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Old 04-26-2017, 11:55 AM   #1
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 11:59 AM   #2
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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.
For a 25' trailer? No. Just get better mirrors for your tow vehicle.
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:18 PM   #3
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For a 25' trailer? No. Just get better mirrors for your tow vehicle.
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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:28 PM   #4
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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.
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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:31 PM   #5
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:31 PM   #6
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:43 PM   #7
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:53 PM   #8
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 12:58 PM   #9
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What kind of tow mirrors do you recommend. The prices vary greatly
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Old 04-26-2017, 01:12 PM   #10
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 01:38 PM   #11
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 03:57 PM   #12
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 05:25 PM   #13
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 05:31 PM   #14
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 05:33 PM   #15
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 05:59 PM   #16
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 06:50 PM   #17
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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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Old 04-26-2017, 07:14 PM   #18
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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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Old 04-27-2017, 06:18 AM   #19
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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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Old 04-27-2017, 07:31 AM   #20
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What kind of tow mirrors do you recommend. The prices vary greatly
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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