Rearward Facing Cameras For Backup

I always catch myself thinking about how beneficial a blind spot camera would help. Just a magnetic camera that one can stick on the front of the trailer sticking out and pointed toward the tail of the trailer.

I can see a camera being beneficial in that scenario but I'd rather not rely on it and get my skills better. Next back after that one though was great. As for a magnetic cam that can be switched from trailer to trailer and take with you no way. I'd forget it at some point. What I have wondered though is why don't trailers have back up lights? And maybe a license plate like light at each curbside corner on the rear pointed down toward the tandems to better illuminate tight turns.

The bakkab has a system in place to let you know if you forget it. I don't know how it works (my guess is once your wireless device loses signal with it it tells you on your device). They already thought of that problem and made a solution haha.

As for the lights and what not... added cost. there probably are trailers with that kind of setup, either after market or before but it's an added cost that most companies don't see the value in, just like driver's side hood mirrors. not needed so quite a few companies opt out since they're like an additional $400-500 per truck for that one hood mirror. lights on the trailer like you mentioned are not "needed" so not something carriers want to invest in.

Rear end cameras are so last century. A drone with a low light lens hovering 50 feet over your truck would give you all the views you need to back. Not just what your trailer may hit, but also your front end...

Ray wrote:

Curious why there is no mention of the cameras that people use on their cars being used on the back of trucks?

Because a rear facing camera is not only impractical, it's completely unnecessary.

Indeed, they make way more sense for 80% of the motoring public with poor skills and no sense of awareness of their environment or surroundings. From the perspective of learning,...a backup camera will not enable an easier path to learning how-to setup for and execute a backing maneuver. A driver must alternate their focus when backing between the mirrors; side, convex (wide-angle), fender spot and looking over their shoulder to see the line they are taking into the hole. I just see this as another crutch (liken to Dan's point), and may actually create another, unwanted electronic distraction.

If a professional truck driver performs and conducts their business in the way they were taught with discipline and consistency, a backup camera is nothing more than gingerbread, something else to break or malfunction. Ray we have this thing called G.O.A.L.; "get out and look". It applies to any tight, contained situation requiring an extra level of care and precision where a mistake can easily break something, like backing. If the G.O.A.L. is used as the primary tool necessary to ensure safe passage to the rear, there is honestly no need for this device. Besides, I can all but guarantee I will find a nail, or some other foreign object capable of puncturing a tire far more effectively than a backup camera ever can.

G-town, clearly you've been drinking the "trucking cool-aid" for too long. Wake up to the real world man. More technology is the solution to absolutely everything.

Technology is a force in its own right. We are merely the instruments to manifest its evolution.

G-town, clearly you've been drinking the "trucking cool-aid" for too long. Wake up to the real world man. More technology is the solution to absolutely everything.

LOL

At Iowa 80 they sell this, which I suppose you could use if your company allows. That camera is a good idea for certain situations, and I'm surprised in a way that it isn't more popular.

Lindenbwrote:

That camera is a good idea for certain situations

Linden I know you are really young, but before going too much further with this, please read my reply. Once you have done that, please give an example of a situation where this is a good idea.

Technology is a force in its own right. We are merely the instruments to manifest its evolution.

Oh jeez haha