Full time rear view camera

Triton

I think in most states there is a requirement to have external mirrors that are able t see what is behind a van/trailer and these should/must extend past the limits of the towed vehicle.

otherwise every truck in the place would have their mirrors removed to give a narrower profile.

regards

Geoff

Probably you will require a mirror to be extended for legal reasons but If you have a roof basket or bars the camera can be mounted on the bars/basket and it will then give a view of the tow vehicle rear roofline in the bottom of the screen and the van behind and it will also provide you with a view of what is following and on both sides to the rear of the vehicle and van.
This relative view is very handy because it gives you the position of the two vehicle and their relation to each other "Birdseye"and also the surrounds where the van is being reversed into.
Obviously it won't pick up a person on a scooter travelling too close behind the van though or give the immediate closeness behind the van as you reverse to a hazard.

Hi Triton man

With the correct focused camera for rear view as opposed to reversing, you will still find it useful for reversing in to a site. This will not negate the legal requirement to have adequate mirrors, as you are required to have mirrors of adequate width to see clearly behind and down the sides of your combination. The use of a rear view camera will certainly enhance the scope of vision behind you, particularly on straight roads. If you drive on dusty roads, the cloud of dust behind the caravan negates their usefulness.

Motherhen

We have one from 'Polaris' on our unit. It is a bit too 'wide angle' though..

Yes there are reversing camera/monitor setups available that will do what you desire.

I had a Brashs Imports setup on my previous vehicle.
The monitor (clip on over the rear view mirror) could be used as a reversing camera, or switched to full time display (about one third of mirror size) while driving.

Have a read of David's web page where he recommends a particular type of camera for a particular purpose.

We have had a Polaris retro fitted in the dash [replacing the existing radio/cd] but has all those functions as well as a full-time camera view. We have two cameras, one on the back of the Landcruiser and one on the van. We have a switch on the dashboard that toggles between the two views. Our cameras are infra-red and don't appear to be wide angle. They are fantastic and make travelling so much safer. When turning in dual lanes you can check the rear before going wide, see traffic build up behind and pull over, see trucks approaching, reverse safely without having to get out and take a look. When we go home and get in to our second car, we miss the camera so much. The higher you get your camera, the less dust interference.

You will still have to have extended mirrors though for legal reasons. Ours are just $35 mirrors that strap on over existing mirrors. They never get taken off and are pretty non-obtrusive. We looked at getting the big flash Toyota mirrors for towing, but the wouldn't fit through our garage doors, so gave them a miss.

Happy Travels

Thanks to all the respondents for their time and guidance. I am a newbie to both 4WD and caravanning and my first ever forum question (on anything). I am impressed with the spirit shown and the wealth of knowledge which is out there in the field. Think I will go for both, the cheaper and legal option first (the mirrors) and then the camera. I look forward to years of touring and joining in forums to both learn and eventually be wise enough to contribute.

Once again my thanks for all respondees for your help and guidance. Much appreciated - Triton man

gda ive just fitted the new arb reverse camera.. works great and you can push a button on mirror and 25 % of mirror works in reverse mode full time. it replaces the car mirror, works great...