Abstract: A universal mobile video surveillance system for convenient mounting in a truck or other vehicle with a flat bed, can include a sled, leveling jacks, mounted externally via outriggers to the four corners of the sled, and a surveillance mast, which can further include a sensor unit, which for example can be a video recording unit, optionally also fitted with lighting and audio recording capability. The design, using leveling jacks with caster wheels, can allow one operator to move the surveillance system onto and off the bed of a truck. A method for transferring a mobile video surveillance system onto the bed of a truck can include lifting the leveling jacks, placing the bed of a truck under the sled, which is carrying the surveillance mast, and then lowering the leveling jacks and securing the sled to the truck, using tie-down components that attach to mounts in the truck bed.