Caravan towing mirrors

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 07:38
ThreadID: 135602 Views:6287 Replies:7 FollowUps:12
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We have a hilux with clearview mirrors on it which we love but.....we have just bought a izuzu d max and want to add towing mirrors to it the cost now for clearview mirrors is nearly $800 dollars we have been looking at adventure towing mirrors on eBay clearview lookalikes at $345 which look great has anyone bought this cheaper version to give us some insight on these mirrors many thanks
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Reply By: Member - silkwood - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:09

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:09
After using the cheap, clip and strap vesions (along with the assaociated whistling and vibration) I purchased a pari of Milenco's. I have an older vehicle and could get the Clearview mirrors.

The Milencos are brilliant. Stable, minimal vibration, easy to take on and off (I tow my boat using them).

One thing I do like is the fact I have the Milenco mirrors as my long rear view and still have my vehcle mirrors for wide view (blind spot). It makes reversing the boat easier too (I have my stndard mirrors slightly lower view, allowing me to see down the ramp whilst the vehicle is still on the flat). Very happy with these mirrors.

http://www.milenco.com/products/mirrors/grand-aero-3-xxl-mirrors

Cheers,
Mark
AnswerID: 613823

Reply By: Kazza055 - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:26

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:26
I had the Clearview mirrors fitted to my D-Max by the dealer, would never tow again without them.

What you should have done was sold the old ones before selling the vehicle, most people seem to sell them for around the $500-600 mark which will go a long way to buying a new set. I have my OEM mirror stowed in the back of the D-Max and will refit them prior to trading it in.

The eBay ones look to be the same ones and if you can find one for your car you will save a bundle on the original price. Easy enough to fit, take about 15 minutes once you have seen how it is done.
AnswerID: 613824

Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 11:13

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 11:13
This is exactly what I am having done with the new Hilux we have on order. The only downside is that the Clearviews don't incorporate the push button fold in feature of the original Toyota mirrors. You have to fold them in manually if you need to. The other electric adjustments work via the original controls and wiring harness. Even the turn indicator blinker repeaters work. Is it illegal to remove this function if it is standard????
I'm well and truly over having to remove and re-fit towing mirrors.
Like you Kazza, I will keep the original mirrors to re-fit when we sell this car (if we sell it...lol) and flog off the Clearviews if they don't fit the replacement vehicle.

At the end of the day you are spending somewhere North of 40, 50 or so grand on a vehicle and how much for whatever you are towing, is a few extra hundred dollars sooo hard to come up with for a safety feature for your rig??

Cheers
Pop
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FollowupID: 884366

Follow Up By: Member - ross & chris - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 13:37

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 13:37
We can't use the Clearview mirrors of the Hilux as they don't ha be the blinkers in them and the D max has blinkers. And I do not want strap on mirrors as we are on the road most of the time.
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FollowupID: 884370

Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 19:15

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 19:15
Ross & Chris,

I checked with ARB who are supplying the Clearviews for our Hilux and you can get either blinker or non blinker.

According to the Clearview web site the mirrors to suit 2012 to latest D-Max are available with or without as well.

Part Number CV-HI-DC-2012-IEC are for the blinker version in chrome.

Part Number CV-HI-DC-2012-IEB are for the blinker version in black

Unless something has changed and not shown as current.

Personally I couldn't be bothered with the strap on type either.


Cheers
Pop
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FollowupID: 884372

Follow Up By: Blown4by - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 22:43

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 22:43
Side indicators are an ADR requirement since October 1991. If they have been fitted in the external RV mirrors at manufacture then if you want to remain legal they will have to stay regardless of what brand or type of external RV mirrors you install.
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FollowupID: 884450

Reply By: Athol W1 - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:31

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 08:31
Another vote for the Milenco mirrors.

We previously had a 200s Landcruiser with the Clearview mirrors, however decided that on changing vehicles to the Dmax the clearview would not provide sufficient width to meet the legal requirements when towing our van (being able to see both rear corners of the van at the same time), we did have a set of the 'strap on the door' style from a previous application and on using these purchased a set of Milenco mirrors mid trip and not sorry for having done so.

