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Bmwcruiser54 · 04-09-2020, 12:54 PM

Trying to use the backup assist, it would “lose sight of target sticker”on and off during backing . The dealer was no help to troubleshoot. My idea of the problem is thereare to many reflective surfaces on an airstream trailer that blinds the backup camera. I wonder if others have had similar problems .

Rdavenp3 · 04-09-2020, 04:03 PM

It doesn’t work well at all with any trailer from my experience. I don’t bother with it anymore and just practice backing up the trailer.

Airtandem · 04-09-2020, 04:08 PM

REFLECTION IS RIGHT. I READ WHERE ONE HAS TO PUT A LARGE BLACK PLASTIC BAG OVER THE LP TANK COVER. sorry for caps P I T A

Daquenzer · 04-09-2020, 05:03 PM

I have it on my F150. Works great for my cargo trailer which is very hard to back up. But for the AS I just back it up. It just didn’t work very well. It would constantly loose sight of the sticker. And at night it doesn’t pick it up at all. Better off just learning to back it up. Everyone has their “trick” to backing up. Mine is simply turn in the direction of the mistake. So if I don’t want to go right turn the right. If I don’t want to go left turn to the left. It works for me.

Bmwcruiser54 · 04-09-2020, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the input. My thought was to put wife in drivers seat and direct her with phone. I was hoping the backup assist would help someone without a lot of experience. She kinda freezes sometimes giving me directions?!

Edistobob · 04-09-2020, 08:37 PM

There is a “Ford Expedition Max” thread that contains more on this subject. I posted a photo there showing how I dealt with the reflections. The system has worked reasonably well for me. Sticker seems most prone to being lost on very sharp maneuvers now.

Daquenzer · 04-09-2020, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmwcruiser54

Thanks for the input. My thought was to put wife in drivers seat and direct her with phone. I was hoping the backup assist would help someone without a lot of experience. She kinda freezes sometimes giving me directions?!

My wife isn’t very good at helping me. She freezes as well. She just doesn’t do it enough to get comfortable. I had to get my AS out of the pole shed to get a garage door opener put on. I was going to have her help me back up again into the Pole Barn, but she was in the house so I just decided to go for it. I found out I’m better off doing it myself. I found it is better to back up a certain distance very slowly, then get out and look where I’m going. Go back and make an adjustment, etc. I got the AS in the Pole Barn perfectly, and I didn’t get frustrated with my wife.

One thing I will get on my next F150 is bigger towing mirrors. That would help a lot. I simply do not understand why Ford doesn’t have them standard with a max tow haul package.

Bobbo · 04-10-2020, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

One thing I will get on my next F150 is bigger towing mirrors. That would help a lot. I simply do not understand why Ford doesn’t have them standard with a max tow haul package.

$$$$$$$$$$$

Captn.Ken · 04-10-2020, 09:20 AM

I have tried it several times. With no sharp turns it seems to do OK. But it loses sight of the sticker quite often. Probably my power jack in the way. So, I don't rely on it, just back up like I have been doing for many years.

drbrick · 04-10-2020, 09:26 AM

The best thing to do is practice backing up with out all the "gadgets". Here is a good article to read for a bunch of helpful tips.
https://www.marriedwithairstream.com...of-backing-up/

mckenej · 04-10-2020, 09:55 AM

I've had a very similar problem with my 2016 F150. I also just recently updated the onboard software the problem has reduced somewhat but is still there during bright sunny days.

mckenej · 04-10-2020, 09:56 AM

Yes my 2016 has the same problem during bright sunny days. I also updated the onboard Ford software it did help a little.

Pat Pierce · 04-10-2020, 10:04 AM

I've thought the shiny surfaces likely are involved in loss of signal as well. One other thing might be involved. When setting up the truck with the AS, I was very careful measuring and inputing the required measurements into the system. But, when affixing the decal in the min and max distances of the trailer A frame--the propane cover covered a portion of the decal. Curious if that had anything to do with it, but I still think it is mostly due to the shininess issue. Good idea about the black garbage bag. I will try that whenever we can get on the road again.

Daquenzer · 04-10-2020, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Pierce

I've thought the shiny surfaces likely are involved in loss of signal as well. One other thing might be involved. When setting up the truck with the AS, I was very careful measuring and inputing the required measurements into the system. But, when affixing the decal in the min and max distances of the trailer A frame--the propane cover covered a portion of the decal. Curious if that had anything to do with it, but I still think it is mostly due to the shininess issue. Good idea about the black garbage bag. I will try that whenever we can get on the road again.

I have heard of people putting the decal on the tank itself.

Hoagie · 04-10-2020, 11:22 AM

Admittedly I haven't retried this system since first purchasing our 2018 F250. But at that time, the truck's system did not allow for a 30ft long trailer. So I abandoned its use. Maybe an update to the SYNC system corrected this, but I just use the mirrors and the DW on a walkie-talkie and all is good.

The other issue I ran into was sticker placement. That portion of the tongue on an AS that protrudes in front of where the A-frame portion terminates is shorter than on our previous SOB. There isn't a lot of room before you run into the tank cover.

fthopkins · 04-10-2020, 11:31 AM

I love mine!! Mine lost sight of the target sticker once. That was while I was backing and stopped, at an angle in the shade. Moved a foot and went right back to parking. As for as I am concerned Ford did great when they designed this system. I'll never buy another truck/SUV with out the backup assist.

BTW, I'm dyslexic, so I always figured I would have an easy time backing a trailer. WRONG, the opposite is turn.

Stay safe.

Gleverett · 04-10-2020, 12:28 PM

Ford Backup Pro Assist. Its a misnomer if your a pro you don't need it.

djbar · 04-10-2020, 12:45 PM

Woks fine for me:
2019 FC25 FBT
2020 F-250

jackanddiane · 04-10-2020, 07:44 PM

For those who say this system works-where are you placing stickers?

daleyocum · 04-11-2020, 05:12 AM

I started using it with a 2016 F150 and a FC25. It was quite frustrating but we made it work. As you say, my wife is in the cab and I’m outside giving directions like “Driver full”, “Passenger Full”, “Straight back” over walkie talkie. Sometimes the 2016 it would lose the sticker with poor lighting, reflections, etc. It worked but it wasn’t foolproof. Sunlight angle mattered a lot.

We mounted the sticker on a separate piece of 2x1 aluminum and put black gaffers tape on a portion of the tank, see picture. I need to switch the tape to something more weatherproof. That’s not shown in the top picture. You can see the reflection problem it solves.

That truck was in a accident and we ended up getting a 2019 F150. Wow, a world of difference! Now it never loses the sticker and is foolproof. I don’t know if a software update to my 2016 would have fixed my problems given my “enhanced” sticker location or not. I also don’t know if now I actually need the gaffers tape. All I know we are happy campers now.

Sure, we should just learn how to back it up the old fashion way but, since we only use the trailer in the summer, those skills are hard to keep polished for us. My wife wasn’t good at giving directions outside but she’s superb at turning a knob! This system takes all the stress out of backing up.