GWM Tank 500 Reversing Camera Blocked? 5-Step Fix (2026)
One wrong move while reversing your modified Tank 500 can cost you thousands in panel damage — and a blocked camera makes it far more likely. That blind spot from your new 35-inch tyres isn't just annoying; it's genuinely dangerous.
If you own a GWM Tank 500 with a blocked factory reversing camera, the simplest fix is to fit a number-plate backup camera mount. This relocates your camera to a lower, clearer position, restoring parking safety almost instantly.
This guide explains why the fix matters, how to choose the right adjustable bracket, and how to install and aim it perfectly to remove those dangerous blind spots for good.
The Hidden Danger of a Blocked Camera
A blocked Tank 500 camera is more than an inconvenience. Every time you shift into reverse you're working with incomplete information, exactly when a clear view matters most.
"My new tyres killed my view"
This problem is real, and owners raise it constantly in GWM Tank owners' groups and Australian 4x4 forums. A typical post runs along the lines of: "Just fitted 35s on my Tank 500. Love the look, but I can't see a thing behind me — the camera now just shows my own tyre tread, and parking is a nightmare."
Countless drivers share this frustration. They upgrade for better off-road performance, then quietly lose on-road safety.
Why this matters so much in Australia
Low-speed reversing incidents are a serious issue here. According to child-safety charity Kidsafe, around 7 children are killed and 60 seriously injured every year in driveway run-overs across Australia, most often at their own home with a family member driving.
Crucially for Tank 500 owners, large 4WDs and utes are over-represented in the most serious incidents — they're heavier and have bigger blind spots, with some large vehicles unable to see a small child until they're more than 10–15 metres behind. A working reversing camera is an important aid here, though it's never a substitute for walking around your vehicle and supervising children near driveways.
Beyond the bumper
The risks go past accidents alone. A disabled safety feature can complicate an insurance claim after a collision, and poorly executed modifications hurt resale value, since buyers see compromised safety gear as a red flag. The problems add up quickly:
- Higher risk of low-speed collisions in car parks and driveways
- Potential insurance-claim complications
- Lower resale value
- Daily frustration and lost confidence when reversing
Installing a Number-Plate Camera Mount
Fitting a number-plate backup camera mount on your Tank 500 is straightforward — most owners finish it in one afternoon — and it restores full functionality without permanent changes to the vehicle.
Your pre-installation checklist
Gather your tools and new bracket first. Choose a mount made from stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium, as these materials handle Australian weather and corrugations far better.
- Socket set
- Plastic trim-removal tools
- Wire fish tape
- Zip ties
- A quality adjustable bracket for the Tank 500 reversing camera
Step 1: Access the OEM camera
Remove the spare wheel first to get clear access to the rear tailgate. Use your trim-removal tools carefully to unclip the plastic housing around the factory camera, disconnect the camera's wiring harness, and set the housing aside safely.
Step 2: Mount the bracket and camera
Mount your new bracket behind the number plate using the existing screw holes. We added a bead of clear silicone adhesive behind ours to reduce vibration on rough roads.
Attach the camera to the bracket. We torqued the camera's small mounting nuts to 4 Nm — snug without cracking the plastic housing.
Step 3: The art of wiring
This step decides how professional your install looks. Route the camera's extension wire through the tailgate's existing rubber grommet — no drilling required.
Use wire fish tape to guide the cable alongside the factory wiring, securing it with zip ties as you go to prevent damage and keep things neat. Run the wire all the way to the area behind the head unit.
Step 4: Powering up
Connect the camera's power and video signals, tapping into the reverse-light circuit for power. The camera will then activate automatically when you shift into reverse. Test it once to confirm you get a picture on the screen.
Step 5: Critical fine-tuning
This step matters most for safety. Have someone stand at roughly 0.5 m, 1 m and 1.5 m directly behind your bumper.
Adjust the camera's vertical angle on the bracket so you can clearly see the ground just behind the bumper — this eliminates the immediate blind spot — while keeping a wide view of the area behind you. Lock the bracket securely once you've found the perfect angle.
| Component | Recommended Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Number-plate screws | Hand-tight + ¼ turn | Avoids cracking the plate frame |
| Bracket mounting bolts | 5–7 Nm | Ensures a vibration-free fit |
| Camera fasteners | 3–4 Nm | Prevents damage to the camera housing |
Our Real-World Test
We tested this solution in real conditions, taking it beyond theory into practical results.
The test subject
Our test vehicle was a Tank 500 fitted with 35-inch all-terrain tyres. The modification worked brilliantly off-road, but created a huge blind spot — the top 40% of the original camera view showed only tyre tread, making close manoeuvring almost impossible.
