WCS (Wireless Camera System) for 4G Tacoma

[scythanith]

I really want to try this but I'm dying to know if it worked on anyone else's ride?

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[scythanith]

Any progress?

 

[Baltimore]

@Gurvy522 - did you ever dig into this further? Just curious. Also, since you have the necessary parts for GTS+, I'm curious if you noticed a ODB trouble code regularly appearing as part of your 360 Camera ECU. Mine regularly reports "missing radio antenna". Clear it, and it's back within a key cycle. Since all systems are working, it leaves me wondering if the telematics is sitting there active and actually whining that it can't find the outboard antennas wired in.

 

[lauren01]

Got my WCS Trailer camera paired finally.
Here is my response to Toyota’s customer survey.


Despite unclear, outdated, and incorrect instructions from Toyota about setting up the factory Wireless Camera System, the service advisor (Emilio) and service supervisor helped me resolve the problems. The quick start guide and YouTube Toyota videos are incorrect. The long form instructions are incomplete as well.

My original trailer camera was replaced under warranty since it would not charge. Problem #2: The replacement camera would not “wake up” after charging 6+ hours and attempting to pair with the truck. Hours of effort later, I was able to pair the replacement camera to my Trailhunter. I recommend Toyota get with Panasonic and include chargers for the camera that will work. The camera sometimes charges with a USB C to C but prefers an A to C with an extended 10mm tip on the C end that plugs into the trailer camera. Toyota also needs to revise the instructions. If you need help, feel free to get in touch and I can assist.
Thank you.

 

[scythanith]

Got my WCS Trailer camera paired finally.
Here is my response to Toyota’s customer survey.


Despite unclear, outdated, and incorrect instructions from Toyota about setting up the factory Wireless Camera System, the service advisor (Emilio) and service supervisor helped me resolve the problems. The quick start guide and YouTube Toyota videos are incorrect. The long form instructions are incomplete as well.

My original trailer camera was replaced under warranty since it would not charge. Problem #2: The replacement camera would not “wake up” after charging 6+ hours and attempting to pair with the truck. Hours of effort later, I was able to pair the replacement camera to my Trailhunter. I recommend Toyota get with Panasonic and include chargers for the camera that will work. The camera sometimes charges with a USB C to C but prefers an A to C with an extended 10mm tip on the C end that plugs into the trailer camera. Toyota also needs to revise the instructions. If you need help, feel free to get in touch and I can assist.
Thank you.

Hi Lauren, can you confirm you have a regular Trailhunter and no additional shark fins on your roof? I’d love to have a play by play of how you did it before I invest in the camera system. My dealership told me it wouldn’t work. And Toyota Canada told me to pound sand

 

[lauren01]

Hi Lauren, can you confirm you have a regular Trailhunter and no additional shark fins on your roof? I’d love to have a play by play of how you did it before I invest in the camera system. My dealership told me it wouldn’t work. And Toyota Canada told me to pound sand

I DO have the two WCS shark fins. The vehicles with WCS have a special roof and wiring as well as software. There is no retrofit. You have to buy a vehicle that has it already. Some of the Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro are equipped with WCS. There aren’t that many, but I have seen a few in the wild besides mine.

Should be able to see three fins in some or all of these pictures.

I’m in California. I wonder if Canada models do not currently offer the OEM WCS on the Tacomas.

With our Subaru, we had an aftermarket $150 trailer camera, but it was crappy. I would recommend getting something recommended by an RV outfitter. Although it wouldn’t be integrated with your Tacoma mirror or infotainment display, you could probably run it on an iPad or monitor provided with the system.

 

[scythanith]

Jealous! My local service manager is right again lol!

 

[lauren01]

Jealous! My local service manager is right again lol!

LMAO! To find a ‘25 TH with 6’ bed, WCS, less a discount ($3474) my sense of frugality had me lurk the ‘net for months to find that unicorn. We drove 250 miles in 104° weather to get it.

