What’s the latest, greatest thing for the RV and tow rig market? Well, according to Thom Balistrieri of SPAL it would be the bullet mounted “wireless” back-up camera and video monitor system they are now marketing.
Wireless! That’s exactly what I needed to hear… since wiring a typical back-up camera can be frustrating to the novice enthusiast.
“You can mount our cameras anywhere on the vehicle and plug it into a wireless remote and it will give you 30-feet of distance between the camera and the video monitor,” Balistrieri said.
What’s intriguing is that you don’t have to use an aftermarket monitor because the SPAL system can be plugged directly into most factory navigation units, if your truck came equipped with one.
The new SPAL cameras and video monitors also come with “multi-vision” and is basically a way to monitor four different locations on your rig at the same time. Again, the entire system will be wireless!
This split-screen effect is great when towing a trailer because you can monitor the hitch point; the back of the trailer, and the sides of the vehicle to ensure everything is safe and secure. Besides RV’s, the split-screen system is well suited for off-road vehicles that want to monitor all four points of tire contact on iffy terrain.
Although there isn’t a high definition camera that small yet, the SPAL monitors on display at the 2009 SEMA Show were extremely crisp and clear. The monitor screens are also large and can be mounted practically anywhere in the vehicle or RV. Some of the cameras need only the flicker of a license plate bulb to operate, which is fantastic for those late night parking situations.
Another new safety product for RV’ers is the SPAL audio sensor that can be mounted front or rear to determine your distance to an object, which could be another vehicle, a parking post, or the curb. It doesn’t have video, but it will let out a loud sound when your vehicle is about to bump into an object. SPAL also showed me their multi-alarm sensor that is designed to fit typical RV windows and doors.
For more details on SPAL visit them online at www.spalusa.com.