Back Windows

[Ella1]

Are you able to see out your back windows when you drive? When backing up, do you use mirrors or
a spotter? Do you depend on just your side mirrors?

 

[DannyB1954]

A rear camera is a wonderful thing. For under a hundred bucks they are a cheap alternative to an accident. I am usually alone when I drive. If I am turning while backing I can see where I am going through the mirrors, but straight back, I would have to get out and check, then hurry and backup before something could get into my path.
In my van out the back window I don't see the football field area just behind me. Fresnel lenses do help, but the camera is the best.

 

[Hippiechk]

I plan on getting a camera SOON with this 24'. Just too much impossible to see space for my liking. I add a couple feet carrying my scooter too.

 

[highdesertranger]

I can't see out my back window and I don't have a back up camera. I use my mirrors the only people I worry about is the ones that pull right up behind you like the want to drive right up in the bed of my truck. if you have the correct mirrors you can back up fine. get real mirrors and learn how to use them do not rely on electronic doo dads. because what are you going to do when they fail. sooner or later they will fail. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

I depend entirely on my side mirrors and my driving skills after 50 years of driving. I know where my rear corners are the same as I know where my front corners will fit or not fit.

Ok, I have to confess - I backed in to a low (2' high) retaining wall a few months ago. It was a gentle bump and did no damage to my hitch hauler. Had I used my rear windows it would have not changed the situation....the wall would have remained below my line of vision.

It was within a month of getting the hitch hauler installed and I, being old... , forgot to allow for the extra footage. It won't happen again, I'm extremely conscious of the extra couple of feet back there now!!

 

[DannyB1954]

When they fail I will use the mirrors until I can get another camera. Someday your vehicle will fail. Start walking now. I hate the idea of somebodies child sneaking in behind me at a shopping center. A mirror is not going to show them unless you have a convex mirror mounted off of your rear roof.

 

[Ella1]

Right now I can see out of my back windows. The question arises because I am thinking of putting my bed across the back instead of along the side--Or putting a shelf cross to use for light storage. That would effectively block out any ability to see out the window. My van is 18 feet long plus a cargo carrier making 22 feet. Mounting a convex mirror in the rear might be a good idea for me.

 

[Ella1]

Does it take long to learn to not use the rear windows? I constantly use t hem to watch traffic behind--more so than the side mirrors.

 

[Almost There]

One of my first vans had no rear windows so I learned in a hurry to use my side mirrors. And of course driving a 35' Class A just reinforces that. Now my rear view mirror is used to hang stuff from.

If they are not already equipped with convex mirrors, put one on each side. No matter how you have the drivers' side adjusted there is very likely a blind spot there big enough to hide a full size car.

Looking in the rear view mirror through the windows at traffic behind you has you looking almost entirely at only the traffic in the same lane as you are. Looking in both outside mirrors shows you what's in the lane directly behind you as well as what is in other lanes, most important on multi lane freeways.

It's just a matter of practice. If you really want to learn how, the fastest way is to block the rear windows which will force you to use the side mirrors. please equip and adjust them first though!!

 

[Gary68]

if you can get a back up camera
https://www.google.com/?ion=1&espv=2#q=backup+camera&tbm=shop
the more info you have the better when backing up

when i drove a box van for a living it was no problem backing up but live buy this motto "when in doubt,get out" better safe then sorry

 

[MrNoodly]

I can see out my back windows (things that are tall enough, anyway) and I have a rear-view camera, but most of the time I just use my side mirrors which have a small wide angle mirror. The trick for me is to really LOOK and SEE and PROCESS what's in the mirrors, then wait a couple of seconds to see what changes, to give pedestrians or low vehicles a chance to move into sight. I back s-l-o-w-l-y out of parking spaces (when I can't get one that lets me drive out forward) so that anyone I fail to see back there has plenty of time to honk or yell. My camera is aimed so that I can see how much backing room I have, which is useful when trying to parallel park or otherwise move in tight spaces.

 

[Ella1]

I do the same. I have a small convex mirror on the driver mirror, been thinking of getting one for the passenger side too.
When I can, I pull through a space so I don't have to back out. Those pedestrians in shopping area lots don't always watch, and even if the coast appears clear, suddenly there's a little red car raced behind to get the space being vacated just to the right and a few cars down! Or a mom and kids...
I think I'll move/cover the center mirror so I can't use it to try this out first.
Thanks, All!

 

[cyndi]

When I worked for the post office it was practically against the law to back up. We were always supposed to park so we didn't need to back up. The other rule was if we HAD to back up we walk around the vehicle before we do. I still follow both protocols, most of the time.

My van windows aren't covered and I also purchesed a CIPA Wide Angle Lens for the rear windows. I think one day I'll even install it!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TCCWS2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Ella1]

That's a fresnel lens, isn't it? I had round one on my rear window for years. It finally got so yellow it was useless.

 

[cyndi]

I'm not sure about the Fresnel lens. But there was one on a moho I used to borrow and it was really helpful

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

When they fail I will use the mirrors until I can get another camera. Someday your vehicle will fail. Start walking now. I hate the idea of somebodies child sneaking in behind me at a shopping center. A mirror is not going to show them unless you have a convex mirror mounted off of your rear roof.

I only back into spaces thus avoiding not knowing what's behind me when I back out because it doesn't happen. But even if I am in a situation where I do have to back out, I just entered my vehicle ten seconds prior so I know what's back there regardless.  

That being said my truck came with a rear view camera and I've never had one before.  Noticed after a bit it was taking me two tries to back into spaces with it when I can do it first try with out it using mirrors.  Now its only used to line up a trailer ball which it works excellent for.

 

[Ella1]

I too will back in whenever I can. I prefer that to backing out of a space. It's so automatic for me. I'll have to pay attention. I think i just use my side mirrors for that.

 

[VanGrrl57]

I prefer backing in with my van because the back windows are covered. I do have side mirrors with smaller, convex mirrors as well.

VanGrrl57