Reversing sensors

[Agzy]

Looking at prices of having reversing camera fitted and way too expensive at present but a mate has suggested reversing sensor as cheaper and better option for 6m motorhome. Any thoughts?

 

[Mikeco]

I did put a set of 4 sensors into the rear bumper but they stopped working a year or so ago, use the rear view camera all the time when driving though with the monitor where the rear view mirror would normally be.

 

[Two on Tour]

I fitted rear parking sensors to our van, but I think a rear view camera is pretty much an essential bit of kit to have on your motorhome.
We have the two camera type so one is angled down and acts as a reversing camera and the other effectively as a rear view mirror and the monitor where the rear view mirror would normally be as Mikeco.

 

[Agzy]

I did put a set of 4 sensors into the rear bumper but they stopped working a year or so ago, use the rear view camera all the time when driving though with the monitor where the rear view mirror would normally be.

Has been suggested that the camera retrofitted is better fixed above number plate and over iron monitor and this works out at half the price of dealers quote

 

[Two on Tour]

Mount the camera high and you can see the following traffic several cars back, mount it above the number plate if the number plate is low down and all you see the the front and bonnet of the car directly behind and sod all else

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[Cairngorm]

Looking at prices of having reversing camera fitted and way too expensive at present but a mate has suggested reversing sensor as cheaper and better option for 6m motorhome. Any thoughts?

We had reversing camera (twinl lens) when we bought ours and they work fine in daylight and when clean. In dark I find them useless. We fitted sensors and they were cheap to buy on eBay but didn’t fit them myself, so ended up costing £250. But I have been very pleased with them. Toying with idea of fitting others high up when reversing and another set on the front.

 

[Landy Andy]

You are reversing and get a solid tone or even a intermittent beep from reversing sensors. You then either pull a long way forward and see if there is anything there in your mirrors, or, stop the van, get out walk to the back of the van look for reason for noise, then return to van and continue the reversing. Or send the wife out, and have a domestic because she is now stood in a blind spot talking shite that doesn’t make sense.

That’s my opinion of sensors on their own. Sensors and cameras work well together. They make a sound you scan the monitor to make sense of what sensors are doing.

I have both fitted, and if I had to have one it would be the camera. Sensors and camera best option.

 

[Podney]

How often do you go backwards?
If the answer is: lots of times.....fit a camera and sensors.
If,like me,the answer is : rarely......just use sensors.
If you have a wife/partner with a loud voice,get them out of the van to direct you.

 

[Two on Tour]

If you have a wife/partner with a loud voice,get them out of the van to direct you.

And they will love to do that when it's pissing with rain and blowing a gale.

 

[Gellyneck]

We've got reversing camera fitted however have been toying with the idea of self-fitting reversing sensors in addition.
Couple of questions that, hopefully, builds on OP's initial question and doesn't divert us too far off down a track!
How easy are they to fit (fairly competent diyer)?
Does the warning sounder need wired forward to cab area (along chassis)?
Any recommendations as to "what's good" kits?

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[Captain Pants]

If you’re fitting sensors (essential in my view), make sure you get some with a long cable to the buzzer/bleeper. Some of the car type ones mean you have to site the buzzer too far back to hear it easily from the cab.
Quite easy to fit, wiring is already there courtesy of the reversing lights so all you need to do is drill 4 holes and thread a wire via rear door pillar into a suitable place in the van.

 

[Sundowners]

We have sensors on a car and they are virtually useless--'''''''--------- have a camera mounted high up on the back of our motorhome and I can park within an inch when reversing, also spot on when hitching the trailer.
So if I was to have one or the other there is no question, it would be the camera!!

 

[Off da Grid]

We’ve got 2 on the roof feeding a monitor as a rear view mirror
One points as if it’s a rear view mirror the other one points down which is fairly good but useless when the bikes are on the carrier.

 

[Stealaway]

I think you definitely need both. Wireless reversing sensors are less than £30 and a doddle to fit.

 

[Agzy]

I do favour the high up dual camera approach especially as reversing into my driveway is fine until manoeuvring over to one side and have visions of the bike rack smashing through the living room window. As for sending the OH out to direct that is a no go as, owing to her health problems and with her full blessing, I travel solo.

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[Reallyretired]

My preference is SWMBO directing via two way radio. Weather is no problem, I'm not out in it.

