Hooking up and pulling trailers can prove stressful, but recently announced innovations on the next generation of heavy-duty pickups from the Big 3 manufacturers simplify the process by providing increased visibility with multiple camera views and radar that allow you to “see” vehicles and objects near the trailer.
Ford Announces Pro Trailer Backup on the 2020 Duper Duty
Pro Trailer Backup makes negotiating even the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces easier. With hands off the steering wheel, drivers use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob to easily steer the trailer
via the reverse camera. The truck’s Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows trailer angle and direction, and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Both systems are built to
accommodate all trailer styles, including fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers
Ford also adapted its Blind Spot Information System to include the trailer being towed. The Blind Spot Information System monitors for vehicles in your blind spots even when towing.
Ram Trucks Adds Multiple Camera Views
Although a back-up camera is a standard feature on most vehicles, the Ram Heavy Duty offers a second rear-view camera (cargo-view camera) to monitor payload in the bed. It also can be used to align fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers with grid lines. In addition, back-up sensors on the Ram 3500 include specifically designed sensors to cover the added width of dual rear wheels, giving a wider span of coverage when backing up with limited view.
A 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance view provides a single display-screen view of both sides of a trailer to assist drivers in maneuvering towing setups. An auxiliary exterior camera improves visibility with custom positioning in and behind trailers. There are also cameras in the mirrors and when you are pulling a trailer you can get a split pane view on the 12 in. center console screen that shows each side of the trailer for backing into tight spaces or next to buildings. There are also spotter lights in the mirrors that allow visibility down the sides of the trailer in low-light conditions.
Chevrolet and GMC offer Transparent Trailer View
The 2020 Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD offer up to 15 unique camera views, including HD Surround Vision, Bed View, an industry-first transparent trailer view, and an accessory camera. The transparent trailer feature uses the tailgate-mounted camera and an available accessory camera mounted on the rear of the trailer. The resultant image allows the driver to virtually see through the trailer, a banafit when navigating parking lots, merging into traffic or when making a tight turn.
Other views, including Rear Side View and Bowl View also enhance the towing experience. Rear Side View shows the rear sides of the vehicle to help allow the driver to view objects near the vehicle. Bowl view provides rear-facing 3D surround view that gives a sense of the height of objects surrounding the vehicle while backing.
All of these technologies provide a piece of mind while towing and help prevent unexpected surprises.
