Suggestions to see loading dock.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 12
Suggestions to see loading dock.
Last 20 years I could see loading dock when backing with tailgate down in my 96 and 05 Super Duty. My tailgate gets worked hard moving 550 lbs drums causing wear on gate hinges. So I'm needing to avoid the addional stress of bumping a 8500lb truck against those pins. I have had to R&R many sets.
My new 22, I can't see tailgate in my rear view mirror because the rear window is too high. Even though I have the bigger dash screen with the Lariat Ultimate Package the depth perception is poor using the bed camera above rear window. Tail gate camera looks wrong way when down and I cant seem to find the trick in judging when tail gate is up. Really frustrated on this. What am I missing here? Anyone have some tricks to try? I appreciate your help.
My new 22, I can't see tailgate in my rear view mirror because the rear window is too high. Even though I have the bigger dash screen with the Lariat Ultimate Package the depth perception is poor using the bed camera above rear window. Tail gate camera looks wrong way when down and I cant seem to find the trick in judging when tail gate is up. Really frustrated on this. What am I missing here? Anyone have some tricks to try? I appreciate your help.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 199
What about placing this on the tailgate when you lower it?
https://smile.amazon.com/TruePower-2...s%2C454&sr=8-5
https://smile.amazon.com/TruePower-2...s%2C454&sr=8-5
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
What about placing this on the tailgate when you lower it?
https://smile.amazon.com/TruePower-2...s%2C454&sr=8-5
https://smile.amazon.com/TruePower-2...s%2C454&sr=8-5
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,355
Likes: 4,390
From: SW VA
You can stick it to any flat piece of metal and set that on the tailgate (assuming he's talking about just setting it vertical on top of the tailgate when lowered)
Aftermarket stand-alone backup cameras are pretty cheap these days. Maybe buy one and mount it somewhere near the license plate (or a license plate mounted camera) facing up toward your lowered tailgate.
Aftermarket stand-alone backup cameras are pretty cheap these days. Maybe buy one and mount it somewhere near the license plate (or a license plate mounted camera) facing up toward your lowered tailgate.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
Back into the dock with the tailgate up, determine your stopping point using the lines on the backup camera, then go drop the tailgate. Once you figure out where you need to stop with the tailgate up, it's easy to repeat. I don't have to back into loading docks often, but that's how I do it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
Seems like you are going to have to get a little creative to solve this. You have two cameras and a 12 inch screen which for most would seem to be massive overkill compared to the "old days" of using mirrors. My suggestion is a little flag spring loaded at the base that sticks up when the tailgate is down and has a short leg that sticks out as a feeler when you get within a couple inches of the dock and bumps the flag. Done right, with the gate up the flag disappears below the bed line with just 3-4 inches of the wire leg sticking up.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
Carry a monback with you?
That is a guy who gets behind the truck and says, "Monback........monback........monback.........WHO A."
That is a guy who gets behind the truck and says, "Monback........monback........monback.........WHO A."
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 248
Likes: 40
From: Texas
If its something you do quite often, amazon and other sites have standalone camera and screen systems. You could use something like the builtright dash mount system to mount the monitor and then mount the camera somewhere in the bed off to the side with a good view of the down tailgate.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Get a 2x2 piece of wood and make a "gauge".... (or bigger, depending on your receiver)
Get the truck exactly where you want it with respect to the loading dock.
Cut the wood a bit longer and slide it into the receiver hitch and set it so it just touches the dock. Mark the location where the wood just enters the receiver.
Paint the end of the stick red (or other bright color) that's inside the receiver. Paint the rest of it black, or not at all
When backing up, put the "gauge" into the receiver with an inch or two of red showing.
Back up, tailgate up, using the back up camera. When the dock pushes the gauge far enough into the receiver so the red just disappears, then the truck is again at the perfect distance to lower the gate. And you did it without damaging anything and all in one shot.
Get the truck exactly where you want it with respect to the loading dock.
Cut the wood a bit longer and slide it into the receiver hitch and set it so it just touches the dock. Mark the location where the wood just enters the receiver.
Paint the end of the stick red (or other bright color) that's inside the receiver. Paint the rest of it black, or not at all
When backing up, put the "gauge" into the receiver with an inch or two of red showing.
Back up, tailgate up, using the back up camera. When the dock pushes the gauge far enough into the receiver so the red just disappears, then the truck is again at the perfect distance to lower the gate. And you did it without damaging anything and all in one shot.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62
Likes: 17
From: Arizona
It's been some time since Ive heard of the monback, I was sure that they were an extinct species. I will have to run a Google search to find such a creature.
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