Tow mirrors

I have had a pair of OCAMs on for the past 18 months and am very happy with them. They also have local parts backup if you break a glass.
Keith

I have the

I need the blind spot and full electrics which I have been quoted $1630 plus fitting. That was from TJM.

How about a bag full of busted gumboots ?

Had them on my D-Max for 6 years now and would never tow without them.

And I don't give a rats what other people think of them.

It's not about 'looks' - it's about safety. Agree with other positive Clearview posts.

And on some vehicles-illegal.

Blown4by,

Please explain?

Macca.

Yes, I would also like to know why they are illegal.

Sound like something you might read on facebook or on a forum.

Towing mirrors only become illegal when you leave them on, when you're not towing anything.

Australian Road Rules state that you must not have anything projecting more than 150mm beyond your bodywork.

Naturally, if you have a 'van coupled up, the "bodywork" measurement is the 'van body width.

Cheers, Ron.

If you were to leave them extended without the van attached then yes it would be illegal but in the normal mode they are approved.

Please note I did say illegal on "some" vehicles. Its not an opinion or from a forum or FB, it is a fact from the ADR's. Depending on the vehicle make & its body shape design, even when the mirrors are retracted to their minimum width, (not folded), they still exceed the maximum width outside the vehicle body as allowed by the ADR's. The assumption that: "Naturally, if you have a 'van coupled up, the "bodywork" measurement is the 'van body width." may be correct but when ADR's refer to the width of lights, mirrors, etc. & other a ancillary devices necessary for the safe operation of a vehicle they usually refer to the vehicle the devices are attached to, not a separate vehicle such as a caravan which don't have or need RV mirrors attached. A far better, safer & more cost effective option, is a wide angle rear view camera mounted on the caravan, where the vision, including any vehicle directly behind the caravan, can be displayed to the driver when moving forward. This would normally be part of a dual lens RV camera, which on most modern vehicles, this vision can now be displayed on the OEM installed dash mounted screen monitor negating the need for a separate dash mounted screen.

Now, that is a completely different story. It is not the mirrors at fault, it is the car that creates the problem and for that reason you can more than likely not able to by them for those cars.

I know when I was researching my D-Max purchase back in 2013, I found the certification papers for it on Clearviews site.

I don't think they would be silly enough to sell them if the were not going to comply with ADR's. If you buy them from eBay then it is up to you to make certain they are legal.

Blown4by,

Thanks for clarifying your statement. As far as rearview cameras taking the place of towing mirrors, there is currently a legal requirement for you to have mirrors that allow you to see clearly an area that is 4 metres wide from the side of your caravan at a distance 20 metres behind the driver. I am not sure if a wide angle lens camera would adequately meet this criteria.

Macca.

I recall seeing a photo of a Lexus that had a monitor screen in the same place as where you would look into your external mirror.

Don't worry, it will happen as they build smarter cars.

The even have cars now that will drive for you.

Kazza055: Not sure what you mean by: "Now, that is a completely different story." I don't see how the car is at fault when it is designed and built to comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 & it only becomes non-compliant when much bigger after-market external RV mirrors are fitted. You can buy those mirrors which exceed the ADR width limits. I have seen them fitted and have measured them. There are lots of after-market 4x4 accessories that done meet the ADRs. Blow off valves, Turbo timers that cannot be over ridden, fishing rod holders, lift kits, wheel spacers, bullbars, laser jammers, extended spring shackles, etc. Yes I've seen the Certification Papers signed off by so called accredited independent Engineers too

Looked at a set of MSA mirrors on thier reps vehicle recently....the MSA mirrors are just one big piece of glass rather the the 2 piece mirrors the Clearviews are, so might appeal more to those that don’t like the 2 mirrors set up. The MSA mirrors also seem to slide in and out easier IMO, they use a different set up internally apparently.

My vehicle is 200 series VX

Sorry if I am missing anything, but where do you get the figure of $2000 for Clearviews for the VX? I just looked on Clearview's website and the most expensive ones for the LC200 are the powerfold with heating, BSM & of course indicators at a cost of $1350. Installation is not difficult, so an easy'ish DIY job.

Cheers,

Dave

Interesting. TJM quoted 1630 plus fitting. The difference is replacing the cameras from original mirrors in to the new ones is my understanding

Then again, some of us would say Range Rovers and Discoverys look Bl**dy ugly LOL

Regards

Might be ugly in your opinion but once driven in you will never want to drive another cheap uncomfortable car. But each to his own. Getting back to topic question. If I wanted truck mirrors I would have bought a truck with them already fitted on. Not the other way around. Try 4WDing with Clearview on tight narrow tracks and see how long they stay attached. Or try parking in a tight spot. They just stick too much and do not fold back close enough.

It is a simple matter to fold them in especially when in carparks.

Have to agree with Kazza, very easy to manually fold them in if they are not “power fold”.

Macca.

Not to mention the blind spot they create.