Backup Trailer Camera's

Good Morning TT,

Yesterday came across a driver who had 2 side trailer cameras and rear camera.I actually think its a really great idea for trucking for the safety aspect but curious why it hasnt boomed like the car industry has. What do you guys and gals think ?

Before I started driving i wondered the same thing. Now that I'm out there I realize how pointless those would be. As far as the side cameras....you have 3 mirrors on that show what's on the side of you, for each side of trailer. Yes, it may help you if you can't see that well (such as a blindside 90) but you'll end up focusing too much on it and likely hit something. I am constantly changing which mirror I'm looking at while backing, including the side I don't have any obstacles to worry about. Never know when someone will squeeze in and you ultimately hit them. As far as cameras on back end of trailer, similar reasons I'm opposed to them. Sure, it sucks having to G.O.A.L. multiple times especially in inclement weather, but your able to assess the situation and identify hazards much easier than relying on technology. I completely get where your coming from, but I feel it would cause more trouble.

I understand your point cause you will get drivers who wont G.O.A.L ever again lol. How ever just think its a great saftey tool to have in your tool bag thats all.

I understand your point cause you will get drivers who wont G.O.A.L ever again lol. How ever just think its a great saftey tool to have in your tool bag thats all.

I disagree, not great.

It will not replace common sense, prudent safety habits, and basic skill.

It potentially creates an unnecessary distraction looking at a display screen with limited peripheral range, when your eyes should be checking mirrors and scanning existing sight lines while backing or passing another vehicle.

Can also create dependency on a technology that is rendered all but useless when debris, salt, ice, and road dirt accumulate on the camera lens.

It's a cool gimmick, that I for one don't need to add to a PTI. No thanks.

Backup cameras on any vehicle are great. Just like a car, what if someone is walking behind your trailer while you are backing up and you can't see him?

I'm sure thousands of toddlers' lives have been saved by backup cameras on cars. It certainly can't hurt to put them on trucks.

When backing, professional drivers WILL get out and look if there is any doubt whatsoever. We have all these mirrors for a reason. The backup cameras would be a distraction and not to mention the cost would be astronomical.

Before backing, you should already have noted anyone walking around the docks or the yard and be aware of where they are. A simple beep of your city horn before backing is prudent also to make sure it's obvious you're backing.. that and your 4 ways. Some trucks will beep continuously when backing but at my company, they don't, so we're expected to give a quick tap on our city horn before backing too.

Totally agree with Susan's reply.

Robert wrote:

Backup cameras on any vehicle are great. Just like a car, what if someone is walking behind your trailer while you are backing up and you can't see him?

I'm sure thousands of toddlers' lives have been saved by backup cameras on cars. It certainly can't hurt to put them on trucks.

Robert also wrote this:

Well, I'm not a trucker yet, but I'll go ahead and respond to this thread as if I were one.

Just like you did here...

I still disagree Robert, on a CMV not great for the reasons already specified by me and Susan.

Robert please reread my reply and consider my experience backing a trailer well over 6000 times without bumping anything more than the dock. I managed to do it without a camera. That's what professionals do.

I didnt mean to start a war lol but you guys do make great points, maybe because im such a tech geek that's probably why I thought it was such a great idea. However I'm not sure if they were backing up or if they were for Blind spot cameras but either way you look at it you are correct it is a distraction. However in Europe they have camera mirrors which gives you more visual than a normal mirror and also saves on fuel economy, if I could find that article attached it.

Not a war, strong opinions from experienced drivers. Tech is great...in moderation.

I respect your's and Robert's opinions, just don't agree in this case.

All good.

Lol, there's no war. GTown and I are merely relating FACTS. I'll tell you a little story.. I was backing into a dock and noted a dock worker walking near the dock I was about to back into. I lost sight of him. I stopped, tapped my horn, waited a minute, still could not see him. Set my brakes, got out and looked and sure enough the dock worker was behind my trailer. He'd tripped and was on the ground.. yup, behind my trailer where I could not see him.

Now had I not been completely aware of all pedestrians in the area of the dock, I could have run over that guy and another guy who had jumped out of the dock door to rush to assist him.. one I didn't know was even back there, because he'd jumped out of the door I was backing into, directly behind me.

Turns out the fallen employee was new. He should have never walked behind my truck when it was clear I was backing. It also happened that his boss saw EVERYTHING on a surveillance camera. I ended up receiving a letter of appreciation from the safety director of that company, thanking me for being so careful and looking out for the safety of their employees. I don't feel I did anything anything special. I just did my job and followed my company's policies regarding safety.

Any true professional driver would have done what I did. Any doubt at all.. get out and look. We don't need backup cameras.. those are for inattentive fcktards that should probably not be behind the wheel of any vehicle, no matter how many axles it has. It's sad that people have run over their own children in their personal vehicles. They should have been paying attention. Those cameras on 4 wheelers are there to protect potential victims of inattentive distracted drivers. We are professional drivers and we don't need cameras.