Now I've seen it all...

It could be a pretty nice feature, especially with those who struggle with backing. I foresee lots of front end damage from those paying too much attention to the monitor and not the surroundings. If they paired it with something like Kia's Surround View then they could eliminate that. In Surround View your backup monitor is split between a backup camera view and a overhead view of the vehicle and its surroundings.

My problem with all of these new doodads that they're putting into vehicles isn't the features themselves, but the fact that people eventually start to rely on them. Things like proximity warnings, blind spot warnings, lane departure, parallel parking, etc. People put all their trust in the system. I've had cars start to merge into my lane because their blind spot warning failed to detect my motorcycle. Since their little triangle didn't light up they assumed that it's ok to move over. All these features are meant to be aids, but people don't treat them that way.

dvitale300 wrote:
I think my biggest problem with learning how to back up the trailer is not in turning the wheel in the right direction, but multitudes of overcorrection once the wheels are in the right direction.

Agree. Response to steering input when backing a bumper pull trailer is much quicker than when backing a fifth wheel. All the conventional wisdom I've read here that a fifth wheel is much easier to back was not my experience. Have a bumper pull now that is about the same overall length of our previous fifth wheel and I find backing it to be much easier for whatever reason..........

My 'finest hour' backing our fifth wheel came at Suwanee River SP in North Florida. First visit there, assigned campsite very tight with lot o' trees, posts and assorted obstructions including vehicles parked right at the edge of the road. Took a loooooooong time, but I got the trailer in without knocking down the forest. Did take 3 Miller Lites in quick succession to unwind afterward. :B

TInmania wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:


In my view people need to keep control of the vehicle, learn to back and park and repair everything possible. Otherwise we mortgage our future to those few who have specialized knowledge. And worst of all it endangers our very independence.

While I very much admired Carl Sagan I don't really agree with that assertion.

There really isn't just a precious few who have specialized knowledge: there are legions of them. The skilled tech who can fix your hi-tech washing machine will likely be lost trying to work on the turbocharger in his car. So would a proficient programmer used to dealing in software.

Speaking of cars, back in the 1950s and 1960s you generally needed to work on your own car: they weren't nearly as reliable as today. Not sure I would even classify much of what the "average man" did as knowing the ins and outs of the car. They could change points and plugs, replace a generator or alternator, and a myriad of other things that regularly failed. But rebuild a transmission or engine? Not likely aside from gearheads (who are still around).

In a way technology is just an extension of the centuries old division of labor. Even the westward pioneers of the 19th century couldn't have made it without someone else making nails, wagons, fabric, wire, tools, etc.



Michael

I understand your point but would point out that most men of my generation have a complete technical knowledge of the internal combustion engine as it existed in the 50's 60's and 70's and could tear one down and put it back together. I will admit the transmission was another matter for most if it was automatic.

While the "precious few" I mentioned number in the millions you have to set that against the multiple Billions of people without the true understanding of how things work. This ratio still gives us a "technological preisthood" and means most of us are mere "operators" of technology without a basic understanding of it's underlying science.

In the 1700's and 1800's even your average farmer could make nails and most of his other tools. He could also understand the basic science underlying the Steam Locomotive...the technological wonder of it's day.

This is not to say that technological advances are not positive rather our educational system has not kept pace with the technology and teaching its underlying science.

Seen/ heard quite a few heated words exchanged at busy boat ramps due to difficulties in backing. I will keep my eyes open to see if a detect anyone using this feature. I guess there is no badging on the truck to indicate it has the feature.

Ffffnnn dumb!
Just another electronic gadget to break.

smkettner wrote:
Anyone complaining about this gadget had better not be driving an automatic transmission :B

We then I will take that statement as license to state that if you try to make a vehicle idiot proof, only an idiot will want to drive it.
One will never learn how to backup with gadgets like these.

I drive a 5speed manual TV, and use my mirrors to back and change lanes.

Just had a couple great weeks visiting DD, DGD, and DSIL. About 98% of rental cars in Ireland come with manual transmissions and Right Side drive.
Shift with your Left hand, the peddles are the same order.

Anyone complaining about this gadget had better not be driving an automatic transmission :B

Wrong Lane wrote:

RoyF wrote:
If you are supposed to watch the video screen while backing up, then I foresee many an accident! My new four-wheel car has the backup screen, and I have already scraped the back fenders on both sides because I was watching the screen and not the side mirrors.

The body shop guy said that backup cameras and Walmart parking lots are what keep him in business!

So, why wouldn't you use the side mirrors when backing your trailer instead of the back up camera screen? Nothing says you can't use it while using your mirrors in the traditional way.

Look in your side views and use the alternate back up control, seems simple.

Volkswagen had it as a feature on backing Caravans in Europe, but I thought if you cannot back anything you should not be towing it
Volkswagen Trailer Assist Video

4X4Dodger wrote:


In my view people need to keep control of the vehicle, learn to back and park and repair everything possible. Otherwise we mortgage our future to those few who have specialized knowledge. And worst of all it endangers our very independence.

While I very much admired Carl Sagan I don't really agree with that assertion.

There really isn't just a precious few who have specialized knowledge: there are legions of them. The skilled tech who can fix your hi-tech washing machine will likely be lost trying to work on the turbocharger in his car. So would a proficient programmer used to dealing in software.

Speaking of cars, back in the 1950s and 1960s you generally needed to work on your own car: they weren't nearly as reliable as today. Not sure I would even classify much of what the "average man" did as knowing the ins and outs of the car. They could change points and plugs, replace a generator or alternator, and a myriad of other things that regularly failed. But rebuild a transmission or engine? Not likely aside from gearheads (who are still around).

In a way technology is just an extension of the centuries old division of labor. Even the westward pioneers of the 19th century couldn't have made it without someone else making nails, wagons, fabric, wire, tools, etc.



Michael

ShinerBock wrote:
I am guessing a lot of you land loving RVers in here have never been on a boat ramp before. I would encourage some that say this is a bad feature to get a lawn chair and go sit for a day at a busy boat ramp.

Know what's funny? I've done exactly that at the ramp in the video! I used to live about a mile away from Elizabeth Park, and on Sunday afternoons, I'd ride over there with a six pack cooler and a sandwich, and watch the antics. Man, I could tell you some stories!