So I was leaving my part time "fun" job last night, we got out late and the parking lot lights were off. I started the truck, started backing out and while backing I heard the beep beep of the back up alarm then it went out. I ended up rear ending a chevy mini van and his whole lift gate is pretty much a wash. My truck's damage is a broken tail light. Does any one know what the radius is for the back up alarms as far as how far to the right it will see? I figured if I can hit it with the corner of the bumper it would still go off?

Also, anyone know where I can get a cheap drivers side tail light for an 06 f350?

 

its at least a few feet past the bumper in either direction, if you backed up to fast i believe over 5mph the back up alarm shuts off, besides didn't your backup lamps work? you didn't see it in your mirrors?

 

I was going slower than 5mph and I couldn't see anything in my mirrors cause it was completely dark. All the lights in the parking lot were off by the time we left. I didn't see anything till the last second and it was too late by then. Maybe I need to put some off road lamps for reverse lights :-)

 

I put 2 driving lights under the rear bumper and wired them to the reverse light. The stock reverse lights on my 03 suck. It made a huge difference. But its amazing how many people will walk behind me even with all them lights on. And they look at you like you're stupid.

 

I always back into my parking spots so when it is time to leave I am using the headlights.

 

I think this is going to be my new strategy full time.

 

Yes, it's much easier and safer to back in to a parking spot than pull in forward and then back out.

 

Sorry, but if it was completely dark your tail lights and backup lights would have illuminated the van pretty well. Were you in a hurry?

 

Nope I was tired and backing up slowly. I think it was a slow brain issue more than anything I just wanted to know the radius of the back up alarm for knowledge. I flat out didn't see the van.