Can you see out your back window?

[Theadyn]

Just a question for the vanners, are you able to see out your back window when you drive? 

My windows are so dark that it's hard to see out of them anyways, but I do catch myself opening the curtains and peeking in the rear view mirror while driving.  They also have the barn door opening in the back, so the place where they meet pretty much hides who is following me anyways.  Maybe it's just habit that I'm used to looking behind me while driving, unsure.  I use my side mirrors so much more than the back window already.

So, saying that, there sure seems to be a lot of wasted space vertically that could be put to better use back there.  Specifically, vertical shelving for clothing or hanging clothes.  My bed does not butt up to the back doors, there is almost a foot of space between the bed and back door.  Feel like I could put it to better use.

Tell me how yours is, can you see out of the back?   If not, any issues?

 

[LeeRevell]

Yes, for both my vans.  Not a problem in the minivan.  The E150 has the rear mounted spare tire that partially blocks the driver's side rear window, and the ladder partially obscures the other.  But it is still useable, for now.  But I always use my side mirrors too.

 

[nobodyG17]

No.  No need to see out the back.  

Check your side mirrors often.  Get fish eyes for them as well.

 

[Tinman74]

Yes, I use both side mirrors and rear window mirror. My wife says I know what is going on behind me better than what is in front of me.
Not quite true, but I do not want any surprises coming up from the rear. I never know when she is going to shout out, there is a yard sale, STOP!
That way I know if I can slam on the stoppers or not.

Another Bob

 

[speedhighway46]

Not in my Peterbilt Motorhome. It's amazing how quickly you can get used to not being able to see directly behind you. As mentioned earlier, I have large 8" convex mirrors mounted just below my regular rear view mirrors which allow me to see both lanes on either side of me as well as vehicles passing me on either side, even when they are directly next to me and in the "blind spot" of my regular mirrors.

Walmart and auto stores sell small 1" - 2" stick on fisheye mirrors; no van should leave home without them, even if you can see out your back windows. They will definately add to operating your vehicle in a safer manner.

 

[cyndi]

Yes,. I open all my curtains when I am driving. I feel like there are too many blind spots and by opening the curtains I can protect myself a little better from all the idiots on the road.

My bed is getting built, now and I'll have a foot to 18" on the back side of the bed. between the doors and the bed. I like a bed that's not backed up to a wall. It's so much easier to make. I can store my larger water containers across the back and have access to them to fill the 1 gallon containers. I have a crate and a native made basket that I keep stuff that I need access to. I'll put those on top of the water containers.

I'M SO EXCITED TO HAVE MY BED BUILT AND NOT HAVE TO MOVE EVERY DAMN THING IN THE VAN EVERY TIME I NEED SOMETHING ELSE!!!!

Yes!!! I just yelled that!!! Sooooooooooooooo excited!!!

 

[Patrick46]

I'm an old truck driver, and I cannot stand not being able to see what or who's creeping up behind me...so I have lots of mirrors hanging off the sides of my rigs, and I stick one of these fish eye lens on the rear window of my van.

 (it's kinda like a poor man's back-up camera!) They really work well for the money. ($18.00 at most RV places.)

makes backing up in parking lots a lot less nerve-racking!

 

[Canine]

Cyndi, lol, am glad that worked out!

I love those convex mirrors. I put two 3 1/2 inch convex mirrors on my truck, but wish I would have put those little sticky ones on instead. It doesn't matter to me if I can specifically see what is there as long as I can see something. The little stick-on ones do that just fine. It may be awkward at first, but once you get accustomed to them, you won't go back.

 

[blars]

The rear view mirror in my motorhome was pretty worthless, and I haven't gotten around to putting it back on after it fell off. The backup camera is much better.

 

[Almost There]

I can see out the back windows right now most of the time. Sometimes I forget to take down the reflectix panels...oops. Once the curtains are made and hung I won't be able to see much but that okay because I seldom use them anyways.

I hauled a box trailer behind multiple vans, mini vans and behind the 35' Class A so I learned early on to rely on a properly set pair of outside mirrors. The inside rear view mirror is used mostly for cosmetic purposes only...  

Which reminds me, I'm missing one of the stick on convex mirrors. Add that to my shopping list!!

 

[GotSmart]

and I stick one of these fish eye lens on the rear window of my van.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TCCWS2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

$7.99 at amazon.  I have used these for 30 years.  Priceless.

