I am thinking about adding one to help see what I a, getting myself into, on my flatbed it would probably need to be mounted near the licence plate, my main concern is it getting covered in snow/slush while driving on public roads.
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1999 F-250 4 Door, Short flat bed, 7.3l 6spd,8' Western Pro Plow w/ wings
I would also think the salt spray and slush would make it useless. I'm a firm believer that a good operator pays attention to whats around him and knows how to use mirrors so it shouldnt be needed. Makes me sick seeing all this new technology like backup cameras, park assist, blind spot alerts and the like. I mean I guess it can be a good thing but sheesh don't they teach people to actually DRIVE anymore and not just hold the wheel? I see people all the time who seem to never look in their mirrors and when they do I don't think they understand what they are looking at anyway. I suppose its just a sign of the times and the truck driver in me coming out but people have been safely running vehicles and equipment for years without all this fancy stuff. I don't have a problem with added safety features like a backup camera as an aid, but I see WAY too many people dependent on that stuff and the one time it doesnt work or they don't have it they are totally lost and an accident waiting to happen. I guess Im old school. Give me a decent set of mirrors and tell me that tractor trailer wont fit in there and I'll prove ya wrong...
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"All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole, and I'm much too young to feel this dam old..."
Contract plowing municipal streets...
(2) IH S1900 33k dumps, '88-'89, DT466s, Manual trans, 10' Valk P/A plows, UTG spreaders
'05 DEERE 320 skid steer, 7.5' Meyer P/A poly plow
'92 FORD F-250 4x4 ext cab 8'bed, 7.3idi, auto, 8.5' Western Uni-mount
I have had one for three years now... I do agree with BIGHORNJD!! I DO NOT back up useing IT!!! I use it it just as a way to see how close i am to loading docks and such not to bend up the sander..
Yes it does get covered up going from lot to lot, My shovel boy (lol) cleans it off when he gets out to shovel!! I do know that they sell heated cameras for this reason.
Have had one in my F350 for 5 years now, would not go without it. Yes it gets covered in snow/slush but get out and clean it. What harm is another device to give you even more assurance? Makes trailer attachment a snap as well for those that are new to it.
This year our sander gets one added to both the inside of the sanding box and outside to view the spinner while backing up.
After selling and installing cameras for so many years and not using one myself, I ordered a truck standard with it back in 08. I would not go without it on any truck in the future. A enterprising individual can wire it into any screen and integrate ipod, gps, dvd etc into it as well.
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-25 Centigrade is not cold you flower, get back to work!
There's one strong point that can't be disputed.No need for backup lights! I have two cameras mounted on big magnets that I can position wherever I want.They get no more dirty than my mirrors.It' amazing how it can be pitch dark and the monitor looks like midday.
I had one on my F-450, I plowed a mall at the time and when it was busy people would zip right in behind where you could hardly see them. Not saying that I would have been backing into cars on the regular, but it was nice to have.
Obviously the naysayers haven't ever used one while plowing. Or salting.
#1 Yes, they get covered. Jump out once in awhile and clean it off. I usually do it when reloading with salt.
#2 Yes, I use my mirrors for backing up. Yes, I am aware of my surroundings. Yes, I was taught to drive as well as operate. But this does not prevent the other morons out there that will walk behind you; try to sneak in a driveway or parking space behind you; or pull right up to your bumper while plowing or salting and ignoring the blinkie lights on the trucks. The camera is for the others safety, not mine.
#3 A backup camera is around $500, for a good one anyways. My deductible is $500 also. So if that camera prevents one incident, it has paid for itself. If that camera prevents one person from getting run over--God forbid--it saves a whole lot more mentally, financially and time.
I'm guessing bighornjd is still plowing with a manual transmission and manual angle plow. Every time he wants to windrow a different way, he jumps out pulls the pin, pushes the plow and reinserts the pin.
I've been debating this idea for a while with me getting into this business for myself and all. But I'm just thinking o possible bad outcomes. Of this thing getting ruined then me wasting my money. Well nvm I just had an awesome thought/ idea for the camera.
Obviously the naysayers haven't ever used one while plowing. Or salting.
#1 Yes, they get covered. Jump out once in awhile and clean it off. I usually do it when reloading with salt.
#2 Yes, I use my mirrors for backing up. Yes, I am aware of my surroundings. Yes, I was taught to drive as well as operate. But this does not prevent the other morons out there that will walk behind you; try to sneak in a driveway or parking space behind you; or pull right up to your bumper while plowing or salting and ignoring the blinkie lights on the trucks. The camera is for the others safety, not mine.
#3 A backup camera is around $500, for a good one anyways. My deductible is $500 also. So if that camera prevents one incident, it has paid for itself. If that camera prevents one person from getting run over--God forbid--it saves a whole lot more mentally, financially and time.
I'm guessing bighornjd is still plowing with a manual transmission and manual angle plow. Every time he wants to windrow a different way, he jumps out pulls the pin, pushes the plow and reinserts the pin.
Technology sucks.
Completely agree - if I can afford it, we are going to get them on more trucks. The way I have it set up, I can also see my salt shoot when the dump is up, that is great for seeing how much I am putting down.
I touched a bollard once, that made me get the camera.
Steel post filled with concrete. Protects gas pumps, doors, drive throughs, etc.
Thanks Pristine, forgot about watching the salt chute. Helps on a V-box so you know for sure when you're empty.
Poles for basketball hoops, small bikes, garbage cans and a statue of a dog are just a few things I've seen on the screen but not in the mirrors.
Lets me SEE the salt distribution behind me and tell when to stop before loading a flower bed or bouncing it off a wall, dumpster, car, etc. great visibility even without the lights.
With the lack of visibility from the drivers seat of my Ram I'm considering one to be able to watch the passenger side of the blade. If the manufacturers keep make trucks with such poor visibility pretty soon I'll want one on all four corners.
I guess Im old school. Give me a decent set of mirrors and tell me that tractor trailer wont fit in there and I'll prove ya wrong...
If you can put a 53' van behind a stretched triaxle with a 60" sleeper into a space the rest of the world can only squeeze a 28' box behind a six wheel tractor, you are far from old school. You are approaching quantam physics.
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