Caravan Rear Camera

StewG · Senior Member

Caravan Rear Camera

iana · Guru

Just a note, Safety Dave now have a camera that is very near to the same view as looking in your rear view mirrors, I have their email, and the camera spec's if you are interested. And when backing the van, I cannot remember when I have used the camera view, just use the mirrors.

yobarr · Guru

StewG wrote:
I have a Safety Dave camera mounted on the rear of my caravan. It is a wide-angle type adjusted so that I see the road behind as well as almost immediately behind the van. This generally works well to see traffic building up behind, but being wide-angle, I don't see fast moving cars until they are right on my tail. My plan is to install a dual camera so that I get a more realistic view of the road behind (narrow angle) and a wide-angle view immediately behind the van for reversing, etc. The single monitor is able to select which of two cameras I want to use at any one time.
My question is aimed at anyone who has done this already and can tell me from their experience if it is a worthwhile addition to the rig.

Hi Stewart......whilst I have a wide angle camera to allow me to keep a general eye on what's happening behind me,many years on semis etc means that I do not need to use it for reverse parking etc.As Ian suggests,using one's mirrors suffices in this situation,and I wonder why you wish to see "fast moving cars until they are right on my tail?". This is not a criticism,but I wonder what you propose to do if a "fast moving car" suddenly does appear in your camera's view? Good luck in finding help with your question.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 4th of May 2020 07:08:59 PM

Brenda and Alan · Guru

StewG we have two cameras on of van rear for exactly what you are proposing. Rear view is 45 degree (could not get a 30 degree at the time), reversing is 120 degree. I have wired them to switch with reverse light signal so no need to do any thing to use for purpose. We find it good to have early warning of approaching semis as it give more time to pull over for them if possible. When reversing it is only helpful to know when stop.

As an aside when we were looking for a narrow angle camera we were rudely told by Dave that we did not need such a thing. (They did not sell narrow angle cameras then)

Alan

-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 4th of May 2020 07:31:37 PM

StewG · Senior Member

Thanks for responses, particularly Alan. That's just the sort of advice I am seeking.

StewG · Senior Member

I have obtained the same cameras as Alan -120/45 - and am looking forward to installing the kit in preparation for the lifting of restrictions on travel. I've probably got a few weeks to prepare the caravan...

carpaidiem · Veteran Member

Interesting but beware if you are in South Australia or planning on coming here SA road rules, rear mounted camera's are not permitted while the vehicle is in forward motion. Get caught get fined. (:-

elliemike · Guru

carpaidiem wrote:
Interesting but beware if you are in South Australia or planning on coming here SA road rules, rear mounted camera's are not permitted while the vehicle is in forward motion. Get caught get fined. (:-

Why !

I must admit driving through SA lots, with my cameras on all the time. If I don't have it on, I have no view at all directly behind my Dmax (and canopy) or the Camper Trailer. I use extended mirrors of course and the Rear View camera is a "Driving Aid". I wont be switching it off at the S.A. border.

Be interesting to hear others input on this.

-- Edited by elliemike on Thursday 28th of May 2020 10:04:15 AM

Relax-n · Guru

carpaidiem wrote:
Interesting but beware if you are in South Australia or planning on coming here SA road rules, rear mounted camera's are not permitted while the vehicle is in forward motion. Get caught get fined. (:-

I am in SA and we have never had, or heard of, these sort of issues with rear view cameras.

Would be interested to know where carpaidiem got their info.

If they are not allowed, then reputable sparkies and companies would not for them.

Phillipn · Guru

carpaidiem wrote:
Interesting but beware if you are in South Australia or planning on coming here SA road rules, rear mounted camera's are not permitted while the vehicle is in forward motion. Get caught get fined. (:-

I checked out the SA rules and could only find that rear vision mirrors that gave you a view of both sides of the van, which most people who tow have fitted. I may have missed something but I could not find that cameras could not be used. If you have a link for the use of camera , please post it.

StewG · Senior Member

I think carpaidiem is misinformed. With reference to www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/AUSTRALIAN%20ROAD%20RULES.aspx
See Rule 299

Visual Display Units are not to be visible to the driver unless they are "driver's aids".
Driver's aids include rearview screens, and mobile phones used as navigational aids (GPS).

I have travelled extensively all over Australia and relied upon the rear camera for a view of the road immediately behind as well as the limited view of mirrors. I will not be changing that practice, but enhancing it with an extra camera.

dogbox · Guru

StewG wrote:

I think carpaidiem is misinformed. With reference to www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/AUSTRALIAN%20ROAD%20RULES.aspx

See Rule 299

Visual Display Units are not to be visible to the driver unless they are "driver's aids".

Driver's aids include rearview screens, and mobile phones used as navigational aids (GPS).

I have travelled extensively all over Australia and relied upon the rear camera for a view of the road immediately behind as well as the limited view of mirrors. I will not be changing that practice, but enhancing it with an extra camera.

you want to be careful about the phone as a navigational aid, as the law states it must be fixed in a commercially made unit not in your hand so just beware

DaddyDavo · Newbie

Hi All,

My first post on this forum, being all new to vanning. biggrin

I've just taken in hand a Safety Dave Duel Camera Kit for our recent Caravan purchase.

Currently mounting the duel 120deg and 45 deg cameras on the rear of van.

Like others above, wanting the wide angle 120deg camera to see the vehicles close behind, and reversing (and to keep an eye on the wife giving directions).

The 45deg for the traffic behind, suppose to be able to see lanes either side of the van. Being a lane or the shoulder.

Duel 120_45 Camera.jpg

Getting the angle of each(which move independently) will be interesting..

Cheers