Ours is fixed but it seems to do the trick pretty nicely. I can see behind the toad a bit and both lanes of traffic on either side. It works out that if I'm passing something once it disappears from the camera view, I can safely change lanes. That is a great referance. I just figure anything I can see is a potentail hazard so if I can't see it I'm safe.
I works to completly fill in the blind spot behind the MH.
Als, I did find out the if the engime cover pops open I can see it in the bottom of the screen. Did this to me on the maiden voyage and took a bit to figure out what the devil that object was.
Oh, and don't forget it's pretty handy while backing up.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
1997 Jeep GC Limited ---toad
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD (Retired)
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8700 lbs road wt (Retrired)
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
The primary reason for the rear view camera is to assist in backing the rig. So I want to see what is directly behind my bumper.
The next benefit is to view the toad's relationship to the vehicle we just passed to determine when to re-enter that vehicle's lane. So I want to see the rear end of the Toad.
Traffic behind the Toad can be seen in my side mirrors.
msmith1199 wrote: Okay I'll bite, why is it so important to see behind the toad with a camera? I can't see behind mine and I've drive all over the place and never had an issue. Semi-trucks don't have cameras so they can't see what's right behind them at all. There is no law that says you have to have a camera, only the mirrors are required. When I don't have my toad with me I usually turn the camera off. I'm not saying it isn't nice to be able to see traffic with a camera, but most large vehicles can't.
Semi-trucks can see the end of their trailers, because their trailers are the same width as the cab. The toad is hidden, because it is narrower than the rear of the coach. To me, its an issue when passing other vehicles. It helps me to judge how far in front of the last vehicle I just passed, so I know when I can pull back in. This reduces the time I'm in the left lane, and potentially holding up other traffic. This is even more of an issue on a 2 lane road, as getting back over to your own side of the road as soon as possible, reduces the risk of meeting on coming traffic. Perfect example is when you pull out to pass someone, and a car decides to enter the on coming lane from a driveway. I need to be able to return to my lane quickly. Also my mirrors are adjusted to so I can see what is directly beside me. The reason is that in an emergency situation, if I have to swerve quick, I want to know if someone is next to me, and I need to know that quickly. For a normal lane change, I have time to check my mirrors and the camera, make sure I'm not cutting anyone off, and then change lanes. In otherwords, my driving resources a geared towards an emergency situation. That is the first priority. Everything else is just secondary.
Dave
The Flying Fortress
FMCA F298817
'83 Revcon Prince 31' FWD
502 w/Howell/GM 16197427 ECM/Edelbrock MPFI,Thorley's & Magnaflows,
4L85E 4 speed, KoniFSD,
6% grade = wanna drag? MISC photos Revconeers Forum
msmith1199 wrote: ......... That's what I meant. I'd like to have one of those but I bet it requires a special cable and I'd hate to have to route a new cable from the front all the way back there. I'm not even sure how doable that is.
Mine came with the motorhome when I bought it. There are wireless ones now too.
deandec wrote: The primary reason for the rear view camera is to assist in backing the rig. So I want to see what is directly behind my bumper.
The next benefit is to view the toad's relationship to the vehicle we just passed to determine when to re-enter that vehicle's lane. So I want to see the rear end of the Toad.
Traffic behind the Toad can be seen in my side mirrors.
I agree. To the OP here's how I would rate importance and you decide how to set your camera:
1. Seeing what's behind you when backing and that means starting at the bumper. This isn't just so you don't back into a tree it's also a safety thing so you don't run over a child or a animal who may be behind you. Contrary to popular belief you may not always have a spotter available when backing. Don't need one with the camera.
2. To monitor the toad and the hitch for malfunction. I have often wondered if I would be able to detect a flat tire on my toad. I think I will because I think I would notice a change in angle of the toad in the monitor if a tire was flat. There have been stories on here of people getting a flat on the toad and not knowing it until they see smoke in the mirrors from the toad wheel being on fire.
3. To see what's next to the toad when driving. I can see if the there is a vehicle next to my toad when changing lanes.
4. And the last priority (in my opinion) is seeing traffic behind the toad. And as I said already, with my camera I can't do that at all.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
charles wrote: Also, mine for some reason was set on "mirror image" and for two days I saw cars passing me on the right, fixed that problem when I got to my destination and read the book.
Nick
It is supposed to be set on mirror image. If it wasn't on mirror image when you saw a car passing you on the right side of the monitor screen, the car would actually be coming up your left side.
Some monitors have a "Reverse Image" capability as do some cameras. If both are set to reverse or mirror the image, it becomes "normal" again. The view, of course, should be the same as if the monitor was actually a rear view mirror.
THANKS for all of the input. I'm going to hookup the toad this weekend and make the adjustments. I wonder if I can get DW to get up on the ladder making adjustments while I sit inside with a cool drink? (and live to talk about it).
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It is supposed to be set on mirror image. If it wasn't on mirror image when you saw a car passing you on the right side of the monitor screen, the car would actually be coming up your left side.
