Towing mirrors, needed by law or not ?
Discussion
There is a specific law applicable. You must be able to see an object (car, pedestrian) at a certain distance ( cant remember exactly how far) behind the caravan. Very few cars / suv's meet the requirement without towing mirrors. IE I tow a standard width UK caravan with a Porsche Cayenne, and I need towing mirrors. If you are only towing a trailer, unlikely that you need extra mirrors.
nutsytvr said:
There is a specific law applicable. You must be able to see an object (car, pedestrian) at a certain distance ( cant remember exactly how far) behind the caravan. .
The requirement is that driver must have an adequate view to the rear.What constitutes 'adequate' appears to be completely subjective, rather than being defined in terms of feet and inches.
I got that pic from here
https://www.lifesure.co.uk/blog/2013/06/caravan-to...
To be fair, the dimensions are replicated on other similar sources too if that adds some credibility to them.
https://www.lifesure.co.uk/blog/2013/06/caravan-to...
To be fair, the dimensions are replicated on other similar sources too if that adds some credibility to them.
Yes indeed, was curious about where it is enshrined in law. At least they trot out the old 'may invalidate your insurance' tale!
Jon321 said:
I got that pic from here
https://www.lifesure.co.uk/blog/2013/06/caravan-to...
To be fair, the dimensions are replicated on other similar sources too if that adds some credibility to them.
https://www.lifesure.co.uk/blog/2013/06/caravan-to...
To be fair, the dimensions are replicated on other similar sources too if that adds some credibility to them.
Does this help? Posted on another forum by a chap who says he is Milenco (towing mirror manufacturer).
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_...
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_...
Nigel Milbank of Milenco. said:
Perhaps I can help. We have worked with the Department of Transport on clarification of this issue in the past.
The requirement to have a mirror fitted to give the driver a view to the rear is contained in Regulation 33 (7) Construction and Use.
Simply if a driver does not have a view to the rear because he is towing a caravan which is wider than his car then he must have mirrors fitted to give him adequate view of the outfit.
Car manufacturers only type approve the mirrors on the car to give you a view the rear of your car (Regulation 33 (7)).
They are not Type Approved to give you a view of anything wider than your car therefore, If your caravan is wider than your car it is a legal requirement in order to comply with Regulation 33 that you fit additional mirrors.
Regulation 33 (4) (c) allows him to fit an additional mirror providing that mirror does not project more than 20cm beyond the overall width of the caravan.
In the case of all cars sold after 26/01/2007 or cars with mirrors complying with Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 this distance is 25cm.
We have not heard of the Police enforcing this in the UK but certainly in France, the French Police do so.
I hope this helps.
Nigel Milbank
Milenco Limited
01908 220102
So, Is it then that the law requires "adequate" visibility to the rear, and that diagram showing visibility splay 4m wide at 20m back, along both sides of the trailer has been tested and established as being the definition of adequate?The requirement to have a mirror fitted to give the driver a view to the rear is contained in Regulation 33 (7) Construction and Use.
Simply if a driver does not have a view to the rear because he is towing a caravan which is wider than his car then he must have mirrors fitted to give him adequate view of the outfit.
Car manufacturers only type approve the mirrors on the car to give you a view the rear of your car (Regulation 33 (7)).
They are not Type Approved to give you a view of anything wider than your car therefore, If your caravan is wider than your car it is a legal requirement in order to comply with Regulation 33 that you fit additional mirrors.
Regulation 33 (4) (c) allows him to fit an additional mirror providing that mirror does not project more than 20cm beyond the overall width of the caravan.
In the case of all cars sold after 26/01/2007 or cars with mirrors complying with Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 this distance is 25cm.
We have not heard of the Police enforcing this in the UK but certainly in France, the French Police do so.
I hope this helps.
Nigel Milbank
Milenco Limited
01908 220102
That deals with how much projection is permissible when fitting additional mirrors.
As previous, everything I've seen so far points to the statutory term 'adequate view' being purely subjective. Drawings or graphics similar to that produced in this thread may be useful guidance as to what constitutes 'adequate', but it isn't a legal specification requiring absolute compliance.
As previous, everything I've seen so far points to the statutory term 'adequate view' being purely subjective. Drawings or graphics similar to that produced in this thread may be useful guidance as to what constitutes 'adequate', but it isn't a legal specification requiring absolute compliance.
When I was towing caravans around I noticed that there was a lot of made up stuff by various clubs and anoraks they liked to claim was the law. Towing weights for example was a favourite.
It's likely that diagram is more of the same given its source. I'd like to join the others here in wanting to know what the law says about towing mirrors.
It's likely that diagram is more of the same given its source. I'd like to join the others here in wanting to know what the law says about towing mirrors.
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