I was wondering if anyone has installed the OEM Trailer Bliss on their Alliance rig, and if so, I'm interested in the experience they have had with the kit. PC3Z14D453A is the part number.
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Ford Trailer BLISS Kit.
- Thread starter M and E
- Start date
I have a 2023 F-450 and I am pretty sure the BLIS is deactivated when we are towing. I do see they now have a trailer version, so that is something I don't have. I am curious where the blind spot is on a trailer? With the RV behind the truck and with the mirror extened, I have a great view down the side of the RV (...and the lane next to RV)
The BLIS system integrated into current Ford Superduities only works with conventional bumper-pull trailers, not goosenecks or fifth-wheels. You can set your trailer profile to “conventional” and the BLIS sensors in the taillights will function as long as the trailer is under 30 feet.
I agree the Ford mirrors already provide an excellent view down the sides of the truck, and I’d consider myself a well-trained, safety-minded driver. That said, everyone makes mistakes. I like redundancy, I trust technology-based driver aids to reduce risk, and I enjoy projects on my vehicles—so using BLIS with a properly configured trailer setup is a win all around for me. I'm just curious what experiences others might have had with Ford's trailer mounted BLIS.
While I'm not familiar with BLIS at all. I'm a mirrors only guy. I find camera views distracting when driving forward! I have no problem changing lanes and maneuvering with my mirrors. I may occasional use the rear camera on my 5th wheel when backing in, but for the most part I get out and look and rely on my mirrors.
I'm not really concerned with what is happening directly behind the RV when going forward down the road.
I don't want to proclaim that cameras and warning lights are not useful, for me it's a case of you can't teach and old dog new tricks coupled with if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I have a portable magnetic mount sideview camera that I rigged up for backing into tight spots but I have yet to use/need it.
My Mirrors are still telling me everything I need to know.
I'm not really concerned with what is happening directly behind the RV when going forward down the road.
I don't want to proclaim that cameras and warning lights are not useful, for me it's a case of you can't teach and old dog new tricks coupled with if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I have a portable magnetic mount sideview camera that I rigged up for backing into tight spots but I have yet to use/need it.
My Mirrors are still telling me everything I need to know.
Midnight Rider
Prominent Member
I enjoy my mirrors and the rear view trailer camera. I find it very helpful having the camera on back of trailer changing lanes, it is a safety thing for me. I also like to see if there is some crazy tail gaiter behind me? I whip the 5er back and forth a bit and they think I’m crazy and they clear out!
”Aint Gunna Let Them Catch The Midnight Rider!”
”Aint Gunna Let Them Catch The Midnight Rider!”
That is exactly why I find them distracting. Suddenly I become concerned about someone behind me?
Instead of focusing totally on what's in front of me I find myself concerned about someone behind me, to the point that the vehicle behind me is now impacting how I drive.
If I'm overly concerned about what's behind I can't be totally focused on what's in front of me.
The rear camera has distracted my attention. What's the tailgater going to do back there? ....Cause me to have an accident because I'm focusing backwards not forwards.
I hear what you’re saying about being distracted by what’s behind you. But if you think about it, that’s exactly what the rearview mirror has always done too.
When we’re not towing, we all accept that part of safe driving is a quick scan of the front windshield, over the shoulder and side mirrors, and the rearview mirror. The rearview mirror is specifically there so what’s behind us can influence and inform how we drive; following distance, lane choice, when we brake, when we change lanes, etc. If knowing what’s back there is distracting, then the rearview mirror in every car would present the same problem. Making driving decisions without knowing what is behind us inarguably increases accident risk. I am not suggesting its absence factorially increases risk, but significantly.
I agree with what your saying to a point. part of the issue is my brain simply doesn't process the camera view efficiently enough for me to react/respond to it. I think there is a delay in my mind because I'm not familiar with that view of the road via camera.
However my mind / reactions are very familiar with the rear view mirror view.
The other issue is I can look in the rear view in a car and quickly change lanes, however the entire driving operation is slowed down and more deliberate when towing. I don't need to quickly change lanes, I don't really need to know what the car behind the trailer is doing.
In my car I may speed up or move over if I encounter a tailgater. But when towing my pace is more deliberate, I try not to obstruct traffic, but I'm not going to make any quick or sudden maneuvers that require the rear view, via a mirror or camera.
I driven big trucks and school buses and understand how to see the road behind me with just side mirrors.
Ultimately what I missing is that cameras can provide me with more input that I might find beneficial, however the "If it ain't broke don't fix it." part of me says you don't need anymore info. That additional info is not necessary and just becomes a distraction. Maybe I will adapt to using cameras someday but currently I'm not even trying and I am comfortable and content with just my mirrors.
I will add I had a loaner vehicle that had 360º aerial view that was quite interesting. I was not towing but I did find the aerial view
intriguing
However my mind / reactions are very familiar with the rear view mirror view.
The other issue is I can look in the rear view in a car and quickly change lanes, however the entire driving operation is slowed down and more deliberate when towing. I don't need to quickly change lanes, I don't really need to know what the car behind the trailer is doing.
In my car I may speed up or move over if I encounter a tailgater. But when towing my pace is more deliberate, I try not to obstruct traffic, but I'm not going to make any quick or sudden maneuvers that require the rear view, via a mirror or camera.
I driven big trucks and school buses and understand how to see the road behind me with just side mirrors.
Ultimately what I missing is that cameras can provide me with more input that I might find beneficial, however the "If it ain't broke don't fix it." part of me says you don't need anymore info. That additional info is not necessary and just becomes a distraction. Maybe I will adapt to using cameras someday but currently I'm not even trying and I am comfortable and content with just my mirrors.
I will add I had a loaner vehicle that had 360º aerial view that was quite interesting. I was not towing but I did find the aerial view
intriguing
That all makes sense. As an aside, and you might not like this and it would not apply to trailers, but they are testing now to see if cameras should replace mirrors on all passenger vehicles as a matter of legislation. But with politics and lobbyists, you never know where it will land until all of those shenanigans are over.
Exactly!
My wife's car has the feature that can display a camera view of the rear via the rear view mirror or the traditional mirror view on the rear view mirror.
The camera view is generally better because it's wider and unobstructed.
I don't drive my wife's car often, and stick with using the traditional mirror view.
That said if I drove the car regularly. I would force myself to use the camera view.
Cameras certainly provide more info the question for me is the info beneficial or does the info cause too much information overload!
Do I need warning lights flashing in my mirrors and buzzers chirping when cars approach or do I need to simply pay attention.
How can I text and drive with all those buzzers going off!
Well, it’s kind of a loaded question. If you look at the data after asking the question “Do ADAS reduce the likelihood that I will be involved in an accident?” then the answer would be yes; inarguably American drivers need them. It goes deeper than that though because there are buckets of drivers; safe, unsafe, sometimes either, and should never have a license (my words obviously). I’ve not seen data that shows a reduction in accidents by ADAS when we consider observable historical driving habits of the individual ( like you and me for instance who are experienced, trained, safe vs the driver who has many accidents traffic violations etc). I would presume ADAS has greater positive impacts on the historically less safe drivers than safe drivers.
Don’t even get me started. If we ever meet, remind me to tell you a story of my daughters texting and driving…funny how I caught them! Funnier was they lied about it (kids…they are very good honest adults…youthful mistake)How can I text and drive with all those buzzers going off!