Total Newbie - 2022 Vista 31B

Clyncher · 10-13-2021, 03:32 PM

Greetings,
After a couple of rentals to narrow our search, my wife and I went to the Pennsylvania RV Show a few weeks back and bought a 2022 Winnebago Vista 31b.
We've already got a trip under our belt, going from home near Chicago to Folly Beach, South Carolina. It was a great trip but, not surprisingly, we encountered a few difficulties. The biggest to me is, when backing-up at night, the glare from the break light above the back window renders the back-up camera useless. I'm resisting the urge to put a strip of duct tape across the top of the break light. Anyone aware of a fix more befitting a brand new RV?

Thanks-
Clyncher

**creativepart** · 10-13-2021, 03:44 PM

Congrats and Welcome!

I can't help with the brake light (I guess you mean the CHMSL) and we have never driven our RV in the dark. We're retired and plan our trips to be in our RV site for the night no later than 3:30pm.

Good luck and ENJOY.

be happy · 10-14-2021, 05:17 AM

I would get used to backing using the mirrors instead of the camera. I know camera's are nice to have and sometimes can become bothersome. There are times when the sun shine will block the use of the camera so what to do then.

The more you use your coach I believe you will be using the mirrors more also.

Good Luck and safe travels

Raxel7851 · 10-16-2021, 06:30 PM

I’m with Be Happy on the rear camera. From driving utility trucks for my career, I’ve always relied on the outside mirrors first. I do use the camera to take a glance initially. I do like the side view cameras though on our 22M.

Clyncher · 10-16-2021, 07:18 PM

I appreciate the feedback. However, my issue is not with the mirrors. I'm very comfortable using them to back my rig. But Winnebago provides a backup camera as a feature. And, at least on the 2022 Vista, this feature has a bug. The bug not only renders the feature useless when backing at night. But in the dark cab, the red glare on the monitor make is very difficult to see the passenger side mirror. I had to throw a bandana over the monitor. So my hope is someone on this forum is aware of a fix with a little more class than my duct tape last resort.

Thanks again!

83Itasca · 10-16-2021, 07:55 PM

Brand new.... have you talked to the Dealer or is that a bad word around here. Sorry new here.

sundog964 · 10-16-2021, 10:14 PM

I don’t have this issue with my 2020 vista. Is the glare from the 2 brake lights? If so, maybe put some tape on the top of the brake light covers. I back in the dark with mine and don’t notice any interference from the brakes.

Bones2003 · 10-17-2021, 09:41 AM

Clyncher, I would be annoyed by this problem as well. This is a long shot but is it possible that brake light above the back window is installed upside down? I wouldn't think it would make a difference but you never know. Also, could you make a minor adjustment to the aim of the camera to help?

I can't say about mine since I generally don't drive in the dark. If it were me and the two steps I mention above don't solve the problem, I would apply a small strip of black Gorilla tape to the top of that brake lamp (but tape usually doesn't last very long outdoors) or else mask it well and just paint the top of it black. From the ground you would never notice the change.

BikerMonkey · 10-17-2021, 10:46 AM

ha ha ha.... I was about to introduce myself to the group using the exact same subject line as your name. I think I might beat you a little bit since I won't have my EKKO until April 2022. I could go on about how much of a newbie I am but it would be just dang embarrassing. Anyway.. hello to all!

**creativepart** · 10-17-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83Itasca

Brand new.... have you talked to the Dealer or is that a bad word around here. Sorry new here.

"Dealer" isn't necessarily a bad word here - it just those of us with experience on dealer service and abilities know how futile it would be to contact a dealer with an issue like this.

It would be like going to the DMV, IRS or SSA and asking if they could speed things up a little because you have somewhere to be.

Folks new to RVs tend to think of the RV and the dealer in automotive terms. That the vehicle is well engineered and logically assembled and the dealer is closely tied into the brand and trained to service the vehicle as prescribed by the manufacturer.

Trouble is... nothing could be further from the way RVs are built and serviced. It can be a rude awakening for new RVers.

Morich · 10-17-2021, 12:02 PM

If it bothers us, it bothers us! So you are looking for some solution that might last and also look a bit better. I'm okay with the idea of modding things to make them better---even if it was only you that was bothered and I'm betting there are actually others out there being bothered!

So throwing this out comes with the point that I have no idea how the brake light is even made, so it may not work.

If the cover comes off the light in some way that lets you get to the inside, how about adding a small section of light weight aluminum (flashing, section of soda can?) inside so that the red will do a good job of hiding the metal and using something long lasting like sicone to hold it in place after shaped and formed to fit tight?

Hidden and out of the weather making it last long enough to bother?

Warning:
My ideas don't always work and often require lots of tedious trial and many errors!
But I've found there is little difference between a blind sow and a retired guy at times like this!

Clyncher · 12-22-2021, 05:15 PM

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. I thought I would get emails when folks posted replies.

I appreciate all the ideas! Sounds like the bottom line is I may be the only one on the forum having this problem. When it gets warmer, I'm going pull the light cover and see what I can do to block the light on the top half of the fixture (as a few of you suggested). I'll come back and let you all know how that works.

Thanks again!
Jim

**creativepart** · 12-22-2021, 05:38 PM

Clyncher, I'm an admin here and I checked your account. You have set it up to receive emails when folks respond... however, you also have a hotmail.com email address and I'd bet $2.44 that Hotmail is trashing these emails as spam. Why do I think that? Because that's pretty standard operating procedure for Hotmail with post notifications.

You can either go into your hotmail account and tell them those emails are not spam, or you can change to a different email address (if you have one).