Parksense rear park assist feature on Laramie

[Deezal Man]

I'm considering the Laramie trim package and I'd like to find out a little more info about the function of the bumper mounted park sensors. Does this feature include an "on/off" switch or a "momentary" disable? I don't have a lot of experience with this feature but the ones I've seen appear to only have a temporary disable switch. Which means every time you put the vehicle in reverse or start the truck, the feature is automatically reset to operate. I'm asking because I frequently use my truck in situations where this will be a nuisence. Examples include, tall grass, mud, bike rack, hitch rack, trailer, etc... etc... Coupled with numerous events involving multiple 'reverse' maneuvers to position a trailer in a tight spot at a job site. I welcome its functionality and added safety but there are times when attached devices will not allow the feature to operate as intended and therefore rendered useless during that period of time. It certainly would be nice if I could disable the sensors during these times.



NOTE: My question is limited to the function of the park sensors. I do not wish to discuss or engage in the topic of safety involving these sensors.



Thanks in advance.

 

[RustyJC]

There's a button on the center console to disable the Park Assist system. Once you push it, it stays disabled until you turn it back on. I believe the button was primarily placed there for trailer towing applications to disable the sensors and beeper whenever you're backing up to the trailer or have the trailer in tow when you shift into Reverse.



Personally, even with the camera, I like the added security of the sensors. My wife has a backup camera on her Toyota Highlander Limited, but it didn't keep her from backing into a black Charger on a dark night coming out of a friend's driveway! :{ But, to each his/her own.



Rusty

 

[Deezal Man]

You said the magic words Rusty. A button to disable until you need it So many vehicle only have a momentary button to temporarily disable the sensors. To be pressed each time you put the vehicle in reverse. What a pain in the neck on a truck.



Thank you

 

[EGroeneveld]

Thats funny, I had them on my Excursion (which is now sold) and wish I had them on my 2005 Dodge 3500. Even with extra backup flood lights when its dark and raining I wish for them. I have a 2011 Dodge 3500 on order that will come with them and looking forward to it. I worry about backing up a big dually with kids around (even though they should be inside the truck or the house).



Differnt boats for differnt folks

 

[Deezal Man]

I'm not saying the concept is bad, everything has it's place. I just don't like when features are forced on you. Someday I'm sure we'll see a day when our trucks won't start because you don't have your seatbelt fastened. How enjoyable that will be when you want to start your truck after changing a filter and you'll have to strap in to do so. Besides, the people who chose not to wear them now will continue to by-pass the system. Anyway... it sounds like Dodge executed the system desgin as it should be and if so I'm relieved and happy to have them.

 

[craiggo]

I'm not saying the concept is bad, everything has it's place. I just don't like when features are forced on you. Someday I'm sure we'll see a day when our trucks won't start because you don't have your seatbelt fastened. How enjoyable that will be when you want to start your truck after changing a filter and you'll have to strap in to do so. Besides, the people who chose not to wear them now will continue to by-pass the system. Anyway... it sounds like Dodge executed the system desgin as it should be and if so I'm relieved and happy to have them.

Deezal Man,



Generally I agree with you. On this one however, this should be a mandatory item. As a former LE officer, responding to a call of a parent that just ran over their kid (who was supposed to be in the backyard) will forever change a person... it did me. You always hit the one you never see. You may not have kids or live near them but they run wild in parking lots etc...



I doubt you disagree but you never know when it will save your bacon.

 

[Deezal Man]

Listen guys, the reason I asked the question was to determine if the park sensors included a switch to disable this feature as needed.



In hindsight I realize my choice of words included in the question has initiated the unintended subject of "SAFETY" so for that I apologize. I'll try to revise my original question so we don't start a war about toddlers and tires.



I would kindly ask if we could stick to the intention of the question of function & feature.

 

[MannyC]

does a fart stink?

you guys, and internet groups in general, will argue about anything. i have the laramie trim level with camera and park sense. you can turn off the beeper. i believe it to be essential kit on a truck of this size and especially with the blind spot created by my mega cab. dont want it, dont buy it. want a laramie and have to take the option? disconnect it at the tailgate and reattach at sales time. have a truck without the backup feature? it is easily and cheaply added.

 

[MannyC]

btw - there is a series of key on and off to disable the seatbelt buzzer. it is described in the pages here. sadly, the days of ordering a vehicle from the ground up are over.

 

[Deezal Man]

Manny, are you saying the beeper can be permanantly switched off by the operator? Or do you have to press the disable button each time you put the vehicle in reverse? I'd rather not disconnect the system because it would be nice to have when I don't have something attached to the rear.

 

[RustyJC]

The information I provided earlier is accurate, at least for my truck. I can't imagine others would be different. Once you disable the Park Assist system with the center console button, it stays off until you push the button again to enable it.



Rusty

 

[MannyC]

i believe rusty is correct

you turn it off and it stays off unlike the exhaust brake which must be turned on at each ignition key cycle. i will confirm on the ride home and post if not accurate. mannyc

 

[Deezal Man]

Thank you Rusty & Manny!! You're confirmations of function are precisely what I was looking for!!



Bummer on the exhaust brake. . I'll remember to enable it as part of my trailer connection routine but forget to reset it after a quick rest stop on the highway. Oh well, not the end of the world I suppose. Especially since I never owned a truck that had one!!



Nice choice of bike, Rusty. The RT is on my list!

 

[craiggo]

Listen guys, the reason I asked the question was to determine if the park sensors included a switch to disable this feature as needed.

In hindsight I realize my choice of words included in the question has initiated the unintended subject of "SAFETY" so for that I apologize. I'll try to revise my original question so we don't start a war about toddlers and tires.

I would kindly ask if we could stick to the intention of the question of function & feature.

Apologies if I took the discussion in the wrong direction. I didn't mean to hijack.

Craiggo

 

[Deezal Man]

No worries Craiggo, my original post was a bit overly dramatic in presentation so I deserved every ounce of it. I was just a little bummed when I saw it was part of the Laramie package and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. . thinking that i would have to press a button multiple times per day as part of tight trailer parking maneuvers. I'm quite happy to learn that I can indeed have the best of both worlds.



Cheers!

 

[MannyC]

there are workarounds on the exhaust brake

somewhere here, or online, someone developed and posted a 'fix' to always enable the exhaust brake. all good to have it always come on until you spin out in the ice.

 

[JHumphries]

So, the computer can tell when a bulb burns out.
My wife's Chevy Traverse (SUV) can tell if a trailer is connected and automatically turn off the back-up monitoring system.
Why can't a truck that was built to tow do the same thing?
I'm just saying...