Most of time, yes.  I sometimes leave the windows covered if I am going into a place that is a little rough.

 

[rvpopeye]

I've had a pickup with a camper twice , both blocked rear views so used mirrors with convex add ons.
A class A with a fisheye fresnel on the rear window but it was 25' away so used the mirrors with convex below.
The current class C rear window is a ways back also so in addition to the usual mirrors I bought a cheap ($100) add on back up camera at an auto parts store.

I sure wish I had one of those on every rig , It's awesome !

Now I can put anything over the rear window.

 

[cyndi]

 and I stick one of these fish eye lens on the rear window of my van.

OH!I forgot about the fish eye thingies. Added right to the top of the priority list!!! 

Thanks, Patrick!!!

 

[Konaexpress]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has set up the back of their rig "chuck wagon" style like on teardrop trailers? Not good for stealth I'm sure but cool for boon docking I would think.

Just wondering......
John

 

[SoulRaven]

Most of the time I can see out the back, every once in a while I drive around with the back covered for some reason or another.

I also tend to take down the back passenger side window covering as well.

I rely heavily on my side mirrors, and have additional blind spot mirrors added to both. While I can drive with the windows covered, I personally find it less comfortable. It clicked for me when my therapist began repeatedly using the technique of encouraging eyes to wander as a grounding technique. Turns out that taking a solid visual tour of your surroundings tends to bring down the nervous system to a more settled state.

I requested, and received, a backup camera for Christmas. :i With it, I'm a bit more comfortable the times I don't take down the coverings.

Last year I had parked on the street outside a a grocery store, and ended up backing into a motorcycle. I had overnighted there, I took down the window coverings, the person in front had parked extremely close so I had to back up to get out. My rear window showed nothing, side mirrors showed nothing, so I began backing up...until I heard the screech of metal on pavement. I'm extremely lucky/blessed that the rider, who emerged from the store not 5 minutes later, was cool about it. Looks like I gave it a few more scratches, but he said he's already laid it down a few times so it's fine. Definitely concerned me that could happen.

 

[SternWake]

I have no rear view mirror, and Do not miss it. I do use it when driving other vehicles though, so if i had one, and i opened my curtains, Maybe I would.

However I rarely open my back curtain. I check my door mirrors often aware that most drivers are in a huge hurry to get to that red light quickly and get on their phone and always a decision away from a stupid move which might affect me.

I dislike it when my curtain by my side doors falls down when driving. I always open that one.

My convex mirrors on my door mirrors actually are angled, and rotate, which is a nice feature, so I can angle them out a bit for the widest view, but usually i want the back tires visible and no more of the Van body than that.

http://www.amazon.com/AUTOS-FAMILY-...=1454927619&sr=1-10&keywords=stick+on+mirrors

Don't forget to scrub the mirror with rubbing alcohol before sticking them to it.

 

[Canine]

Last year I had parked on the street outside a a grocery store, and ended up backing into a motorcycle.

That type of thing scares me. Someone I knew backed over their friend's young child when leaving a grocery store. The child died. It was a terrible accident. The driver couldn't see below the deck of her car and, therefore, couldn't see the child.

Whenever I go to back out and can't see, I get out and look. Not everyone can reasonably do that, but those that can maybe should consider taking a quick look-see when backing up. I've installed a backup alarm that turns on with a switch on the dash. I back into parking spots when possible because I know no one is there at that immediate time. That's from my commercial driving training- never back up unless needed.

It also makes getaways faster like if a monster is chasing you and you need to get away really fast.

 

[cyndi]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has set up the back of their rig "chuck wagon" style like on teardrop trailers?

We've had this discussion before. Also not good in inclement weather.

 

[LeeRevell]

A back-up video camera is a good investment if you can find a good one.  I tried three different dashcams, all three failed miserably.  Still a work in progress.  I didn't want to pay big bucks for a GoPro but likely will need to.  Avoid the cheap China junk.

 

[Canine]

I, too, have yet to find a dash cam that lasts for more than a few months and an inside camera doesn't get exposed to the elements as hard as a back up cam. I'm expecting to pay at least $300, but it may take a better camera than that to last for any length of time. If anyone has feedback on how much they paid for a back up cam that has lasted longer than a few months, that would be good to know.