backing and blind spot cameras?

Oh, good question. I'd buy my own. Lol

 

I had a ex us xpress 780. And the blind side camera on it was dope. Day or night I could see all lanes next to me

 

Nope, just practice and a good spatial awareness.

 

The problem I see with them.. especially for new drivers.. is being too dependant on them and not developing the skills to operate without them.. anything mechanical or electronic can breakdown.. sometimes with no warning..

I don't think they are a bad.. but, as a new driver it is important to build and develope the skills with as little aid as needed...

Here is an example.. I learned how and know how to read a map and make a route.. yes, I have GPS in my truck.. but, I also always have my Big Delux truckers map book with me..

We had a driver.. (key word is there is Had).... who, picked up a load, and along the way his went out.. it just froze and he could not get it working.. He did not have a map with him.. He was running at night and our dispatch is only there during the day and for emergencies after hours.. his GPS not working, not an emegency...

Well, he was out on some highways, not on an interstate.. he was low on reefer fuel.. well, he had always relied solely on his GPS and with it if could always find the nearest Truck Stop or place for fuel... but with out his GPS.. no map.. not truck stop guides.. he was clueless..

Long story short.. he got way lost, way out of route and ran out of reefer fuel with a load of yogurt that had to be on continuous.. so, he was not only late to the recievers but his load was rejected.. he had put on an extra 96 miles and.. so.. lost his job..

There are some awesome tools to aid us... but.. always be sure to develope the bare bones basic skills and have the maps and truck stop directories and all with you at all times incase that cool gadget goes haywire..

 

Congratulations on your purchase of a $300 paper weight!

I have a GPS in my truck, and it has ALWAYS been more of a hindrance than a help. I say this with the full working knowledge of how to operate a GPS.

When I picked up a load OTR, and got the delivery address I'd use the GPS to check a rough millage estimate. From there it was a combination of a Rand Mc`Nally atlas, google maps and receiver/shipper directions that got the load around safely.

That GPS will get you into to trouble quicker than 16 year old girl on the Mexican border if you trust it.

And I'm sure you know, I only highlight it as a way of pointing out what rellying on certain technologies can get you; you are right, drivers need to learn to back WITHOUT a camera until they're proficient. Blind side cameras I'm all for having built into stock trucks, however.

 

As far as the blind spot, to my way of thinking a properly adjusted [and positioned] mirror is the best solution. As far as the backing camera, there are a lot of issues with them in terms of being practical and have been discussed before. The wireless radio frequency used most often (for the inexpensive wireless video cams) is subject to a lot of interference and cross-talk and as you increase the distance the worse it gets. Somebody who had a dedicated trailer and could keep the lens clean could probably justify it but you get a little dirty road spray on those fish-eye lenses and they become useless.

 

Yeah STexan, keeping that lens clean is a true ordeal. I have a backing camera on my residential garbage truck that I use 2 and a half days a week, also on the open top 48' dump trailer I use on Tuesdays.
Neither lens is ever clean, you wipe em down and polish them but as soon as you roll through a small amount of dust, or god help you; go through snow or water- forget about it. Ain't happening, the camera will continue to work, but the screen will be little more than a lovely close up of some mud caked on the lens in the back.

 

I was going to say wiring issues, clean lens, cost.
And yet another screen to distract drivers.