No matter what kind of ace you are at threading a large truck through the needle of crowded parking lots, fuel stations, and city streets, you know how challenging it can be to gauge exactly where still or moving objects are when they're in close proximity to your rig.
With minimal rear visibility, backing up anywhere can be perilous - whether it's at a construction site in a cement mixer, a loading dock in a box truck, dropping a disabled car at a repair shop in a flatbed, backing out of a depot yard in a bus, or maneuvering in an alley delivering perishables. Add in hood designs that make it very hard to see where front bumpers are, and expensive slip-ups can happen easily. The last thing any driver needs is on-the-job property damage that costs money and creates a job security risk.
About Parking Sensors
To make life easier, we've got an effective solution for owners and/or regular drivers of dump trucks, car haulers, box trucks, cement mixers, tanker trucks, converted passenger haulers, buses, and other kinds of "straight trucks" not used to haul a trailer.
More specifically, parking sensors give you a clear indication about how close you are to impediments such as walls, fences, gates, posts, other vehicles, and random objects. Plus, they alert you if people, animals, or moving equipment should suddenly jump in your path.
A typical parking sensor kit includes multiple ultrasonic sensors that send out high-frequency sonic waves and measure what bounces back. Sensors feed their info to a central control box which crunches data and sends a report to a monitor on the dash showing distance of nearby objects. Armed with the knowledge about what's in close proximity to your truck, you'll be able to maneuver out of the tightest jams much more quickly and confidently.
Installation Is Easy
Along with your kit, you'll receive specific installation instructions from the manufacturer to guide you through the steps involved. Typically, basic hand tools are all that's required.
If you're mounting 4 sensors in a bumper, you'll want to position them equidistantly apart with as much space between each as possible. Before drilling holes as specified by instructions, you'll want to verify your sensor placement spots aren't blocked by vehicle frame members or hardware directly behind the bumper. You may have to remove the bumper (or cover piece) to be absolutely sure. If you encounter foam insulation underneath, go ahead and carve out nooks for the sensors. Once holes are cut, sensors should slide snugly inside and sit flush with the bumper.
When mounting sensors on the rear of box trucks, flatbeds, cement mixers, dump trucks, or other trucks that don't pull trailers, you may prefer to use any number of unobstructed horizontal locations.
No matter where you place your parking sensors, they're designed to work best when lined up parallel to the road surface below. If necessary, small adaptor rings or spacers can be used for alignment purposes (these may be included in the kit).
If parking sensors are going on the rear, you'll need to find the right power source to tap into. Locate your truck's tail light wires and use a multimeter or test light to confirm which one goes to the reverse lights. Splice red wires from the sensors into the reverse light wire, and secure black wires to an unpainted metal ground.
Next, you'll mount the main control box module for the sensor system in a dry location within an enclosed area somewhere, or up front inside the cab. Depending on your kit, module attachment may be via adhesive tape, Velcro, screws, or other methods. On the output side of the control unit, plug in the wire that runs to the dashboard monitor which displays sensor information.
Parking Sensor Kits We Offer
4-Sensor Systems
For best values, we'll start with basic kits featuring 4 sensors and simple numeric/color displays to show proximity. Choose from the Boyo ultrasonic 4 Rear Parking Sensors System (detection up to 5.9' away), Brandmotion ultrasonic Rear Parking Sensors System (detection up to 6'), Race Sport ultrasonic Parking Sensor System (0 - 6' detection), and Rear View Safety's Parking Sensor System with Display (0 - 8' detection).
The Race Sport Parking Sensor System with Display includes 4 sensors but adds a rearview mirror with a built-in digital display that activates when Reverse gear is selected.
Video Capability
If needs dictate an 8-sensor kit that's integrated for front and rear use, take a look at the Boyo ultrasonic Parking Sensors System. It does not come with a monitor because it's meant to be used with any other aftermarket monitor and camera equipped with standard RCA video plugs.
We've also got the Rostra LCD Monitor Kit, which is available with 4 or 8 small cameras that can be placed anywhere on the truck along with a monitor that shows up to 4 split-screen images simultaneously. For more details on backup cameras, we invite you to read our related article Backup Cameras For Semi Trucks - Safety & Convenience At A Reasonable Price.
This wraps up our look at parking sensor systems for trucks. Note that in our Cameras & Driver Safety main section, we also offer backup cameras, dash cams, blind spot detection systems, and 360° Vision Systems.
We also encourage you to check through other categories of our website where you'll find great products such as aluminum wheels, tires, interior accessories, seat-top mini organizer desks, LED headlights & bulbs, other LED lights, mechanical repair parts, audio electronics, tire chains, winches, custom grilles, truck-mounted tool boxes, mud flaps, and so much else! If you have questions about anything on our website, we'll be happy to help on the phone seven days a week!