Towing mirror minefield query…

[Buckman]

This will answer the debate of rear view caravan camera v towing car mirrors

Towing Mirrors vs Rear Camera?

Do you really need extended mirrors if you have a rear camera? Short answer - yes. Longer answer - YES YOU DO... There has been several comments of late

www.andaroundwego.com

Hopefully you noticed that was for Australia? Although probably similar, I think our legislation will be based on EU legislation and requirements may now be different if rearward cameras were fitted?

 

[RogerL]

Don't most newer HGVs come with cameras as the requirement is for them to see sides and rear and the cameras fulfil that function as per the legislation so probably no need to external mirrors?

I think they're just an option on new HGVs - to replace the multitude of mirror elements that are needed conventionally

 

[Buckman]

I am fairly sure that many years ago Lutz posted a link to the actual EU legislation? Maybe he can find it again?

 

[otherclive]

If Audi are fitting camera mirrors to some models then it must be legal in the markets they are sold in. But it does beggar the question of how to address towing to ensure that the driver can see down the vehicle without blind spots.

 

[Buckman]

If Audi are fitting camera mirrors to some models then it must be legal in the markets they are sold in. But it does beggar the question of how to address towing to ensure that the driver can see down the vehicle without blind spots.

Maybe I misunderstood, but surely you would use your normal viewing camera / mirrors to see sides of car? The trailer / camera would need to rear camera also for the driver to comply with the law.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As I recall, when an outfit is aligned, the driver should be able to see the whole side extent of both sides of the vehicle (and trailer) and the bifurcated area behind the outfit to an additional width of 4m wide at 20m distance rearward from the driver.
To achieve this the mirrors must extend beyond the width of the vehicle and trailer. Not even a camera can see round corners.

 

[RogerL]

I agree with Prof

The comparison with HGV camera systems is misleading as the cab normally has the wide body fitted behind it - so the cameras are positioned out far enough to see along the body.

A car doesn't normally have a wide trailer behind it so any factory-fit camera systems won't take that into account.

For towing a caravan/trailer, the requirement will still exist that the mirror or camera must extend beyond the width of the caravan/trailer in order to give the required field of view - so what will the extended mirror/camera be attached to on a car with only cameras?

 

[Guzzilazz]

Don't most newer HGVs come with cameras as the requirement is for them to see sides and rear and the cameras fulfil that function as per the legislation so probably no need to external mirrors?

Only Mercedes have adopted so far...