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04-26-2017, 11:55 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 93
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Is backup camera needed on highway
I'm thinking about getting a backup camera after seeing a post that said it is useful for lane changes on highways. Do any find this to be true and/or are mirrors good enough.
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Rockwood ultra lite 2440ws
2014 Toyota Tundra 4wd v8 5.7
reese hitch
reese revolution on rv
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04-26-2017, 11:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 459
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bose04
I'm thinking about getting a backup camera after seeing a post that said it is useful for lane changes on highways. Do any find this to be true and/or are mirrors good enough.
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For a 25' trailer? No. Just get better mirrors for your tow vehicle.
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04-26-2017, 12:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lugoismad
For a 25' trailer? No. Just get better mirrors for your tow vehicle.
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Anything that increases your situational awareness is a good thing.
A rear camera mounted on your trailer will give you a positive view of what is really behind your trailer.
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Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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04-26-2017, 12:28 PM
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#4
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBob
Anything that increases your situational awareness is a good thing.
A rear camera mounted on your trailer will give you a positive view of what is really behind your trailer.
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Depends on how it's aimed. The wide angle views of these cameras can also give a false of how close or far something is. If I see a car in my rear camera, someone is about to hit me! I use it for keeping an eye on my toad or trailer.
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2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
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04-26-2017, 12:31 PM
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#5
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
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Is a camera needed? No. Is it useful? Sure. As BamaBob said, its helpful for situational awareness.
My 2 Ford pickups have both had the large Ford towing mirrors. They are amazingly good for towing. I see that there are similar mirrors made for your Tundra. If you don't have them, they cost about $200 on eBay. They'd be a good investment.
To me, the backup camera would be more beneficial for backing up than just travelling down the highway. Monitoring a good set of large towing mirrors will give you most of the awareness you need. The camera would just be a confirmation for most vehicles but there may be small cars and motorcycles that could disappear behind the trailer with just your mirrors.
If you're looking at the Furrion models, they make an "observation camera" that is supposed to be better than the "backup camera".
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2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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04-26-2017, 12:31 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 46
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In heavy traffic yes
I only turn my on when on highway in heavy traffic, for the most part I leave it off...of course it comes in real handy while backing up. I also have the same Tundra in a 2015 model and installed tow mirrors that extend out...best option for towing!
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04-26-2017, 12:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,626
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Not necessary, but definitely worth every penny. I have had mine for 8 years now and it is a great think to have.
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2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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04-26-2017, 12:53 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SUNSHINE STATE
Posts: 1,768
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Back up camera
I use mine all the time, especially for lane change. I have great towing mirrors when extended I can see both sides great. But with that little vehicle that is tucked behind me texting not paying any attention of what is going on, I then can see to shift lanes to put that little fellow in his or her own lane.
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Sid & HRH MISSY, SHIH TZU
2019 WILDCAT 28 SGX
2014 F-250 KING RANCH PS 6.7L/SWD/6R140/BFT
TST Truck System Technologies TM-507SE
DAYS CAMPED 2022 51 DAYS
[SIGPIC][/SI[SIGPIC]
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04-26-2017, 12:58 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 93
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What kind of tow mirrors do you recommend. The prices vary greatly
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Rockwood ultra lite 2440ws
2014 Toyota Tundra 4wd v8 5.7
reese hitch
reese revolution on rv
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04-26-2017, 01:12 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 46
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I went with turn signal/heated. They are manual telescopic, I have to lower my driver window and fold driver side in so I can get my truck in garage, that and manual telescopic are only gripes with these. Amazon has them around $284 but I think I found them elsewhere cheaper. It's been a year so I don't remember the cost I paid. Well worth it for towing! Forgot to mention they are super easy to install! Looked it up on Youtube before installing and was a breeze!
https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-70...ra+tow+mirrors
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04-26-2017, 01:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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The "Bumper Humper" behind your TT is a Total "Blind Spot",even with Big Long Towing Mirrors! Either you need to have someone Spot for you to back up or you run the risk of Hitting the Hidden Vehicle behind you!Be it Gas stations,Camp grounds,or any time a reverse move is required! Rear Observation is needed or someone needs to be "At the Rear" looking! Youroo!!
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04-26-2017, 03:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 338
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Backing up they are great to have but in traffic it's better to learn how to use the mirrors. As far as what's directly behind you...well that's their problem not yours.
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04-26-2017, 05:25 PM
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#13
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Failure is my business
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Slaughter, LA
Posts: 561
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I really like mine in traffic. With the towing mirrors alone you have no clue if some speeding schmuck is screaming up behind you in your lane and you changing lanes will cause him to have to take evasive action. The rear video eliminates that issue. More situational awareness is better.
Oddly I don't like mine for backing. I generally just use the mirrors.
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04-26-2017, 05:31 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Near Dallas
Posts: 293
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If you do settle on a backup camera, make sure it is an observation camera, which is intended as both backup and observation while traveling down the road. Some of the backup cameras cannot update fast enough at high speeds which diminishes its value. You need something with high refresh rates.
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04-26-2017, 05:33 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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I use ours anytime I'm towing. Very useful for changing lanes. I get out and look before and while backing, I don't depend on it alone for backing into a slot.
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Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
2014 8289WS lifted
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04-26-2017, 05:59 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 338
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I guess we all have our own way of driving and backing up. As for the Mr Zippys out there I stay mostly in the right lane and let them fly by me. Although I do keep an eye out on my right side while passing an on ramp because those Mr Zippys like to race ip the right side instead of merging. A little swing to the right with a big MH tends to change their mind and drive nice.
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04-26-2017, 06:50 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Oswego, NY
Posts: 293
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I use the camera a lot in merging situations. I have extended mirrors, but sometimes it's hard to judge distances (especially with convex mirror heads). The camera shows when I'm far enough past the traffic to safely change lanes. Very handy if you pull over to let cars/trucks merge onto the interstate and then you want to pull back into the slow lane.
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2015 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 WS. Rear LR, large street side slide with small wardrobe slide in BR.
2014 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel Laramie Quad Cab.
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04-26-2017, 07:14 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Posts: 244
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I use mine all of the time when passing. If I can see the front of the passed car I know that I have cleared him. When he goes a little further back I pull back into the lane.
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David, Sherry and our three fur kids, Nicholas, Finnegan and Bentley
2013 Coachmen Encounter 36BH
2014 Honda CR-V/ Blue Ox Patriot II
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04-27-2017, 06:18 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 627
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Great for backing up, checking traffic behind and in other lanes while on the road, making sure toad lights are working, getting better "how close am I to the wall" i when in narrow lanes in construction areas. Keeping eye on toad.
AND - Great for backing up
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2001 Coachmen Mirada (Ford F53 6.8L V10) - Toad 2003 Saturn Vue
It won't do MACH 2, but I can get a sandwich and take a pee.
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04-27-2017, 07:31 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Hendersonville, NC
Posts: 239
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bose04
What kind of tow mirrors do you recommend. The prices vary greatly
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I purchased these from Amazon.com for about $200 and have been very pleased with them. Extendable, fold-back, heated, power, and have marker and turn signals built in. and are plugin to the existing wiring harness. It took me about 45 minutes to install both of them. I also have a Furrion observation camera on my TT but rely on the mirrors for their superior clear view. The wide angle mirror at the bottom is excellent.
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Rob Payne
Hendersonville, NC
2018 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2304DS, 10K Equal-i-zer Hitch
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4WD 5.7L iForce V8
FROG Member since March 2017
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