Backup Trailer Camera's

Topic 21841 | Page 1

Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:
CT Trucker 's Comment
member avatar

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 ?

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
CT Trucker 's Comment
member avatar

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.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

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.

Robert J.'s Comment
member avatar

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.

Susan D. 's Comment
member avatar

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.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

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.

CMV:

Commercial Motor Vehicle

A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
CT Trucker 's Comment
member avatar

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.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

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.

Susan D. 's Comment
member avatar

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training