Towing mirrors
Discussion
Tyre Smoke said:
Never been a fan, towed thousands of miles without them. Never had a problem.
However, my wife is about to do her towing course, so a bit of practice with L plates and our twin axle monster, I thought I'd better invest in a decent pair for her.
Any recommendations?
Thought it was a legal requirement to have them unless your towing vehicle is wider than your caravan?However, my wife is about to do her towing course, so a bit of practice with L plates and our twin axle monster, I thought I'd better invest in a decent pair for her.
Any recommendations?
Anyway it seems that different mirrors work better on different cars. I have Milenco Grand Aeros on a BMW 5 series, bought them as from reading the Internet they seemed to be the best out there. More wobbly than a wobbly thing. Can't be arsed to change them as they cost a lot to start with. Going to change my tow car soon anyway so they might be better on the new one.
I've got a set of these https://www.towsure.com/towsure-rock-steady-towing... Had them for about 5 years also on a 5 series...…..there is some vibration but I blame that on the diesel engine! I find them perfectly adequate and (I thought) sensibly priced compared to the Milenco stuff although lots of people swear by them.
I've got a pair of el cheapo strap-on (stop sniggering at the back) Halfords Ring (don't make me come over there) mirrors that vibrate like mad but are adequate enough to satisfy the legal requirements and let me judge whether it's safe to pull out. Just changed cars recently so don't know if they'll still fit - mirrors are a funny shape. I have accidentally driven without them and to be honest it didn't make that much difference.
Another vote for the Milenco Aero 3 here.
As with all these mirrors they come in flat or convex. I've found this makes a big difference.
One set gives a narrower field of vision (flat?) which makes them more challenging to set up in the right position and hence magnifies any vibration. Convex, I think gives a smaller image, field of view is wider but is more forgiving when positioning and less prone to vibration since the images are smaller, if that make sense.
Just googling comes up with all sorts of preferences, even mixing, flat on the drivers side and convex on the passenger.
I find the towing mirrors more useful on motorways, as you can see what is directly behind you. I normal do south of France once a year and you can get some reasonable speed differences with better lane discipline. I have driven without and whilst it all seems fine you don't realise what you are missing, being able to see directly behind you is an advantage in my view.
Hope this helps.
As with all these mirrors they come in flat or convex. I've found this makes a big difference.
One set gives a narrower field of vision (flat?) which makes them more challenging to set up in the right position and hence magnifies any vibration. Convex, I think gives a smaller image, field of view is wider but is more forgiving when positioning and less prone to vibration since the images are smaller, if that make sense.
Just googling comes up with all sorts of preferences, even mixing, flat on the drivers side and convex on the passenger.
I find the towing mirrors more useful on motorways, as you can see what is directly behind you. I normal do south of France once a year and you can get some reasonable speed differences with better lane discipline. I have driven without and whilst it all seems fine you don't realise what you are missing, being able to see directly behind you is an advantage in my view.
Hope this helps.
I use the Milenco mirror as well. I also secure them with a few cable ties incase they were to come off whilst driving. I once got clipped my another car and the cable ties saved my mirror from falling off.
I always fit them to remain legal, but I hardly ever look at them when towing, I naturally look in my normal mirrors
Legally you need to be able to see down the sides of your caravan and a certain distance behind. The wing mirrors on most cars won't allow you to achieve this due to the blind spots.
I always fit them to remain legal, but I hardly ever look at them when towing, I naturally look in my normal mirrors
Legally you need to be able to see down the sides of your caravan and a certain distance behind. The wing mirrors on most cars won't allow you to achieve this due to the blind spots.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Tuesday 30th July 19:24
Tyre Smoke said:
Never been a fan, towed thousands of miles without them. Never had a problem.
However, my wife is about to do her towing course, so a bit of practice with L plates and our twin axle monster, I thought I'd better invest in a decent pair for her.
Any recommendations?
Yes I recommend you obey the law! If the police catch you it’s a fine IIRC of £100. Per mirror. Which is more than the cost of a set of Milencos (which are terrific by the way).However, my wife is about to do her towing course, so a bit of practice with L plates and our twin axle monster, I thought I'd better invest in a decent pair for her.
Any recommendations?
It’s only when you tow with a decent set of towing mirrors that you understand how little you can see behind you without them.
I am also no fan of towing mirrors. Having a larger car means I only have to be at a slight angle and I can see along the side of the caravan. In practice, merely correcting my course on a motorway lane means I have ample opportunity to see behind.
I no longer tow so I've stopped worrying about it but I have looked for something that looks secure, doesn't vibrate, and allows me to use my original mirrors - without success.
I know they're a legal requirement, and I may tow again so I'll get some so I'm following this with interest.
I no longer tow so I've stopped worrying about it but I have looked for something that looks secure, doesn't vibrate, and allows me to use my original mirrors - without success.
I know they're a legal requirement, and I may tow again so I'll get some so I'm following this with interest.
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