Reversing sensors (1 Viewer)

Agzy

Free Member
Jan 6, 2020
89
217
Wirral
Funster No
67,852
MH
Bessacar E410
Exp
Newbie
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?
 
Sep 26, 2013
4,169
5,155
Market Rasen
Funster No
28,295
MH
Self Build
Exp
Since 2003
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.
 
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Two on Tour

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Sep 16, 2016
10,327
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Near the junction of the A14 and A1, Cambs
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45,145
MH
Elddis Autoquest 175
Exp
Since 2010
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.

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Agzy

Agzy

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Jan 6, 2020
89
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Wirral
Funster No
67,852
MH
Bessacar E410
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Newbie
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
 
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Jan 3, 2017
215
122
Huntly
Funster No
46,720
MH
Frankia i640 SD
Exp
Since 2004
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.

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Apr 22, 2018
6,823
12,578
Herts.
Funster No
53,503
MH
Adria Coral lowline
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.
 
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Feb 21, 2016
4,920
29,536
Uk
Funster No
41,726
MH
C class
Exp
Since 2017
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.
 
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Gellyneck

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Jun 5, 2014
9,235
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More than toes wet now!
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

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Dec 19, 2019
451
2,640
Cornwall
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67,480
MH
Weinsberg PVC
Exp
Since 1982
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.
 
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Sundowners

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Oct 30, 2007
3,289
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Suffolk/Central Portugal
Funster No
744
MH
A class
Exp
37 years
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!!

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Mar 30, 2019
1,089
1,380
East Sussex
Funster No
59,486
MH
Trigano Tribute
Exp
Since 2017
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.
 
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Agzy

Agzy

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Jan 6, 2020
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Bessacar E410
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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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WynandJean

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Mar 23, 2010
6,670
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10,746
MH
Bailey Autograph 682
Exp
Since 2010
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
 
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MisterB

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Feb 25, 2018
5,870
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Adria 670 SLT
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enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
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 !

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Aug 26, 2008
4,762
24,952
B&NES
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3,823
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
since 2007
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. (y)

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. :rolleyes:
 
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Jan 3, 2017
215
122
Huntly
Funster No
46,720
MH
Frankia i640 SD
Exp
Since 2004
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. (y)

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. :rolleyes:
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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Jul 4, 2017
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Newton Stewart, UK
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Autotrail Imala 615
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Since 2000
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!

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May 21, 2008
4,271
7,340
Oxford
Funster No
2,767
MH
WildAx Constellation
Exp
Since 2008
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)
 

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Oct 8, 2009
484
352
Kent
Funster No
8,800
MH
Sunlight
Exp
32 years
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.
 
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Jun 29, 2015
3,477
57,415
Southampton
Funster No
36,999
MH
caravan (for now)
Exp
on and off since 1984
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

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AndyPK

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Oct 7, 2015
5,012
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Cirencester
Funster No
39,288
MH
None……..!
Exp
Motorhoming since 2015......
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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Nov 8, 2019
393
3,125
Surrey
Funster No
66,685
MH
A Class
Exp
Since 2017
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.
 
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Gellyneck

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Jun 5, 2014
9,235
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Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
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More than toes wet now!
Back thinking again about fitting sensors.(y)
Anybody got any recommendations \ links as to a good brand \ model to fit?

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Camdoon

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Sep 22, 2012
1,531
2,808
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Funster No
22,981
MH
Adria Matrix Supreme
Exp
2012
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.
 
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Rosco

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May 17, 2020
16
24
Aberdeenshire
Funster No
70,779
MH
A Class
Exp
2008
Does nobody use their external driving mirrors ?? Use them and no need for external rear view Mirror apart from when reversing .
 
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Mr Chrysalis

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Rapido 890F A Class
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Since 2016, caravans before that, folding Caravan, tents before that
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
 
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