Just hope this WCS works GREAT when we get on the road with it on the trailer soon. We have had high winds and fire weather this week. Blew down our steel fence last night. We’ll get our Tacoma out with the little Bean Trailer when California permits.

 

[RESQCAT]

Got my WCS Trailer camera paired finally.
Here is my response to Toyota’s customer survey.


Despite unclear, outdated, and incorrect instructions from Toyota about setting up the factory Wireless Camera System, the service advisor (Emilio) and service supervisor helped me resolve the problems. The quick start guide and YouTube Toyota videos are incorrect. The long form instructions are incomplete as well.

My original trailer camera was replaced under warranty since it would not charge. Problem #2: The replacement camera would not “wake up” after charging 6+ hours and attempting to pair with the truck. Hours of effort later, I was able to pair the replacement camera to my Trailhunter. I recommend Toyota get with Panasonic and include chargers for the camera that will work. The camera sometimes charges with a USB C to C but prefers an A to C with an extended 10mm tip on the C end that plugs into the trailer camera. Toyota also needs to revise the instructions. If you need help, feel free to get in touch and I can assist.
Thank you.

I had same problem with camera #1 bought with truck. Simply would not charge or pair. Exchanged under warranty, Toyota got it to pair. I could not. Sometime later, found that camera #2 had a broken antenna mount due to an undisclosed "drop" that left a crack so water intruded. Shorted out. #3 has arrived and is ready to install... Do you have the actual instructions that work? I am resisting paying Toyota. How did you get it to wake up? I tried charging the camera and the red LED does not light up.... Hopefully not another lemon.

 

[lauren01]

I had same problem with camera #1 bought with truck. Simply would not charge or pair. Exchanged under warranty, Toyota got it to pair. I could not. Sometime later, found that camera #2 had a broken antenna mount due to an undisclosed "drop" that left a crack so water intruded. Shorted out. #3 has arrived and is ready to install... Do you have the actual instructions that work? I am resisting paying Toyota. How did you get it to wake up? I tried charging the camera and the red LED does not light up.... Hopefully not another lemon.

These were the important changes to get the replacement camera to wake up.

I had same problem with camera #1 bought with truck. Simply would not charge or pair. Exchanged under warranty, Toyota got it to pair. I could not. Sometime later, found that camera #2 had a broken antenna mount due to an undisclosed "drop" that left a crack so water intruded. Shorted out. #3 has arrived and is ready to install... Do you have the actual instructions that work? I am resisting paying Toyota. How did you get it to wake up? I tried charging the camera and the red LED does not light up.... Hopefully not another lemon.

These are the changes that we made to get the camera to wake up, pair, and show on the monitors. Before you pair the camera, you need it to charge. It will not charge with the 12 V plug using the power station in my house. The dealer confirmed by talking to Toyota that does not work. Instead, use a USB-A to USB-C charger.
Important: get a USB-C charger that plugs into the camera with a an extended 10 mm tip. I had a seat to see that was fairly new with 10 mm tips on both sides. That would not work in the car or on my power station in the house. When I use the USB to see with extended 10 mm tip, the sucker started powering up right away. You can tell by the light coming on.

I recommend taking a screenshot of the light codes so you will not have to flip around in the guide to get to it. It might help to have a second person interpreting what those light codes mean while you are fiddling around with the camera.

1. Use the pdf guide linked below. The dealer service supervisor said that this one (which I texted to them) is the same one that they have available from Toyota Corporate. They confirmed that the Quickstart guide is incorrect.

For example, the Quickstart guide instructs us to have the vehicle in a gear other than park to pair, but this Guide says to put it in park. I confirmed that I cannot get to screen number one unless the car is in park. It seems that there’s been some reprogramming since the Quickstart guide became outdated. I worked on this at the dealership so I am confident this is the way to go.

https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/omnav-s/OMCamera/pdf/OMCamera.pdf

2. Bring your camera with you into the truck with your key. Turn on the truck (engine running); it’s OK if it auto stops. You are still turned on just as if you were going to drive.
Follow the above guide to get to the pairing screen on your 14” display. The physical button you need to press to get to the right screen on the 14” display is on your center console.

