Rear Parking Sensor System

[Dale777]

Has anyone installed a Rear Parking Sensor System on your RV?

I have a factory option system on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited that I find to be great. I would like to install one on my Alpine Coach, but I don't know which aftermarket system would work best. I think I would prefer a wireless system to avoid a long wire run to the front of the coach and then inside to the dash. Any ideas or experience with aftermarket systems?

These are some links to systems that I have been considering:
Parking Sensor Systems link a
Parking Sensor System link b
Parking Sensor System link c
Parking Sensor System link d

What do you think?

[Cruzer]

Dale, I don't have any firsthand experience with any of those brands. However, the automotive systems function via the rear bumper area, which gives a useful coverage for other vehicles, etc. My biggest concern would be that, considering the massive size (height, mainly) of a motorhome. You may be lulled into a false sense of security and back up into an overhanging branch or whatever. My rear camera has a decent field of vision and gets me close but a rear spotter is really the best way if in a tight spot.

[takepride]

Dale:

We have the backup sensors installed on all our fleet trucks. We're using several different brands. All work equally well and cost about $200, installed at camper shell companies and most car stereo specialty stores. They are identical to the ones that came on my F-350, except the beeper-kill button looks different.

I've never felt the need to put one on my coach since seeing it in the camera is much more accurate, though the sensors are certainly a good backup, just in case you don't notice something on the monitor. (Maybe I'll have to give it more thought!)

However 95% of the time, I have a spotter.

[lthrnk]

I have a rear observation system, in addition to the rearview camera.

I call her Honey.

[Jim&MaryJo]

I have the same Honey system too!
And if I dare to suggest replacement with a newer model, I'll be riding in the cargo bay on our next trip...

[two2go]

Seems like a questionable investment for such limited use. I would think you would have to turn it off while driving with the toad behind.
If you've got $200 to burn, I know an old retired guy who has fallen on hard times and is reduced to drinking regular beer instead of microbrews.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Good point about the toad - I have to turn off the rear alarm on my car when I tow a trailer for the same reason.

And if you have the alarm off while traveling, will you remember to turn it back on before backing up?

I guess it could be wired so that it is only active in reverse.

[Eddie Foy]

They are wired to the backup lights for just that reason.

Quote:

Originally posted by RV Roamer: Good point about the toad - I have to turn off the rear alarm on my car when I tow a trailer for the same reason. And if you have the alarm off while traveling, will you remember to turn it back on before backing up? I guess it could be wired so that it is only active in reverse.

[Dale777]

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts.

1. Most of the time I also have a spotter, who does a very good job. When I don't have a spotter, I get out of the coach repeatedly to check for rear clearances, then continuing backing.
2. The rear-view camera/monitor is very helpful, but remember that it uses a wide-angle camera which distorts actual distances.
3. I'm simply looking for an additional safety feature, after experiencing how much the backup sensor system on my Jeep is helpful. For additional safety, I'm willing to spend $200.

What I'm really looking for is not whether I should install a backup sensor system or not, but which backup sensor system works well and what experience other people have in using them.

Thanks,

[Doggy Daddy]

Sensors do not replace the human eye.
I looked at many camera systems and found what I believe to be the best. My coach has a color back up camera that pans down to the hitch and up to look over the toad and pans left and right, I also have side cameras mounted in the mirror base, nose cameras, and interior cameras with a large color monitor. I don't have kids or a spouse to be a ground guide that I can back/run over. This system made for vehicle eliminated all blind spots. Check out: http://www.totalvisionproducts.com/products/RV.html

Cameras are not the same. They come in different sizes, wide angle, narrow, mirror image, low light, and more.

Scroll down and you'll see my Outlaw with the cameras.