When not towing I completely remove the Milenco mirrors from the Isuzu mirror case, and they just go back on without further adjustment being required.

Regards
Athol
AnswerID: 613825

Reply By: RMD - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 10:24

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 10:24
Ross

Why don't you contact Clearview and ask if the base section is available separately for the Dmax. It may be a simple issue to fit new Dmax bases to the mirrors you have at mimimal cost and possibly less than the sell and buy new option mentioned above.

I can't see Clearview altering the spacing of the extender section and so the base replace, may do the trick.
AnswerID: 613830

Reply By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 12:12

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 12:12
Clearview have a For Sale section on their website
You could also source a set here for your vehicle.
Very convenient.

I will not buy a set of Clearview until they put an extra collapsed section into the extender. When you drive without the van, they stick out too far.

bill
Bill B

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AnswerID: 613832

Follow Up By: tim_c - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:07

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:07
They don't call them "Big Ears" for nothing!

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FollowupID: 884439

Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:27

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:27
I thought they were called Dumbo.

Bill, I think you will be waiting a loonnnnggggg time, would be better if they made them electric folding.

I normally fold mine in when parking at the local shops, saves them getting damaged.
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FollowupID: 884440

Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 11:22

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 11:22
Ya see youse guys have been travelling in the lap of luxury for sooooo long...lol

When you upgrade from an old but faithful 75 series ute, just having the ability to adjust the mirrors from the drivers seat, merely push back in when not needed, the extension feature, rather than getting the spanners out and easily although manually fold the mirrors back against the door if needed and having them return to the original position by folding them back, that degree of convenience is bordering on decadence....... well it is for me anyway.......lol.

As an afterthought, for the grammanazis, my computer seems to allow me to use or not as many full stops as I feel like.........................hahahaha.

Cheers
Pop
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FollowupID: 884441

Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 13:01

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 13:01
Pop, be very careeful, you will eventually use them all up, I am nearly out.. . . . ..
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FollowupID: 884442

Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 17:47

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 17:47
Kazza,

I wonder if the use of them could be habit forming???

Maybe over time even addictive.............................lol.

Cheers
Pop
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FollowupID: 884445

Follow Up By: Blown4by - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 22:46

Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 22:46
If extended mirrors for towing are not removed (or retracted) when not towing, under certain circumstances this may be illegal.
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FollowupID: 884451

Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 15:44

Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 15:44
Yes, agree with that but the Clearview mirrors in the retracted position are legal.

Bugs me when I see people with the like of the Aussie Truck mirror, they remove the mirrors but still leave the bracket in place, make a nice mess when hitting a pedestrian.
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FollowupID: 884461

Follow Up By: Blown4by - Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 21:57

Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 21:57
I agree, much like bull bar mounted rocket launchers (fishing rod holders c/w fully rigged fishing rods in some cases), outboard motors and vises mounted on bull bars.
Re the Clearview mirrors being legal when retracted, it depends which mirrors and what vehicle they are fitted to. The ADRs including ADR14 specify how far beyond the vehicle body width RV mirrors are permitted to extend. I have seen (and measured) some that exceed this width considerably and therefore do not comply (contrary to statements made in their Engineers Report)
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FollowupID: 884470

Reply By: Paul E6 - Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 22:23

Sunday, Sep 17, 2017 at 22:23
Heh, the OP used all his full stops up in the first line (.....). Never realised that was an option!
AnswerID: 613845

Reply By: mynance - Sunday, Sep 24, 2017 at 06:23

Sunday, Sep 24, 2017 at 06:23
I had the Clearviews on my Pajero, had a large blind spot and almost took out a vehicle on a roundabout on a few occasions.
If the 2 mountings struts had of been near the top of the mirror they would of been perfect.
I was getting used to them but opted for the Milenco for my 200 Series.

Myles
AnswerID: 613921

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