Even though the guide does not show the antennas on the unit while you were in the truck pairing, I could not get it to pair until I put the antennas on.

I put the antennas on and positioned them parallel to the ground — it was close enough at a 45° angle; trying to get it at 90° made the intense flop around and I was afraid to break them off. Make sure you do the camera up/down motions **before** pointing the camera at the QR code. Meaning hold the camera lens toward the ceiling/roof, then rotate down towards the center console (with force). It did not take several minutes of holding the camera in front of the QR code to get the pairing to succeed.

Side note, I think force is required because there is an accelerometer in the camera just like with an iPhone. Sometimes when an iPhone screen won’t tilt back the way you want you have to use more force. This is the same thing I experienced with the camera.

The motions that worked for me are as follows.
Point camera up to ceiling/roof for five seconds, then **quickly with force** point lens side down for five seconds, right side for five seconds, left side for five seconds.

Then hold the camera close to the QR code (the guide says 3 to 4 inches although that doesn’t make intuitive sense to me) then I had to back off to about where the center console is. Then after holding it there for a brief time, maybe 10 seconds the camera paired.

I will post some pictures on the next comment…

 

[lauren01]

Here are some pictures that I hope will help you with all the fun of WCS pairing.

Any updates on this, guys?

You should ask the gals.



Here’s a link to the charger, USB A USB-C WITH EXTENDED 10 MM TIP. This is a 2-pack.

10mm Extended Tip USB Type C Data... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZJ1HFBL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[RESQCAT]

Thank you so very much. 10mm long tip. I just purchased the ones you sent the link for.

Use force. Strong language as needed.

They sure do not make this easy.

All kidding aside, thanks for taking the time to help me. I use this truck for Search and Rescue, and getting the equipment working is really important to me. All the very best!

 

[lauren01]

Thank you so very much. 10mm long tip. I just purchased the ones you sent the link for.

Use force. Strong language as needed.

They sure do not make this easy.

All kidding aside, thanks for taking the time to help me. I use this truck for Search and Rescue, and getting the equipment working is really important to me. All the very best!

Yes Sir, especially happy to help you. Your work is so important!
Makes me feel like I missed my calling.

 

[RESQCAT]

Yes Sir, especially happy to help you. Your work is so important!
Makes me feel like I missed my calling.

SAR tends to vary from state to state, but is largely staffed by volunteers most places. We work for the Sheriff under a State law governing the Emergency Worker Program. There is a Division under our Military Department that handles Emergency Management for the State, and counties and municipalities have their own EM departments that we may coordinate with. But the Sheriff of each county is responsible for SAR activities in our State.

Our King County Search and Rescue Association is a 501(c)(3) charity, as are the 8 units that comprise it. I have been a member of KC4x4SAR for about 21 years. Our Association responds to about 150-200+ missions, both wilderness and urban, per year. We help with high angle rescue (Seattle Mountain Rescue), Winter Rescue (SMR, Ski Patrol Alpine Rescue (SPART)), KCSearch Dogs - dog team searches, ground searches (ESAR/SMR), Command Support (Incident Support Team) and we all do crime scenes processing (clue search), area search, evac (Regional Special Vehicle Unit (RSVU- UTVs, ATVs, etc.) and 4x4). 4x4 primarily does aviation support (helo evac with County, Coast Guard, Navy, even Air Force/Army other agency helicopters... and much more. We work with the Washington State Animal REsponse Team (WASART) from time to time, mainly dealing with horses and livestock, and the occasional pup hurt or exhausted in the back country.

WIth the World Cup coming up we expect a busy late spring and early summer.

Missed your calling? I invite you to check out how SAR works where you live. I am 70 years old, still responding, and am currently the VP Operations for my unit. And I am not the oldest member of my unit or in our Association!

