Mirrors legally required on Transit Van tug ??
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 at 10:44
ThreadID:
101871
Views:
2602
Replies:
3
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
KenInPerth
I am now towing a caravan (pop top) with a Ford Transit van or a Nissan GU Patrol depending on circumstances. Does the transit legally require extension mirrors ??
1. The GU Patrol mirrors need extensions but they seem to be readily available - clearvision and ora seem to be the general choice (at a cost) for people not wanting to risk damage to paintwork on the car - interested in
feedback on various options.
2. On the Transit (which has large vertical mirrors) I just have vision down the sides and on a
test drive did not feel like I had any problems knowing what was behind me although better vision would probably be helpful, and a rear view camera would enhance that as per the recent discussion on legal requirements of mirrors.
I am curious to know (hopefully pathycop may read this) if the Transit is deemed legal with it's OEM mirrors or needs extension - I guess it is up to the policeman who pulls you over at the time to determine if he thinks it is legal or not and to me that seems like a personal judgement as nothing clearly seems to define what the true "clear view behind" parameters are - as in how much of "behind" you need to see in mirrors and given some people sit right on your tail you can only see them when going around curves anyway.
I know - if in doubt, add more and then you cannot go wrong, but I would be curious on others opinions if anyone else uses or has seen Ford Transits in use.
Reply By: Pathycop - Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 at 15:59
Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 at 15:59
Hi again Ken. As I said in the previous thread I like to keep things simple and try not to worry about the intricacies of percentage or clause 3a sub section 2 part 1 of any act or regulation. All clap trap in my opinion and can be replaced with everyday common sense.
My
test has always been, and this was taught to me by an old time traffic cop in breeches, is that when I am following you towing your van, if I am safe distance behind you, 2 sec rule, I need to be able to see down the side of your van and be able to see the whites of your eyes!
You can't account for those who are dancing all over the back of you. If they are up your clacker, you know they are there and your side view will pick them up when they go the big overtake. I would assume most drivers are generally aware of what is already behind them or will be soon given they are catching you up. They don't tend to just materialise up your rear without warning. Our roads are not straight. The slightest curve will give you an angle to see the clown in your blind spot behind you for a moment so just keep checking all the time.
I really can't answer specifically about a transit van. Get a mate to follow you at 80 ks on the hwy and give him a wink. If he can see you and you can see him, you good.
As for removal of mirrors. It's not the mirror that creates the offence. It's anything that protrudes off the side of your car beyond certain limits. Could be a mirror or a carpet sitting diagonally in the back
seat and poking out the window waiting to clean up a cyclist. Hope hats all clear and common sense enough. I am sure there will be some one who wants to debate the specific rules and regulations but I will leave that to the solicitors when someone decides to contest a ticket at court. They don't work on common sense!!
Cheers. Graeme
AnswerID:
509755
Follow Up By: KenInPerth - Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 at 18:04
Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 at 18:04
Thanks Graeme for your response again.
Knowing what you guys look for helps take the mystery out of all the rules and regs to a large extent and saves a lot of reading and digesting and re-reading.
As per a previous follow up, the transit is about a 60% side 40% van split in the mirror so I am trying to find something that will now probably suit / adapt to both vehicles and will also have a rear view camera to enhance the view behind.
Ken
FollowupID:
787759