Anyone Have Pro Trailer Backup Assist?

[cekkk]

I watched a video of a guy using Ford's new feature to get his boat down a ramp. Not sure just why it's better than using the steering wheel, but it might be. I'm curious to hear from someone who has it. I think it's only available on the '16 F150s.

[cekkk]

But can you tell if it's actually available yet?

[mike837go]

There's another thread around here about it.


It's about as useful as the automatic parallel parking feature.


In my opinion, those that can't back up a trailer properly should learn how! Or not bother towing!


Then again, it is my sincere belief that the electric self-starter is the worst thing to ever happen to motoring.

[ALJO]

Agree with you mike837go


I see my neighbor spinning with his toy all the time when he backs up his 28ft. TT in his driveway.
And sometimes his TT battery can't feed the toy anymore and is stuck half way his driveway. Yes he even takes it with him when he is travelling.


I have to back up 150 ft. and only have 11 ft. wide driveway and along the house I have 6" from the gutter. Don't want helpers to assist I want to see the situation in my mirrors. My neighbor has a similar situation except 15 ft. wide driveway.

[TWP723]

Not sure what happened to my first post...


I haven't heard much about it and we have 2016 F150's. Not sure if I'm willing to let technology control me that much. My phone does enough of that already! LOL. Nothing like good ol' fashioned backing in. But it is a really neat concept. Eventually, we'll all have to give in to advancement in our lives..it's inevitable. I'm just not ready. And truthfully, I don't have that much of a problem backing trailers up. I'm sure there are people that can't get the concept but then again, they shouldn't be towing. jmo

[bedrck46]

Originally Posted by mike837go

In my opinion, those that can't back up a trailer properly should learn how! Or not bother towing!

Maybe that's why they have Pull-Thru-Sites For those that don't know how to back up.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bedrck46

Maybe that's why they have Pull-Thru-Sites For those that don't know how to back up.

Bill Engvall does a wonderful bit about renting a motorhome and not being capable of backing up a few feet to line up to the gas pump. Nor anyone else at the station.

Hugely funny stuff. I am a fan of the whole Blue Collar Bunch.

But, when it comes to the real world. I only want to share the road with those that are capable of:

• Changing their own tire
• Checking and adjusting all the fluids
• Parallel parking
• Backing at a walking pace
• If trailering, hitching, unhitching and backing
• Don't panic stop when things get questionable

Again, this is the real world and I can't choose who I have to share the public highways with.

[end rant]

[Jagiven]

I was on ford’s website the other day, and it was a listed build option.

I could see a good use for the backup steering assist, maybe. I also have a flatbed trailer, and when backing into my driveway, there is two points where I lose sight of it. With that said, if I had a backup camera, I bet I would be able to see it. I too have a very narrow driveway.

I rent a lot of cars for work, and never use the backup camera. I find that it is in the wrong location. When backing up, I look over my shoulder. Now if they would put a heads-up display on the rear window showing the camera display. That could be very helpful.

[Parcany]

Originally Posted by mike837go

Bill Engvall does a wonderful bit about renting a motorhome and not being capable of backing up a few feet to line up to the gas pump. Nor anyone else at the station.

Hugely funny stuff. I am a fan of the whole Blue Collar Bunch.

But, when it comes to the real world. I only want to share the road with those that are capable of:

• Changing their own tire
• Checking and adjusting all the fluids
• Parallel parking
• Backing at a walking pace
• If trailering, hitching, unhitching and backing
• Don't panic stop when things get questionable

Again, this is the real world and I can't choose who I have to share the public highways with.

[end rant]

x2

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I rent a lot of cars for work, and never use the backup camera. I find that it is in the wrong location. When backing up, I look over my shoulder. Now if they would put a heads-up display on the rear window showing the camera display. That could be very helpful.

I think the backup camera is one essential option on my TV. I only use it for hitching, but it provides a bird's eye view of the hitch ball and approaching receiver. No longer need any help or any guesswork when hitching the TT.

It does also help when backing into parking spots with a small car behind. Prevents my bumper leaving creases in the Corolla's hood once it disappears below the rear window.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bankr63

I think the backup camera is one essential option on my TV. I only use it for hitching, but it provides a bird's eye view of the hitch ball and approaching receiver. No longer need any help or any guesswork when hitching the TT.

It does also help when backing into parking spots with a small car behind. Prevents my bumper leaving creases in the Corolla's hood once it disappears below the rear window.

SWMBO's Tacoma has the leftmost 1/3 of the rear view mirror as the display for the camera in the tailgate. Great idea because you are already looking there when backing. FAIL! Screen is too small & far away to be useful. Plus the fisheye lens on the camera causes the changes under movement to be disorienting.

Just what is wrong with 3 (Left-center-right) large, flat mirrors? Hasn't that worked for OTR trucks for close to 100 years?

Us RV'ers could sure learn a lot from those who are paid to drive 40 ton rigs and are on the road 8-10 hours 5-6 days per week!

[cekkk]

Originally Posted by cekkk

But can you tell if it's actually available yet?

This question was responding to a post that has disappeared!