SAR units are always recruiting! And... when you "need" something for your truck, you learn to say "Honey, its not for me... its for the PEOPLE". Say it with feeling. It might actually work.

 

[lauren01]

SAR tends to vary from state to state, but is largely staffed by volunteers most places. We work for the Sheriff under a State law governing the Emergency Worker Program. There is a Division under our Military Department that handles Emergency Management for the State, and counties and municipalities have their own EM departments.

Our King County Search and Rescue Association is a 501(c)(3) charity, as are the 8 units that comprise it. I have been a member of KC4x4SAR for about 21 years. Our Association responds to about 150-200+ missions, both wilderness and urban, per year. We help with high angle rescue (Seattle Mountain Rescue), Winter Rescue (SMR, Ski Patrol Alpine Rescue (SPART)), KCSearch Dogs - dog team searches, ground searches (ESAR/SMR), Command Support (Incident Support Team) and we all do crime scenes processing (clue search), area search, evac (Regional Special Vehicle Unit (RSVU- UTVs, ATVs, etc.) and 4x4). 4x4 primarily does aviation support (helo evac with County, Coast Guard, Navy, even Air Force/Army other agency helicopters... and much more. We work with the Washington State Animal REsponse Team (WASART) from time to time, mainly dealing with horses and livestock, and the occasional pup hurt or exhausted in the back country.

WIth the World Cup coming up we expect a busy late spring and early summer. If interested, check out how SAR works where you live. We are always recruiting! And... when you "need" something for your truck, you learn to say "Honey, its not for me... its for the PEOPLE". Say it with feeling. It might actually work.

SAR tends to vary from state to state, but is largely staffed by volunteers most places. We work for the Sheriff under a State law governing the Emergency Worker Program. There is a Division under our Military Department that handles Emergency Management for the State, and counties and municipalities have their own EM departments that we may coordinate with. But the Sheriff of each county is responsible for SAR activities in our State.

Our King County Search and Rescue Association is a 501(c)(3) charity, as are the 8 units that comprise it. I have been a member of KC4x4SAR for about 21 years. Our Association responds to about 150-200+ missions, both wilderness and urban, per year. We help with high angle rescue (Seattle Mountain Rescue), Winter Rescue (SMR, Ski Patrol Alpine Rescue (SPART)), KCSearch Dogs - dog team searches, ground searches (ESAR/SMR), Command Support (Incident Support Team) and we all do crime scenes processing (clue search), area search, evac (Regional Special Vehicle Unit (RSVU- UTVs, ATVs, etc.) and 4x4). 4x4 primarily does aviation support (helo evac with County, Coast Guard, Navy, even Air Force/Army other agency helicopters... and much more. We work with the Washington State Animal REsponse Team (WASART) from time to time, mainly dealing with horses and livestock, and the occasional pup hurt or exhausted in the back country.

WIth the World Cup coming up we expect a busy late spring and early summer.

Missed your calling? I invite you to check out how SAR works where you live. I am 70 years old, still responding, and am currently the VP Operations for my unit. And I am not the oldest member of my unit or in our Association!

SAR units are always recruiting! And... when you "need" something for your truck, you learn to say "Honey, its not for me... its for the PEOPLE". Say it with feeling. It might actually work.

That’s awesome! My wife lets me buy anything for my truck lol. And she spends a shitload on her Subaru. Today we put in the auto stop eliminator and she is so happy! Better than an overly sweetened chocolate bunny.

I am 60, female, 5’ 1” and healthy. Just had cardiac scans run and do not have hard calcium or soft sludge in my carotids. So perhaps I could make a contribution. Wanted to make sure I could still referee the roller derby in 95° heat after retiring from active skating for eight years and football for three years before that. Yes, real ass football.
I will look into rescue crew work. My volunteer résumé is a mile long. This could be quite a gig. As you may realize, we have a lot of fires around here. A lot of evacuations, then mudslides when the rains come. I would be glad to learn a new way to pay it forward.

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