How to keep cameras on while driving

[Cracksrubi]

The other night I was riding in my buddies power wagon and they can turn the cargo lights and rear cameras on while driving for as long as they want. This was really helpful because we were worried about our strap job on the piece of furniture. Does anyone know how to do this on a 2020 LTZ because mine only stays on for 8 seconds and no cargo lights while driving 

[ManyCamaroz]

My company truck is a RAM Tradesman 2500 and has the feature to activate the tailgate camera on demand and I wondered if my 2500HD has this feature but haven't checked.

[davester]

owners manual.  free pdf download from gm's website.

[rmsmis]

GM seems to have disabled the ability to turn on the cargo lights while driving starting in the 2020 model year because it also can turn on the lights in the mirrors.  I miss that too.  As for the camera, it will only stay on when not in a forward driving gear as a "safety" measure so the driver is not distracted by it  When driving, you get the 8 second timeout.

[newdude]

On 10/18/2025 at 3:18 PM, Cracksrubi said:

The other night I was riding in my buddies power wagon and they can turn the cargo lights and rear cameras on while driving for as long as they want. This was really helpful because we were worried about our strap job on the piece of furniture. Does anyone know how to do this on a 2020 LTZ because mine only stays on for 8 seconds and no cargo lights while driving 

 

 

Cargo lights thing has been a deal since 2014 when they launched the new body style that year.  GM, for whatever reason has them programmed to where they can only come on in neutral, reverse or park.

 

As for the cameras, 2022.5 and newer you can run the cameras for as long as you want.  19-22 I don't know if there is a timer workaround.  

[BCGM]

Okay so mine is a 2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom . How do I activate the rear camera if I'm driving ?

Thank You

[AndrewF]

49 minutes ago, BCGM said:

Okay so mine is a 2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom . How do I activate the rear camera if I'm driving ?

Thank You

My 24 is a WT but I go on the radio screen to the camera icon and the rear camera is the only option. Hit that and it’ll put the camera on while driving forward. 

Edited November 8, 2025 by AndrewF

[BCGM]

On 11/7/2025 at 4:05 PM, AndrewF said:

My 24 is a WT but I go on the radio screen to the camera icon and the rear camera is the only option. Hit that and it’ll put the camera on while driving forward. 

Thank You Andrew !!

[Jettech1]

On 10/30/2025 at 11:07 AM, newdude said:

 

 

Cargo lights thing has been a deal since 2014 when they launched the new body style that year.  GM, for whatever reason has them programmed to where they can only come on in neutral, reverse or park.

 

As for the cameras, 2022.5 and newer you can run the cameras for as long as you want.  19-22 I don't know if there is a timer workaround.  

Here's a weird thing.  With my 22 I can turn on the rear cargo lights at anytime while driving etc.  But the rear camera will only stay on for like 10 to 15 seconds I think, I've never timed it.