Mirrors-- towing a caravan
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 00:34
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Member - Charlou
We are looking to buy a set of caravan towing mirrors to fit to 2004 Landcruisr 100 series any experience out there Can you recommend type or brand to suit dirt roads.
Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:38
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:38
As a Tow-Ed instructor, I see lots of bad mirror designs. The bees knees are of course
Clearview Mirrors, but I find the type with the webbing strap work best on most installations. Just be sure to wet the strap before fitting as rain will loosen it if you don't.
AnswerID:
507596
Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:46
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:46
The ones with the webbing strap are called 'Aussie Truck Mirrors' and apart from the expensive Clearview they're probably the best you can get.
Cheaper clones of the Aussie Truck Mirrors are available from a nuber of van accessory outlets such as Camec and Award RV etc.
Ozjohn
FollowupID:
784891
Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:48
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:48
Thanks
John I should have said that they were Aussie Truck Mirrors :-)
FollowupID:
784892
Follow Up By: Member Ray M (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 15:39
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 15:39
Hi David
Does having a rear view camera on the van negate the need for towing mirrors, or do I still need mirrors both sides?
Regards Ray
FollowupID:
784917
Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 16:17
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 16:17
Towing mirrors are required if you can't see following traffic in your side mirrors. Cameras do not count as rear vision and as such mirrors are still required if you cannot see following traffic. So for most caravans, unless that are really narrow, towing mirrors are required by law, despite the fitting of cameras.
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Follow Up By: Member Ray M (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 21:22
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 21:22
Thanks for that David, I thought that may be the case
Cheers Ray
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784944
Reply By: steamfire01 - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:51
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:51
Hi
Over the last 5 or 6 years including two big laps I think I have bought and tried every type of mirror available, strap on, over the bonnet (a complete waste of time and money) and door mounted.
The door mounted were good but the strap left a mark down the door that didn't polish out. The strap on (to existing 4wd mirrors) were cheap and did a reasonable job but vibrated quite a lot.
There are large replacement mirrors that are fully interchangeable with most 4wds and are electrically controllable but in my opinion are way too big and cost around $700.
To my mind my current Milenco mirrors are the best so far They originate from the UK. They easily attach firmly to your existing mirror, are aerodynamic and vibration is minimal. I bought mine from the Jayco dealer in
Coffs harbour NSW, from memory about $200.
My advice would be go straight to either the large $700 jobs if you don't mind the very large size, or preferably find a dealer for the Milenco type, forget the rest.
Stay safe out there.
Regards
TJ
AnswerID:
507599
Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:58
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 09:58
I find that any type that attaches to your existing mirrors vibrate too much and are prone to being blown inwards by passing trucks. My advice is stay away from anything that attaches to your existing mirrors unless they are further braced.
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Follow Up By: toffytrailertrash - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 10:21
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 10:21
I have used the suction mirrors on my D4 now for over 12 months and have never had a problem of them "blowing" in when passed by B doubles or anything else on the highway and at $20.00 a piece you cannot go wrong.
Cheers
Merv
FollowupID:
784897
Follow Up By: Rockape - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 12:20
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 12:20
Tj,
if you place magnetic sign vinyl strips under the door strap you don't mark the door at all. Naturally the door has to be clean before you do it.
In fact I have just been down the road to the sign writer and bought 2 new pieces for the Ranger as the old ones off the Troopy were to short.
FollowupID:
784909
Follow Up By: Member - nick b - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 16:27
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 16:27
Hi steamfire : had a look at the milenco mirrors on youtube , look good !!! might get some myself ....
milenco mirrors
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Follow Up By: steamfire01 - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 20:48
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 20:48
Nick B
I guess it's horses for courses, if you are spending most of your time zooming around rough corrugated roads like Mr Olsen, maybe you need something a little more agricultural.
I've never had my Milenco mirrors blown in by trucks, but maybe he drives faster than me!!
Keep safe out there.
Regards
TJ
FollowupID:
784940
Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 20:52
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 20:52
Nick B
Incorrect on both counts :-)
I don't tow on rough roads, and I don't tow above 95 kph on the highway, and you would be hard pressed to see me doing more than 85 kph on any gravel road especially in the outback. :-)
But I have seen many mirror mounted mirrors blow in, and my clients tell me theirs do, but I have never used a Milenco mirror :-)
David
FollowupID:
784942
Follow Up By: ROFFEY FAMILY - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 23:50
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 23:50
Merv,
We also love our suction mirrors, Awesome value for $20 a mirror! Glad we chose them. :-)
FollowupID:
784956
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 10:37
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 10:37
I use
THIS TYPE on my 05 100 series - quite happy with their performance on gravel and sealed - the magnetic pad is strong and they stay set .... also quite easy to get on and off the car - I just wash the door and the mag-pad with soapy water on installation.
AnswerID:
507600
Follow Up By: Pradobob - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 11:43
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 11:43
I'll second Darian with the Enzo's. I must tell you however, that on one occasion, the driver side mirror blew completely off when an on-coming road train swerved and was partly on my side of the road! Rare occurence. Mirror, brackets and magnet actually survived!
I have previously tried others that are supposed to fit existing mirrors. Useless on a late model Prado.
Bob
FollowupID:
784902
Follow Up By: Member - Hunter Gatherer - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 17:18
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 17:18
On your comments re the mirrors I have just placed an order for Enzo's.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 12:09
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 12:09
I have the Clearview mirrors, and like the larger size. You get two seperate mirrors the top one is controlled from the car electrics, and the bortom is a wide angle, adjusted by hand.
The cost is well worth it, easy to fit at
home. Keep your old ones and if not towing for a long time, swap the around again.
AnswerID:
507605
Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 at 09:45
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 at 09:45
G'day Tony,
I have clearview mirrors as well and they work very good. However I have noticed a design problem with mine, they are not plumb in relation to the vehicle. This means that the mirror holds water and requires an abnormal adjustment to work properly. At first I thought it might have been the atitude of the vehicle but on checking this is not so. See picture below,
Clearview mirror
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Reply By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 17:04
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 at 17:04
I have to also put a good word in for the Milenco mirror.
There are two sizes, I bought the larger ones and have never had any problems with them folding in or vibrating excessively. If you are not towing all the time you will find the ease of fitting and removing them is great.
I purchased mine from Aussie Traveller in
Brisbane.
AnswerID:
507624