 

[WynandJean]

I thought I was fine without a camera until the day I just inched back to allow a post van through and heard a crunch from behind. It was a car that could not be seen in the mirror and no time for sensors to warn me. Since fitting a camera I am constantly surprised by just what can be behind without you being able to tell!

Wyn

 

[MisterB]

we have reversing sensors, i would have preferred a camera, but now ive got used to them i think the sensors are brilliant. i can 20 point turn our 7.4m van around in our drive!!
i am also going to fit a camera though, but thats mainly because i want one as opposed to needing one!

by far the best option though, is somebody actually watching you reverse back !!! if youre on your own though then of course you dont get that luxury !

 

[SpeedyDux]

I like the FIAT sensors. On several occasions they stopped me hitting something while reversing and turning. The sensors cover a wide angle and react to objects I can't see in the nearside mirror.

I would like a reversing camera as well as sensors but at the time of purchase the budget was a bit too tight to get all the desirable extras. Thinking of getting a camera retro-fitted.

Still training the OH but it's a very long process fraught with mis-communication.

 

[Cairngorm]

I like the FIAT sensors. On several occasions they stopped me hitting something while reversing and turning. The sensors cover a wide angle and react to objects I can't see in the nearside mirror.

I would like a reversing camera as well as sensors but at the time of purchase the budget was a bit too tight to get all the desirable extras. Thinking of getting a camera retro-fitted.

Still training the OH but it's a very long process fraught with mis-communication.

Fiat sensors? I am assuming that would be on a van as opposed to a motorhome. Didn’t know they there was such a thing. Thanks

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[Potty]

Fiat sensors? I am assuming that would be on a van as opposed to a motorhome. Didn’t know they there was such a thing. Thanks

Our last van, an Adria on a fiat base, had sensors. Hated them. We had a scooter on a rack and they beeped continually every time we reversed. Reversing onto the ferry to Orkney was torture!

 

[Viennese]

When RoadPro fitted my Memo bike rack they disconnected the reversing sensors as when bike rack closed they would have been beeping all the time. I do miss them, though luckily when on my own I can quickly run to the back of the van and look out of the rear window! Other times partner guides me (and I guide him)

 

[Whitebirdyman]

I have a camera plus sensors as I think the two work well together. I have the normal bumper level sensors and another set at high level, these are useful as they can detect tree branches, road signs etc, that are too high for a downward facing camera.

 

[Odd-no-more]

After I reversed the MoHo into our bungalow I had a duel camera system fitted by Towsure, the guy came out to our place and fitted it in a couple of hours. It cost about £400 that's a lot less than a rear door and roof repair. Gave me a good rear view "mirror" and then dipped for reversing

 

[AndyPK]

We had sensors fitted on our last ‘van (6m Majestic 120), but decided not to on our new ‘van (7m Majestic 155), mainly due to cost, but also that it had a fitted camera (high level for rear view) and also that I bought a Garmin BC40 wireless camera which links-up with our Garmin satnav, to fit to the rear number plate. The BC40 is battery-powered, so no drilling/wiring issues, and the batteries have so far lasted about 5 months. I find that a combination of rear view (high and low) is sufficient, even when reversing onto our drive and navigating between our house and next door.........

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[AJM2]

I have a twin camera fitted high up on the back, I have sensors on my cars. All I can say is that if I only had sensors on the MH I'd fit a camera. Sensors are no substitute and, as mentioned above, a useful aid even when driving forwards as an effective rear-view mirror.

 

[Gellyneck]

Back thinking again about fitting sensors.
Anybody got any recommendations \ links as to a good brand \ model to fit?

 

[Camdoon]

We have sensors on our Adria 7.5m which are not great as they only need to be at a slight angle to trigger. Has stopped me perhaps grounding once when the van was new but I had to jump out to see what was wrong. I would not pay to have them fitted on our van as a camera is far better. Smaller overhang then why not as an additon.

 

[Rosco]

Does nobody use their external driving mirrors ?? Use them and no need for external rear view Mirror apart from when reversing .

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

Cheap wireless number plate camera and monitor available on eBay may not be elegant but work
BOSCAM K7 Digital Wireless Reversing Camera Kit, 5" TFT-LCD Monitor With Stable Clear Image, Night Vision Rear View Camera, For Hatchback, SUV, Lorry, Van, MPV, Cargo Van Amazon product ASIN B07RL5NJSB