towing mirrors

[glyn davies]

Is there anyone out there who can settle an argument please? My colleague reckons that because his 4 x 4 is so wide, he doesn't need to use towing mirrors when pulling his 'van.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that a mirror is compulsory on the one side but I cannot remember which side !

Help please,

 

[Neal_5041160]

Glyn,

I'm sure that Lutz can provide the definitive answer to this but, I think that so long you can see clearly and fully down both sides of any towed trailer, then extension / extra mirrors are not required.

Neal

 

[Damian]

The law relating to mirrors when towing a caravan states that they must provide an adequate view to the rear and along both sides of the caravan, making them an essential accessory.

If the caravan obstructs the rear view mirror, additional exterior mirrors should be fitted. However, the additional mirrors should not project more than 200mm beyond the widest part of the towing vehicle or caravan.

Towing mirrors must also be removed when travelling solo

 

[Lutz]

If the standard outside rear view mirrors allow you to see both rear corners of the caravan when the caravan is in line with the car, you do not need towing mirrors. If the front corners in any way obscure view to the rear corners, you do.

 

[gavin_5121842]

I must admit its one of my pet hates seeing a car/4x4 towing caravans with no mirror extensions. They are usually the ones with a couple of miles of tailback behind them.

 

[cooky1]

I tow with both an estate car and 4X4 and I need towing mirrors on both to see down the side of the caravan. The mirrors that screw to the top of the car mirrors are suitable for both vehicles. Any additional view down the side of the caravan is always an advantage.

 

[Val & Frank]

I drive a 4x4 Toyota and I can see down both sides of the van to the rear corners and behind. If I can't see anyone behind it's because they are to damm close, and should not be tail gating a twin axle van in a smart car !!!. Seriously I looked at putting mirrors on but, I would be a hazard to anyone either overtaking me or coming towards me. At

 

[Guest]

One would hope that nobody in their right minds would tasilgate any caravan, regardless of length. If you can't see them, then they certainly cannot see what is in front of you, in case there is any reaon to stop sharply. You may find their car insdie your van.

Regarding mirrors, I fit them but neither I not my wife really use them that much. The car mirrors give all the viewpoint you really need to see people overtaking and/or joining behind you on motorways. I cannot really see why being able to see the back corners is going to do me any good, but as the law says have extension mirrors, then I fit them and adjust as best I can. I prefer trying to be as incognito as possible where the 'plod' are concerned. Even in Europe I found the car mirrors as good as the extension ones for picking up traffic.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Yes, Sctotch Lad; I agree with you. My 4x4 is adequately wide to allow me to easily down to the end of both side of my caravan. I therefore fit a single extension on the driver's side, more to remain inconspicuous than anything else. What I DO use however, is a rear view CCTV camera which allows me to see exactly what is behind me. However, mirrors remain both cheaper and totally reliable !

John

 

[Lutz]

UK law requires extension mirrors only if you can't see the rear corners of the caravan. If your 4x4 is wide enough to see down the side it doesn't need them (what would be the criterion anyway?).

 

[Lutz]

I believe the only country which requires an angle of vision within an area described by straight rearward extension of the sides of the caravan is Switzerland. Only then may mirror extensions become necessary in order to comply with their angle of vision requirements.

 

[354]

Our 4x4 is wide enough to provide reasonable rearward vision, however I always fit 2 towing mirrors which dramatically improve te rearward vision. I can the set the car mirroes for a slightly different angle view.

If you dont fit towing mirrors how do you know what you CANT see?

 

[Lutz]

If you can already see the rear corners of the caravan without mirror extensions, little will be gained by fitting them because the gain in angle of vision will be minimal, especially if you have a relatively long caravan.

 

[Guest]

I think I come back to my point about being 'incognito'. If you don't fit them then there is always the chance some less well informed member of HM Constabulary thinks you are not in compliance with the law. You would then have to take time to explain and show them that you were. Easier methinks to sidestep the possibility off a problem by fitting them,. They are so obvious that you won't get a second glance for that particular reason.

 

[jacky3]

some you can see the rear corners only and nothing else,you must have a good view of the road traffic behind you also,seeing the corners of the van only is not enough

 

[WatsonJohnG]

You would need very long mirrors to see behind the rear corners

Many modern caravans have no rear window at all and the only way to the see behind is via a CCTV camera

I can vouch for the effectivenes of a "good" camera

 

[Guest]

Agree with the practicality of the camera, but is it defined in the Law? Our friendly 'plods' just read the 'rule book' and if it isn't there then....'gotcha'. Haven't seen any trucks with cameras to my knowledge. Motorhomes, yes, but they also have heavy duty mirrors fitted.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Perhaps I should have said that the camera is used with the 2 wing mirrors but I was addressing the behind the caravan blind spot area.

When you are looking for them you can see lots of trucks and buses fitted with rear view cameras as well as mirrors of course.

 

[Lutz]

You're right, Watson(JohnG), that one would need very long extension mirrors to see behind a caravan but on the other hand the law doesn't make any provisions for CCTV cameras and therefore you still need appropriate outside rear view mirrors even if you have CCTV fitted.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Lutz I am not expressing myself in terme that are being understood.

I totally agree that extension mirrors(wing mirrors) should be used as well as CCTV or any other rear view aids.

Remember the periscope that was popular some years ago .

You would still be wise to use extra wing mirrors.

For one thing in a confined space you know that if the mirrors will go through then the caravn should too.

Oh did I say use extension mirrors as well as CCTV well what I meant was use extension mirrors as well as CCTV .........

 

[Lutz]

I understood you correctly. My comment about needing proper outside mirrors even with CCTV was aimed primarily to make the legal situation clear to other readers.

ps: So long as you can see down the side of the caravan, whether it be with or without extension mirrors, you can always be certain that you can get through a confined space if the mirrors pass through.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Lutz we agree again.

On reading my previous postings I could see that I had not dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's and that there was room for misinterpretation or even nit picking(not by you!)so I am hoping with your help that I have now expressed myself clearly.

Once again I agree with what you say about mirrors but extended mirrors do give a little more assurance over clearance .

Regards John

 

[Guest]

Gentlemen,

Please. Anything that is posted on these web pages is merely the opinion of the contributor, and should be accepted as an honest attempt to provide assistance, nothing more. It should never be taken as the whole truth until the recipient has checked externally and convinced him/herself that it is indeed accurate. It is also very easy for typo errors to change the desired interpretation, so let us make allowances for that.

If we are all to become lawyers then there is nothing left to live for.

Cheers

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Very true but we can all learn from one another and I enjoy the debate that often arises.

Sometimes we have to agree to disagree.

Its good that we pull one another up from time to time so long as we help the person asking the question get to a balanced reply and hopefully learn something in the process.

 

[Val & Frank]

I think I need to go back to my point that on some 4X4s the mirrors are already sticking out so far that to add an extension would be dangerous. Both to pedestrians and other road users. I think in my case a CCTV camera would be the full 100% answer, but do they have wipers fitted ?? serious question

Val & Frank