Ford backup assist WOW!

ctbailey · 02-02-2017, 07:50 PM

I've never owned a Ford, but that might change:
https://youtu.be/KT3jxyg-ZkY

Say what you will about ford vs chevy vs dodge, but these farkles that ford is making optional for trailering is impressive.

At the same time, I find myself wondering if humans will quickly lose their ability to backup a trailer?

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RedHorse1 · 02-02-2017, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctbailey

At the same time, I find myself wondering if humans will quickly lose their ability to backup a trailer?
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Wouldn't be any problem at all for me since ive never had that ability to loose.

RPreeb · 02-03-2017, 12:13 AM

I'm looking forward to giving it a try this spring with my rig.

cariboocreek · 02-03-2017, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Wouldn't be any problem at all for me since ive never had that ability to loose.

DownTheHighway · 02-03-2017, 07:10 AM

IMHO, if you need help from a truck in backing up a trailer, you shouldn't be towing a trailer.

cariboocreek · 02-03-2017, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway

IMHO, if you need help from a truck in backing up a trailer, you shouldn't be towing a trailer.

IMHO if you can't bake an apple pie in a wood fired oven you shouldn't be making an apple pie.....

IMHO if you can't keep your house clean with a corn broom you shouldn't own a house......

Times change....

Jopopsy · 02-03-2017, 07:19 AM

I really like what Ford did. I never towed a single thing until I had my first TT. Backing it up was far more intimidating than pulling it down the road.

Had my truck had one of these, I likely would have stayed w/ a TT. So for those of us w/ no prior experience towing anything, this to me is a God-send.

hboy · 02-03-2017, 07:50 AM

I think it's pretty cool. I'll be curious to see how some owners reviews of the system. I'm forever cranking the wheel the wrong way...

Are they only putting this in the F150? I have not heard it going in on the HD trucks. Wonder why....?

Phil2008 · 02-03-2017, 07:52 AM

I have it on my truck. There is a checkerboard strip that is put on the frame of trailer behind hitch. There are some other measurements you put in to set it up. Unfortunately the strip sits partially under propane tank covers so unless you remove the cover the camera cannot find strip. It does work like a hot damn however I still like using mirrors and spotter for backing up trailer. If it is a small utility trailer you have then it would work great.

RedHorse1 · 02-03-2017, 08:48 AM

Backup Assist and driverless vehicles! Soon; push the button and the TV will hitch the rig, drive to the CG and complete the setup including aiming your sat dish, walking the dog and popping the first cold one.

But wait! I forgot to get in the truck first, DOH!!!

**JFlightRisk** · 02-03-2017, 09:06 AM

Be careful what you wish for. It'd be my luck the dog would drink the beer. He can't pop it open by himself.....no thumbs!

Jm9301 · 02-03-2017, 09:21 AM

This is neat idea and i am all for new technology, but i do not think this is entirely the godsend people think. The automated Parallel parking in some fords is the one that bothers me the most.

RPreeb · 02-03-2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway

IMHO, if you need help from a truck in backing up a trailer, you shouldn't be towing a trailer.

It has nothing to do with need, it's simply using available technology because it's convenient.

ctbailey · 02-03-2017, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hboy

I think it's pretty cool. I'll be curious to see how some owners reviews of the system. I'm forever cranking the wheel the wrong way...

Are they only putting this in the F150? I have not heard it going in on the HD trucks. Wonder why....?

I think it's on SD too

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bankr63 · 02-03-2017, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Backup Assist and driverless vehicles! Soon; push the button and the TV will hitch the rig, drive to the CG and complete the setup including aiming your sat dish, walking the dog and popping the first cold one.

But wait! I forgot to get in the truck first, DOH!!!

Thanks @RedHorse1, I'm enjoying those beers; I'll push the button to send it back when the beers are done and the game is over. Nice 50" screen you got!

Bobx2 · 02-03-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway

IMHO, if you need help from a truck in backing up a trailer, you shouldn't be towing a trailer.

I'm with you on this. It won't be long and people won't be able to do anything on their own. What happened to just learning how to drive for yourself, park yourself, and now, back your own damn trailer yourself.
It's not just that I don't like ford products, you couldn't pay me to own one, but the skill level of drivers will just continue to lessen, and it's pretty low now as it is. There is nothing difficult about backing a trailer if a person isn't too lazy to just learn how to do it.

RPreeb · 02-03-2017, 12:14 PM

Wow... now we can add backup police to the weight police. Making an assumption that I can't back up just because I don't mind making it easier.... not sure where to go from there.

I first backed a camper into a forest campsite when I was 17 years old - 15 foot Cascade Coach behind a '61 Chevy Belair sedan. I'm now 70 and I have already backed my 2017 24 foot Jayco with my 2016 F-150 a few times. I think I have a handle on it.

Looks to me like Bobx2 is pretty much toyed and trailered with up to date technology. Maybe you would consider going back to a tent or popup - then I might consider taking you seriously. With what you drag around when you are "camping", it doesn't look like you are exactly roughing it.

Despite my past experience, I still plan to set up the Trailer Assist this spring to try it out. If it works to make life easier, it's a good thing.

RAurand · 02-03-2017, 12:18 PM

And.... what happens when the system FAILS and you have to back up?

Some Commercial Airline Pilots don't even know how to eyeball a visual approach to the runway if the Glideslope fails. San Diego crash is a good example.

Swardy · 02-03-2017, 12:29 PM

Well.... this is great and all, but he's going to need some body work done at 1:33 when he swings his truck into that stump because he's too busy looking at a screen....

NVGun40 · 02-03-2017, 12:40 PM

It looks like a great system. I understand the many sentiments regarding the pros and cons of it all. I see the issue much like the airline industry. When some of the manufacturers like Airbus made their planes so advanced they could practically fly themselves from take off to landing, and the computer systems were programmed with such complexity that they could even troubleshoot and correct problems; it only took a couple of serious mishaps before they realized they needed to give the pilot the ability to override some features because of the need for the human factor.

What this boils down to is no matter how automated a vehicle becomes, human nature dictates there will be a learning curve of too much dependence on the system then backing down to the realization that the driver still must have the skill set and be aware of what the system is doing in order to take control when necessary.
Its why pilots still have to know how to fly the plane without automation. A person should still know how to maneuver their truck and trailer. After all, if things go bad, and someone gets hurt, its not the truck that is going to be dealing with the authorities.

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