Why no PDC for Motorhomes?
Being new to motorhoming this year I expected that the reversing camera would be an essential bit of kit. What I found is that it is OK for checking that you are not about to drive over somebody but not much use for parking. Not way of telling how close
you are to the brick wall, no indicating lines as you get on a car system.
I think parking distance control would be more beneficial but have never seen it advertised.
Comments
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They do tend to distort the view the closer you get to something. Fine for a pitch peg but not so good for a fence or wall. Parking sensors would no doubt be better but a rearview camera is useful for other things than just reversing. You could maybe try adjusting the camera downwards but it takes away the dual usefulness.
David
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Sorry about the title which had a mind of its own. "Why no PDC for Motorhomes?".
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David, do you mean you use it when driving? I haven't tried this year and wonder if it might be distracting?
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My previous MH had one camera which was set to give a view of the bottom of the back of the van and out to about 8ft. When carrying bicycles I would set it to permanent view so I could keep an eye on the bikes. When towing a car I could see as far back as
the top of the windscreen and when set to permanent view I could see that it was still there. Very useful when manoevering out of a tight filling station.
My new MH has 2 cameras, 1 pointed downwards as before and another that gives a view just like an interior mirror.The cameras switch when reverse gear is selected. The view screen is fitted in place of the interior mirror so isn't distracting as it is just
the same as looking in the mirror. I still have a full view when carrying bikes (covered) although reversing needs more care due to the bike overhang. When towing a car I can see the whole vehicle and down the road. It's a great system (standard fit by Swift)
and I wouldn't now want to go back to a single camera system.0 -
, Mine too has a "Waeco" dual camera system,on the " Concorde" Rear view when driving.Close 'down shot' when in reverse.Excellent.system..0 -
David, do you mean you use it when driving? I haven't tried this year and wonder if it might be distracting?
I don't actually watch it all the time but its handy to have the facility to know what you have immediately behind you, especially in towns.
David
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Being new to motorhoming this year I expected that the reversing camera would be an essential bit of kit. What I found is that it is OK for checking that you are not about to drive over somebody but not much use for parking. Not way of telling how close
you are to the brick wall, no indicating lines as you get on a car system.I think parking distance control would be more beneficial but have never seen it advertised.
Achieving the tracking lines would significantly increase the computing algorithm complexity and require an input of steering angle; all possible but
at cost and quite an effort determining the vehicle geometry and inputting these figures.0 -
two things that might help....
one, have a bit of practice with OH as 'assistant' and back the van upto a line/wall somthat you can 'align' the image to the actual distance from the object....a couple of goes will increase your understanding/faith in the image.
two, we have our camera kn all the time and it is really useful as a 'third' mirror....also, when tucking back in (after passing a lorry) it shows that the rear corner has completely passed the slower vehicle....a really useful addition.
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There are many different reversing and rear view cameras on the martket.
Our current van had a reversing camera (which worked only when the vehicle was in reverse gear) already fitted when we bought it. It was a wireless model with the camera just above the number plate and the monitor strapped to the sun visor and powered
from a plug inserted in the console power socket. The camera was OK but, though quite expensive, was not one we would have chosen for ourselves. The picture did tend to break up a bit on bumpy surfaces, probably due to vibration of the wireless transmitter.After 18 months of owning the ven we decided to change the camera and went to Dave Newell for a Camos Tilt Camera with the monitor mounted on the right hand side of the dash so that it is alongside the door mirror. The view is superb and gives a much
clearer indication of how close following vehicles are. The camera automatically tilts to show where the rear of the van is when reversing. Not cheap but we think it was well worth it - and far better than the other one.Graham
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I made up an acetate overlay that sits on the screen of the reversing camera.
Using some lengths of wood and a couple of cones, I made up a scale on the acetate sheet that showed lines parallel with the sides of the m/home but about 300 wider, and then some lines at meter intervals from the rear of the m/home.
Its a bit of a faff, laying out the wood and getting the position marked on the acetate. but I now have a master copy !
I soon learnt that you need a couple of fixed points, such as the tow bar, side of the m/home if you can se it. This gives an indication that the acetate is in the right place on the reversing screen.
Rgds
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Some motorhome do! We have a great 360 Degree system fitted. There is a camera on all 4 sides of the vehicle which creates and overhead view of the motorhome as if you are looking down on the van from a drone about 10 feet above the van and covers and area
about 20ft all the way around the van. Its a great piece of kit with the added feature when you switch an indicator on it automatically changed the screen to the view from the relevant side camera. In my opinion things like this should be standard for what
they charge for motorhomes. This came as a factory extra from Niesmann and Bischoff0 -
In my opinion things like this should be standard for what they charge for motorhomes. This came as a factory extra from Niesmann and Bischoff
Write your comments here...N&B are very high premium vans and the cost bears that out but I suspect this sort of kit would cost a few thousand to fit so would add quite a bit to say a 40-50k van, not so much in %age terms to a 100k+ van.
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I am fortunate that I can see out of a back window using my rear view mirror and I have increased this view by fitting a fresnel lens to the rear window. I rely on this and my wing mirrors when reversing. It is still not easy to judge how close you are to
something at the rear and if I wanted to make it easier, parking sensors would be the way to go for me.peedee
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I have now switched on the camera permanently. Its OK but not easy to see when moving and mainly of use approaching a halt, in traffic etc.
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