Backing up made easy

cbshoestring wrote:
SOoooooooo. While the driver is watching a monitor, who is watching the front end of the truck to make sure it doesn't go into a ditch :h
Am I the only one seeing a lot more trucks with damaged front ends because of this :S

Tractor trailers with automatic transmissions, and now this...the wussification of the modern metro-sexual male is in full swing. Real men must take a stance----arrr arrrr arrrrr arrrrr arrrrhhhhh

I agree with who's watching the front of the truck. DW and I use two way radios. She watches the sides and rear of the trailer and I watch the front and sides of the truck.

In watching the Ford demonstration video, the truck-mounted rear-view camera allows for a view along the sides of the boat trailer and launch ramp. I can't imagine being able to see what's going on with a full-sized TT. I have an after-market camera on my TV. It's a great help when hitching up, but of no use when backing the camper. The only things visible are the hitch, power-jack, and propane tanks. I have sometimes wondered about a camera system mounted on the back of my camper. Might be worth it?

rhagfo wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
>>>Clicky<<<

Amazing...technology is turning us into wimps.

I grew up believing that if you can't back it you shouldn't be pulling it.

This is like feeding us fish, rather than teaching us to fish!

Yes, it will help, but is far from fool proof.

Once again let me state backing is a skill one should have, because you can't always go forward.

Also you then have the skill to put your trailer where you want it.

100%

Once you get the hang of it, you then will have the confidence. I was always taught as long as you have 3" on each side, you should be able to fit the trailer.

downtheroad wrote:
>>>Clicky<<<

Amazing...technology is turning us into wimps.

I grew up believing that if you can't back it you shouldn't be pulling it.

This is like feeding us fish, rather than teaching us to fish!

Yes, it will help, but is far from fool proof.

Once again let me state backing is a skill one should have, because you can't always go forward.

Also you then have the skill to put your trailer where you want it.

cbshoestring wrote:


Tractor trailers with automatic transmissions, and now this...the wussification of the modern metro-sexual male is in full swing. Real men must take a stance----arrr arrrr arrrrr arrrrr arrrrhhhhh

I think it might be the wusses that are most threatened by this technology. Men who do actual physically rigorous and dangerous work are seldom averse to making tasks easier. But wusses sometimes think doing something a little bit difficult, once in awhile, when it suits them, is a key to manliness. Pathetic.

Now, if they made a wireless remote control so you could stand outside the truck that might be useful if not just plain cool.

R2D1 wrote:
Sure seems like a total gimmick to me! It looks like you still need to figure out where you want the trailer to go and how to guide it there yourself. However, instead of using the fine control of the steering wheel to guide your trailer, you're going to move your hand down to a coarse control rotary knob where very little movement equals a wildly spinning steering wheel? Exactly how does this thing help? No thank you Ford.

I agree. The feature is useless! You still have to be able to place the truck/trailer in the correct position and angle to be able to back into where you want. Proper placement is the key to backing. Doesn't matter if you use a useless knob to back up or the steering wheel. It's not going to make it any easier to get in a tight spot.

I cannot for the life of my figure out how this makes it easier...

just another gadget to raise the sticker price. I agree with the post above, If you can't back it you shouldn't drive it

Sure seems like a total gimmick to me! It looks like you still need to figure out where you want the trailer to go and how to guide it there yourself. However, instead of using the fine control of the steering wheel to guide your trailer, you're going to move your hand down to a coarse control rotary knob where very little movement equals a wildly spinning steering wheel? Exactly how does this thing help? No thank you Ford.