Bed-view mirror

Being that this is my first pick-up with rear seating, I hadn't given much thought to the resultant inability of just looking over my shoulder to check the security of the contents of the bed.
Yesterday, while transporting a string trimmer and gas can, I heard a "THUNK!" and had to pull-over to find that a bungee had snapped and the gas can was on it's side.(no leak, BTW :) )
Short of wiring-up a "bed-cam", has anyone come across an accessory that would enable us to view our beds?
I was thinking of mounting one of those wide-angle mirrors to the headliner, by the rear window, somehow... don't know if the viewing angle from the rear-view mirror would work out right, however... I guess I'll just hafta get one and try if there isn't an aftermarket solution available.
BTW, I "googled" this and found LOTS of accessories for use in the bedroom... :rolleyes: :D

BTW, I "googled" this and found LOTS of accessories for use in the bedroom...

I bet! Tell me you didn't look at the images too, lol.

I bet! Tell me you didn't look at the images too, lol.
Don't be silly! I only read google's content... I never look at the pictures! ;)

Well... I found an old 3.75" round convex mirror laying around that I never had a use for. I used some masking tape to temporarily stick it to the headliner just in front of the center (sliding) rear window. It gave me a view of about 6" from the front of the bed (under the window) to approx. 3 ft. back into the bed, when looking into the rear view mirror. I suppose I could get a 5-6" convex mirror that would give me what I'd need to feel comfortable with my bed's contents' stability. Or I could go the rectangular convex route...

I found a couple other products that made me think...
One is a rear view "fresnel"(?) lens (11" X 14") that would fit perfectly attached to the center pane. It might work, but could be distracting looking thru it constantly.

Another is a "stick-on back-up mirror" designed for SUV's as a cheap alternative to back-up cams that I found on JC Whitney's site. I suppose that if I stuck it to one of the side panes of the rear window, it would give me a good view of the bed's contents without restricting my rear view of the road too much.

It's not something I need to do right-away, so I'll continue to explore my options... Judging from the lack of "hits" to this thread, I guess it's not such a "hot topic" here, so you other members haven't had any "accidents" that resulted in a wet bed? oops... I mean... Oh! Never mind! :o

Don't be silly! I only read google's content... I never look at the pictures! ;)

Well... I found an old 3.75" round convex mirror laying around that I never had a use for. I used some masking tape to temporarily stick it to the headliner just in front of the center (sliding) rear window. It gave me a view of about 6" from the front of the bed (under the window) to approx. 3 ft. back into the bed, when looking into the rear view mirror. I suppose I could get a 5-6" convex mirror that would give me what I'd need to feel comfortable with my bed's contents' stability. Or I could go the rectangular convex route...

I found a couple other products that made me think...
One is a rear view "fresnel"(?) lens (11" X 14") that would fit perfectly attached to the center pane. It might work, but could be distracting looking thru it constantly.



Another is a "stick-on back-up mirror" designed for SUV's as a cheap alternative to back-up cams that I found on JC Whitney's site. I suppose that if I stuck it to one of the side panes of the rear window, it would give me a good view of the bed's contents without restricting my rear view of the road too much.

It's not something I need to do right-away, so I'll continue to explore my options... Judging from the lack of "hits" to this thread, I guess it's not such a "hot topic" here, so you other members haven't had any "accidents" that resulted in a wet bed? oops... I mean... Oh! Never mind! :o

Good idea!!! But i haven't had the issue of having to worry about things being in the bed moving around. Usually i bungee everything i put back there.

Have you put any thought into getting a bed net and not worrying about loads flying around??

Go Gators!!!!!

uhhh... yeah, I have the cargo net, but I didn't think a bungee strap would snap the way they did. (as I mentioned in my original post).
Actually, the one holding the gas can secure, AND one of the two I had securing the weed-wacker snapped - cleanly in the center of each of them! These were of the black rubber variety... looks like they had some kind of seam... they were brand-new... I won't use that kind again. I have a dozen others that are the rubber ones with the braided covering on the outside... I'll use those when the opportunity presents itself.
I've used my OEM cargo net for more bulky stuff - boxes, trash, the mower, and a chair. I've used ratchet straps for bigger stuff like a bike, the ladder, and a cabinet. I have chains stowed in the trunk "just in case"... and two different thicknesses of vinyl rope that I've used to wrap around a blanket for protection and a tarp to keep things from "flying around".
All it took for me to explore the possibility of monitoring the contents of the bed was that one small load, and the failure of the bungees.
I think you're right in that EVERY load should be secured with a "failsafe", and I'll be sure to double-up in the future. And try to keep my eye on it, too. ;)

s'GO Pitt! :p

Pug, That's a good idea. I am also used to looking back over the shoulder on a full sized P/U. My big issue is not knowing where the back end of the RL is when in reverse:eek: Let us know if you find a cheap alternative to a B/U cam.