Mirrors / Reversing camera's

Hi Pesty,
It is legal in SA (don't know about other states) to run a screen providing it is used only for either navigation or rear view. If your passenger is watching a movie, then is must not be visible by the driver.
Cheers
Gerry

I do not have a rear mirror - only the reversing camera and screen and have actually had a couple of coppers here in NSW who have noticed it when I have gone through RBT say how good it looks.
So I am guessing it is ok in NSW also

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Pesty,
I use a Polaris CV 10 Caravan / Trailer package.Brilliant setup.
However here in Qld law states with caravans the tow vehicle must have towing rear view mirrors.I use Aussie Truck Mirrors,a minute or so to put on and remove.

TJM are agents for Polaris Camera Systems,hope this helps. Frank.

Hey Pesty
Was gunna ask about the legality ?

looks like GerryP and KiwiAngler have done just that..
Now all I havee to do is find one that dosen't shyte itself, on the endless corrugations in the outback.
Got any recomendations ?

Cheers MAte

Bucky

Hi Pesty, your post probably explains something I saw the other day...A Jeep wagon towing a big twin axle Jayco passed me doing
around 120K, no mirrors, standard only. Idiot...me thinks, it then passes several other cars, safely, if you discount the speed, going
from passing to travel lane several times. I guess he had a camera
never occurred to me at the time. Still an idiot towing at that
speed anyway.....oldbaz.

Yes anything that is an 'aid' to the driver (GPS, reversing Camera etc) is considered acceptable under certain circumstances. What is NOT acceptable is the lack or absence of mirrors capable of providing a rear view of any vehicle or combination. A test, if you sit in the drivers seat, adjust the mirrors to suit and cannot see clearly behind, not just down the side, but behind, then your mirrors are inadequate and you risk not only being pinched but also likely to contribute to a collision (I say collision NOT accident as under such circumstances there is obvious negligence, lack of due care and consideration). Now an argument that you might have to endure in Court regarding the 'reversing camera' relates to the fact that you had it functioning whilst you were driving down the highway at 80 km/ph. What would your defence be under such circumstances? Yes the monitor can be activated to enable a reversing camera to transmit an image from rearward of the vehicle WHILST the vehicle is reversing. Fail to see any other circumstance(s) under which you would get away with it and have it dismissed by 'the beak'. Remember, a reversing camera is just that not a substitute or replacement for adequate rear view mirrors. So there.

There have been any number of threads on different forums about this topic. There is one currently on Touring OZ;

http://www.supertramp.com.au/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=412&PN=4 (sorry! - can't get the link across - you'll have to copy and paste into your browsers)

The threads have generally had a common theme ~ posters who understand what the rules (ADRs and the like, I think) say and require, and posters who have a solution that they are happy with but doesn't meet the rules, and the appaent lack of understanding of each. Both types of poster agree that the additional information provided by the camera is valuable, if not essential to towing safely on the roads. The disagreement is about the need for additional towing mirrors when you have a camera.

According to the previously posted material the rules require that mirrors on the tow vehicle must be able to see down the side of the caravan to the rear corner. This can be practically translated to 'if you stand at the back corner of your van, you must be able to see the towing mirror'. You may be able to get away with your normal wing mirrors with a narrow van, but most modern vans will require additional towing mirrors to be fitted to the tow vehicle to meet this requirment.

So the conclusion I draw from all this (and this is based on me wanting to be legal) is:

I will install a camera/screen setup as soon as I can afford it. There will be one camera on the tow vehicle for reversing and hitch up; the second will be on the back of the van to provide a rearward view of the road and following traffic.

And I will continue to use my Australian Truck Mirrors as they provide the view along the sides of my van to the rear corners.

But, as always, others may and will have a different view, and the debate will continue. You must draw your own conclusions.

Happy New Year to you all!

There have been any number of threads on different forums about this topic. There is one currently on Touring OZ;

http://www.supertramp.com.au/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=412&PN=4 (sorry! - can't get the link across - you'll have to copy and paste into your browsers)

The threads have generally had a common theme ~ posters who understand what the rules (ADRs and the like, I think) say and require, and posters who have a solution that they are happy with but doesn't meet the rules, and the appaent lack of understanding of each. Both types of poster agree that the additional information provided by the camera is valuable, if not essential to towing safely on the roads. The disagreement is about the need for additional towing mirrors when you have a camera.

According to the previously posted material the rules require that mirrors on the tow vehicle must be able to see down the side of the caravan to the rear corner. This can be practically translated to 'if you stand at the back corner of your van, you must be able to see the towing mirror'. You may be able to get away with your normal wing mirrors with a narrow van, but most modern vans will require additional towing mirrors to be fitted to the tow vehicle to meet this requirment.

So the conclusion I draw from all this (and this is based on me wanting to be legal) is:

I will install a camera/screen setup as soon as I can afford it. There will be one camera on the tow vehicle for reversing and hitch up; the second will be on the back of the van to provide a rearward view of the road and following traffic.

And I will continue to use my Australian Truck Mirrors as they provide the view along the sides of my van to the rear corners.

But, as always, others may and will have a different view, and the debate will continue. You must draw your own conclusions.

Happy New Year to you all!

Ooooppppsss! Sorry about that!