Anyone Tried the Ford PTBA?

Me Again wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
Here's a video on the topic.

Link

Did you notice that they cut away just before the front passenger corner was going hit the stump/round place of the ground???? 1:37-1:38. Chris

Yep but like Sport said we've seen this happen today. The demonstration was in a tight spot and I'm pretty impressed

I don't worry too much about people becoming too reliant on technology just cause of something that helps them back up a trailer. That's a pretty small niche.

If you want to talk about more widespread automation, like fully automated cars, now you've got my attention. I don't necessarily doubt the claims you hear about reduced traffic congestion, reduced crashes, fewer fatalities, and etc. But they raise a host of concerns, and loss of driving skills probably isn't even the biggest one. For example, if the programmer's goal is really to minimize fatalities, that might mean purposely piloting your car off a bridge in certain instances for the greater good. That's a pretty good ethical pickle.

FishOnOne wrote:
Here's a video on the topic.

Link

Did you notice that they cut away just before the front passenger corner was going hit the stump/round place of the ground???? 1:37-1:38. Chris

rhagfo wrote:
Just wonder how many banged up front fenders as drivers watching trailer rather than front of TV.

I've seen drivers do that many times all by themselves. What difference would this backing aid make? :h

Just wonder how many banged up front fenders as drivers watching trailer rather than front of TV.

Here's a video on the topic.

Link

mich800 wrote:

Mr Biggles wrote:

rexlion wrote:

What if the sun (or a foreign power) delivers an EMP that fries all those nice computer-controlled features?

If that happens, we will have a lot more serious matters to worry about than hitching up a trailer !

I think that comment must have been made in jest. Surly they know that if that were to occur most vehicles would be nice paper weights.

And we couldn't even post here to complain about it.

Mr Biggles wrote:

rexlion wrote:

What if the sun (or a foreign power) delivers an EMP that fries all those nice computer-controlled features?

If that happens, we will have a lot more serious matters to worry about than hitching up a trailer !

I think that comment must have been made in jest. Surly they know that if that were to occur most vehicles would be nice paper weights.

rexlion wrote:
If folks get dependent on the self-backing system, pretty soon no one will know how to back up for themselves if the system fails.

And how does the system know where you want the trailer backed up into? What if it "decides" that the trailer should be backed into a place where you don't want it? (scratching head)

I suppose if you never try the system, then you will never know.

I'm personally all for it. I probably wouldn't use it because I pride myself in my trailer backing abilities, but there are plenty out there who hate backing a trailer.
Hell, I still prefer driving my manual transmission sedan and wouldn't trade it for an automatic transmission any day of the week.

gijoecam wrote:
I have a coworker who has extensive experience pulling trailers with his truck, and is more than capable of doing it himself. He was part of a group of employees who got to try out the feature as part of its development.

He wants it.

He said that even though he's more than capable, the system actually works really well for what it does.

Thanks for the info.