Reversing lights?

Footprints · Senior Member

Reversing lights?

Fringe Dweller · Senior Member

I think they Should . It gives a Good indication of what the vehicle is doing.

Especially if one Has to reverse on a roadway or dual lane , it lets motorists behind you Know that you have limited manouverability.

Mine has reversing lights.

hako · Guru

Personally I reckon not. Responsibility should always remain with the reversing vehicles operator as to whether it is safe or not to reverse.
A vehicle moving forward does not have "forward" lights that go on when driving forward.

Good Luck.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I wait to be corrected, but its my understanding that reversing lights are fitted to provide lighting for the backing driver so he/she can see where they are reversing, not a legal requirement.
Like the others, I suspect its the backers care not to reverse into a vehicle

Dunmowin · Guru

Footprints wrote:
A question asked of me. Should caravans have reversing lights operating when tug reversing lights are activated. How do people or other road users know that one is about to reverse. My van only has red and orange lights at rear. Maybe reversing lights not applicable to trailers and caravans? Interested to hear what others may think about this issue. Cheers Allen

Totally agree with you Allen, more so, I believe that caravans should also have beeping noises, like trucks and fork lifts. Having said, can you imagine how noisy a caravan park would be at check in time.

Queried this with our manufacturer who advised that it was not a legal requirement for either.

Lorraine

NeilandRaine · Guru

I think a loud audible signal as in trucks would be a better alternative, as has been stated if your reversing the onus is on the driver of the reversing vehicle regardless if you have a trailer or not

Fringe Dweller · Senior Member

WHY . I said Yes . Was .

When You Are reversing you have LIMITED Vision . Let me give you an example.

I used to back into a side street Off Busy Parramatta Rd at Haberfield in Sydney.

I would wait for a phase in the lights behind me . I would cut across the three lanes.

Old mate would walk onto road with "lollypop" stop sign . WHEN All lanes had stopped.

I would reverse into side street . One day a bloke tried to go around me , I'm bent in two directions,

and did not see him , as he swung behind me to come back onto P/matta rd . I hit him . The momentum,

before I could stop , pushed him into the gutter , sideways & a power pole . No damage to pole or kerb.

Wrote old mates car off . He had only picked it up Brand NEW , the day before . NRMA Ins , wanted my guts for garters.

After many threatening letters to me . I kept writing back & telling em to psss off . And I Had a BIG Ace up my sleeve.

Finally arranged to get an assessor down & showed him how we did our reversing , his client went against a "stop sign" & a

semi-trailer blocking his way .

YES . WE All have to navigate with care . Forward or backwards . How many times have people on this forum , been tried to

"Hurry up" fwd Or backwards . You have blind spots in mirrors & ya have a great big box behind you , that you can't see past.

Even with a guide , we still can't cover all bases , so we have a couple of bites while reversing . Having said all that.

We see "red & blue" angry lights , we know it is emergency vehicles , we see flashing yellows , we slow down for them too.

When I see reversing lights come on , on a vehicle . Yes he has to Legally navigate . but what if , you were Not in hi/her

sight when they started reversing . Are you going to deliberately , run into them , because they should have been

reversing with care.

macka17 · Guru

Reversing buzzers are fine.
As long as they have an OFF sw for in parks etc (other vanners)

ALl caravans should have both a reversing camera. rev lights
and above Isolating buzzer.

With a forward facing camera compulsory.
for both safety and peace of mind.

My little camera, Wireless. Cost around $35 yrs ago and installed on rear of van.
Is view-able through second input of 4, on screen

When you look at what you pay for your rig.
It's a bit silly not spending an extra coupla hundred for the security it brings.

Think of trees. kids. people behind you.
and proof it wasn't your fault in the forward direction too.

Footprints · Senior Member

The question asked of me related to visible warning lights to warn children and pedestrians maybe with poor hearing that a van is about to revere particularly at an age of smart phones and not really paying attention to where they walk. Also when reversing and turning from a side street or into a C/P lot. When solo there is not always someone available to be directing. Each van I have have looked at since being asked the question does not have lights illuminated when tug reversing lights are operating, why woul this be I wonder. Cheers Allen

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Most 7 pin plug wiring uses the Auxilary pin for the fridge or to charge the break away battery. So check if you have a spare pin in the plug.

macka17 · Guru

If you of length you can use the "do not overtake reversing vehicle" signs on rear of van
I did.
That also allows you to fit a rotating "orange" flashing light, as some trucks use in some States.

Mount that on top of rear, or on a small plate mounted somewhere on rear of van,
connected to rev, light wiring.
That'll do a nice job. and they do sell different sizes.
Most van's I've had in this country, have had rev lights in light assy.
Even my two boat trlrs and 6x4 here now.