Back Up Warning Sensors

[IndigoDually]

I know a few out there have a system installed that warns you of an object behind the truck as you are backing up. I am looking for something along these lines for my truck.
How accurate are the ones that are being used out there? Good enough for backing into a parking space and letting You know when there is 6" or so from another car? I am kicking around the idea of using a camera system but the monitor in the cab is a space issue.
So are they worth it? How much and where did You get them from?

Thanks, John

[MaxACL]

John,
I need one too. Haven't hit anything yet, but I will. Once I did see a mirror, like an inside rear view mirror only larger, attached to the tail gate (in the up position) where the driver could see the interaction of the ball and the hitch as he is backing. I'd feel like a fool using one, but at least I could hit the ball on one try instead of many.

Mike :D

[Cobra One]

John
I have an wireless backup alarm system in my DMax.
I got it from www.12voltshop.com. Actually I have 2, one for the front and one for the back. With the massive Ranchhand front bumper, it's nice to know where it is when going nose to nose with a rice burner!! The units are wireless. There is a display in the cab that is wired to 12v and a control box that in my case, one is under the hood and one back in the bed and they both require 12v BUT between them and the display it is wireless. I mounted both display units to the blank panel on the front of the overhead consol and wired the back box to the back up lights and the front to a switch in the center consol. There are 2 sensors on both bumpers. They give a digital readout starting at 6 ft down to crunch (0) if you want. I have found that if the display reads 0'0", that I have about 10" left, a good cushion I think.

I also have a color camera in the back window of the topper and another on the back of my 33ft TT. They both plug into a 7" LCD monitor mounted from the over head consol and a push of the button on the monitor changes cameras. The monitor is a fold down type, and folds down in front of the rear view mirror. I can use it at night in town but out of town in the dark the cameras don't quite hack it so I fold up the monitor and use the mirror. The camera in the topper also has an X10 pan/tilt base so I can move the camera around like when backing up to the trailer. The tilt/pan is controled by a wireless remote from up front. I can't put pics up on the web--yet, but I can email you some if you would like. Good luck.

John

[Viking]

MaxACL,and I thought you were a "boomer"

[mdadgar]

MaxACL, I use one of those tailgate mirrors every time I hook up the trailer. Wouldn't be without one.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=21332&src=SRCH&tcode=37

- Mark
'02 GMC 2500HD CC SWB 4x4 D/A

[Penngrovian]

Google over to Auto Park 2000 and look for this which is made by ATN. $40.00 +/-.

This also in JCW for $50.00+

[mdrag]

IndigoDually,

Here is the text from a post I made many months ago - sorry I could not find the link:

______________________________________

BACK UP ALARM SYSTEM (R.O.S.S.)

I installed a Rostra Obstacle Sensing System (ROSS) a few months ago but just kept forgetting to post about it. Available from Jacobs Electronics www.jacobselectronics.com/products/comfort/oss.htm. ROSTRA is the manufacturer www.rostra.com .

This system uses two microwave sensors mounted under the rear bumper (or behind a plastic fascia if present on the vehicle). Each sensor is about 3" X 3" . Unlike other back up sensors that use ultrasound for proximity sensing, Jacobs claims the microwave sensors are not affected by dirt/mud/water/snow/ice etc.

ROSS provides audible warning which increases in pitch as you get closer to an object - much like a radar detector. There is a 3 LED warning panel that you can mount almost anywhere. The LEDs are tiny and contained in a clear adhesive packed tape. Recommended locations include the rearview mirror or center of the rear window glass (so it is visible when you look in the rearview mirror). I put the LEDs on the center of the back window glass just below the level of the headliner. The LEDs do wash out in bright sunlight - by placing a small PIAA lighting sticker on the outside of the rear window the LEDs are visible except for very sunny days and the sun shining in from the rear (one of those rear window visors would also help).

The microwave sensors are tapped into the back-up lights for 12V power, and the sensors only work when tranny is placed in reverse. This does cause my radar detector to go off while backing up.

The LEDs flash and progress from GREEN->YELLOW->RED as you get closer to an object (along with the change in pitch from the audio warning). The warning signal audio volume is adjustable; the detection range is NOT adjustable. Alarm goes crazy at about 12 feet from a large object like a building, and approx 3-4 feet for a small object like a 5 gal plastic pail.

Jacobs offers a 30 day money back guarantee. I've been really impressed with how this system works. I tried it with children's bikes, plastic pails, backing up to a personal watercraft (small frontal area with the trailer hitch protruding several feet in front of the watercraft), a cheapo mailbox mounted on one of those thin metal poles - and the system has NEVER failed to give adequate warning. Works like a charm.

___________________________________________

I'm very pleased with the performance of this system. It is NOT adjustable, and the amount of warning varies with the size of the object - a larger object gives you more warning. This system will NOT tell you that you are within inches of another vehicle when parking. I had pictures of this system on PictureTrail (mdrag), but those are no longer viewable by non-paying members. I can try to post then on another site if you are interested.

[chrisinkanata]

I have the kit from the 12 Volt Shop as well and am very pleased with it. Very straightforward to install and I find it to be accurate. My only concern is the way the sensors mount on the rear bumper. I tried several different configurations with the most accurate being on the bumper itself. This of course means the little sensors are the rearmost component of the truck and if someone with a flat bumper were to tap my bumper, the sensors would be toast. I checked with the 12 Volt Shop and they're like $20 or $30 (it was a while ago - I forget the exact price) each so not really a big deal.

To date though, no problem, even at Christmas time in the local Wal-Mart.

I actually went with this one because it was easy to get. I live in Ottawa Ontario, where they are located. Well worth the money.

[mdrag]

IndigoDually,

I added a few pictures of the backup alarm system - chose one of the links in my sig and look at the 'ROSS Back-up Alarm System'.

The pics are not the best, but they give you an idea of how it is installed.

mdrag

[MaxACL]

Viking" "MaxACL,and I thought you were a "boomer""

Even on my "Little Airplane" I have a rear view mirror. It let's me watch my own contrails at 40k ft.

StrangeEngine: I knew those mirrors existed, just didn't know where. Thanks for the site. ;)

[mattb5150]

John (Cobra),

I ordered and have received the kit from 12voltshop the other day thanks for info. A few tips if possible. Where should the sensors be mounted? I was thinking of trying to stick them to the very ends of the black plastic part of the bumper so they wouldn't be as visible or should they be put on the chrome? Also where did you mount the black box, under the dash? If so where did you tap into the reverse wiring?

Matt B.

[chevmeister]

Mdrag
What did the ROSS cost you???

[mdrag]

chevmeister,

It's been a while, but IIRC it was about $250. I figured that it would 'save' me at least once during the life of the truck.

mdrag

[Cobra One]

Matt

I hope you like the units from the 12v shop. I think they work very well. As to the mounting, I put the senors spaced in thirds on the rear bumper so yes they were mounted on the black part. I used the double sided tape to mount them and then ran a bead of RTV around to seal them up. There really is no other place to put them other then out in the open. As for the black box, I ran the wires up behind the rear lights, hooking them into the backup light wires and then mounted the black box under the inside rim of the bed. I have a bed rug and a topper so I don't worry about the weather under there!

Hope this helped and sorry for not replying sooner. My ISP has been down for 5 days now. Talk about the shakes and lost sleep!!

John