Does anyone have the back up sensors on their new F150? If so ,
how do you like it, and how does it actually work. Can it be turned off and on? How do you know how close you are by sensors beeping or is there a readout somewhere that says "you just hit the guy behind you"?(just kidding)

 

It begins to beep within 6 ft of an object (or thereabouts). As you get closer to the object, the beeps become more rapid... until you hear a steady tone. By that time you already hit the object.

It can be turned off by pressing a button. This is only a 1 time deal. If you shift to reverse again, you'll need to press the button again.

 

It begins to beep within 6 ft of an object. As you get closer to the object, the beeps become more rapid... until you hear a steady tone. By that time you already hit the object.

It can be turned off by pressing a button. This is only a 1 time deal. If you shift to reverse again, you'll need to press the button again.

 

It is a big truck and the rear view is somewhat limited.

I had to use it to get off the dealer's lot. It was crowded and it took a bit of back and forth to get on the road.

 

The October 2003 issue of Consumer Reports has an article and rating on backup aids (page 23). Their take: "If you want an aid for parking, any of these products can help. To help prevent a backover accident, however, only the rear-mounted video cameras and Rear View Safety Lens are reliable."

 

At the ride and drive one of the instructors talked about about hitting someone in one of the Cities. With the tall tailgate he could see that a little old lady had walked behind the truck when he was at a conveince store. The truck had the Reverse sensing or he would have hit her. So it does have uses, but I doubt you'll see lots of trucks with it. If you want to try it out, go to a dealer and look at Expeditions, the Eddie Bauers have it and you can see how it works.

 

I have it on my 02 Explorer. For me it comes in handy when hooking up the boat. Since I can't actually see how close the ball and hitch are to each other I can listen to the beeps and know when I am at least 'close'. I ordered this option on my new FX4 for the same reason. Pick it up on Saturday!

 

My wife has the system on her 03 Expedition. Works really good. Actually senses a little to the sides as well. So it starts going off as you back out of the garage. Anyway, system does start beeping about 6 feet from object. The beeping frequency increases the closer you get to the object and becomes a solid beep around 1 foot from the object. Once you get used to the change in tones you can get out of some tighter spots than you would try without it. I think enough of it that I ordered it on my truck.

BTW, it also will help prevent parking lot accidents where you and the person across from you back out at the same time and your looking down the lane to make sure you don't get T-boned.

 

Does anyone know if it can be added to a truck that was not shipped with the option and about how much?

 

I remember seeing aftermarket systems advertised, i forget what brand they were. Do a search on the internet and you should turn some up