I'm confused about BLIS
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 948
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From: Erie, Colorado (Boulder)
I'm confused about BLIS
I have seen a number of posts in several different forums indicating that BLIS is disabled when pulling a fifth wheel. Some folks say this is because the trailer corners block the signal coming from the taillight area.
However, in Ford's Super Duty brochure and on Ford's website it states the following: "BLIS with trailer coverage is another Super Duty class-exclusive feature. It uses radar hidden in the taillights to detect a vehicle entering a driver’s blind spot while driving or backing up, and alerts the driver with a yellow light in the sideview mirror. For Super Duty, BLIS can extend to the back of the trailer, helping to make the driver aware of vehicles entering the trailer’s blind spot."
Can someone please clarify what is true here? Thanks.
However, in Ford's Super Duty brochure and on Ford's website it states the following: "BLIS with trailer coverage is another Super Duty class-exclusive feature. It uses radar hidden in the taillights to detect a vehicle entering a driver’s blind spot while driving or backing up, and alerts the driver with a yellow light in the sideview mirror. For Super Duty, BLIS can extend to the back of the trailer, helping to make the driver aware of vehicles entering the trailer’s blind spot."
Can someone please clarify what is true here? Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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It works with regular trailers. Won't work with gooseneck or fifth wheel. Also length is limited to 35 foot (if I remember correctly). Of course it relies on you telling it what sort of trailer you are towing and how long. So technically you could lie to it and have it work. Ford probably just didn't want to deal with issues that could arise.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
Yep, Fidel has it correct. Previous generations completely turned off with tow mode, so it's an improvement to handle the trailer, and it does need properly programmed to the truck to work out the math. I'm sure down the road future versions may work for 5th wheels also.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,105
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From: NH
It would probably work just fine on 5th wheels and GNs so long as you were traveling in a straight line, which is most of the time.
It does work well on a conventional trailer. The truck by itself does not even need it; it has good mirrors.
I'd hate to know the replacement cost of one of those taillights with all LEDs and radar...
It does work well on a conventional trailer. The truck by itself does not even need it; it has good mirrors.
I'd hate to know the replacement cost of one of those taillights with all LEDs and radar...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 11
From: Alberta
5th wheels pivot from the box not from behind so there is no way to extend the tail lights without mounding something on the trailer, when you take a corner the base of the trailer swings out in front of the tail light, so if it was sticking out it would brake off, only way this would work is if they put something stronger in the mirrors or add something to the trailer camera package that we can mount onto the trailers
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 11
From: Alberta
It works with regular trailers. Won't work with gooseneck or fifth wheel. Also length is limited to 35 foot (if I remember correctly). Of course it relies on you telling it what sort of trailer you are towing and how long. So technically you could lie to it and have it work. Ford probably just didn't want to deal with issues that could arise.
also someone one was asking about the cost, I think I remember someone saying they where over $1000 each
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Joined: Sep 2015
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It works with regular trailers. Won't work with gooseneck or fifth wheel. Also length is limited to 35 foot (if I remember correctly). Of course it relies on you telling it what sort of trailer you are towing and how long. So technically you could lie to it and have it work. Ford probably just didn't want to deal with issues that could arise.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 948
Likes: 39
From: Erie, Colorado (Boulder)
It would probably work just fine on 5th wheels and GNs so long as you were traveling in a straight line, which is most of the time.
It does work well on a conventional trailer. The truck by itself does not even need it; it has good mirrors.
I'd hate to know the replacement cost of one of those taillights with all LEDs and radar...
It does work well on a conventional trailer. The truck by itself does not even need it; it has good mirrors.
I'd hate to know the replacement cost of one of those taillights with all LEDs and radar...
If I understand correctly and BLIS is turned off completely when towing a fifth wheel, it would mean that we loose the coverage next to the truck as well. I agree that the existing SD mirrors are really pretty good, particularly once you get used to the combination of the upper flat and lower convex mirrors. However, I have been caught any number of times with smaller cars coming up fast or merging into an adjacent lane, particularly on the right side. I was very glad to see that BLIS was added to the 2017 SD.
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