Mirror vs Camera Confusion

DandS · Senior Member

Mirror vs Camera Confusion

Beth54 · Guru

Oh! I see! Well, that makes it even more weird liddle! confuse

brickies · Guru

I don't beleive the post has got off track the post was mirror vs camera confusion ,

Cupie · Guru

I have never used cameras, so can't comment on their worth.

I still use some DIY modified 14 year old clip on mirrors that now have longer arms so that they extend out to just outside the width of the van. They have light weight brackets that attach to the weather shield screws to stop them folding back when very large trucks pass in the opposite directions on highways like the Newell.

Although I can see the rear corners of my van I can't see anyone tailgating. My technique is to keep an eye out for 'shadows' from tailgaters, and I occasionally give the rig a careful SLIGHT wobble to see if there is anything close behind.

I have a large fish eye mirror stuck to the LHS tug mirror to enable a good view of the road edge as well as blind spots. I adjust the tug mirror on the RHS to cover the blind spot on that side.

I, like CG, find it strange that people would even consider driving without adequate mirrors.

ozjohn · Guru

Delta18.

Sorry Neil, the clause numbers have changed and a few pics have been deleted or moved since I last looked at ADR14/02.
You'll find the pic I referred to (Fig 5) at the top of page 36. (15.2.4.4)

Cheers, OJ

johnq · Guru

Regardless of what rig you are driving, including a car alone, there are many drivers who for some inexplicable reason want to tuck themselves into your blind spot.

CG's post has provoked some much needed discussion on how to comply with the regulations.

CG's post concerned complying with the regs, sure, but the thrust was the practical considerations in getting a satisfactory field of view to drive and tow safely. A camera should be mounted high enough to get a commanding view and avoid the splashes and grime from the road. Mounting two cameras to the trailer chassis at the rear is odd and is unlikely to make the best use of them. Perhaps they didn't want to penetrate the van skin for a more suitable high mount.

With my previous rigs and wide tow vehicles I did well enough with large mirrors. But a high centre mounted camera on the rear of the van would have helped considerably.

The intent of the regulations is that you have a decent view of the trailer sides right to the tail of the trailer. If that is not possible to obtain with mirrors extended for a narrow car and a wide van then a rear mounted camera is not going to provide the necessary view of the sides of the trailer. It is looking the other way. Alternatively, maybe there is the option of side mounting a small camera on the leading (front) edge of the trailer on both sides to give that necessary view to the rear. Otherwise, how is it possible to meet the over-arching requirement to see the sides of the trailer and drive the rig safely?

mr glassies · Guru

all i can say is 1 nation 1 policy no confusion easy i thinkum (no spell check)

dibs

Cupie · Guru

mr glassies wrote:
all i can say is 1 nation 1 policy no confusion easy i thinkum (no spell check)

dibs

We've come a long way since the pre-federation situation with States charging taxes / import duties on goods passing between States.

But there's still a long way to go.

State's rights & inter State jealousies are a concern.

The sooner all States adopt the Qld Laws / regulations et. al. the better.

(Maybe then we would let NSW win a State of Origin series or maybe even let Vic join in the contest) ... LOL

03_troopy · Guru

Cupie wrote:
mr glassies wrote:
all i can say is 1 nation 1 policy no confusion easy i thinkum (no spell check)

dibs
We've come a long way since the pre-federation situation with States charging taxes / import duties on goods passing between States.
But there's still a long way to go.
State's rights & inter State jealousies are a concern.
The sooner all States adopt the Qld Laws / regulations et. al. the better.
(Maybe then we would let NSW win a State of Origin series or maybe even let Vic join in the contest) ... LOL

As long as we don't also adopt their driving habits... biggrin

How do you give a QLD'er a "crash" driving course?

.

Let him drive around Sydney or Melbourne for a couple of hours.....

-- Edited by 03_troopy on Thursday 20th of December 2012 07:25:32 PM

Cupie · Guru

If you want a crash driving course then go to China (mainland). Unbelieveable!

The only thing that saves them is that the general speed in the built up areas is around 40km/hr. Probably because of the traffic chaos & state of the roads and of course the seemingly home made trucks based on stationary engines with belt driven drive trains.

Of course the fantastic freeways are something else ... but devoid of 'local' traffic & dodgy vehicles.

03_troopy · Guru

Yes Cupie I know what you mean. We spent a couple of years in Malaysia and travelled around a bit while we were there. The most used devices are the horn and the headlight flasher.... Especially when they were overtaking from the opposite direction and you were in their way.

Bucko · Senior Member

Hi All,

I've read all the posts before this and I would ask if it would be better to see only what I'm legally required to in regards to what is going on around the vehile or more than I really need, I have 2 cameras and 4 mirrors on my slide on camper and truck and still miss some of what is going on around me, I know what I'd prefer, MORE!!!!!

Bucko-Kev.