Traveling with rear window covered?

[KaptainK]

I have reflectix covering the back window of my class B (98C200V).
I have a rear camera which gives me a fantastic view of the rear. Any idea if this is legal?

[mloganusda]

Should be legal as a lot of vehicles do not have rear windows or rear cameras. Most only have side mirrors to see behind the vehicle. My MH has a rear camera but was tilted down toward the ground for towing but I moved it up so I could use as rear view mirror (but still see towed car).

[mkguitar]

i have hundreds of thousands of miles driving with no rear window, trucks, coaches.
The rear windows of the B are covered most of the time. often there is a nap or TV on in the back while we drive.
The factory mirrors and driver awareness are all we need.
mike

[KaptainK]

I’ve been pulled over in a car before for having boxes piled in the backseat, blocking my view out the rear window. The car had side view mirrors on both sides. I am suspecting a LEO may tell you “ If there IS a window, it needs to be clear for view. Just wondering if anyone had been pulled over because of this?

[wny-pat]

We live in 50 little countries (plus Canada and Mexico). It depends on which one you are in!! And what the laws are in where the vehicle is registered.

[Jon in AZ]

Mine are covered most of the time. Kids in the way-back seat don’t like the sun on the back of their heads. I haven’t been bothered in AZ or CA. I think I may have removed them for a day trip into LA for better visibility in heavy traffic and parking lots. It takes all of a minute to remove and stow them.

Around town locally I keep all the windows covered for storage and only uncover the front three for errands. The weird thing is when the back side windows are uncovered, passing traffic reflects off the bathroom mirror into the rear view mirror and looks like traffic passing on the opposite side. Gets me every time. I find it better to have all windows closed and just rely on the excellent side mirrors.

[mumkin]

I've been driving with my back windows covered in 3 different RVs for 10 years. (and for the last 6, it has been my daily driver). Many times a police car/highway patrol has been behind me and I've never had an issue.

[hbn7hj]

Originally Posted by KaptainK

I’ve been pulled over in a car before for having boxes piled in the backseat, blocking my view out the rear window. The car had side view mirrors on both sides. I am suspecting a LEO may tell you “ If there IS a window, it needs to be clear for view. Just wondering if anyone had been pulled over because of this?

He was checking for drugs. Any excuse will do.

[avanti]

Here is Pennsylvania law on this topic:

Obstruction on side and rear windows.--No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material, including ice or snow, upon the side wings or side or rear windows of the vehicle which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway. The placement of a registration permit upon the side or rear window of a vehicle shall not be considered a material obstruction.

Doesn't really answer the question. One might argue that if the side mirrors are effective, rear blockage does not "materially obstruct" the view.

...or not...

[BrianCO]

It depends on your state and the classification of the vehicle. Most states that I am familiar with will permit a rear window to be covered/obstructed if there are side mirrors, unobstructed, on both the driver and passenger side ,as it pertains to passenger vehicles. Cameras that are on full time do meet requirements as well, think GMs panoramic camera built into the rear view mirror.

Large trucks, etc do not have a requirement for a rear window at all since they are often towing, etc.

[museme@rogers.com]

sorry, off topic but i see from your picture that you are flat towing a Smart Car...did you have to modify the transmission to do this? thx

[Nic7320]

It's no different than a delivery truck or anything pulling a large trailer. You're required to have two mirrors and be able to see a specific distance behind your vehicle. Both can be exterior mirrors. The camera is extra safety.

I remove my windshield mirror for two reasons. One, I'm tall and it obstructs my forward view. Two, I don't want to reinforce using it because the rear view is often obscured by a trailer, or a curtain, or someone riding in the back.

Learn how to use both exterior mirrors in traffic. They will always be there.

[Joe]

We have a Class B. Had it for many, many years and back window curtain has never, been open.

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by museme@rogers.com

sorry, off topic but i see from your picture that you are flat towing a Smart Car...did you have to modify the transmission to do this? thx

Smart Cars in the early years could be flat towed. They changed the drive train in the last couple of years but I don't remember the changeover year.

[ikanode]

I was told by a state inspection station in NC that passenger cars require a rear-view mirror to pass the safety inspection but a truck (including pickups) does not. This was for an old Chevy Blazer which he said qualified as a truck.

[ChicagoTom]

Bigger concern, IMO, does the reflex blind others on a sunny day?

[wny-pat]

Originally Posted by ChicagoTom

Bigger concern, IMO, does the reflex blind others on a sunny day?

You mean Reflectix, that covers the side and rear windows? I've been driving since 1963 and have been "blinded" by lots of things, but never Reflectix in a RVs window.

[bumpyroad]

I had a friend who had mirrored stuff on his van windows. couldn't pass the inspection. painted over the windows with white paint and it passed inspection in MD

[Jon in AZ]

As long as semi-trailers with full chromed rear doors and chromed full-width mud flaps cruise the interstates, I'm not going to worry about two small pieces of wrinkled Reflectix behind dark tinted glass at the back of my van.

Boy, I hate those trucks at night!

[ilmor]

Originally Posted by KaptainK

I have reflectix covering the back window of my class B (98C200V).
I have a rear camera which gives me a fantastic view of the rear. Any idea if this is legal?

Depends upon your state law(s) - but - I would just do it and see how it goes.