Towing mirrors

[JapanRed]

Hi all.

About to pick our first ever caravan up in a couple of weeks and need to buy some towing mirrors.

Are all towing mirrors created equal? Anything specific I need to look for?

I’ve got a 2015 BMW X5 and a 26 foot twin axle caravan if that makes any difference.

Thanks.

[chasingracecars]

I use milenco aero mirrors which stay put but I do find they shake a bit which means I cant always see very well. It’s not too bad I can use the car mirrors as well as they don’t cover the mirrors. How ever the ones that suck to the mirrors do help when you fit them as it’s not easy to set up the one on the passenger side.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I bought a set of Milenco Grand Aeros for mine as they're supposedly one of the best out there...

But they vibrate like nobodies business so I'm really not that happy with them. I tried all sorts to try to dampen them down and have the mounts as far apart as possible. Not sure if the car has something to do with it though, BMW 5 series touring, M sport suspension and run flats, it's not the smoothest ride in the world.

Guess the ideal answer would be to go somewhere to try a few different sets but then I'm not sure many caravan accessory shops would let you do that?

[JapanRed]

Thanks both. I’ve read reviews and the Milenco Aero and Grand Aero consistently come out top. Sounds like they aren’t perfect but sound better than the competition so might end up going for them regardless unless anyone else can recommend another mirror?

The Milenco’s are available in flat and convex - both similar price. Which should I go for?
I know it’s personal preference but I don’t have the ability to try before I buy so need to decide one way or the other. Any advice would be appreciated.

[ALY77]

I use the "Suck It and See" (no, really!) mirrors.

They've done me the last four years without drama. Not the biggest but handy that they adjust with the oe glass movement.

I've ended up going convex both sides as I can see more in them, although I read somewhere that convex was only really intended for the nearside.

[Smokehead]

Milenco Aero here on a Merc E220. No problem with shake. Also see if you prefer plain glass to curved glass for rear visibility.

[bristolracer]

I have these
Cheap but they work

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Maypole-Caravan-Trai...f:1&frcectupt=true

[youngricharduk]

So pleased to see two people on here have tried the milenco aero mirrors and found they vibrate terrible. I can never understand the positive reviews they get I've tried 2 different models of them on a Honda CRV and a VW Touareg, on both cars the vibrations meant you couldn't make anything out in them. I've just went back to the rubber strap versions and they work great although you do need to replace rubber from time to time.

[Deerfoot]

I use the Milenco Aeros on my Volvo V60.

They don't vibrate much but the nearside mirror works loose after an hour or so, my wife has to stick her hands out and give the fasteners a tighten.

[WilliamWoollard]

I train people to take the B+E test and often use the Milenco grand aero when using customers cars. I have 4 pairs and I can honestly say I've never had issues with them vibrating and they've been on a wide selection of vehicles. I would advise the convex glass as the flat glass gives a huge blind spot down the side of the trailer, and you have to be more accurate adjusting them which can be a pain.

[chasingracecars]

WilliamWoollard said:

I train people to take the B+E test and often use the Milenco grand aero when using customers cars. I have 4 pairs and I can honestly say I've never had issues with them vibrating and they've been on a wide selection of vehicles. I would advise the convex glass as the flat glass gives a huge blind spot down the side of the trailer, and you have to be more accurate adjusting them which can be a pain.

Ahh but when I did my B+E we didn’t go over 50mph it’s bad at 60mph.

[WilliamWoollard]

chasingracecars said:

WilliamWoollard said:

I train people to take the B+E test and often use the Milenco grand aero when using customers cars. I have 4 pairs and I can honestly say I've never had issues with them vibrating and they've been on a wide selection of vehicles. I would advise the convex glass as the flat glass gives a huge blind spot down the side of the trailer, and you have to be more accurate adjusting them which can be a pain.

Ahh but when I did my B+E we didn’t go over 50mph it’s bad at 60mph.

We use them at 60 (and sometimes beyond). Maybe it's because ours are set quite narrow and close to the door mirrors as the trailer is the same width as the car. We don't extend them out as far as you might do with a caravan.

[Magictrousers]

Milenco Falcon for me with the convex lens. No issues at all with vibration now, but it does pay to take another minute or two to set them up thoroughly. The one time I rushed it due to blocking an entrance after I'd gone out of my usual hitching sequence, the N/S one wobbled so much that I ended up with a fabulous view of the back wheel of the car.

[billshoreham]

when I had a X3 I bought BMW oem extending arms for mirrors. very expensive but brilliant.

[JapanRed]

Thanks all. I’m going to look into the Milenco and OEM BMW ones. Cheers.