areas, and challenging driving conditions with greater ease and precision.

Dynamic guidelines and zoom

The Silverado's camera system offers a range of dynamic guidelines and zoom features to enhance visibility and make trailering easier. The system offers up to 14 or 15 unique views, depending on the source, to assist with hitching, driving, and parking.

The dynamic guidelines are a key component of the Silverado's camera system, providing drivers with valuable information about their vehicle's position and the surrounding environment. The Trailer Angle Indicator, for example, displays the current path of the trailer, while a second set of guidelines shows where the trailer will go based on steering inputs. This feature is particularly useful when navigating tight spaces or making lane changes, as it helps to avoid obstacles and ensure a smooth driving experience.

In addition to the dynamic guidelines, the Silverado's camera system also offers zoom capabilities that enhance visibility. One notable feature is the Cargo Bed Zoom, which allows drivers to get a closer look at the cargo bed area. This can be helpful when hitching a trailer or checking on cargo to ensure everything is securely in place.

The combination of dynamic guidelines and zoom capabilities in the Silverado's camera system provides drivers with a comprehensive understanding of their surroundings. By offering multiple viewpoints and the ability to focus on specific areas, the system enhances overall visibility and makes trailering a more manageable task.

The Silverado's camera system also includes a Transparent Trailer View, which is a unique feature that allows drivers to "see through" a compatible trailer. This view combines different camera angles from the area behind the truck and trailer, creating a virtual image that makes the trailer appear invisible. This feature further enhances visibility and improves driver confidence when towing large objects.

Camera system setup

The camera system setup for the Silverado's see-through trailer feature is known as the Transparent Trailer View. This technology utilises a multi-camera system with up to 15 different viewpoints to improve the driver's visibility while towing a trailer.

To set up the Transparent Trailer View, you will need a properly equipped truck, a compatible trailer, and the necessary tools to install the accessory camera. The first step is to install the accessory trailer camera on the back of your trailer. The ideal position for mounting the camera lens is horizontally centred on the back of the trailer, vertically angled 35 degrees downward from the horizontal, and 4 inches higher than the tailgate camera on the back of the truck.

Next, you will need to route and secure the wiring harness on the outside of the trailer, following the camera installation instructions provided. Connect the camera to the connector at the trailer hitch, which should be linked to the rear trailer camera port.

The following step is to enter the trailer's dimensions into your Trailer Profile via the infotainment system. Tap the trailering icon on the home screen and enter the seven required dimensions, including the centre of the coupler to the furthest rear point, the ground to the top of the coupler, and the left edge to the right edge of the trailer.

Finally, calibrate the Transparent Trailer View system by driving forward in a straight line. This process will confirm the dimensions entered and create an accurate view of what's behind the trailer. The calibration begins automatically, and you can monitor its progress by tapping the Camera app icon on your infotainment system Home screen. Once the calibration is finished, the Transparent Trailer View will be active, and you will be able to see through the trailer as if it were invisible.

Safety and convenience

The Silverado's camera system offers a host of safety and convenience features to improve the driving experience, especially when towing a trailer.

Firstly, the system offers up to 8 cameras and 14 different views, providing drivers with a comprehensive view of their surroundings, which is invaluable when towing large objects. This includes Hitch Views, Driving Views, and Parking Views, all of which help drivers navigate and manoeuvre more safely and confidently. The Hitch Views, for example, offer a close-up view of the receiver hitch and the clearance between the truck bed and nearby objects, making it easier to connect a trailer. The Driving Views keep an eye on the truck, trailer, and the terrain below, while the Parking Views provide a bird's-eye view of the truck's surroundings, making it easier to park and manoeuvre in tight spaces.

The Transparent Trailer View is a standout feature, allowing the driver to "see through" a compatible trailer as if it were invisible. This is achieved by combining different camera angles of the area behind the truck and trailer, and then displaying this image on the infotainment screen. This feature improves visibility and safety, reducing blind spots and helping drivers see vehicles directly behind the trailer.

The camera system also includes dynamic guidelines and zoom capabilities. The dynamic guidelines aid drivers in gauging distances and manoeuvring in tight spaces, while the zoom feature allows for a more precise and controlled towing experience.

The Silverado's camera technology is an excellent tool for improving safety and convenience, especially when towing. It reduces blind spots, improves visibility, and helps drivers navigate and manoeuvre more confidently. This technology is a welcome addition to any driver's arsenal, making the Silverado an even more attractive option for those seeking a powerful and safe driving experience.

Frequently asked questions