Community Forums

PushedAround · 02-20-2014, 09:45 AM

Who here uses their side view cameras? I was paying particular attention to this on our recent trip and realized that I do not see the value of the shot when changing lanes. I think that my mirrors work much better and I rely a lot more on the rear view shot to see that I have enough clearance to pull back into a lane. Problem is that this view changes to the side camera when you use your turn signal, and you lose that view.

Additionally, one of the side cameras (Triplevision junk) just quit and the picture in the B&W monitor has never been that great anyway. I'm thinking about abandoning those cameras and just getting a quality color monitor and new color rear camera. As always, looking to hear other's experiences.

"007" · 02-20-2014, 10:35 AM

If your side view cameras are mounted on side of coach this company has them in their side view mirrors which may give you a better view on monitor.

DeWat · 02-20-2014, 10:39 AM

While I fully agree that the mirrors are way better than side view cameras, I'm still thankful for the cameras. One day after clearing my mirror to change lanes to the right, I was alerted to a car beside me in the side view camera. My mirrors are properly adjusted, and I started watching well before my planned lane change, it was just one of those times. Now in another area, I hate that they've moved the side view cameras from the front corners to the mirrors. I always said in an emergency situation if one was to lose their mirror, they could still safely pull off the road using the side view camera. Not any more... lose the mirror, lose the camera.

MRUSA14 · 02-20-2014, 10:44 AM

PushedAround I agree with you. I just got a new coach 9 months ago and never had side cameras before. I see little value in the side cameras and I usually look only at the mirrors which are way better to use IMHO. Occasionally I will look at the side view camera but by the time I take my eye from the mirror to the monitor and back again, I feel I have lost more than I have gained by using the monitor. I keep hoping maybe if I keep practicing using the cameras I will learn how to make them work for me. I'll keep trying for awhile.

bdpreece · 02-20-2014, 10:49 AM

For those of us who have driven large vehicles for years we are used to checking the mirrors early and giving plenty of advance warning in most cases before changing lanes. What the cameras do provide at least on my coach is a view of the blind spot that I can use if I need to change lanes quickly. Of course I still have to have time to hit the turn signal or they are useless. What drives me nuts is that when exiting the freeway and with my turn signals on I will come up to the ramp signal and my heart will stop because my toad is missing then I remember I am looking at a side view.

Bruadair · 02-20-2014, 10:59 AM

I don't have enough time on the road so have very little experience with the cameras in that way. However since I can manually switch between cameras I have found them invaluable for times like when I'm backing onto my scales (it's narrow), and for backing and parking in the shop.

vincee · 02-20-2014, 11:10 AM

Bruadair, that seems to be more use for them vs. driving down the highway, which I do use as a second reference after checking my mirrors first. Unfortunately I don't think I can use mine for backing, tried activating with the turn signal when backing into a campsite and they won't work that way. Since I did not receive any directions on them when I purchased my Georgetown I don't know if there is a button on the dash monitor that will let me use them for backing. Of course the monitor buttons are only marked with symbols that look like hieroglyphics to me. Maybe when spring arrives I should mess around with them.

C&SL · 02-20-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

For those of us who have driven large vehicles for years we are used to checking the mirrors early and giving plenty of advance warning in most cases before changing lanes. What the cameras do provide at least on my coach is a view of the blind spot that I can use if I need to change lanes quickly. Of course I still have to have time to hit the turn signal or they are useless. What drives me nuts is that when exiting the freeway and with my turn signals on I will come up to the ramp signal and my heart will stop because my toad is missing then I remember I am looking at a side view.

X 2 Lol

PushedAround · 02-20-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

What drives me nuts is that when exiting the freeway and with my turn signals on I will come up to the ramp signal and my heart will stop because my toad is missing then I remember I am looking at a side view.

Been there, done that.

vincee, the monitors are usually locked into the rear mode when in reverse. I have tried changing mine via the switches to find them unresponsive when in reverse.

One other point is that with my mirrors set correctly, there is no blind spot as I can track cars moving up along side me until they come into view through the side windows.

96 Wideglide · 02-20-2014, 11:42 AM

Thought it would work well to see where your rear tires are beside the curb on tight right hand turns at intersections, but soon discovered, once you start the turn, the view is blocked by the front wheel .

RVRon · 02-20-2014, 01:04 PM

Sides are worthless for me and worse was that I was forced to the side cameras with the turn signal on. I found the actuator wires that go to the monitor and spliced a single throw double pole toggle in line and now I just flip the switch and the rear camera is all I see. If I need the sides then I just flip them back on. Easy mod. Mounted the switch in panel next to monitor.

Bruadair · 02-20-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincee

Bruadair, that seems to be more use for them vs. driving down the highway, which I do use as a second reference after checking my mirrors first. Unfortunately I don't think I can use mine for backing, tried activating with the turn signal when backing into a campsite and they won't work that way. Since I did not receive any directions on them when I purchased my Georgetown I don't know if there is a button on the dash monitor that will let me use them for backing. Of course the monitor buttons are only marked with symbols that look like hieroglyphics to me. Maybe when spring arrives I should mess around with them.

Our monitor works in two ways; First is all automatic where the side cameras come on if the turn signal is in use. Second is manually, we can change the view to any camera by pressing a button the display or with it's remote control. I use the manual way when backing up and needed to check my side clearance.

mricet1005 · 02-20-2014, 02:51 PM

A little off topic, but many cars these days have blind spot detection and collision avoidance capabilities. Are there any motorhome manufacturers or chassis providers incorporating these technologies? I recently rented a car with blind spot warnings and found it useful.

gruelens · 02-20-2014, 03:06 PM

I started driving tractor trailers with sleeper cabs 37 years ago. You quickly learn to use mirrors to survive. Two years ago was the first time I ever saw/owned a side view camera. IMO with properly adjusted mirrors, side cameras are not needed. It is not my instinct to look down at the dash to see what is beside me. I personally, don't use the side cameras. But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express.