If you are looking for a little more safety and peace of mind when you’re on the road travelling, we recommend installing a Rear Vision Camera on your Caravan or Trailer. The more visibility you have whilst reversing and driving, the safer it is for you, your passengers and other road users. This is why we recommend rear vision cameras for anyone that is looking to tow a caravan, camper trailer, horse float or any other trailer with their vehicle.
Rear vision or reversing cameras are becoming more common as a standard feature in modern vehicles. In fact, America has just recently introduced legislation to make reversing cameras a mandatory safety feature in all new vehicles.
When towing in particular, we recommend setting up dual rear vision cameras. One on the rear of the car allowing you to see the tow ball/hitch. We also recommend a second (dual) camera installed on the back of your caravan.
Read More: Why We Recommend Dual Rear Vision Cameras for Towing
IMPORTANT NOTE ON DRIVER AWARENESS: It is possible for drivers to become over-reliant on reverse technology. While technology will greatly improve reversing and road safety, it should not replace active supervision!
Top 4 Reasons to Get a Rear Vision Camera for your Caravan or Trailer:
1. Increased visibility when driving
Now that you have your caravan hooked up, the total length of the vehicle and caravan is usually more than double the vehicle. Which means you now have much bigger blind spots.
With a rear vision camera fitted to your caravan, you can leave the camera on while driving. This majorly improves visibility when merging or overtaking, very useful for highway driving. You just need to make sure your monitor is mounted correctly according to the relevant legislative requirements.
2. Assistance for tight manoeuvring
We’ve all been there – trying to get the caravan into a tight spot at a caravan park before sunset. Tensions are high as you manoeuver your caravan inch by inch.
Well, with a camera on the rear of the caravan, you are able to see behind the van and reverse it into that tight spot with ease. There are also systems available that can connect to multiple cameras. This allows you to install additional cameras on the sides of your van for even better visibility. As an added bonus, these cameras might also save you a few arguments in the process too!
3. Safer connection
Another popular use for rear vision cameras is to set up a camera to monitor the space where your vehicle and trailer connect. By installing a camera on either the front of your caravan or the back of your vehicle you can monitor the connection safely while travelling.
This is a particularly useful option for vehicles with a canopy installed as the camera can be mounted high on the vehicle to allow for increased visibility. Fitting a camera to the vehicle also makes it much easier to reverse the vehicle up to the trailer when getting ready to tow.
4. Monitor inside the trailer
This is a really useful option for those who transport animals in a trailer or horse float. A camera can be installed inside the trailer so you can keep an eye on your precious cargo while travelling. We usually recommend this in addition to a camera installed on the rear of the trailer for added visibility. This system would also require a monitor that allows for multiple camera inputs, but it is a great option for those who want to ensure their animals are safe during transportation. We love using Safety Dave Camera Systems for this purpose as they have a wide range of camera & monitor options to choose from.
Bonus Tips for Reversing Your Caravan or Trailer
If you have recently purchased a caravan and don’t have much experience towing or manoeuvring, here are some quick tips for reversing.
1. Take it Slow
If you are moving at a slower pace, you will have more time to make minor steering adjustments before you get yourself in an undesirable situation. Patience is critical, especially if you are new to the whole experience.
2. Use Your Mirrors
Use your left and right mirrors to monitor the rear corners of the trailer, this will give you an indication of any trailer change in direction. If you see too much of the trailer on one side, turn the wheel towards that mirror to straighten up.
4. Shift Your Hands to Turn
Move your hands from the top of the steering wheel to the bottom. Moving your hands to the left will now move the caravan to the left and vice versa. Once you have established the right amount of turn, straighten up to the point where the vehicle follows the caravan on the same arc.
5. Getting out of a jackknife:
If you end up in a jackknife position, here are a few things to do to get out of it.
- Stop immediately before you cause any damage.
- Turn the steering full lock away from the angle of the jackknife.
- Move forward slowly and this will straight the combination very quickly.
When reverse parking, take it slow and if you can, set up markers to simplify your parking.
- Remove your Weight Distribution Bars prior to reversing into the parking bay.
- Identify any hazards in or around your site.
- Take it slowly and use a spotter (or rear vision camera) to stop you from hitting anything or cause damage.
For more tips on Reversing a Caravan, check out this great article from Caravanning with Kids >> Caravan Reversing Tips for Newbies <<
The specialised team at Accelerate Auto Electrics are more than happy to assist with any inquiries that you may have regarding Rear Vision cameras for towing your caravan or camper trailer. Get in touch with us on 07 5479 6652 or contact us here!
