I crushed a Dodge OMNI....

[lizzyhermit]

... by backing up less than 3 feet. Do any of you know if the aftermarket towing mirrors would have allowed me to see a very small car directly behind my rig, that close behind my trailer bumper?



The interesting part is that the TT bumber didn't get the OMNI, the spare tire did. Right at the leading edge of the hood driving it downward and taking out the radiator.



The OMNI had no frontal damage 'cept the hood. Ieven missed all the glass.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by lizzyhermit

[B The OMNI had no frontal damage 'cept the hood. Ieven missed all the glass. [/B]

You know what this means? You wernt going fast enough!!

 

[Eric_77]

Mirrors would not have helped if car is narrower than trailer then it can hide behind trailer as much as 20-30 feet behind trailer motorcycles can hide 70 feet or more. You just cannot get mirrors far enough out to see "right" behind trailer that is why big RVs have cameras.

 

[KB0OU]

walk around

As a professional driver I try to be safe, I always walk around the rig after I have left it for any time before leaving.



We are required to do a Safety Check if we have left the rig for 30 minutes or more.



Might be a good idea for the rest of the world of drivers to at least do a walk around before starting up.



And of course some drivers are asking for damage by parking the way they do next to our rigs!!!!

 

[Koa Man]

You CAN get mirrors that will allow you to see a small car right in the back of your truck, but I don't know how often you could use them at full extension. See this site: http://www.bgtruck.com/index3.html

for tow mirrors that will extend for a total overall width of 18 feet.

 

[redneckdr]

back view

i'm starting to notice cameras on the back of travel trailers more. might check with camping world or something similar for a relatively inexpensive rear view camera to put on the trailer. might have to add another connector to run to the tow vehicle, and mount a small monitor in the truck.

 

[CharlieMiller]

Seems to me that someone out there makes a backup sensor that you can put on rear bumper & mount a box on the dash and it lets you know how close you are to objects behind you. But off the top of my head I don't remember where I saw this at. I'll have to do some checking and get back to you. I even thought it might be something nice to have when backing up in parking lots because the its hard to judge distance over the back of the tailgate sometimes. I then land up hanging my head out the window or opening up the door to check.

 

[redneckdr]

backup sensors

charlie:

you are right bout the sensors. i bought one from jcwhitney, and installed on my new ram. i think it worked for about a month, then quit. i'm sure someone makes one which will continue to work. in fact, i think Geno's Garage sells one, but i can't give info about durability. only conclusion i have--don't buy the one from jcwhitney! i have a camera mounted on the back of the rollin' redneck residence. i like to SEE what i'm backing over!!

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Bag limit

1 more before December 31 and your season is over!!

 

[JStemann]

Geno's

Catalog #34 that came with the latest TDR issue has a backup sensor on page 16.



P/n: 50101, $129. 00



Called "Parking Partner"



Hope this helps

jeff

 

[Steve Roseman]

An Omni? As long as nobody got hurt, you did us all a favor