Dash cams and accidents

Donstar · January 30, 2020

I received my first dent recently on my '15 GMC Sierra. It is on the front bumper and is only big enough to bother me and nobody else. I started viewing my dash cam footage and realized it doesn't record incidents when the ignition is off! Duh! When I'm at home, I don't need the camera on as this would be redundant security. My system is currently on a fuse tap at a location recommended on a pgamboa video. It works great. I'm now thinking it should be on an always hot connection and manually turn it off when not in use. This does not appeal to me as I suspect it will be a while before I get into a habit of always turning on and off the equipment. I have an aftermarket system with a front mounted camera and a dash mounted 7" monitor/recorder. I'm sure the battery could handle the drain if I left it on 24/7 but I would suspect the lights of the monitor would serve as more of an attractant to potential overnight thieves! I know my options but am curious if another member has a solution to deal with those parking lot "hit and run" bumper dings while on the road. Also, has anyone experienced successful dent removal on a chrome bumper?

BigBlue2014 · January 30, 2020

The dash cam system I have (front and rear) has a parking mode which is set to start recording if the vehicle gets hit while off. That way it does not need to be on 24X7. It is very sensitive and the slightest bumper tap or hit will set it off. This is the same setup I have on my Infiniti as well.

It's Tim · January 30, 2020

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

It is on the front bumper and is only big enough to bother me and nobody else.

Even if you obtained a plate number it's all on you to collect: court costs, personal time wasted, etc...

Just chalk it up to the fact it's a truck and even if you make the choice to park in the back 40 some ner--do-well will go out of their way to screw it up for you.

garagerog · January 30, 2020

Donstar, as far as the bumper repair, yes, it can be done, but will likely require the bumper to be re-chromed. I had this last done a little over 20 years ago. I don't know about BC, but in the states re- chromers are getting few and far between due to EPA regulations. If you haven't seen the process on an automotive TV show, maybe YouTube has one. It is quite involved and yes it looks quite toxic. Your best bet may be to find an OEM bumper from a junkyard from a truck that has been totaled from the rear.

wforrest08 · January 30, 2020

As far as repair call around to your local body shops some guys are trained/experienced in how to.

There’s plenty of diy videos on other forums and YouTube if your brave enough to try it yourself (if you decide your only option is replacement might as well try first).

I found this outfit years ago trying to fix one but didn’t have any franchises near me so can’t speak of experience/results with them. Course them claim it’s a dealer only thing but I’m sure if you have a guy/gal in your area they wouldn’t be opposed to taking your money.

https://www.bumperman.com/

L86 All Terrain · January 30, 2020

A guy hit my front bumper with a sailboat trailer at the pumps 1.5 years ago and put a small dent in it, GM replaced the whole bumper on his insurance. They didn't want to pay the deductible until I told them I would take the matter into my own hands as I had their client's contact info. They paid the remaining $1,000 pretty quick. Total invoice was right around $2,600 CAD. By the time you pulled the dent and had your bumper refinished you would probably be at that mark anyway. A chrome bumper should be much cheaper to replace as they aren't painted at the dealers body shop. You could put electrical tape over the indicator lights on your dash cam so thieves don't see it illuminated at night. I believe the front 12v plug is always hot, could tap into that.

HeySkippyDog · January 31, 2020

You can arrange your center stack power outlets to be RAP or always hot by way of your fuse panel. It's in the owners manual.

Mine is set to always hot. You will want this for your dash cam.

My CB/Scanner is plugged into an outlet that is only on when the key is on. So that way, I don't have to remember to turn the radio on and off. Once the key is in 'Run', the radio is on.

Screw getting your bumper shell repaired and rechromed. Buy a new one.

Sent from my SM-J810F using Tapatalk

Donstar · January 31, 2020

9 hours ago, HeySkippyDog said:

You can arrange your center stack power outlets to be RAP or always hot by way of your fuse panel. It's in the owners manual.

Screw getting your bumper shell repaired and rechromed. Buy a new one.

Thanks. I believe it would be a simple task to switch my fuse tap to a position that is always live. "It's Tim" is probably correct in suggesting that even if I did capture this careless parker on video I would have a hard time collecting. The cost of replacing the bumper because of this blemish is hard to justify when compared to other family priorities! (In other words, my wife doesn't share my concern! ) Bumpershellz is a product that would mask this and future bumps and maybe worth serious thought However, I don't like "covering up" as I still know the dent is there.

L86 All Terrain · January 31, 2020

Have you checked with any local scrap yards? People should be falling off the mountain steady in BC, maybe you can get lucky and find a front bumper than didn't end up in a red cedar.

djw88 · January 31, 2020

granted I'm going though insurance but i was rear ended last week just the bumper was damaged. I'm going to get the check for a shop to repair ($1200) but I'm just going to replace the bumper and bracket myself for $600 then pocket the rest.

BTW if you have progressive drop them now they are one of the wort insurance companies to deal with second only to american family

rah7777777 · January 31, 2020

I have BlackVue brand cameras and it has a power cutoff control module of sorts.

With the truck off, it records any motion until the truck battery reaches 12.0 volts exactly. Then it stops sending power to the camera so it does not drain the battery.

It works pretty good and it caught the guy who broke in.

I've timed it and from shutting it off, I get about 6 to 7 hours before the battery hits 12.0 and then the cameras won't work.

Obviously the weaker the battery gets the shorter this time will be. It has an option to add a small secondary battery just for the camera, I've just never done it as i'm never at a store over 6 hours and when at home and work its under the view of different cameras.

StinkyCheese · January 31, 2020

Look for hardwire kits that have a voltage cutoff built in. Also look in your dashcam's settings and see if there are options to turn the LEDS off. Also some dashcams have parking modes. Personally I just leave it on anytime I'm not at home and if I forget to turn it off when I'm at home oh well. With the wind and thunderstorms here I can't see parking mode doing me any good so continuous recording is what I stick with. As far as the dent probably more cost than it's worth to fix it. Try not to go nuts thinking about it.