Rostra Optical Sensing System, ROSS by Jake Morton

 "Another outstanding install article by Jake. We originally received the Rostra ROSS to install on a horse trailer for Western Horseman Magazine. What we found is this particular system with it's larger powerful sensors, was better suited for an RV trailer. We look forward to reviewing a Rostra product for horse trailers in the future." H. Kent Sundling (Publisher.)

We’ve all been there at one time or another.  You pull into the campsite late at night after a long day of driving.  It’s dark and very hard to see behind that 30-foot trailer behind your truck.  You back in a little ways, stop and get out to check where you’re at, get back in and so on until you hear the dreaded crunch as your trailer bumper hits some unseen object!

Ross has changed all of that with their Rostra Optical Sensing System. 

This system consists of two optical sensors that you mount on the rear of the trailer or RV and gives you both audio and visual warnings in the cab of the tow vehicle when you’re getting a little too close to something while backing up.  It’s a really neat device for people like me who aren’t pros at backing a trailer, especially in the dark!  Installation is relatively painless and can be completed in an afternoon.  Follow along as I outline how the installation went on my 1986 Vacationeer Fifth Wheel and 1997 Ford F350.

We started by measuring and locating where the sensors will be mounted.  They can mount on top or under the rear bumper and come with brackets to install them.  I chose to install them below the bumper and actually fastened them to the boat hitch on my 5th wheel camper.  I did this so that I wouldn’t have screws protruding into the rear bumper, which would keep me from being able to store my sewer hose there.   Piece of cake!  Just install the supplied bracket onto the sensor, drill four holes, and install the sensors to the trailer!

Next, we found a suitable location for the system’s control module.  The module is weatherproof so it can be installed anywhere on the rear of the vehicle.  We installed it directly between the two sensors on the floor area of the coach.

The next step was to run the supplied 40-foot cable from the module up to the trailer tongue.  This wasn’t very difficult at all and the kit comes with plenty or wire ties to secure the wiring to the frame.  To keep thing looking clean and neat, I drilled a 3/8 hole through the floor of the forward baggage compartment and ran the wiring through the hole, then fished it up and through the pin box.  This way, the wiring enters the coach at the same location as the trailer cord and I can keep everything tied together and neat.

At this point, the work on the trailer is finished and it’s time to start on the truck! The wiring on the tow vehicle is very simple and requires only two connections. Quick connections and shrink sleeve make the truck wiring easy.

Start by locating the wiring for the back up lights.  This is what gives the control module power and allows it to only work when you’re in reverse.

I removed my left tail lamp and tapped into the wiring to the lamp using a supplied Scotch lock connector.  The other wire goes to any good chassis ground.  That’s all the connections!  Run the wiring up the frame and into the cab of the truck.  I drilled a small hole through the firewall and ran the wires in under the dash.  Make sure you tie up all the wiring as you go so it doesn’t hang down or get caught in any moving parts.

Find a suitable location for the beeper and wire tie it in place.  The kit also comes with an led display that you can install for a visual warning.  I elected not to use this feature, as I’m never looking over my shoulder while backing up the trailer. 

The final step is to test the system and adjust the volume level on the beeper.  I started out at full volume which will really wake you up when it goes off! The system will only work when the transmission is in reverse.  The vehicle has to be moving or the obstacle behind the trailer has to be moving in order for the system to detect objects. 

At 10-12 feet away, the system will light one led and give a steady beep.  At about 5-6 feet the second led will light up and the beeping gets faster to let you know you’re getting close to hitting something.  Within two feet, the third led lights up and the beep turns into a steady tone letting you know to stop NOW!! 

The system was very easy to install and took about three hours total.  No special tools were needed other than a drill, basic hand tools, and a test light.

I will have to remove my spare tire as it interferes with one of the sensors and gives me false readings, otherwise, the system worked flawlessly and as advertised.  This should really help out next year when we start camping again.

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