From blind spots to full view
The new number-plate camera mount gave us a 170-degree field of view. After fine-tuning, we could clearly see a traffic cone just 45 cm from our rear bumper — a spot the obstructed OEM camera couldn't see at all. The improvement in awareness was immediate and dramatic.
Performance in a downpour
We deliberately tested it during a heavy evening rainstorm. The lower mounting position cut glare significantly, where the high-mounted third brake light had been reflecting off wet pavement. The result was a clearer, higher-contrast image than the OEM camera ever provided, even when unobstructed.
The off-road vibration test
We drove 8 km of corrugated dirt road to test durability, and the image stayed stable with no flickering. We used nylon-insert lock nuts on the adjustable bracket, torqued to 8 Nm, which stopped the camera angle from shifting — a point where cheaper mounts often fail. Engineering bodies such as SAE International explain how sustained vibration affects vehicle electronics over time.
Number-Plate Mount vs the Factory Camera
How does this solution compare with the factory setup? You trade a little perspective but gain real functionality on a modified vehicle.
Field of view
The high-mounted OEM camera gives a top-down, "bird's-eye" view that works well for judging distance in open areas. The number-plate mount provides a wider, more realistic ground-level view — better for spotting low obstacles like kerbs, rocks or small objects right behind your vehicle.
Cost and durability
A number-plate mount costs very little, where custom fabrication or alternative OEM parts cost far more. Choose high-quality materials and an adjustable bracket will handle both on-road and off-road use — and best of all, the entire modification reverses completely.
✓ Number-plate mount
- Wide, low-angle view of the ground behind you
- Cheap, DIY, non-destructive and fully reversible
- Less glare and great low-light performance
✗ Trade-offs
- Loses the factory high "bird's-eye" perspective
- Needs careful aiming to get the angle right
- Quality varies — cheap brackets can rattle loose
| Feature | Number-Plate Mount | Unobstructed OEM | Custom Relocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| View angle | Wide, low-angle | Good, high-angle | Varies |
| Installation | DIY, non-destructive | Factory | Professional, destructive |
| Cost | $ (low) | N/A (factory) | $$$ (high) |
| Reversibility | 100% reversible | N/A | Difficult / costly |
Protecting Your Camera
Proper camera care ensures long-term performance, whether you've relocated the unit or kept the original OEM camera. Off-roading, road debris and high-pressure car washes can all damage a sensitive camera lens, and a minor failure like a scratched lens quickly becomes an expensive headache.
Protect the lens: a number-plate mount restores your view, but the camera itself still needs shielding. We recommend the Spare Tyre Camera Cover for the GWM Tank 300/500 & Haval H9 from EVparts4x4. Moulded from high-impact, UV-resistant ABS+PC, it fits flush, conceals the gap left after a spare-tyre delete, and shields your expensive OEM lens from scratches and impacts — and the glow-in-the-dark version adds passive safety at night. Browse it and other fitment-verified upgrades in our GWM Tank 500 parts collection.
Reclaim Your View
Upgrading your Tank 500 shouldn't mean downgrading safety. A blocked reversing camera creates risk you simply don't have to accept.
A high-quality adjustable number-plate mount gives a clean, non-destructive install that completely restores — and sometimes improves — your rearward view. Fit one, aim it carefully, and you'll reverse with the same confidence you had when your Tank 500 was stock.
GWM Tank 500 Reversing Camera: FAQ
Why is my GWM Tank 500 reversing camera blocked?
On a modified Tank 500, larger aftermarket tyres or a relocated spare wheel sit in the line of sight of the tailgate-mounted camera, so the top of the image fills with tyre tread instead of the ground behind you.
How do I fix a blocked reversing camera on a Tank 500?
Fit an adjustable number-plate camera mount. It bolts behind the number plate using existing holes (no drilling), taps into the reverse-light circuit for power, and gives a low, clear view of the ground behind the bumper. The whole job takes about an afternoon.
Does relocating the camera require drilling, and is it reversible?
No drilling is needed — the wire routes through the tailgate's existing rubber grommet and the bracket uses factory screw holes. The modification is 100% reversible, so you can return the vehicle to stock at any time.
Does a number-plate camera replace the factory bird's-eye view?
It changes the perspective. You swap the high "bird's-eye" angle for a wider, lower view that's better at spotting kerbs, rocks and low obstacles close to the bumper, which is usually more useful on a lifted 4WD.
How do I protect the Tank 500 camera from scratches and grime?
Fit a moulded spare-tyre camera cover designed for the Tank 300/500. It shields the OEM lens from debris and impacts and gives a clean, factory-look finish after a spare-tyre delete.
